Cowboy Dreamin' (Thunder Creek Ranch Book 8) (17 page)

He loved her but had never told her so. Hadn’t even been sure of it himself until after she was gone. Those three little words tied him up in knots every time he thought about voicing them. Did
she
love
him
? That was the question eating at him now. He didn’t want to confess his love only to have it thrown back in his face.

Jeez! Was he a man or a coward? He was man enough to risk rejection. Wasn’t he? Their relationship as they’d known it had changed with the addition of a child. The commitment had to be there on both sides. Their lovemaking wouldn’t be as spontaneous, but they could make it work.

Was Allison bringing her daughter back with her? If Michael knew, he hadn’t said. But what if she did and Bridget hated him on sight? What options would he have then?

The door opened, and Michael joined him.

“How are you doing?”

Jack bit the bullet and asked, “Michael, is Allison bringing her daughter back with her?”

He nodded. “Her daughter and her mother. She asked me to hire someone to clean the apartment so they wouldn’t see the mess Charlie made.”

“Good Lord! I hadn’t even thought of that. I just figured she’d cleaned it before she left.”

Michael’s gaze found his. “Seems she left in a hurry.”

“Yeah, well, her daughter fell and got hurt. She had to go.”

Michael gave him a strange look as if he thought Jack would say more.

“Uh-huh. Weird, when no one knew she had a daughter. And now you two lovebirds don’t seem to be talking. I’m a good listener, bro.”

“What’s there to say? I fucked up, and she may never speak to me again.”

“That bad, eh?” Michael said as he sat in one of the deck chairs.

“Worse. When she told me about her daughter, I got angry and sent her away. I was pretty nasty about it.”

“I don’t understand. You like kids. Why did you get angry?”

“Because it seemed like she hadn’t trusted me with the information. I was no better than stud service to fill the time. And it hurt, bro.”

“Yes, I can see where it would. What are you going to do now?”

“I honestly don’t know. I love her, Michael.”

Michael grinned. “Yeah, I can read the signs. If you love her, fight for her. Be like Lucas and beg if you have to, but don’t just walk away from love. That’s all I can say.”

“I don’t even know if she feels the same.”

“Prepare for her return as if she does. What will you do?”

“With her mother and daughter in tow, what can I do?” Jack held his hands palms up in frustration.

Michael’s gaze slipped past Jack to the area beyond the porch, and his grin widened. “Mama’s roses are in bloom. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if you picked a few … dozen.”

“I’d feel foolish walking in with a big bouquet of roses.”

“Duh. You don’t walk in with them. You scatter them all over her bed before she gets home. Leave a bouquet in each bedroom and one on the table. You could even write her a love poem. If she doesn’t forgive you after all that, you’re dead meat.”

“Yeah, cool, I can do that.” Jack smiled at his brother, already forming a love poem in his mind. Then he frowned in frustration. “I can’t do that. I don’t have my truck, and I’m not allowed to drive yet anyway or do anything that requires bending.”

Michael laughed out loud. “Fear not, little brother. I won’t let you rattle that brain of yours. For the sake of love, call me once you have the flowers picked and I’ll come get you.”

“All right, if I can pick them. Going to be a mite difficult with only one hand, but I’ll figure out something. Hopefully Mom won’t kill me.”

“You could always buy them,” Michael suggested. “Or enlist Mom’s help. Make it seem like her idea.”

“That’s the ticket. I’ll talk to Mom tonight.”

“Okay, gotta go. See ya tomorrow.” Michael said as he went down the steps to his truck.

After booking Charlie and Loreena, he’d signed off work and brought Jack home in his own vehicle.

“Yep, and thanks again for giving me my life back.”

Chapter Seventeen

Allison stopped at the same motel as she had on her way to Winnipeg, only this time, she rented a cabin near the outdoor pool. It had a kitchenette, full bath, two bedrooms, and a pullout sofa in the living room.

“Mom, you and Bridget can have the bedrooms. I can sleep out here.”

“Are you sure? You’ve been doing all the driving. You need your rest.”

“I’m sure, Mom. I can sleep anywhere. I even bedded down on hay once when I tended a sick horse. I’ll be fine.”

“Can we go swimming now?” asked Bridget.

“As soon as we change into our suits.”

“Yippee!” said Bridget as she grabbed her duffle bag and disappeared into a bedroom. “Mom, come quick.”

Her heart in her throat, Allison and her mother both ran to the room.

“What is it? What’s wrong?” Allison asked as she glanced around the room.

“Nothing’s wrong. This room has bunk beds. I can sleep on the top and you can have the bottom bed.”

“Good heavens, child. You scared the daylights out of us.”

“Sorry, Gram.”

“All right, let’s get changed.” Allison grabbed her swimsuit and went to the bathroom while her mother went to the other bedroom. Before joining the others, she armed herself with sunblock and three fluffy towels off the rack.

Her mother and daughter were waiting for her, so she slipped the lanyard with the keycard attached around her neck and they walked to the pool. There were only a few others taking advantage of the sunny day and the water. Bridget, an excellent swimmer due to lessons from the time she was a toddler, dived right in. Allison laid their towels on a bench seat, and she and her mother jumped in, too.

Allison swam until her legs and arms were pleasantly tired, then turned over and floated on her back. All the while, she kept an eye on her daughter. Bridget was a social butterfly. Strangers were never strangers for long when Bridget was around. It was sometimes a cause for worry, but not today … not with her mother and grandmother close by. Seeing that her mother was heading for the ladder to climb out, Allison swam over and climbed out behind her.

“Bridget, it’s time to come out and get ready for dinner.”

“Okay, Mommy.”

Bridget said goodbye to her new friends and swam over to get out of the pool.

“That was fun. Can we swim again later?” Bridget asked.

“Not tonight. We need to shower, eat, and get some sleep. We still have a long drive ahead of us tomorrow.”

“Are we still going to be tourists?” she asked.

Allison glanced toward her mother.

“If it’s all the same to you, I’d like to get to Fort Macleod and see your new clinic. We can always play tourist there.”

“What do you think, Bridget?” Allison asked.

“I want to see my new room.”

“Then it’s unanimous. We’ll head out right after breakfast.”

Allison found herself getting excited, as well as a little anxious, to show her mother and daughter where she lived. She hoped they’d like it. And she’d like nothing more than to show them around Fort Macleod. It was a beautiful city steeped in history.

Had Michael told Jack she was on her way home? Would Jack even care? Did he miss her? Did he regret his angry outburst? Did he like kids? And the biggie—did he love her as much as she loved him? She’d forgive him almost anything just to be held in his arms again. If that made her sound like a sap, too bad. She loved him and would soon tell him so … if he’d talk to her again.

Chapter Eighteen

Jack watched as his mother pruned her rosebushes with a heavy hand, happily giving the fragrant flowers over to Jack for his ‘girl’. The fact that it was Allison, a woman his mother liked and respected, had made things easier for Jack.

He’d spent hours trying to pen a poem the previous night, finally giving up and writing a note from his heart. The words might not rhyme, but they told the truth. Life was not worth living without her. All his hopes and dreams for the future now included Allison and Bridget, a child he hadn’t even met yet.

Standing at the tailgate of Lucas’ truck, Jack rolled the rose cuttings in a damp sheet to keep them fresh, while his mind wandered to the many hours spent making love with Allison. He relived in minute detail her every expression, every touch, every move. They were so good together.

“Jack, gather that last bunch before they die of exposure. The sun’s already getting hot.”

He glanced at the patio table where she’d placed the clipped flowers. “On it, Mom.” He hoped he’d be able to lean over to arrange them suitably as his jeans were suddenly way too tight across the midsection. Not the best state to be in with his mother only a few feet away.

Michael drove in just as they finished up. “Hey, that’s a pretty pile of flowers,” he said as he stepped down from the cab.

“Yep, I just hope they do the trick,” said Jack.

“Most women love flowers, especially roses, and these are some of my best,” their mother said. “Does Allison have any vases?”

“I’m not sure. Probably. Maybe. Heck, how would I know?” Jack said.

Winnie laughed and went inside only to return a few minutes later with three pretty vases. “These will do nicely,” she said as she handed them to Michael. “Put them where they won’t get broken. Maybe I should wrap them in something.”

“I’ll tuck them beneath the sheet full of roses. They won’t move around and break that way.”

“Okay. That should work, Michael. Go ahead and load up.”

Michael grabbed one end of the rolled sheet and Jack the other to lift it into Michael’s truck bed. Then Michael jumped in and Jack passed him the glassware, which he stored beneath the sheet.

“Anything else?” asked Michael.

“Just one other thing. I’ll wash up, grab it, and be right back.”

Jack took a quick shower and dressed, almost forgetting the note in his rush to get to Allison’s. He grabbed the envelope and stuck it in his shirt pocket, then went back downstairs. His mother and Michael were in the kitchen.

He gave his mother a hug. “Thanks, Mom. If this works, I’ll owe you one.”

“It’ll work, and if you intend to stay there waiting for them to get home, you might want to pick something up for dinner.”

“Dinner sounds like a good idea. I don’t intend to stay in the apartment, but I won’t be far away. And I’m saving the spray of white roses to deliver in person.”

“Good choice. They’re beauties, but so are my yellow and apricot ones.”

“Then maybe I’ll do a mixed bouquet. She’s gonna love them. Come on, Mike. Let’s go. I want to stop at the grocery store on the way in.”

“Did you remember to put on clean underwear?” Winnie asked with a merry twinkle in her eyes and a happy grin on her face.

“Yep, I sure did,” said Jack. “The sexiest pair I could find.”

They were still laughing as Michael steered the truck down the road.

Jack picked up a few groceries on the way. Dinner would be a tray of cold cuts, coleslaw, and salads. He also picked up milk, coffee cream, chocolate milk, and a few cans of pop. Bases covered, they continued the drive until they arrived at the clinic.

“Park around back,” Jack said. “Donald said he’d unlock the door for us.”

The men worked quickly to unload everything and set up Allison’s homecoming surprise.

“Phew! That was more work than I thought,” Jack said once they’d finished. “Thanks for the help, bro.”

“No problem. I’d better get out of here. She could arrive anytime. Good luck. Let me know how things go.” Michael bundled up the damp sheet to take with him.

“I will.”

After Michael left, Jack locked the door and propped the note against the vase of roses on the table. With one last look around, he grabbed the bouquet of roses and went through the connecting door to the clinic. He’d rest on the sofa in her office until he heard her pull in. He wished he could be there to see her face when she first walked into her apartment.

With that thought on his mind, he lay down and promptly fell asleep.

****

“Wakefield Clinic. Nice. I didn’t know what you’d called it,” said her mother. “Never thought to ask.”

“That’s all right. I’ll give you the ten-cent tour once we’ve unloaded the truck.” Allison parked near the door into the apartment. Nervousness set in now that they were here. Her stomach was so full of butterflies, she was half-afraid they might carry her away. What if they didn’t like it? What if they wanted to go straight back to Winnipeg? She glanced into the back seat to see Bridget sleeping. “Bridget, we’re here. Wake up, sweetie.”

She sat up straight and rubbed her eyes. “Are we there yet?”

Allison couldn’t help but smile at the question she’d asked several times that day. “Yes, we’re here. Grab your bag and come on.”

She opened her door and slid down to the ground. Her mother came around to join her and grab her suitcase just as Bridget jumped out. The child landed running and didn’t stop until she got to the door.

“It’s locked,” she complained.

“I always lock the door, especially if I’m going to be gone for a while,” Allison said as she walked to the entrance. She unlocked the door and pushed it open. Bridget ran in followed by her grandmother. Being the last one in, and with her head down to put her keys in her purse, she didn’t realize the others had stopped right inside the entry until she bumped into her mother as she turned to close the door.

Then she smelled the flowers. She walked in past her mother and daughter and saw the bouquet of red roses on her kitchen table. She also saw the envelope propped up against it.

“Wow! Someone sure missed you,” said her mother.

“So it seems. Bridget, your room is over there,” she said as she pointed to it. “And Mom, you can have my room while you’re here.”

“But where will you sleep?”

“Either here on the couch or on the pullout in my office.”

“All right.” She picked up her suitcase and headed for the master bedroom.

“Mommy! I gots flowers too. Pretty pink ones.”

“Oh, dear. Allison, I think you’d better come here,” said her mother amidst gales of laughter.

“What? Did I get roses, too?” she asked, smiling as she crossed the room.

“Oh, yeah. You got roses.” Then she stepped aside for Allison to see for herself.

Allison couldn’t believe her eyes. She had a vase of apricot roses on her dresser, which were beautiful, but the bed—someone had covered it with rose petals of every size and color.

“Jack.” She breathed his name on a sigh.

Bridget came running in and, seeing the bed, promptly dived into the mass of petals.

“Is that the man from the relationship that didn’t work?” asked her mother.

“Yes, but … Mom, I have to call him.”

“Of course, but why don’t you read the note he left first?”

“Good idea.” In a daze, Allison felt as though she floated to the table. She stared at the envelope for a long time, then greedily snatched it up and tore it open.

My dearest Allison,

The days have been long and lonely since I sent you away. I only hope you can forgive me for the way I mishandled your news. I love kids and I love you. Please find it in your heart to give me a second chance.

Love, Jack

xo

P.S. Dinner is in the fridge.

“Oh, wow. Go call that man while I get dinner on the table,” her mother said.

Allison turned to her with tears running down her cheeks. “You read it?”

“Yep, and don’t expect me to apologize. I wanted to know what was making my baby cry. Now, rinse your face with cold water and dry those tears. Then call him. He definitely sounds like a keeper.”

“I’ll call him from the office, if that’s okay.”

“That’s fine. I’ll keep our little miss occupied.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

Allison went into the bathroom and washed up without actual knowledge of putting one foot in front of the other. Still in a wondrous daze, yet afraid to hope, she opened the connecting door and went to her office. She sat down behind her desk and reached for the phone, but her hand never connected with it. Was she seeing things?

No. Jack was there—in her office. He ’d fallen asleep sitting up on her sofa with the biggest bouquet of colorful roses she’d ever seen lying on his lap.

She walked over and picked up the bouquet. “Are these for me?” she asked softly as she sat down beside him. “Jack?”

His eyes opened and he stared at her as if he’d never seen her before. Then recognition dawned and he smiled that sexy smile she loved so well. “Darn! This wasn’t how I planned it. I didn’t mean to fall asleep, but I wanted to be close in case, well, in case…”

She laid the flowers on the end table and placed a finger against his mouth, stilling his words. “Yes, I do believe in second chances. I love you, Jack,” she said, tears of joy running down her cheeks.

“And I love you with all my heart.” Jack wiped her tears away and pulled her forward for a kiss—a long, mind-numbing, passion-filled kiss that promised more to come.

“I’ve missed you so much,” he said. “Life lost its sparkle the day I sent you away.”

“No more than I’ve missed you. Ready to meet the family?” she asked, grinning from ear-to-ear.

“Do you think Bridget will like me?” he asked, showing a vulnerable side to the man she’d never seen before.

Allison lovingly pushed a strand of hair back off his forehead. “She’s going to love you.”

“Good.” He sat up, turned to face her, and took her hands in his much larger ones. “Will you marry me, Allison? I promise to love you and your daughter until death we do part.”

“Are you sure?” she asked, finding it hard to believe that all her dreams were coming true.

“Positive.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a quick kiss. “Then yes, Jack. I would love to be your wife.”

Another kiss sealed the deal.

****

They never heard the door close as Allison’s mother and daughter backed slowly down the hall and into the apartment.

Bridget high-fived her grandmother and danced around the room. “I’m going to have a daddy.”

“Yes, you are, and a handsome one he is, too.”

“He’ll make beautiful babies.”

“Bridget!”

“Well he will. Do you think they made one today when they were kissing?”

“Kissing is where it all starts.” Estella Wakefield smiled. It would be nice to have babies in the house again. Yes, indeed. Real nice.

The End

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