Love Inspired June 2015 - Box Set 1 of 2: The Cowboy's Homecoming\The Amish Widow's Secret\Safe in the Fireman's Arms (55 page)

Maggie nodded vaguely, her eyes still on Jake.

Looking at the strapping younger man, Jake suddenly felt very old. Too old to be playing games of the heart. Way too old to be experiencing jealousy.

“Hello, Sam, Duffy,” Maggie said. “Sam, you need to grab a plate.”

“I agree,” Sam said. “Maybe even two.”

Maggie laughed. “Multitasking. Good idea. Jake, aren't you going to eat?” she asked.

“You know what? I am hungry,” Jake said. “I guess I could hang around a while.” He smiled at Maggie, suddenly realizing that once again, Bitsy was right. He should have been here a week ago.

* * *

By the time Jake downed his second helping of stew with at least four more biscuits, the first bolts of lightning streaked across the night sky. Bitsy had insisted Maggie sit down and eat with Jake. A wave of exhaustion rolled over her as she pushed back her partially eaten meal.

The guests had made a significant dent in the bounty spread across the counters and three tables. As the sound of thunder boomed overhead, several of her Paradise neighbors had begun to slowly gravitate toward the front door.

It had been a pleasant day, but now as the hours stretched into evening, Maggie found she was more than ready for the party to end. Being an extrovert, even if only for the day, was draining. She hated to admit it, but she wasn't up to par physically yet. She was tired and aching.

What she longed for was to sit on the porch with a cup of tea, relax and listen to the quiet noises of the country.

She said nothing, however, because if the party ended, Jake would also leave, and for the moment she simply wanted to enjoy his presence.

As though reading her mind, Jake's gaze connected with hers across the kitchen table. When she attempted to hide a yawn, he smiled and winked.

“Bitsy,” he said, standing to clear the table.

Bitsy turned from the sink where her hands were immersed in suds.

“Maggie's looking worn-out.” He scooped up Maggie's plate as he cleared his own.

Bitsy looked from Jake over to Maggie.

“What do you want me to do, Jake?”

“You could mention that ticketing of the vehicles might commence in thirty minutes.”

“Roger that, Chief.”

An hour later Maggie sat alone on her porch, tea in hand. Bitsy had done an amazing job of orchestrating the retreat.

The sky truly opened up then and large drops of water pelted the last guest's car as taillights faded into the distance. After a few minutes the rain became steady and rhythmic. Now this was a welcome guest.

A beacon in his yellow rain slicker, Ed gave a final salute to the sheriff as he drove away. Sam backed the patrol car off the lawn and gave a friendly toot of the horn to signal his own departure.

Jake? She didn't even know where his vehicle was. He had apparently already disappeared. They hadn't even had a chance to talk. Deep disappointment pricked Maggie.

Then she noticed the red fire-marshal truck pull up the drive closer to the house. When its door opened Jake dodged puddles and rain as he raced to the porch, a jacket over his head. He shook the water from his broad form and stood grinning down at her. He'd never looked so good.

“Hi,” he said.

“Hi,” she returned. “Bitsy sure knows how to clear a room.”

“A rare talent, huh?”

Maggie nodded. “For which I am very grateful.”

For moments they simply stared at each other.

“Come back for pie?” Maggie asked.

“Oh, something like that.”

“Bitsy left me two.”

“Two pies?” He looked her up and down. “I get one a year if I am really lucky and this is your third in what? Five weeks? A month? I'm telling you, ever since you hit town the pies have been running fast and loose.”

“Must be my winning personality.”

He snorted. “Or maybe the bandage on your head, your bruised face and the gauze on your arm.”

Maggie glared.

Jake only chuckled. “I need a favor.”

“You're supposed to sweeten someone up when you want a favor. Not insult them.”

He shook his head and made a sound of disgust. “I'll get it right one of these days.”

“What's the favor?” Maggie asked.

Lifting his jacket he revealed a damp bundle of pale orange fur cowering in the crook of his arm.

“A kitten. He's shivering.”

“She. Can you keep her?”

“We've already discussed this.”

“Is that your final answer?”

Maggie put her cup on the ground and stood, reaching for the kitten. “I don't do cats.”

“This is not a cat. It's a kitten.”

She shook her head and opened the screen with the animal in her arms. Jake followed.

“Where'd you find her?” Maggie asked, opening the hall closet. She pulled out a fluffy bath towel and gently rubbed the fur dry. The animal stopped shivering and began purring like a small motor.

“In the woods by my house. She's already been to the vet. All that's left is to pick out a name.”

“You left her in the truck all this time?”

“In a carrier, nice and warm with the vehicle windows open for ventilation.”

“She's terrified.”

“The thunder. Mother Nature's fault. Not mine.”

She ignored Jake, but was unable to resist rubbing her cheek against the soft fur, and cooing soft words of reassurance.

“So everything is working out nicely, isn't it?” she finally said.

“What are we talking about here?” Jake asked. “The cat?”

“No. People. Mack and Bitsy are getting married. That should get Bitsy out of your hair, right?”

“In my wildest dreams, they take a cruise around the world and come back and move into Bitsy's house. So that would be a yes.”

She chuckled. “And Beck admitted to setting that fire and apologized.”

“Don't you think you're letting him off easy for arson?”

“You're going to have to trust me, Jake. Beck and I have an understanding. He's not going to act out like this again.”

She put her hand on Jake's sleeve. “Besides, he has so much auxiliary service scheduled, he'll think long and hard before he does anything like that again.”

“I don't get why he did it in the first place?'

“He was acting out because he thought you were a risk to his friendship with me.”

“Am I?” He looked at her.

“I think I can handle more than one friend in my life.”

He nodded in agreement. “So what's going on with your interview? I thought you were less than enthusiastic about the newspaper industry.”

“They're printing a big article about the fire with a tie-in focusing on the Paradise Volunteer Fire Department.” She smiled, pleased with her plan. “This should guarantee your reelection, Jake.”

“You did the interview for me?”

“It seemed only fair, after all, I was the one who got you in trouble.”

“Maggie, you didn't have to do that. I wasn't in trouble.”

“I wanted to do it. You've done so much for me already.”

The kitten crawled up to Maggie's shoulder and licked her face with a quick flick of a pink tongue.

“So what is it I'm supposed to do with this little peach here?” Maggie asked, tugging the kitten back down into her arms.

“She needs a place to stay. Naturally I thought of you and how you're all by yourself here.”

“Maybe you missed the part of the discussion where I said I don't like cats.”

Jake attempted to level her with a look, but Maggie ignored him and stroked the kitten gently under the chin. Then she put the kitten down to wander around the kitchen.

“Can she stay?” he asked.

“I'll think about it.”

“You've changed, Maggie.”

“No, I've grown. These weeks in Paradise have been about me uncovering who I am. Me growing into me. Maybe you won't like the real Maggie. Have you ever considered that?”

“I like her fine.”

“Then where have you been all week?” she asked softly. Maggie stepped closer to him. Close enough to smell the pine on his clothes and see the truth in his eyes.

He stared at the floor, hands shoved in the pockets of his navy uniform pants. Finally, he began speaking again.

“I was afraid, Maggie. Seeing you in that hospital bed brought back every one of my fears. Memories I've stuffed away for ten long years. My mom's death and Diana's. I didn't know if I could do it again. Risk everything again and maybe lose.”

“And now?”

“I love you, Maggie Jones. I've been in love with you since that first fire.”

“When I burned the eggs? In that old T-shirt and my hair in a ponytail? And it wasn't a fire. Just smoke.”

“Whatever. You were beautiful. That's the picture I'll always carry in my heart. The very first time I saw you.”

“I wish you would have told me. It would have saved me a lot of trouble.”

“I was fighting my feelings. Self-preservation.”

Maggie stopped talking, suddenly letting his words sink in. He loved her.

Pleasure warmed her inside and out. He loved her. But it wasn't enough. She wouldn't stop, wouldn't give in until they'd settled everything. She didn't want anything standing between them.

“The thing is, Jake, you can't move forward if you're going to spend your life worrying about me.”

His gaze never left hers, taking in the words. He nodded as she continued.

“Your life has been safe the past ten years. Constant and predictable. Just like mine.” She refused to look away from him as she spoke the words.

“That knock on your head sure gave you some insight, huh?” He reached out to take her hand, rubbing his thumb softly over the skin.

“What about you, Maggie? You were pretty emphatic about not looking for a man in your life.”

Her glance flew to his face. “I guess I did say that, didn't I?”

“Several times.”

“Hmm, I may need to reevaluate my stance.”

“That's probably a good idea because you're stuck with me. For life.”

Maggie stood very still, hope building in her heart, yet she was very much afraid she'd misunderstood his words.

“Did you hear me?” he whispered.

She nodded. Her voice became almost a whisper as she spoke the difficult words. “That fire was a wake-up call for me. I almost lost you, Jake. We both almost lost your father.”

His eyes widened and she saw the love on his face. While it was almost her undoing, she knew she had to finish.

“I won't let it happen again. I'm glad to be alive, so I can love you in return. I'm glad you love me, but are you ready to step out in faith?”

“Bitsy says I have to let the Lord take care of people I love and stop trying to do it all myself.”

“Why do you suppose she's so smart?” Maggie asked.

“I'm not sure, but it's annoying, isn't it?”

Maggie laughed.

Jake wasted no time folding her into his embrace. Maggie rested her head against his heart, listening to the steady beat for minutes. He raised a hand and gently stroked her hair as his chin nuzzled her close.

“You love me?” he asked, releasing her to look deep into her eyes.

“How could I not? But Jake, love isn't enough. We both have to have the courage to take a chance on our future. Turn it over to Him.”

“Are you proposing to me?”

Heat rushed to her face as she struggled for a response. Then she laughed. “Maybe I am.”

Jake lifted her chin with his finger. “I sure hope so, because this is going to make Mack and Bitsy very happy.” He gave her a goofy grin.

“But what about you?” she asked. “Does this make you happy?”

“It does,” Jake murmured. “Thanks for returning to Paradise, Maggie.”

“Pretty amazing how our paths crossed, isn't it?”

He nodded. “Yeah. Pretty amazing. I love you, Maggie Jones. You're right. It is time to step out in faith.”

His mouth touched hers for the sweetest kiss.

When he lifted his head, Maggie looked into his eyes. “Can we make it, Jake?” she asked.

“Are you asking for guarantees? I can't give you that, but I can promise to love you and to listen to the Lord. Oh, and to keep you in cheese puffs and toaster pastries.”

Her laughter filled the room.

“So maybe we'll have another few years together.” He shrugged. “Maybe we'll have fifty.”

“If we don't?”

“Well, at least we'll know we loved each other our very best every single day.”

As Maggie stood on her toes to place a kiss on his lips the kitten wedged between them and attempted to crawl up Jake's pant leg.

“Have you noticed your kitten's fur is the exact color of those pies you love so much?” Maggie asked.

“Our cat,” he said.

Maggie let out a breath. “Okay, our cat. But absolutely no dogs.”

“No dogs,” he repeated. “Except Chuck.”

“Except Chuck.”

He laughed.

“Ready for some pie?” she asked.

“It really doesn't get any better than this, does it, Maggie?” Jake asked, leaning against the refrigerator with the kitten in his arms.

Maggie smiled as she pulled out Bitsy's pie.

Jake MacLaughlin would be easy to love. Faith, pie and kisses. They already had a built-in family, right here in Paradise.

What else could they possibly ask for?

Epilogue

“M
aggie.” Jake knocked again.

She cracked open the door to the church's bridal dressing room and smiled. His heart began a slow melt and he nearly forgot why he was there in the first place.

“Open the door, sweetheart,” he murmured.

“Jake, you aren't supposed to see the bride before the wedding.”

“That only applies to the groom. I'm the best man.”

“Oh. I suppose you're right.”

Before he realized what hit him, Maggie had carefully stepped into the hallway and launched herself at him, slipping her arms around his neck.

Jake's lips met hers and he kissed her.

“Thank you,” Maggie said with a sigh when they had parted. “I needed that.”

He exhaled deeply and laced his fingers through hers.

“Anytime.”

“Did you need something?” she asked.

“Yes. But now I've forgotten what it was.”

Maggie laughed.

“You look amazing,” Jake said, taking in the cornflower-blue dress with the deep blue sash. “What do they call that material?”

“Chiffon.” She twirled around and the bottom of the dress ruffled and swirled with the movement. “But I have to get back in there and help the bride.”

He reached for her right hand and kissed the palm, then ran a finger over the engagement ring. “Thank you for agreeing to be my wife.”

“Oh, Jake.” She swallowed, her voice thick.

“By the way, a package arrived at the fire station today.”

“A package?”

“From your parents.”

“My parents sent a package to the fire house?”

“Yeah. You should see what's inside.”

“What is it?”

“Your rocking chair's matching pair.”

Maggie gasped. “What did you do? That chair is pretty much a seal of approval of our engagement. I never thought my mother would part with it.”

“Your parents and I had a long-distance chat. I think we're friends now.”

“But how?”

“I thanked them for raising such an amazing daughter. Then I began to list all your fine qualities.” He shrugged. “I wouldn't shut up. It's possible they gave their approval to shut me up.”

Maggie laughed and hugged him again.

Jake nodded toward the bridal-suite door. “How's our bride doing?”

“Very subdued today.”

“May I see her?”

Maggie's brows rose in surprise. “Okay, let me see if she's presentable.” She opened the door and left him alone in the hall.

Jake paced back and forth along the ruby carpet. “Lord, help me not to mess this up. It's in Your hands.”

“Come on in,” Maggie called.

Bitsy Harmony stood in the middle of the room in a long-sleeved off-white lace dress. Scoop-necked, it reached her knees. Her hair had been swept into some sort of twist on the top of her head.

She smiled when she saw him in the doorway, her bright blue eyes alert and questioning.

“Jake, you aren't having cold feet about being Mack's best man, are you?”

“Not at all. I'm honored.” He reached into his tuxedo jacket and pulled out a small box. “As I understand the tradition, it's something old and something new, something borrowed and something blue.”

Bitsy nodded.

“I brought you something new to wear when you marry my father.” Jake opened the box. Inside rested a pearl necklace. He'd taken great care to select it from the jeweler in Monte Vista, not wanting his secret to make it to the loose lips of the citizens of Paradise.

A collective sigh rose from Bitsy and Maggie and the other two bridesmaids.

“Oh, Jake,” Bitsy murmured. “They're lovely.”

“Welcome to the family, Bitsy. Thank you for making my father so happy. I'm praying for a long and happy marriage for you and Mack.”

Bitsy sniffed and blinked her eyes rapidly as Jake took the necklace from the box and reached out to put it around her neck. He kissed her soft cheek and released her.

“Thank you, Jake. I'm speechless and I think you, of all people, know how rare that is.”

Jake laughed. “Well, then maybe I better take this opportunity to thank you for all the crazy machinations that went on to get Maggie and me together. You know, of course, that I was one step from being in love with her the first time she burned those eggs?” He glanced fondly at Maggie.

“Of course. It was the Lord's plan. I simply hurried things along.”

He smiled and glanced at his watch. “I'll leave you ladies to finish. Fifteen minutes before you become Mrs. Jacob MacLaughlin Senior, Bitsy.”

Maggie slipped her arm through his as he headed to the door. Outside the room she placed her arms around his neck once more. “I didn't think it was possible to love you any more than I do, but, Jake MacLaughlin, I do.”

“I love you, too, Maggie. I thank God every day for bringing you into my life.”

“Me, too.” She smiled. “Me, too.”

* * * * *

Keep reading for an excerpt from A RANCHER FOR THEIR MOM by Leann Harris.