My Sweetheart (12 page)

             
When her body relaxed and her tears dried up, Tate tilted her face up, kissing first on one cheek and then her other before very gently kissing her lips. “Better?”

             
Jane sighed and nodded. “Please tell me this won’t be another yo-yo moment where I see you next time and you act like you can’t stand me.”

             
Tate groaned and leaned his forehead against hers. “
I’m sorry
. Please forgive me for being so slow and stubborn. I’ll never push you away ever again. Jane . . . I love you,” he said in a low voice so full of emotion he shuddered.

             
Jane pulled his face down and kissed him softly. “I never thought I’d ever hear you say that,” she whispered.

             
Tate caressed her cheek with his hand and shook his head. “You’re going to have to get used to hearing it all the time from now on. I’ve never loved another woman. Ever,” he admitted.

             
Jane sighed happily and then squeaked when the front door was flung open and shouts and yelling filled the small house. Jane jumped back from Tate as men from his Rugby team poured in, making the small house seem overcrowded immediately.

             
Tate glanced at her apologetically as he turned to greet his friends and cousins. She hurried back to the stove and picked up the spatula transferring the cookies to the cooling tray, keeping her damp eyes down in case anyone glanced at her. She turned the oven off and walked around the men to get to the door. She had her hand on the door knob when she was picked up from behind and carried back to the kitchen.

             
She gasped and looked up to see Kam laughing down at her. “Where are you going? You can’t leave a man when he’s down. You take him to the hospital, bring him home and make him cookies and then you leave?”

             
Tate laughed, his eyes happy and filled with light as he stared at her. Jane blushed and pushed her hair behind her ears as she shrugged. “Well, Tate’s in good hands now. I don’t think I’m needed anymore,” she said, biting her lip.

             
Kam grinned and shook his head. “I think Tate disagrees. You disagree bro? You want Jane to stay or go?”

             
Tate looked at her almost shyly and said one word. “Stay.”

             
Jane smiled back and nodded her head. “Okay.”

             
For the next hour, she sat by Tate on the couch while his friends and Kam regaled him with the entire rugby match play by play.

             
“You know, your friend Rob is pretty good. And he can take a hit,” Feke said, grinning at Tate.

             
Tate threw a pillow at Feke and more good natured teasing followed. Jane got up knowing she really did need to get to bed but she couldn’t leave Tate with the mess she’d made in the kitchen. She pulled her hair up into a messy bun and began washing the cookie sheet by hand. She jumped when someone set a plate beside her. She looked up to see Kam looking down at her curiously.

             
“You sure about this Cupcake?”

             
Jane didn’t pretend to misunderstand what he meant and sighed. “I love him. I tried everything not to, but I can’t stop. Will your mom and dad hate me?” she asked rinsing the plate off and placing it on the counter.              

             
Kam leaned against the counter and crossed his massive arms over his chest as he frowned. “They won’t hate you but it’s not going to be easy. You’re tough though, right?”

             
Jane grimaced and began washing Tate’s glass. “Some days I am. Some days, not so much. Will your mom and dad be okay with you dating Meredith?”

             
Kam grinned and shook his head. “They’re in for a shock. But they’ll be okay. It’s different for me. I have a mom and dad and brothers and sisters and all the support anyone could want. If Tate chooses you, he’ll have you and two sisters in law. They’re not going to like that.”

             
Jane frowned and rinsed the glass. “Then I’ll have to be enough for him, won’t I?”

             
Kam picked up one of the cookies that hadn’t burned and took a bite smiling kindly at her. “If you ask me, you’re more than enough.”

             
Jane smiled and watched him walk out of the kitchen. She wiped off the counter and headed for the door. She paused in the doorway and watched Tate for a moment. He was relaxed and happier than she’d ever seen him. Hopefully she had something to do with that.

             
“Bye everyone!” she called out. “I’ll see you at the next game,” she said and flinched as Tate struggled to get off the couch to say goodbye to her. The rest of the guys called out their goodbyes as Tate opened the door for her and walked with her to her car.

             
“Tate, you’re hurt. You don’t need to walk me to my car,” she said as he put a protective hand on the small of her back.

             
Tate smiled happily and waited as she unlocked her door. “Yeah, actually I do. Besides, I wanted to say goodbye to my girlfriend in private.”

             
Jane’s cheeks turned red and her mouth fell open in surprise. “
Girlfriend
? I don’t remember the two of us deciding on a label for our relationship,” she said, looking at his chest instead of his face.

             
Tate tilted her chin up and she was forced to look into his dark warm eyes. “You can call us whatever you want as long as it means you’re mine and I’m yours.”

             
Jane sighed happily and leaned her head up against his good shoulder. “I guess that means I have to break up with Rob then.”

             
Tate laughed although he didn’t sound like he was amused. “You will if you care about his health.”

             
Jane grinned up at him and then frowned. “So uh, that means you’ll be letting Alea and your family know that you two won’t be together?” she asked carefully while she looked away from Tate.

             
Tate was quiet for a moment. “It’s over Jane. It was over the moment I told you I loved you,” he said quietly, touching her cheek.

             
Jane closed her eyes in relief as Tate leaned down and nuzzled her cheek with his lips. “All my friends are staring out my window at us. Give me a big kiss so they’ll be jealous.”

             
Jane glanced at the window and saw that he was right. “
Uh
. . .” was as far as she got before Tate took matters in to his own hands and began kissing her. Jane forgot about their audience although she could hear whooping and yelling. Everything faded away as Tate gently explored her mouth, ending the kiss way too soon.

             
Jane stared at Tate with a small smile on her face. “
Wow
. It’s so different kissing someone you love isn’t it?”

             
Tate grinned and grabbed her hand, kissing her knuckles before slowly backing away. “It’s as different as the sun and the moon. One just reflects light and one fills you with so much warmth you realize you’ve been freezing to death your whole life,” he said and then turned and walked away from her.

             
Jane bit her lip as joy filled her heart. She slipped into her car and drove away as Tate stood on his front porch watching her. As soon as she turned the corner, she rolled down her windows and yelled as loud as she could.

             
Tate loved her
. Could life get any better?

             
The next day as she worked side by side with her sisters, she couldn’t contain her happiness. Kit woke up tired from being up late with Hunter and Layla was unusually quiet, so she kept her news to herself.

             
Rob came in to buy a croissant and talked to her about rugby. “Jane, I had the best time last night. I feel bad Tate got hurt in that tackle, but other than that it was fun. I can’t wait for the next game. There’s a practice tonight I’m going to. Feke told me he’d help train me.”

             
Jane grinned as Rob went on and on and was happy that he’d found an outlet for his competitive nature. Kit and Layla were on their best behavior and took time out to smile and chat with him too.

             
“Hey Rob, I’ll walk you down to your car,” Jane said and hurried around the counter when he reached for the door.              

             
Rob raised an eyebrow in surprise and then winked at her before turning back to wave goodbye to Layla and Kit. “Sure thing Beautiful.”

             
Kit frowned and Layla sighed heavily but they didn’t say anything to stop her. She put her hand on Rob’s arm as they walked down to his car. “Rob, something happened last night that you should probably know about,” she began.

             
Rob frowned and leaned up against his car with his arms crossed over his chest. “Oh? That doesn’t sound good.”

             
Jane blushed and put her hands behind her back. “Well, after I took Tate to the hospital we had a really good talk and we’ve decided that we’re going to be together now.”

             
Rob frowned and looked down at his feet. “What about Miss Universe? What’s she going to say about that?”

             
Jane bit her lip and shrugged. “She’s not going to like it. But I have to admit that I’m going to miss being your girlfriend. I had a lot of fun with you,” she said, smiling.

             
Rob smiled back and shook his head. “Dang, I was really enjoying this. What? We were together two, two and a half days? I think you owe me at least a week,” he said sounding genuinely disappointed.

             
Jane laughed and gave him a quick hug. “You Rob were the best boyfriend I’ve ever had. Well, up until now that is. But honestly, you’re great. I’m glad we did this, because if we hadn’t, we would have never been friends.”

             
Rob reached out and touched her cheek. “Friends it is then. Bring Tate into the restaurant soon.”

             
Jane nodded and smiled as she waved goodbye to him as he drove away. He’d been so nice and fun. She hoped that Rob was able to find someone to love soon. She hurried back into the bakery but stopped when she saw Kit and Layla staring at her with identical frowns on their faces.

             
“
What?
” she asked, alarmed.

             
Layla stepped forward and stood in front of her. “Jane, I know Rob is charming and he can be fun and at first I thought this would be okay, but seeing you now, rushing to walk him to his car and hugging him.
No.
Just no Jane. You’re falling for him! I knew this would happen. You have the softest most romantic heart of anyone I’ve ever met.”

             
Jane’s mouth fell open but before she could say anything Kit rushed in, taking her hand and standing next to Layla. “I get it Jane. Believe me, I get it. Rob is gorgeous, intelligent and he has enough charisma for three men. But this is going so fast. Please slow down.
Please
. . .” she stopped as the bell over the door signaled a customer.

             
All three women turned around to see Tate Matafeo walk in. Jane’s breath caught in her throat as she watched him walk toward her in his police uniform, grinning and looking straight at her.

             
“Good morning ladies,” Tate said before pulling her into his arms and kissing her.

             
Jane pulled back after a moment, laughing softly as she stared up into his bright warm brown eyes. “That’s a nice way to start the day,” she said as he kissed her again quickly before putting his arm around her.

             
Jane sighed happily and then blinked in surprise at Kit’s and Layla’s shocked expressions. Tate moved forward, standing in front of her.

             
“Layla, Kit, I guess Jane hasn’t told you, but we came to an understanding last night. Jane and I have decided that we belong together. I hope that’s okay with you. As her sisters and her only family, your blessing would mean the world to me,” he said.

             
Layla’s eyes went wide and bright and she threw her arms around Tate’s neck, hugging him tightly. “Tate, I’m so happy! You have my blessing,” she said stepping back to cup his face in her hands. “I always said you were the brother I always wanted.”

             
Tate smiled happily and turned to Kit. Kit tilted her head, smiling at him. “My only complaint is that it took you so long. We already love you Tate, you know that. Welcome to the family,” she said and reached up and kissed him on the cheek before hugging him.

             
Jane grinned happily as Tate moved back and put his arm around her again. “Thank you both. I know I’ve made mistakes and I’ve been stubborn but I want you both to know that I’ll treat Jane like a queen. I love her,” he admitted quietly.

             
Layla sighed happily and clapped her hands together. “This calls for a celebration. Tate, you’re coming for dinner Sunday at our new house. Kit, I want you and Hunter there too.”

             
Kit smiled happily and then looked at Jane raising an eyebrow. “You know, you could have gotten out of that little lecture a minute ago, if you’d just opened your mouth this morning and told us everything. Seeing you dance around the kitchen all morning singing, had us wanting to kill Rob.”

             
Tate looked down at Jane curiously. “Why didn’t you tell your sisters?”

             
Jane shrugged before leaning her head against Tate’s chest and wrapping her arm around his waist. “Well, Kit you were tired and grumpy and Layla was kind of quiet and not herself either. I wanted to wait for the perfect moment to tell you my news.”

             
Kit glared at her and reached over and yanked on her pony tail. “I’m tired, not dead. Next time you better tell me you stinker.”

             
Jane laughed and nodded. Layla smiled at Jane and reached over and patted her cheek. “You’re right. I was tired and out of sorts this morning. I’m just not feeling well is all. But that doesn’t stop me from being ecstatic that you’re happy.”

             
Jane sighed happily and closed her eyes to soak in the moment. A customer came in and Kit jumped to help her.

             
“Tate, I know you have to go soon, but come in the kitchen for a minute. I made you something special this morning,” she said, pulling on his hand.

             
Tate followed her to the kitchen. “You know falling in love with a baker is the best thing I’ve ever done,” he said glancing around the kitchen for his treat.

             
Jane went to the fridge and pulled out a plate. “It’s a triple chocolate mousse torte. I thought of you the whole time I was making it,” she said handing him the plate and a fork.

             
Tate took a bite and his entire face was lit up with pleasure, closing his eyes as he always did when tasting something she’d made. He shook his head before opening his eyes and smiled at her. “I think you’ve made the most delicious thing I’ve ever tasted and then you surprise me with something even better. You’re an angel,” he said and put his half eaten dessert down.

             
Jane glowed from the compliment. “You didn’t finish,” she said as he put his arms around her and pulled her in, kissing her. All thoughts of dessert immediately disappeared as heat and warmth wrapped around her.

             
Layla’s voice had her jumping back though. “I guess this is payback for all the times Michael and I have tortured you.”

             
Jane laughed and Tate looked slightly red in the face. “Sorry Layla. I’ll be on my way. I just had to stop by and see her for a moment,” he said picking up his plate and fork and eating the rest quickly.

             
Jane walked him to the front door and kissed him quickly. Tate’s eyes narrowed a little as he looked down at her. “Come down today and fill out the paperwork for the restraining order.
Please
,” he added softly.

             
Jane grimaced and nodded, waving at him as he hurried down the stairs and to his car. She stared out the window as he drove away, leaning her forehead against the glass as she smiled. She turned around and saw Layla and Kit grinning at her and she couldn’t hold it in any longer. She jumped up and down and pumped her fist in the air. “
Whoo Hoo
!” she yelled as her sisters joined her, yelling and jumping up and down as if they were at a Rave.

             
When they finally calmed down they leaned against the glass case grinning at each other. “Well, you did it Jane. I just don’t know if he loves you more or your desserts,” Kit said with a grin.

             
Layla snorted and stood up, stretching her back out. “I can answer that. It’s Jane. You should have seen what I had to walk in on just a few minutes ago. My eyelids still feel singed from the heat coming off those two. And there was the torte, sitting on the counter ignored.”

             
Kit grinned and high fived Jane. Jane walked around the counter still smiling. “Well, it serves you right Layla. I’ve been traumatized by you and Michael
and
Kit and Hunter. It’s horrifying to know that at any moment you’re going to walk in on someone kissing.”

             
Kit threw a towel at her and laughed. “Oh you poor thing. But honestly, that was the sweetest thing ever. Asking us for our blessing Layla, can you believe that? And the way he looked at you Jane,” she said sighing happily. “I fully take back all the mean things I was getting ready to say to you because I thought you were mooning over Rob.”

             
Layla laughed and nodded her head in agreement. “I forgive Rob but not enough to let you fall in love with him. I was about to send you to Max in Texas if I had to. No, Tate will do perfectly. He’s absolutely beautiful, very sweet, good and kind. But he’s also tough enough to protect you. I won’t ever have to worry about you, knowing that you have Tate.”

             
Jane’s eyes went soft and she nodded. “He’s
amazing
.”

             
Kit hugged her quickly and then went to work as people began pouring in the bakery. She worked the counter until one, and Mandee came in to relieve them. She quickly changed into a simple skirt, t-shirt and sandals to go to the police station.

             
Tate wasn’t there of course, but the police woman who had helped them when their father had been arrested the first time helped her again. Officer Johnson gave her the paper work to fill out and brought her over a water bottle too.

             
“Tate told us to expect you today. All you have to do is fill out the forms. We’ll file them with the court but then you will need to attend a hearing. After the judge grants the restraining order, one of our police officers will serve the respondent.”

             
Jane swallowed nervously hating the idea of having to stand in front of a judge and ask for protection, but it would make Tate and her sisters happy so she sat down and filled out the forms. She handed them to Officer Johnson and then hurried outside into the sun. It was supposed to rain later that evening, but right now, the day was perfect.

             
She felt her phone vibrate in her pocket and looked at the text.

             
Help! Kam and his parents will be here in three hours! Help me! Help me! Help me!

             
Jane laughed. Meredith was the biggest drama queen, but she was growing on her. Besides that, she had a huge soft spot in her heart for Kam. She stopped by the grocery store and then headed to Meredith’s house.

             
She walked into Meredith’s front door and glanced around. Meredith still lived at home with her mom and dad and brother. She was the same age as Jane but was just finishing up her last semester of college. She would be graduating soon with a teaching degree.

             
“Where are you?” Jane called, smiling at the cute pictures of Meredith and Tristan all over the hallway walls.

             
Meredith poked her head down the hallway. “Back here!”