The Cowboy's Bride (6 page)

Jake fell asleep, shortly after midnight in
the field. Tessa watched him from her bedroom window. She knew the
exact moment he gave in to the darkness. That was when she felt
herself finally relax and she walked over to her bed and gave in as
well.

The following week, she had an all clear
from the chemo. It was a lot faster than they predicted, and it
cheered Tessa more than anything could. They said the cancer was
gone, and for now, she was in remission. Radiation wasn’t needed,
it was just a precaution. And Tessa didn’t want it. She told the
doctor just that.

“I don’t want to go through any more of
this. If it’s gone now, I’m happy.”

“The Radiation will ensure…”

“No, I don’t want it.”

“Tessa,” Tessa’s mom spoke. “We think you
should really think about this.”

“No. I won’t make it. I don’t want the
treatment. If the cancer is gone, then I am done with this for now.
If it comes back, we will rethink the whole thing. For now, I am
not interested. Thank you.”

Tessa knew she was being stubborn, but she
didn’t think she could hack another week or even a day of chemo,
let alone radiation. She heard several horror stories throughout
the hospital and from her research on the internet. She didn’t want
anything to do with it if she didn’t have to.

Tessa left the doctor’s office feeling
better than she had in a long while. When they took the turn to her
parent’s ranch she saw the white chairs in the yard. The white
fabric runner and the arch. Tessa’s gasp alerted her parents and
they looked over.

“He loves you, Tessa. Talk to him.”

“Not like this,” Tessa said, gesturing to
her head. I have no hair, Mom. I always wanted a perfect wedding.
This isn’t what I’ve ever imagined.”

“Did you ever think, Tessa, that a perfect
marriage has nothing to do with flowers, hair or even the dress.
Look at that man, Tess,” Mary Jane gestured to Jake. He was
unloading the last of the chairs. “He has set up those chairs four
times now. He hasn’t seen you in weeks. He has never given up.
Don’t make him go out there again in that suit.”

Tessa turned her head from Jake. “I can’t,
Momma. I can’t let him see me like this.”

Mary Jane sighed. “I have an idea,
Sweetheart, but you’re going to have to cooperate.”

That evening, Jake went out in his suit
again. This time he carried a bouquet of lilies in one hand. He
stood for thirty minutes, waiting for his bride, then when he was
sure that she wasn’t coming, he mounted Midnight and rode for
home.

Tessa watched, hoped that he hadn’t given up
just yet. She closed her eyes and thanked God for Jake. The same
God that she gave up on the week before. She knew there had to be a
God if Jake held on to hope the way he did. He was strong,
wonderful, and she loved him. She just hoped he could wait a little
longer.

The next day, Mary Jane and Tessa went
shopping. Her wedding dress was extremely loose now, and it hung on
her, like it would on a lifeless hanger. She put it on in front of
the seamstress at Glamour Weddings, and waited for her to pin the
dress up perfectly. Once she was all set, they left and searched
for a wig. Never in a million years did she ever think that she
would wear one, but there was no way she would let Jake see her
like this.

After a few hours of trying on different
styles, Tessa found a shorter styled wig that was elegant, and
would look good on her until her hair grew to the same length. It
would be a while until that happened, but with the vitamins and
everything else that she was taking, she had hoped it would be back
sooner rather than later.

The day after their shopping trip they
picked up her dress and Tessa felt better than ever. Saturday was
only a few days away, and she wanted to be ready for Jake.

***

Jake couldn’t take it anymore. He broke down
in front of the guys.

“Hey, man, we’re so sorry,” Nate said,
looking chagrined. “We can’t imagine what you’re going through. How
about a drink?”

“I just… I don’t want to live like this. I
can’t stand it. I go over every fucking Saturday, I know she sees
me. I can see her in the window. She watches. Doesn’t she have a
heart?”

“I’m sorry, man, I don’t know what to say.
She’s just going through a lot right now, Jake. I’m sure she’ll
come around. It’s Tessa.”

It was always Tessa. Everyone knew her. And
everyone that knew her loved her. Jake nodded. “I’m gonna skip out
on that drink. I really need some shut eye. I’ve been having a
rough time. She stopped chemo over a week ago. She’s been given a
clean bill of health. Did I tell you she called me last week?”

Nate nodded. “Yeah, you said, but you never
said what she wanted.”

“I don’t know what she wanted. I tried
calling her back all night. She never returned my call. It’s my
guess that she gave up on me because I didn’t answer. I called her
parents. Mary Jane is beside herself. She doesn’t understand it.
Even Will has been sympathetic, even though since we finally got
together he has given me nothing but shit. My mom is about ready to
pound Tess. I just want to crawl in a hole.”

“Listen, Jake, do you want me to go talk to
her?”

“No, but thanks for the offer. That would
set her off even more. I’m going to go to bed. See you at six.”

“Yeah, man, see you then.” Nate shook his
head then headed straight for the bunkhouse. He felt sorry for
Jake. Watching him with his tail between his legs wasn’t fun for
anyone.

***

That Saturday morning, Tessa looked out at
the arch and waited with a smile on her face. She waited for Jake
to come around with the tractor; she waited for the beautiful white
cloth to lay out in contrast to the green of the field. She waited
for her prince to ride up on his noble steed, and to steal her
heart away with one glance. She waited all afternoon. She was
ready; she was ready to marry Jake.

“Mom, it’s nearly noon. What’s going on?”
Tessa asked, panicked.

Mary Jane thought she knew, but didn’t want
to crush her daughter. Jake had finally given up. “I know Jake’s
been having a rough time sleeping lately. He’s probably just gotten
a late start.”

“You don’t think he’s given up, do you?”
Tessa asked quietly.

“He may have, Tess. I know he still loves
you, but there’s only so many times a man can stand there and wait
by himself.”

“I’m not making him wait any longer. I love
him, and I want him to be mine tonight. Will you help me?”

Mary Jane smiled for the first time in
weeks. “Sure, baby, what do you have in mind?”

Chapter 7

T
he arch stood in
all its glory under the beautiful sunset. Flowers were everywhere
this time. Tulle wrapped down each aisle chair, with sweet smelling
lilacs attached in bows. Two large candelabras stood on either side
of the arch, lighting the area where they would become husband and
wife.

The chairs were lined up in rows of 4 this
time, and the cloth aisle that Jake put up lovingly so many times
before stood out in bright contrast to the freshly mown grass.

The preacher stood under the arch and waited
for the ceremony to begin. A lone violin player stood this time,
playing trumpet voluntary of all things. Tessa stood at the front
this time. Her beautiful white wedding dress floated around her
soft curves lovingly. Her parents sat in the front on the left,
while Jake’s mom sat on the right with Jake’s sister Janie and his
brother Brock.

Half of the town was there, and Tessa stood,
waiting for her prince to arrive. She hoped that this time,
everything was perfect. Just as the sun started to disappear and
Tessa almost gave up, Jake came riding down on Midnight. The
surprise on his face was etched and felt on every one of the guests
at the wedding.

Jake dismounted quickly, leaving Midnight by
the wooden arch.

“You’ve come,” Jake said, his voice
trembled. A lone tear streaked down his face.

“I’ve missed you so much, Jake,” Tessa said,
then grabbed him and kissed him senseless.

A minute or an eternity later, the preacher
spoke. “We haven’t gotten to that part yet.”

The guests laughed as Jake cleared his
throat, clearly choked up by the turn of events.

“Jake, I love you so much. You, my best
friend, the one constant in my life that has never changed. You. My
friend, my lover, my everything. I am so sorry if I have let you
down. I promise I will work hard not to ever do that again. Will
you marry me?”

Tears still coming down his face, Jake
nodded. “Of course, I’ll marry you. Haven’t you been paying
attention, brat?”

The guests laughed. Tessa grinned. “There
hasn’t been a minute that I haven’t thought of you, Jake. I just
wanted everything perfect. For you. For us.”

“Didn’t you know, Tess. All we needed was
each other. I don’t need perfect. All I’ve ever wanted was you.
You, Tess.”

Tess nodded. And the preacher continued
through the ceremony. Their ‘I do’s’ were complete and Jake’s mom
took off her wedding ring and handed it to Jake. Another Anders
woman would wear the family ring, and it meant everything to Tessa
to be wearing it, too.

Tessa smiled at Jake’s mom and looked deep
into Jake’s eyes. “I love you, Mr. Anders.”

“I love you, Mrs. Anders.”

With the wedding complete, Jake and Tessa
thanked their guests and then he brought her home, to his place,
and they settled into his bed.

That night the lovemaking was slow. Tessa
had never felt so strongly about anything or anyone in her entire
life.

“I love you so much, Tessa Anders.”

“I love you, too, Jake. Thank you.”

Jake’s mouth quirked to the right. “For
what?”

“For not giving up on me.”

Jake cradled her head between his hands and
kissed her lips. “Never.”

Epilogue

N
ine months to the
day of their wedding, Tessa and Jake welcomed their son, Joseph
Michael Anders, into the world. The baby was named after hers and
Jake’s father. Her father was delighted, and decided then and there
that Jake was
alright
, which made everyone laugh.

Their boy was perfect. Beautiful red hair,
green eyes, and a stubborn temper that rivaled his mother’s. Lord
help them all.

Danielle Lee Zwissler was born in Dover,
Ohio. A small town in North East Ohio. Her love of romance and
cowboys took over in this novella. She is a big fan of William
Shatner, Harry Potter, and all things Harlequin. Her first novel,
“Her Last Chance”, debuted in 2010 with Firefly & Wisp Books.
And then shortly after the sequel, “The Art of Seduction” came out.
Unfortunately, after three years of working on the third book of
the series, Danielle’s laptop was stolen and the story of Kyle and
Christine was taken along with it. However, with hard work, and
another year or two, she will finish it and hopefully unleash it on
to her fans of the Daniel Dynasty.

Other books by Danielle that will be coming
out this year:

Served—a cowboy romance, will be out in
July.

The Stairs to Andeligh—a Fantasy, will grace
the shelves in December of this year.

Thank you for taking the time to read this
book, and don’t forget to review. To learn more about Danielle or
her books, please go to her website at:
www.danielleleezwissler.com
or you can visit her author page on facebook at:
www.facebook.com/danielleleezwissler