His Heart to Have (Cowboys of Whispering Winds) (18 page)

The situation was diffused just as Mrs. Teagan returned with more biscuits.  Jase took one and placed it on his plate, spooning gravy over it.  The food was very good; on par with Cook’s though he’d keep those thoughts to himself.  The small group continued talking and sharing experiences, but Jase couldn’t escape the words of the woman he now knew as Shannon.

Her assuming words, however misguided they were, sent this thoughts on a downward spiral.  Did Allie feel cheated not having a honeymoon far away?  Would she want a real wedding?  How did they proceed from here with the marriage they’d intended to dissolve? He did his best to push the thoughts to the rear of his mind, not wanting anything to interfere with the rest of their trip. They could talk later, after they’d enjoyed the rest of their stay.

The last full day of their honeymoon fell on Independence Day. After a lazy morning and breakfast downstairs, they ventured to town for the planned festivities. They arrived just in time for the parade, finding a spot near the end of the route. Locals and tourists gathered, making friendly conversations while parents kept an eye on their kids, as they ran to grab the candy thrown at them.

After the parade, they milled around town, sitting for a relaxing lunch and browsing shops. 

Allie picked up a miniature, stuffed animal buffalo with “Jackson Hole, WY” embroidered on the foot.   “I think I’m going to buy this as a souvenir of our trip.”

“Sweetheart, I hope I’ve given you a lot more than a stuffed animal to remember it by,” he replied narrowing his eyes. 

She gave him a saucy grin then went to the register to pay for the buffalo.

By late afternoon, they’d finished walking around, and went to listen to the music playing at Alpine Field. They sat in the grass, relaxing to the sounds of local music. As night fell, they made their way to the Snow King Resort to watch the fireworks. Bursts of color streaked the sky against the backdrop of the illustrious Teton Mountains. White lights shot through the black like a comet, exploding into red and blue glittering lines. Weeping strands of golden sparkles rained above them, descending into a hazy smoke. A perfect way to end their stay before returning to Whispering Winds tomorrow.

Returning to Teton Sunset Inn, neither wanted to go to bed, unwilling to end the time they’d had together. The tepid temperature and clear skies offered an ideal atmosphere for stargazing and they sat on the balcony, watching the stars twinkling and shimmering against a midnight sky.

“Tomorrow we return to reality. This week has been amazing.” Allie sighed, turning in his lap and resting her head against him.

Jase wrapped her tighter to him.  The questions still plagued him.  Love was so easy here, removed from their daily lives.  How could he be so confident about every other area of his life, but the thought of wronging Allie could bring him to his knees in doubt?

“Do you think you’ll ever regret not having a traditional wedding?” He held his breath waiting for the answer.

“No,” she answered without hesitation. “It will give us a story to tell. A real marriage is more important to me than a traditional wedding.”

He exhaled slowly. She spoke with such conviction, he had to believe her.

“And what about the fancy dress and a honeymoon of our choosing. I feel like you’re being cheated out of all the things girls normally look forward to about getting married.”

Allie loosened herself from his grip and turned to face him. “Why all these questions? I can’t and won’t regret the way anything happened between us. All that matters is we are together now.”

“Come on, Allie Cat. You can’t tell me you didn’t dream of a big wedding. How many times did I have to play groom to you or Missy?”

“Think back closely. In all the pretend weddings when we were younger, did Missy ever play the bride?”

Her question surprised him. Pulling images from the recess of his memory, he couldn’t recall a single time that Missy was the bride. It was Allie every single time. “No, not that I can remember.”

“And do you know why that is Jase Callahan? Because I wouldn’t let Missy.  Because I’ve always wanted you; not the wedding, not the dress, not the bouquet: but you.”  Her knuckles caressed his cheek, trailing down his jaw.

“You’re amazing.” He pressed her hand against him, keeping her from removing it. “My cabin will be too small.”

“It’s the perfect size for the two of us.”

“We’ll need a bigger place to live once the kids start coming.”

“We’ll figure it out.”

“I want four.”

“Two girl and two boys.”

“You don’t have a ring.”

“I have this.” She placed her hand on his heart.

They stared at each other, knowing there was no turning back. There was no pretending about this marriage and no three month deadline. This was a marriage for life.

“I want to tell our parents the truth.” 

“I agree, but what changed your mind?” They hadn’t talked about it since Vegas; as much as he hated lying, he hadn’t pushed her. He had wanted to believe she’d come around in time but hadn’t expected it this soon.

“We’re adults now. I shouldn’t be ashamed to tell my parents we decided to get married while drunk. Since we are making this marriage real, it shouldn’t go on in a lie. Being ashamed of the truth would be being ashamed of marrying you and that could never happen.”

He hadn’t realized, until now, how much he needed to hear those words. His last doubt was erased and he pulled Allie inside, closing the door and drawing the curtains. Lifting her and carrying her to the bed, he laid her down in a single gentle sweep. Lying with her, he told her without words of all the love he had.

Peak season was in full swing and every room and cabin was rented. Even with Lexie’s help, Allie was on the go non-stop.   Last week’s guests were the best group the ranch had seen in recent times.  Every one of them was pleasant, appreciative of the area and caused little problems.  There were no complications, no haughty attitudes or hard to please guests; only pleasant families out to enjoy their summer vacations. Shorty had even complimented the small group that went on an overnight pack trip, something that never happened before.   She could only wish they could be that lucky again this week. The last cabin was inspected, and she went back to the main lodge.

The first group was set to arrive shortly; a group of twenty-something females. Allie rolled her eyes then chided herself with a reminder not to judge people. Except that every single time a group like this came around they were out for one thing and one thing only; their goal was to snag a cowboy, if not for just a night.  These were the groups that used to make her jealous and this one would be a test of her newfound patience.

Jase was always a prime target for these women.  He was ruggedly handsome and fit, and when dressed in chaps and spurs, he was every girl’s cowboy fantasy.  There was a time she used be extremely green with envy every time he went off with one of these women.  She knew, now, that it had been years since he’d had any of those indiscretions and she fully trusted him.  In her heart and soul, she knew she had nothing to worry about, but it didn’t mean she would like seeing another woman flirt with her husband. Just look how she’d reacted with Lexie.  It was a good thing they were all past that episode now; although Jase and Lexie still tried to avoid each other as much as possible.

“You have nothing to worry about.” 

Speaking of the devil.
Allie almost laughed. “I know. I should probably have a talk with dad. This would be a good time to remind everyone of the no fraternization policy.”

“Does it ever get enforced?” Lexie asked.

“Rarely, unless it interferes with work and the business.” She opened a file on the computer and sent her dad a quick email reminder. He was spending the morning in the office doing paperwork, so she knew he’d see it soon.

Lexie twisted her belt loop, looking uncomfortable. “There’s something I need to ask; I hate to, but I don’t know what else to do.”

“What is it?” Allie furrowed her eyebrows. Something was wrong with Lexie; this was not normal demeanor for her.

“I know this week is very busy, but is there any way possible I can have off tomorrow and Tuesday? Rylan has suffered a setback, and they are going to try an experimental procedure.”

Lexie had tears glistening in her eyes.  As much as Allie needed her help this week, Lexie undoubtedly needed to be with her brother. 

“Of course. Family comes first. Is there anything we can do to help?”

“No. Just giving me this time off is enough. This job is an answered prayer, and I don’t know what I’d do without it.”

“You’re good at it.  Just keep doing what you’re doing and you’ll have nothing to worry about as far as your job is concerned.”  Allie never had a sibling, but Missy and Lanie came pretty close.  She couldn’t imagine having to juggle a job while being responsible for the care of one of them in a hospital.

“When you leave today, stop by the kitchen. It’s not much, but I’ll have Cook pull out some ready to eat meals. All you’ll have to do is heat them up. We always keep a few on hand to help out various staff and community members when they need it.”

“You don’t have to do that,” Lexie insisted.

“It’s the least we can do.  The sooner you learn Whispering Winds is one big family, the better off you’ll be.”  Allie smiled at her, thinking it was strange how she was starting to form a friendship with Lexie. Who would have thought that possible after that awkward, embarrassing encounter in the stables?

“Thank you.” 

Allie put the computer to hibernate then went to talk with Cook. She gave him the list of food allergies for the upcoming guests, which was minimal, and told him about Lexie. He grumbled as expected, but was already searching the freezer and putting meals together when she left.   Next, she went in search of Lanie, bumping into her outside of the game room.

“Just who I was looking for, one of my best friends in the whole wide world.” 

Lanie laughed.  “What do you want?”

“Do you have an open schedule for the next few days?”

“I can make it open. What do you need?”

“Lexie needs to be with her brother at the hospital tomorrow and Tuesday. Is there any chance you can help me out while she’s gone? Usually mom would step in, but I hate asking her.”

“Sure thing. Just let me know what you need. Since I returned, I’ve been the floater around here anyway.”

“You’re the best!”

“Yeah, yeah.  We all know better, but you can flatter me anyway.” 

“How’s Cody’s leg doing? I haven’t talked to you much since we came back.” 

“Not much longer until he’s completely cast free and we can’t wait.”

“What about Jeremy and the new girlfriend?”

“They’re out of the hospital and the girlfriend already left him.”

“Are you serious? What happened?” Allie paused, realizing how nosy she was being. “I’m sorry, that is none of my business.”

“No, it’s okay.  The doctors told him his injuries were so severe, there is a high chance he’ll never compete again.” Lanie frowned, her forehead wrinkling and lips twisting.  “It’s silly isn’t it?  I hate him for how he treated me and Cody, but my heart aches knowing his dreams are crushed.”

Allie gave her friend a hug. “You’re a decent human being. It’s only natural.”

“Cody’s been asking to go see him, but Jeremy won’t talk to anybody. He’s holed himself up, sulking; and I don’t know what to do. Just when we were making progress and he was making the effort to be active in Cody’s life, this happens.”

“I’m sorry, Lanie.” What a morning of bad news this was turning into.

“Everything will work out.  I just have to have faith.” 

“You’re a good mom. Cody’s very lucky to have you.”

“Thanks. I better go check on him. He’s with dad right now playing cards and you know how they both like to cheat.”

“Stop by when you get a chance and we’ll form a plan for the next two days.”

“Sure thing. See you in a bit.”

Allie walked back to her office, sitting behind her desk. She rummaged around in her desk, looking for some headache medicine. She found some ibuprofen and washed it down with spring water. A darkness was settling over her and something told her this week would be nothing like last.

As if on cue, she heard high-pitched giggles. And here they come, she thought ruefully. Why didn’t she let Lexie check in this group? She was in no mood to deal with a gaggle of horny woman. Pasting the smile on her face, she went out to greet them.

“Welcome to the Whispering Winds Ranch,” she began her speech. Committed to memory, she quoted the lines without thinking; mentally check out each female. Years of practice taught her which ones would cause the most trouble. Barely able to suppress an eye roll when she saw each one wore a pair of high-heeled sandals, her personal pet peeve of female guests, or high-heeled boots, she continued speaking and handing out packets of information. From her peripheral vision, she saw Lexie coming. Thank goodness. She was handing over this crew for the day. One more whispered comment about finding a firm piece of cowboy ass and she was going to lose her composure.