Jake (Downton Cowboys #2) - Miley Maine Page 0,45

takes me by the hand, and we re-enter. The hostess leads us to a nice table by the glass façade, and for the first time in a long time, I don’t care if anyone sees us.

After placing our order, I run my finger along the rim of my water glass.

“You’re paying a fortune for all of this.” I can’t help my apologetic tone.

He furrows his eyebrows and shrugs it off, shaking his head as he takes a sip of water.

“We grew up with nothing, my brothers and I,” he explains. “And since we’re celebrating something as divine as you and I getting married, it’s—” He pauses as if searching for the right words. “Just… let’s not talk about money. Ever?”

“O—kay?” I draw it out, not fully understanding why.

“It’s been forever since my brothers and I got together as a family.” He leans forward, his fingers mindlessly fiddling with a napkin. “Our father was violent and abusive. He didn’t only beat us, he broke us.” His eyes suddenly had a deeply pensive look.

I didn’t know what to say to that.

“Living with him was hell. For Mother, for us. But she chose to stay. We simply couldn’t, and we got out as soon as we were able to. Danny’s inheritance was what saved us.”

Tilting my head, I reach out and touch his hand.

I can’t believe he’s been carrying all that around for so long.

“And now that we’re all grown men? We spare nothing to rejoice.” He shrugs, looking into my eyes with a slight smile. “If I were to count my blessings, right now you’d be at the top o’ that list.”

Still lost for words, I blush.

“So why don’t you let me give you a nice party to say, ‘thank you’?”

“And I’m gonna give you a lifetime of my love.” I squeeze his hand. “And when the baby gets here, our own little family.”

“It all sounds so surreal.” He chuckles. “Do all good things seem unreal at first to you?”

You do.

“Depends. This is certainly one of those instances.” I giggle.

The look on his face carries a mix of happiness and bitterness that he seems to desperately try and conceal. I understand that his father must have given them hell and that he’s been hurt one too many times.

But I love him, I’m sure of that now.

“I love you, Jake,” I whisper.

“I love you, too.”

In the short time we’ve known each other, we’ve been able to make each other happy. I stood by him when he fell, tiny as that sounds. And now, now he’s standing by me when the least expected thing has happened. The biggest turning point of my life.

I am carrying his child, and I know that I am capable of making up for all the pain life has caused him.

Chapter Thirteen

Jake

I am overjoyed. I almost can’t believe it.

My Belle is pregnant with our child? Have I been, once again, given a new chance at a better life? One without loneliness or the ghost of Lola’s betrayal hovering over me like a dark cloud?

I know I’ve lost Gus and that seems to be fact. But as time goes by, I grow another step closer to accepting it.

Now that Belle and I are about to start our own family, I can only hope that the gap he has left behind will begin to shrink. Perhaps even disappear completely as it gradually becomes filled with my new baby and beautiful wife-to-be.

For the first time in years, my slumber is peaceful, devoid of nightmares that used to disturb my every night.

I feel whole again, as corny as it is.

When I go to town to pick up Belle, I bring along an expensive bottle of wine for her parents and a freshly baked homemade pie. Katie simply wouldn’t let me leave the house without it.

Belle’s mom greets me at the door with a big grin and sparkly eyes, and I immediately know where she gets her beauty. Her mother must have been a handsome woman in her younger years. Even though she has hazel eyes and brown hair, I see the resemblance in the shape of her face, her heart-shaped hairline and button nose.

“I’m so excited to finally meet you,” she says. “Oh, thank you!” She takes the gifts and shows me to the living room. “Belle will be out in a minute.”

“Nice to meet you, too.” This time, I examine the space. It’s a cozy home with simple decorations that allow for movement and comfort. “Is Mr. Frances here?”

“Uh.” She rolls her eyes