Jake (Downton Cowboys #2) - Miley Maine Page 0,49

as I pick up a glass.

I take a sip and the rich flavors of herb, lime, and honey explode in my mouth. Catching both women as they stare at me in anticipation, I chortle and swallow.

“This is the best iced tea I’ve ever tasted. Honest!” I raise a hand before taking a bigger sip.

“See?” The woman shoots Belle a victorious look.

The rest of our time together was breezy, with Belle and I doing most of the talking. Her mother doesn’t talk much after that, but I can feel her eyes following my every move. While I understand that she is happy her daughter found a well-off husband, I don’t quite get why she can’t talk her husband into joining us for once.

As I go about my workday, I think about the resemblance between the behavior of Belle’s father and my old man. A fleeting thought clouds my mind—what if he abused her the way my dad abused us? She definitely would have told me.

Dismissing the upsetting contemplations, I call on Buck to come over to the shed. I want to start briefing him on what needs to be done in the coming period since I’ll be busy getting married.

Getting married. Oh, man.

I must have told myself a thousand times that I’ll never do this to myself again. That after what Lola did, I would never trust a woman. That I would never love a woman the way I loved her.

But here I am… deeper in love with someone else. Someone who’s genuine and pure. A woman who can truly make me happy, in spite of what life throws at me.

I feel that Belle’s love makes me stronger, rendering me able to face anything and anyone. It’s the kind of union that empowers a man and makes him fight for stability with everything he’s got.

Maybe… just maybe… the universe is finally trying to make amends for what I’ve been through.

Chapter Fourteen

Belle

Jake’s happiness makes me even more thrilled.

The ecstatic look in his eyes every time we go out about the town as an engaged couple takes me to heaven. Whether we are running errands for the wedding or relaxing over iced tea at our now favorite coffee house, our exchanges flow smoothly, and we rarely argue.

Who would’ve thought that in just a few weeks my whole life would be turned around like this? Suddenly, I’ve met the most amazing man ever, I’ve fallen in love, gotten pregnant… and now I’m planning my wedding.

It’s all moving quickly, but I look forward to the things to come.

Even though we have a tight timeline, I manage—with Mom’s help—to find the perfect dress that can conceal whatever minuscule baby lump that might show by the day of the ceremony.

We choose a simple empire cut dress with a triple layer chiffon skirt that flows nicely hiding most curves and bumps.

Let’s face it, nobody needs to know that I’m pregnant before marriage. Nobody in town, no one in our families, and certainly not our baby when he or she is old enough to hear the stories people would be telling them later.

It’s our intimate little secret and I plan to keep it that way.

Jake and I excitedly plan for a small affair, inviting only close family and friends. Obviously, the Downton’s are quite popular in and around the town, but we’re both very private individuals and we appreciate nothing more than the calmness and serenity of keeping to ourselves.

I can’t wait to be Jake’s wife. To live with him on the ranch. To share a bedroom with him and wake up next to him every morning. I impatiently daydream about what it will be like for us to live every day as best friends, partners in life, and devoted lovers.

When I go over to the ranch house to leave some of my clothes there, Jake is already out working, and Katie cheerfully opens the door.

“Mornin’ K!” I learned to call her that, copying Jake’s habit.

“Good morning, Belle.” She steps out and takes the small bag. “Let me take that. C’mon in!”

“Thank you.” I walk inside as she puts the bag away.

“Coffee?”

“Oh, I really shouldn’t.” And then I realize that I don’t know if Jake told her yet. “I could really use some herbal tea, though.” I quickly remedy the situation.

“Sure thing.” She makes her way over to the kitchen and I follow, leaning against the marble countertop.

“Y’know…” I begin with a smile. “Jake’s always challenging me to beat you in the kitchen.” I giggle.

“Oh,” she waves it off