Baby Dreams And Wedding Schemes

“I don’t need a man to give my life meaning. And I’ve realized that Dwain certainly doesn’t need me. He just needs a dog, a housekeeper and someone to keep him warm.” She blushed, as if just realizing she was talking to a minister. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. Dwain is a nice man, really. I’m just not suited to playing the part of the doting ‘little woman of the farm,’ I guess.”

She glanced down disparagingly. “Especially when I’m taller than he is.”

Jake tried to stifle it. He really did.

But the mental picture his mind conjured up of this tall exotic beauty mincing along in the path of some short, toady old farmer was just too much. His shoulders shook with mirth.

“I’m sorry.” He choked. “I’m not laughing at you. Really.”

“Yes, you are,” she returned tartly. Then she grinned. “But that’s okay. Sometimes I have to laugh at me, too.”

He liked her spirit, Jake decided. There were enough poor souls in this world who took things too seriously. He somehow sensed that Sasha Lambert had that irrepressible quality that would help her bounce back from disappointment.

“So exactly what do you do in Bednobs and Broomsticks?” he asked curiously. “The name is certainly attention-getting.”

“On purpose. We do everything. I can cater to most events, plus do cake decorating, wedding decorations, veils, bouquets, all kinds of craft supplies and make a whole lot of handmade articles for sale.” She grinned at him. “To name a few.”

Jake grinned back. “But you don’t do funerals?”

She took it in stride. “Nope. Sorry.”

“And your newest venture is trains?”

“Yes.” Her eyes sparkled with animation. “The men here are really getting into the act, especially with all the interest in the restoration of the old train station. They make a great birthday gift.” She grinned at him.

“From Cody’s reaction, I’ll bet the kids like them, too,” Jake muttered, watching as her eyes strayed over to the table.

“Is that fire about ready?” she asked. “I’m starved.”

“Pretty close,” he murmured, offering her a hand up only to find her slim form almost pressed against him when she surged to her feet. He stared into her shimmering green eyes for several moments, sliding his gaze down to note the dewy softness of her lips. Kissable lips. The kind that would taste sweet and haunting, begging him to come back for more.

He wanted to kiss her, to taste the zest and delight she found in life. But the very thought of doing such a thing amazed him. The moments ticked by as he studied the healthy sheen of her skin and the warm coloring that lit her cheeks with an inner light. And even as he stared, Jake felt his own body come alive in a way he hadn’t known in months—years.

When Sasha finally moved away, Jake mentally shook himself. He watched her brush at a fly and immediately felt disloyal, remembering how much Angela had detested cooking out of doors. The bugs and dust and smoky odors had set her teeth on edge and yet Sasha seemed perfectly comfortable with all three. As he checked the coals and adjusted the fire until the flames were minimal but gave off a glowing heat, Jake felt the solitude of the green spacious park invade his soul.

He’d missed this, he realized. For the first time in ages, the numbing fog that held him captive seemed to be evaporating, and the colors and smells and vibrancy of life were drawing on his senses. Maybe it was time he got back into living.

“Fire’s about right, I’d say. I’ll get Cody if you want to start the burgers.” He had only taken a few steps when she muttered something. “I beg your pardon?” Jake searched her gleaming eyes.

“I said, that’s all I am to you—a cook? Talk about preconceived notions! How like a male chauvinist!”

He grinned appreciatively.

“I’m not quite that puerile,” he chided and stalked away, enjoying the frown on her face. Halfway across the lawn he relented and turned back, ready to explain, but she forestalled him.

“No,” she agreed, staring at her hands and speaking so softly Jake barely heard the words. “I think you’re far beyond the childish stage. And that has probably discomfited more than a few women.” He barely heard the last few whispered words. “Me, included.”

As he strode over the uneven terrain, Jake grinned to himself. There was something about her that made him take himself lightly. He liked that. He’d been too serious for far too long.

But that’s all it was, he told the clear blue sky. Just someone to talk to and maybe a friend for Cody. He didn’t want anything else. He couldn’t. It was too hard.

They munched on burgers and chips, drank the lemonade and bought an ice cream cone from the boy pedaling his little truck through the park.

After that, Cody insisted on a game of catch. Sasha showed them the ducks and rabbits near the pond at the end of the park and they fed the animals the scant remains of their supper. It was an idyllic evening that Sasha allowed herself to thoroughly enjoy.

As she packed everything up, Cody’s tired voice penetrated her musings.

“We’re just like a real family, Dad,” he murmured, snuggling his head against his father’s broad shoulder as the sunlight waned and darkness loomed among the tall pines.

“A mom and a dad and a kid.”

Sasha felt his fist tugging her heartstrings once more. It was uncanny the way the child got to her this way. Just a few words and she was ready to forfeit her hard-won independence for the sake of a motherless little boy.

“It was fun, son;” she heard Jacob say. “But now I think we’d better get you into bed. Tomorrow’s Sunday and I’ve got a bit of work to do on my sermon yet.”

“Oh, please,” Sasha murmured, anxious not to waylay him. “Go ahead home. I’ll take the shortcut to my place. There’s no need for you to walk me there.”

His gray eyes were clear and focused as he met her gaze.

“It’s not a problem,” he said. “Cody and I will see you home first.”

She read the underlying words with no difficulty. And knew why he didn’t want to say them. It would be tantamount to admitting they’d had a date if he said he never let a woman walk home alone. And the last thing Jacob Windsor intended was to have her—or anyone else—think that he wanted a woman in his life.

“Show me the shortcut,” was all he said.

So she did. And ten minutes later they were at the side door of her business-cum-home.

“Thanks for a lovely time,” she murmured, unwilling to wake the drowsy child.

“We should be thanking you,” he returned. “I’ll try to ensure that Cody doesn’t make a nuisance of himself anymore.”

She knew it was pointless to tell him that she enjoyed the energetic little boy. Jacob Windsor would only see it as her attempt to inveigle herself into his good graces.

Instead Sasha smiled and eased in through the door with her basket, murmuring a soft good-night.

It didn’t take long to get ready for bed and she decided to sit on the patio for a few moments in the dark. Sasha enjoyed the solitude. It was especially gratifying to sit outside tonight relaxing and thinking of the past few hours.

Thanks, Lord, for letting me see that there are still some real men in the world.

Sasha grinned to herself.

Even if they’re not for me. That sounded childish.

Not that I need one. Defiant. That was better.

Except to have a child with. She got up and climbed the stairs to bed. It was the same old circuitous argument that led nowhere and answered none of her questions.

Biological clock or not, she still ached with this incredible longing to have her own child, to create a family circle of her very own. Why would she feel this way if God intended her to remain single?