Jake's Bride by Karen Rose Smith Read Free Book Online Page B

cherry vanity.  The bench was covered in needlepoint.  Sitting on it, she lovingly ran her fingers over the carved handles of the small vanity drawers.  "I remember sitting and watching Mom while she put on her perfume and jewelry.  When I played dress-up, she'd sit me on the bench and help me apply lipstick.  Then she'd say, 'You can only keep it on for a little while.  Remember you're only pretending to be grown-up.  You shouldn't wear lipstick until you're sixteen.'"
    Jake saw the tears glisten in Sara's eyes.  "Why don't you keep the vanity?"
    Raising her head, Sara met his gaze in the mirror.  "Where would I put it?"
    "I can keep it for you.  In my guest room.  When you get settled somewhere, you'll have it."  Though the idea of her settling somewhere other than with him was disconcerting.  It shouldn't be.  She'd left him.  She'd lied to him.  He didn't trust her.  Still the idea of her and Christopher being someplace else, maybe moving someplace else, increased the ache in his heart.
    Sara's bottom lip quivered, and he could tell she was fighting tears.  Finally, she managed, "I would like to keep this."
    He said brusquely, "Consider it done.  I'll ask Nathan if I can borrow his SUV tonight."
    Rising from the bench, Sara came toward him.  He wasn't sure what she was going to do until she did it.  Standing on tiptoe, she kissed him gently on the cheek.  It was as light as the whisper of an angel--the softness of her lips, the slight brush of her breast against his arm, the sweet smell of her--and it was over faster than he could blink.  But he felt all of it in every fiber of his being.
    "Thank you, Jake.  Your help and understanding mean a lot to me."
    The urge to draw her into his arms was so strong he could imagine tasting her.  But there was still too much between them--too many doubts, too much history.
    He ignored the sting of desire and let her lean away.  He thought again about asking her to marry him.  Then he swore to himself that this time he was going to be careful because he wouldn't let her steal his heart again.

Chapter Three
     
    The following evening, Eloise answered Jake's knock.  "Jake.  Sara's not here.  Was she expecting you?"
    "No.  I thought I'd drop by and take her and Christopher for ice cream."  He also wanted to tell her that he'd set up an expense fund for Christopher.  Getting to know his son had been his main preoccupation during the last few weeks.  But yesterday after the auction, he'd realized the proceeds from it wouldn't last Sara very long.
    "You can come in if you'd like.  She had a few errands."
    "Christopher went with her?"
    "Those two are inseparable.  I guess it's because...hmm, well...it doesn't matter.  Anyway, they shouldn't be too much longer.  It's soon Christopher's bedtime."
    "You don't mind if I wait?  I have a few things I'd like to discuss with Sara."
    "Of course, I don't mind.  I like the company.  I'm going to miss those two when they move out.  But I know Sara.  As soon as she finds a job, she'll find a place of their own."
    A place of their own.  The two of them are inseparable .  Jake's heart ached, the same ache he'd felt since he'd seen Sara again, since she'd told him they had a son, since he'd become attached to his son.  He hated not being able to see Christopher any time day or night.  He hated feeling like the third wheel.
    "I'm watching an old movie," Eloise explained.  "Care to join me?  Or would you rather play gin rummy?"
    Jake smiled.  "Think you can beat me?"
    "Any day."  She motioned toward the kitchen table.  "Pull up a chair and we'll see who really knows how to play."
    At first, time passed quickly as Eloise rejoiced in her luck, calling it skill.  She won the first game.  And the second...  Because Jake was getting restless.  Glancing at the clock became more important than the cards in his hand.
    Finally, after Eloise won another round, he snapped his cards on the table.  "Where did you say