Chapter 28
REGGIE
Grant rides off with a knowing smirk on his face, and I take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves before I say anything I’ll regret.
“God Jess, are you alright? I don’t know whether to kiss you or spank you! you. Why the hell did you run off like that?”
“You know why I left Reggie!”
“No, I really don’t … enlighten me.”
“I heard you … I heard you tell Mr. Hayes that I was only a maid, an inconvenience. Then you handed me banknotes in front of everyone like I was some well-paid whore, topping it off with a wink. If that wasn’t bad enough, you ignored me like I was a nobody, not someone you wanted to build your life with. ”
“The hell I did!”
“Reggie, you’re in denial because I can promise you, it happened just that way.”
“Yeah, I don’t deny that I told Grant you were the maid.
But I also said you were the only woman I’d ever fallen in love with.
Yes, I gave you those banknotes, but not for the reasons you assumed.
You needed money of your own, and to be honest, I felt bad that I’d overlooked that when I was putting the others’ wages together.
I didn’t ignore you; I simply thought you would like to get to know Lauren better, and I was hoping to get the house sorted so you wouldn’t have to.
You signed up for a job, and you’ve worked your ass off these last couple of weeks.
I wasn’t giving you the money because you had kept my bed warm at night, I wanted you to have your own spending money.
I never dreamed you would use it to run off, or I’d never have given it to you. ”
“Oh, you … you … Asshole! Do you not see how degrading comments like that are? You walked away from me when you got to your cousins, treating me like I was an inconvenience, not someone you supposedly cared about. You knew I was nervous about meeting them, and you acted like I was the hired help, not a woman you might love. I opened my heart to you Reggie, and the moment I needed you most, I never felt more alone or humiliated. So, no, that doesn’t show me that you care. ”
“Okay, I fucked up! I was so wrapped up in our future that I stuck my foot in my mouth and made mistake after mistake, but you left ME! Without a damn word or even a chance to defend myself.”
Jessica walks away from me, only to turn with her hands on her hips, her eyes flashing as the anger and pain she has been holding back finally explodes.
“You didn’t give me any other choice! I couldn’t! … Can’t! … Won’t … go back to being just the maid to you. I will not help you build this life you want, simply to be put to the side when you find an option better than me!!”
I grab her by the arms, making her look right at me.
“Damnit, woman, you are my life! What do you want me to say? Do I love you …. YES! Are you the woman I plan to have my children with … meet my parents and grow old with? YES!!! There is no me or future without you. I don’t care if you were a maid, a whore, a mythical creature, or any other excuse you try to come up with.
In my eyes, you’re what I have been waiting for my entire life.
The missing part of myself I’ve always been searching for. ”
I watch the anger drain right out of her face, only for hesitancy to replace it.
“You love me?”
“REALLY?! How do you not know that?! Why is it you only hear the words and not the actions behind them? YES, I love you! I think I did before you ever got on that damn train, as I couldn’t keep my eyes off you at Grant’s.
When I think back, I was a little disappointed when Colby sent the names and yours wasn’t on the list. I could have handled things so much differently that day at the depot, but in the back of my mind, I wanted you, and here we are standing in the middle of a trail yelling at each other, but I wouldn’t change a thing. ”
“You really want to build a life with me, just as who I am??”
“I want to build a life with the woman who has taught me how precious each moment is and that your background doesn’t matter when love is involved.”
“Won’t you be ashamed of me?”
“Never.”
“What will your parents think?”
“My mom will probably be on the next train because she won’t believe it … you until she sees it … us for herself.”
The small smile on her face has my entire body relaxing.
“So, what now?”
“Now, I make an honest woman out of you if you’ll have me?”
“What are you saying, Reggie?”
“Will you marry me? Never mind, I am not asking … you, young lady, are coming with me one way or another. I refuse to sleep without you, refuse to be seen without you … refuse to live without you! Not to mention, I will more than likely be beaten up by Henry if I return without you and stomped to death by Zeus who was inconsolable when you left town. So, you are going to marry me and set our world to rights?”
“Reggie, you act like I am in control of all this chaos.
“Jess, my love, you are the center of my whole world so then, in fact, you are in charge. Are you ready to go see your new home and tell me you love me?”
“I do love you, to the point it’s downright scary.”
Because I can’t stop myself, my lips crash down on hers.
I pull her so close I feel like I’m trying to crawl inside her because I can’t get close enough.
Jess stiffens up at first, and I fear I’ve pushed her too far, until her small hands grasp my shirt tightly and I feel her relax in my arms. The sound of a whinny reminds me where we are, and I reluctantly pull away.
Thankfully, the livery horse hasn’t taken off on me, and when I finally look around for him, he is standing by the side of the trail eating.
Gathering his reins, I pick up Jessica’s small bag, only then noticing the huge coat she has on.
“What are you doing wearing another man’s coat?”
She pulls the huge neckline closer. “Maybe some other man was trying to take care of me for a change.”
I can’t help but growl, “Who??”
“Oh, stop your fussing, Reggie. It was just that nice man back at the mercantile, you better get a hold of that jealous streak, mister.”
“Didn’t realize I had that problem until you came along.”
Grabbing her up, I spin Jess around, her laughter filling my heart as I set her on the horse.
Following behind her, I place my foot in the stirrups, swing my leg over, settling into the saddle before pulling her back against my chest, where her legs are practically sitting on top of mine.
When I know she is comfortable, I take off with only one place in mind.
We ride for several hours at a steady pace, and I take this time to tell her all about the cabin and the surrounding property.
Jess is quieter than usual, even though she is responding when addressed directly, and I know it’s because life has been crazy and unpredictable.
This entire relationship has affected me differently than it has her, as I’ve known for a while now that I wanted her to be mine for always.
The dumb part on my end was not reassuring her, so she is trying to figure out her place in this new life, and there is only one thing I can do to convince her I plan on keeping her.
Even though it’s late in the evening, I hope I can talk the preacher into cooperating.
Jess looks up at me when I stop in front of the church.
“What are you doing?”
“Getting an insurance policy that may keep you from running off. Sit right there, I’ll be back.”
I hand her the reins once my feet are on the ground and walk up to the main doors, only to find them locked.
Refusing to be deterred, I walk around the building until I find another entrance in the back.
Knocking on the door, I smile when I hear someone heading my way.
An older gentleman opens the door, still fastening one of the buttons on his shirt.
“How can I help you, young man?”
“I am in need of your services, Sir, and I know this is inconvenient and oddly timed, but I need you to help me keep the love of my life.”
He chuckles lightly before looking around to where Jessica is sitting on the horse. “Well, I agree with everything you have said, but does this love of yours feel the same way?”
“She just told me so, and I don’t want to wait any longer in case she changes her mind. She needs to be mine in all ways, and you are the only one who can do that for me.”
“How do you expect me to do that, son?”
“I need you to marry us … now.”
“A man used to getting what he wants, I see. Let’s go talk to this love of yours and see how she feels about all this.”
I follow behind him with a frown on my face, realizing I should have handled this a little differently. I see Jessica look down at me when he approaches her.
“Young lady, are you here willingly?”
“Oh yes, Sir! Why would you think otherwise?”
“This gentleman here seemed a bit pushy, and I was worried you had been coaxed into being here. Is there a reason you two are in such a hurry? This is a big step that should be thought through thoroughly and without hesitation.”
For a minute, I almost panic, thinking she is going to tell him she isn’t sure, only to close my eyes and shake my head when she finally opens her mouth.
“Sir, we have been living as husband and wife for weeks now due to circumstances neither of us could control. We have not consummated the relationship, but we have lied to everyone around us. No sin is greater than the other, but I would like to hold my head up in public. I do love Reggie, and I believe we could have a good life together, even if we come from different backgrounds.”
“Well then, let’s get your house in order. Young man, if you would help her off this large animal, I will meet you two at the altar.”
I reach up, sliding her down my chest with a huge smile on my face, only to lower my head, tucking it into her neck, laughing. “I can’t believe you said consummate to the preacher.”
Jess smacks my chest playfully, “It just slipped out.”
I’m still laughing when we hear the front doors unlock.
Standing there with Jessica’s hand in mine, I vow before God to love her always.
When it comes to her turn to say I do, I hold my breath, praying she doesn’t run, only to hear her say the words loud and strong.
Her hair is a mess, even has a few pieces of straw still stuck in it, her old brown dress is wrinkled, but I know I’ll remember the look on her face right now for the rest of my days.
When he asks if I have a ring, I reach into my pocket and pull out the one I’d given her on the train, slipping it back on, only for her to smile up at me.
The next thing I know, he says, ‘You may kiss the bride.’
Picking her up, I spin her around, kissing all over her face while we both laugh like kids in the middle of the church.
The preacher, clearing his throat as he tries to hide his laughter, motions for us to come over to the registry so we can make it official.
I sign my name, then hand the fountain pen to Jess, watching every letter until it’s complete.
“I will have a copy for you to keep in your records in a few days. I wish you two the very best in life, and I will say you have made this wedding quite memorable for all of us.”
I pick Jess up, carrying her through the open church doors, kissing her once again before placing her on the horse. Since the livery is only a few blocks away, I decide to walk as I fight to calm my body down, my mind conjuring up all the things I want to do to her now that she is mine.
“Jess, Honey, I need to drop this mild-mannered man off and pick up Bells before we head out. Remind me, dear, that we need to acquire a horse for you so that we will have two we can ride back and forth if we need to.”
“I will have to get Zeus’ approval.”
Before we know it, we are back on Bells and heading to our home. I am so excited to show her the cabin that I swear I could pick Bells up and carry both of them faster that way. But the wait is worth it when we clear the tree line, and Jess gasps at the sight before us.