Chapter Seven
Seven
The morning came quickly, too quickly for her to absorb all that had happened last night.
She lay in her own bed, her body sore in all the right places.
She’d hated leaving Jared last night, and though he’d begged her to stay, she couldn’t leave Sienna alone all night.
Besides, it was safer with him downstairs and her living upstairs.
It gave her some space, some time away from him to gather her thoughts.
Mostly, she wished she’d met Jared under different circumstances.
She wished to high heaven she hadn’t had to lie to him and everyone here at Stone Ridge.
She wished she wasn’t in hiding, that she could’ve had a normal upbringing with a reasonable father who wasn’t always trying to run—and had nearly ruined—her life.
But wishful thinking never got her anywhere.
Instead she turned to the one glorious thing in her life. Sienna. Her daughter’s eyes fluttered and she tossed around in the bed. She’d be waking up soon, ready to take on a new day. Sometimes Bella felt it was just her and Sienna against the world.
It was enough. It had to be.
A minute later Sienna’s eyes opened and she immediately smiled. For Bella, these waking moments were precious, seeing the light on her baby’s face when their eyes connected. “Morning, baby girl.”
“Mommy.”
Sienna rolled over, nearly on top of her, and squeezed her neck.
“I’m here, Sienna. I always will be.”
A tear dripped from Bella’s eye. She was emotional today, overly so, and it was fear and doubt and confusion about her future all wrapped up into one tumbling snowball that was picking up speed and growing larger every day.
Being with Jared last night had made all the bad things go away. For a short time he’d made her forget about her problems. But this morning reality set in and she had no idea what to expect when she went downstairs to cook his breakfast.
Fifteen minutes later, after a quick shower for both of them, she dressed Sienna in her favorite cartoon character outfit and put her damp hair up in pigtails, while Bella donned a pair of jeans and a red-plaid shirt.
She pushed the sleeves up, ready for work.
The two of them headed downstairs to the kitchen.
It didn’t appear that Jared was awake yet, which gave her time to implement her plan.
She set Sienna on a blanket on the floor with her ABC blocks and a few of her princess dolls.
Cinderella was her favorite. Bella thought it odd that she was in the same situation as the blond-haired fairy-tale princess.
With the clock ticking, Cinderella came to the ball magically and quite by accident to spend time with the handsome prince, hiding her true identity and knowing full well her time with him was limited. When would Bella’s clock strike twelve?
If there was even a hint her father was closing in, Bella would have to pick up and run. She’d have to leave Stone Ridge, a place where she felt welcome and safe.
She shook those thoughts off, convincing herself she was well hidden at the ranch, and set about making breakfast. In a matter of minutes she had all the ingredients ready and set the oven to bake. Next she cleaned up the mess from last night, washing dishes at the sink.
Suddenly she heard footsteps approaching and before she could turn around, Jared’s strong arms wrapped around her from behind and his lips nestled her throat, planting soft kisses there. “Mornin’, Bella.”
She leaned against the wall of his chest and sighed. “Good morning.”
“Did you sleep well after you left me?” he asked quietly.
She nodded. “I did.”
“Me, too. Though I missed you.”
She’d missed him, too. This was happening so fast and she should be frightened, but right now, pressed against him and feeling his strength, hearing his voice, she felt safe. “I hope you understand why I—”
“Of course I do. Sienna comes first. She always will.”
She turned to him then and met his eyes. There was genuine understanding there and something else: the tiniest hint of the future. Or was she reading too much into his comments? “Thank you for—”
His mouth came down on hers for a beautiful good-morning kiss and she forgot her deep thoughts and simply enjoyed being in his arms.
When the kiss ended, she smiled. “I’m glad this isn’t awkward or anything.”
“Honey, nothing about me and you is awkward. We’re kinda seamless, don’t you think?”
Before she could absorb that, Jared turned away and hunched down next to Sienna on the floor. “Mornin’, sugar plum. What’re you playing?”
“Dollies. Pay, Tared?”
“Of course.”
Bella scratched her head. Where had Jared Stone come from? He was like a gift from heaven. Was it possible she could be so lucky twice in one lifetime, first with Paul and now Jared?
She walked over to the two of them. “Can Mommy play, too?”
Sienna kept her focus on her doll. Jared was helping her put tiny shimmery shoes on Cinderella’s feet. “Pay, Mommy.”
Ten minutes later the air filled with a sugary aroma. Jared lifted his nose in the air. “Something smells awfully good.”
“It’s a surprise.”
“A surprise breakfast? Does it have tofu?”
She shook her head. “I promise it doesn’t.”
“Then I’ll be sure to love it.” His blue eyes twinkled and her heart sort of melted.
“Prize, Mommy?”
Sometimes she forgot how astute Sienna was. She soaked up knowledge quickly. Her daughter was learning in leaps and bounds. Every day she understood more and more. “Yes, there’s a surprise for you, too, Sienna.”
When the timer dinged, Bella rose from her spot on the floor. “I’d better get that.”
Jared rose, too, and picked up little Sienna. As he held her, Sienna’s arm circled his neck and Bella stared at the two of them as if...as if...
“Sienna wants to see the surprise, too. Right, Sienna?” Jared asked.
Her daughter bobbed her head up and down.
Scary joy bubbled inside her at the sight of the two of them. She sighed. “Well, okay then.” She grabbed two thick pot holders and opened the oven. Gratified to see how well the surprise had turned out, she lifted the pan from the oven and turned to her audience. “Ta-da!”
“Blueberry pie,” Jared said, a big, wide grin on his face.
“Pie, Mommy. I have some?”
“Yes, we’re all going to have some. With ice cream, too.”
Jared’s dark blond brows rose.
“Why not?” She could be adventurous, too, and Sienna deserved a treat after all she’d put her through lately. “We can have dessert for breakfast once in a while, right?”
“Absolutely. It looks delicious.”
“I...I hope so. Blueberries aren’t in season, so I had to use canned fruit.” She set the pie down on the counter to cool.
“I would never know,” he said. “Can’t wait to dig in.”
He leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you.”
Immediately she glanced at Sienna to see if she had any reaction to Jared kissing her. She did. She leaned forward and, with Jared’s guidance, kissed her other cheek. “Tank you.”
Sienna grinned. “You’re both welcome.”
As it turned out, Sienna ate her piece of blueberry pie with French vanilla ice cream while sitting on Jared’s lap. He spoon-fed her small bites like a pro.
“I can’t remember having a better breakfast,” Jared said when they were all finished. “And I’m certain little Sienna here hasn’t, either. Pie was delicious.”
“I’m glad you both liked it. The thing is, Sienna might be bouncing off the walls soon. Sugar tends to fuel her up.”
“Does it now? I might have a solution for that.”
“I’m all ears.”
He grinned. “Do you trust me?”
She nibbled on her lip. She was having a hard time trusting people lately, other than Amy, who knew all of her secrets. She really had to delve deep to answer him. “What are you planning?”
“Can’t tell you. This time, I’m gonna surprise you.”
“Me?”
“You and Sienna.”
“Well?” He was waiting, his brow furrowing.
He seemed to think his question was a simple one.
One she’d be able to answer without hesitation.
Last night she’d trusted him with her body and he hadn’t hurt or disappointed her.
Just the opposite: it had been thrilling and crazy-good.
But Sienna was a different story. Sienna was the most precious thing in her universe.
Yet she had to admit, Jared had been nothing but gentle, caring and kind to Sienna. She’d be safe with him. “Okay, yes. I trust you.”
“Great, meet us outside in ten minutes.”
She blinked. “Outside?”
“Yep, and no peeking.”
“Jared, what are you doing? Get Sienna down from there this instant.” Bella’s heart raced, thumping against her chest. She bit down hard on her lower lip as she approached the fence.
Jared sat tall in the saddle on a chestnut mare inside the corral, holding Sienna with one hand wrapped around her body, the other hand on the reins.
“Bella, just look at her. Sienna loves it up here on Sundae.”
Her daughter was smiling and, with Jared’s encouragement, was stroking the horse’s thick mane. “Come on over here, Bella.”
Her heart in her throat, Bella stepped up to the fence, noting the joy on Sienna’s face and Jared’s big, strong hand locked around her.
A war battled inside her head. Was she too protective of Sienna?
As if there was such a thing as being too protective for a first-time mom.
Or was she projecting all of her fears and anxiety on her baby girl?
“Breathe,” Jared said to her.
“I am breathing. Hard.”
Sienna giggled when the horse twitched and fluttered her mane. Jared’s eyes met with Bella’s. “Are we good here?”
She nodded, biting her lip once again.
“I’m gonna circle the corral with her. Okay?”
“Be extra careful,” she warned.
He tipped his hat, Sienna waving to her as they moseyed off at a slow pace. Bella lifted her hand and wiggled a finger or two, keeping her gaze locked on Sienna, her trembling beginning to disappear as she noted Jared’s obvious expertise on the horse.