This Feels Like Home by Debra St. John

Author:Debra St. John [John, Debra St.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary, Western, Small Town
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2013-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

“I’m glad you were able to come with Jake tonight,” Jessica said from her perch in the swing. It made a soft thump against the side of the house as she propelled it with her foot.

The men were inside with Zach while he prepared the burgers, and the women were outside on the spacious deck.

Amber glanced over at Jessica. “Thanks for inviting me.”

“He’s a great guy, isn’t he?” Sharlie asked. She sat in a nearby lounge chair, rolling Connor’s stroller back and forth while he slept.

Of course Amber agreed. But she wasn’t sure how enthusiastic she should be with Jake’s friends. Would they report back to him?

“Do they need any help in there?” She motioned toward the patio door, changing the subject.

Jessica waved a hand. The diamond on her left ring finger sparkled in the last rays of the disappearing sun. “Nope. I’m sure Zach has everything under control.”

“He doesn’t mind cooking when he’s not working?” Amber asked. “I mean, in his off time, wouldn’t he like a little break from the kitchen?”

Jessica chuckled. “He loves to cook. It was a hobby before it was his job. He never minds being in the kitchen.”

“When he’s away from the Corral and cooking for fun, he likes to experiment with new dishes,” Sharlie added. “And I for one am always glad to be his guinea pig.”

Amber joined in the laughter, savoring not only the lightheartedness of the moment, but the time with Jake’s friends as well. They accepted her in Jake’s life, and as a part of theirs, with easy affection and familiarity, not like an outsider looking in. One day, would she consider them friends of her own?

What would happen when she returned to Chicago? Would they keep in touch? Would they act as her link to Jake while he was out on the road chasing danger and his dreams? Or would it be better to cease contact with everyone associated with him? Maybe it would be best to not have any reminders of him. When the time came, a clean break would be the easiest. Right?

A future without Jake caused an ache in her heart, as if it could almost sense the emptiness ahead. Despite what she’d promised, she was too involved. She had to be careful what she said around his friends.

She searched for another topic. Jessica’s ring caught her eye again. “So, is everything set for the wedding?”

“Pretty much,” Jessica answered. “Everything that can be done ahead of time is done—church, flowers, place cards, cake. And of course, Zach’s gone over the menu with the assistant chefs at the Corral a million times.”

“You know,” Sharlie chimed in, “maybe someone should keep an eye on him the day of the wedding, or he might try to sneak into the kitchen.”

Jessica rolled her eyes, but her tone was filled with patient adoration as she replied, “I wouldn’t put it past him.”

“Is your dress all ready?” Amber asked.

Jessica nodded. “I picked it up from the boutique the other day. It’s under lock and key at Pop’s place.

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