DedicatedToAllTheReadersWhoAreMaking

MyDreamsComeTrue

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AboutTasha

JonesHey,I'mTashaandthankyousomuchfortakingthetimetotakeareadthroughmybook.I'mayoungmotherofone,withalovinghusband,currentlylivingin

Jacksonville,andamabigreader.I'vedecidedtoturnmyloveforbooksintosomethingmore,andhavestartedtopassionatelywritemoreandmore.IrecentlywentonatriptoAfricawithmyfam,andgotmanyideasforstoriesonthattrip.Ialsolovetravelingandcookingandhopeitshowsinmywriting.IreallyhopeyouenjoymywritingandIcanbringjustatinybitofjoyinto

yourday.Thanks,Tasha

AboutThisBook

Jasmine'slifewasnotwheresheexpectedtobe.

Ayoung,aspiringactress,JasmineTurnerhaddecidedthatmovingtoNew

Yorkwouldbethebestwayforhertocatchabigbreakandbecomeastar.

Butaftertwoyearsinthecity,shefoundhersavingscompletelydepletedandshewasworkingatadinerlivingpaychecktopaycheck.Onanightwhereshedidn'tevenknowhowshewasgoingtomakerent,shegotluckyandanextrashiftcameupatthediner,effectivelykeepingher

offthestreet.Butwhenshecamehome

afterhershift,herroomwasamessandsherealizedherroommatehadapartywithabunchofpeopleover.Lookingthroughhertipstashsherealizedsomeonehadtakenallthecashshehadbeensavingtocoverrent.

Withherbackagainstthewall,shesearchesthroughthepaper,lookingforanyacting

gigswhichcouldgivehersomequickcash.Butaratherunusualadcatchesherattentioninstead.Theadwaslookingforhealthyfemalesheragewhowouldactasasurrogatetowealthyclients.Withnootheroptionsshedecidestocontacttheagencyandseewhattheycanofferher.

Aftergoingthroughtheproposalsshefindsone

potentialsurrogacymatchwithasinglemaleinTexas.Onlythissurrogatecontractisalittledifferent,inthattheclientisalsolookingfora"papermarriage"aswell.Shewonderswhy,butconsideringhowmuchtheyareofferingsheagrees.

AweeklatershefindsherselfonaflighttoTexasheadedtowardsaranchtobecomethesurrogateand

wifetoawealthyTexascowboy.Shearrivesandtheladyofthehousefillsherinonthecurrentsituation.Itseemslikethecowboy'sfatherhadpassedaway,andlefthimtheirfamilyranchononecondition,thathegetmarriedandhaveachildwithintheyear.

JasminefinallymeetsParker,hersoontobehusbandandclient,andhe

letsherknowthisisstrictlyabusinessrelationship.Afterthebabyarrivesandtheranchistransferredovertohimtheycandissolvethemarriageandhewouldraisethechildonhisown.

Butwhathewasn'texpectingwasthatlovehadbiggerplansforthem.Whileatfirsttheywereveryformalwitheachother,asthedayswentbytheirinfatuation

continuedtogrow.Theirlovegrewstronger

daybyday,untilaterribleaccidentthreatenedtokeepthemapart...

Willthepowerofloveovercomeadversityandbringthembacktogether?

ThishotandsteamyBWWMromanceisforadultaudiences18+only

ChapterOne–Jasmine

JasmineTurnerwasexhausted.

Sheglancedaroundatthedinersilentlycalculatinghowlongitwouldtakeforthemtofinishupandlethergohome.

ShesmiledatCarl.

Somehowhewasalwayspoppinginfromtimetotimewhenshewasworking.Hetippedhishatatherandwentbacktohiscoffee.Somehowhefeltresponsibleforher,eversinceshehadstartedherehealwayshadherback.Hewasprobablyinhismid-fiftiesandwasatruckdriver.HisrouteswerescheduledthesameandshealwaysknewhewouldbearoundonMondayandWednesdaymornings.

Shehadworkedthenightshiftlastnightandshewastired.

At25,shehadbeeninNewYorkfortwoyears.ShehadhighhopesofbecomingthenextKerryWashingtonorevenbetter,HalleBerry,butsofarithadn’tcometopass.Shewasattractiveenough,hercaramel-coloredskinandlightbrowneyesmadeherstandout.Shehadlong

straighthair,somethingshetookgreatpridein.Ithadtakenherforevertogetitjustright.Nowitwasallbeingwastedasshehaditpinnedupwhileworkinginadiner.

Tenmoreminutesandshewasoutofhere.Shegrabbedupthenewspaperfromwhereacustomerhadbeensittingafewminutesbefore.Sheputitbehindthecounterknowing

shewouldtakeitwithherassheheadedhome.Youneverknewwhenyouweregoingtofindsomegreatauditioninthere.ShestartedtocleanupasMariecameintothedinerrushingtoputonherapron.

“Heygirl,sorryI’mrunninglate,thetrafficugh!’sherolledhereyesandheadedtothebacktoclockin.JasminesaidgoodbyetoCarlandmadeherwayinthe

backfollowingbehindMarie.“It'sok,it’sbeenkindof

slowanyways,I’mjusthappyI’mheadedhome.”Shetookoffherapronandsnatchedupherthingsfromthesmalllockerintheback.ShegaveAnnaahugandleftthroughthebackdoor.

***Peopleoften

complainedaboutthecity.Therewasalwayssomething

tosayaboutthesounds,smellsandthepeople,butJasminelovedit.Therewasaneverpresentexcitementintheairandshelovedthevibe.Shewalkedtheshortdistancetoherapartment.Shehadfoundthisspotbyluck,oneofthegirlsatthedinerhadgottenacommercialspotandhadmoved,leavinganopenspotforher.Theplacewascostingherafortune,butwhatplacedidn’tinNew

York?Herneatlittle

apartmentwasoffofBroadwayandNewtowninLongIslandCity.Itwasn’tthebestofneighborhoods,butwasfarbetterthansome.Fortunately,shehadaroommateshetrustedandcaredfor.Shethrewherkeysintothebowlbythefrontdoor.

“Marie,youin

here?”sheglancedaroundthemainpartoftheroombuttherewasnoanswer.Theapartmentwasaonebedroom,offtooneside.Themainpartoftheroomwasopenwithaneat-inkitchenandaplaceforalivingroom.TheyhadhungacurtainintheroomandblockedoffanareathatJasmineusedasabedroom,leavingasmallareawheretheycouldputaloveseatandatelevision.Her

roommatewaseccentricandcreative.Shehaddoneallofthedecoratingandhadlivedthereforyears.JasmineknewshehadaroleonBroadwayfromtimetotime,butmostlyitwasherfamilymoneythatkeptthingsgoingforher.ShehadlivedthereforyearsbeforeJasminehadmovedinandshelovedbeinginthecitymorethanJasminedid.

Itseemedlike

onlyyesterdaywhenJasminehadleftherfamilyhomeinNewJersey.Herfatherworkedinconstructionandhermotherhaddiedinacaraccidentwhenshewas12.

Recently,herfatherhadbeeninjuredonthejobandtheywerestrugglingtomakeit,especiallywithherlittlesisterstillathome.Shelikedtothinkofheraslittle,butshewas,infact,15.

Jasminehadsharedherdreamwithhimandhehatedtoseehergo,butrespectedherdreamstotry.Shehadlivedoutherenowfortwoyearsandhersavingsweredepleted.Rightnowshewaslivingdaytoday.Sherememberedthewayhehadlookedatherwhensheleft,asifsomehowJasminewerecarryinghermother’slifelongdreamsaswell.Hermotherhadbeenasinger,butnever

madeitbig.Allsheknewwasthatshecouldn’tgohome,shecouldn’tfail.

Sheespeciallycouldn’taddhertroublestotheonesherfatherwasalreadydealingwith.

Shechangedintoherpajamasandclimbedintoherbedandwassoonfastasleep.

ChapterTwo-Parker

Parkerwastornbetweenangerandsadness.

Hisfatherwasdyingandtherewasnothinghecoulddoaboutit.Noamountofmoneycouldfixthecancerthathadeatenhimupinside,notforlackoftrying.Hetook

offhishatanddustedoffthebrimagain.Heonlyworeitwhenhewashome,orinashow.Hislankyblondehairhunglowonhisforeheadashewipedawaythegrimefromthemorning.Hehadworkedtheranchwiththefarmhandsthismorning,hopingtoburnoffsomesteam.Theyhadroundedupmostofthecattleandhadmendedafenceinthenorthfield.Still,hewasangry.

Hisrelationshipwithhisfatherhadalwaysbeengood.Hismotherhaddiedalongtimeagowhenhewas8-years-old,andthetwoofthemhadonlyhadeachothertomourntheloss.Shehadbeenridinghorsesandbeenthrownsuddenly.Hehadbeensoyoung.

Thiswasdifferent,thiswasharder.At29,hewaswellawarethatthiswas

somethinghisfatherhadcometotermswithalongtimeagowhenhehadfirstbeendiagnosed.Hehadsimplypulledhimasideafterdinneronenightandtoldhimhewasdying.Thewholethinghadbeenverymatteroffact.Thetruthofthematter,hehadknownformonths,buthehadn’ttoldParkerbecausehewasontherodeotourandhehadworriedthedistractionwouldbringhimrunning

home,whichhedidn’twant.Buthewouldhavecomehome,ifhehadknown.Nowhehaddays,anditwasn’tenough.HeranahandthroughhishairandputthehatbackonglancingattheTexassky.Theheatwasgettinghotteranditwasonlygoingtogetworse.Hedecidedtocallitadayandheadedtowardsthehousetoshowerandsitwithhisfather.

Heknewsomethingwasdifferenttheminutehewentintheroom.Therewasastillnessthathadsettledoverhisfatherandthenursestoodandnoddedasheenteredbeforeshelefttogivethemsomeprivacy.Heshouldhaveneverlefthimherethismorning,buttheranchwouldn’trunitself.Withhisfatherinbedtherewasnooneelse.Hemadehiswayovertowherehelay.

Onceamanhugeinstature,hewasalmostswallowedupbytheblanketsthatcoveredhim.Parkersatdowncarefullyonthechairbythebed.Muchlikehisfather,hestoodtallat6’1”.Hewasbuilttoughandsolid.Hehadgrownuponthisranchandhisloveforhorseshadledhimtotherodeo.Asmuchashelovedthethrillofit,helovedthisranchmore.Henoticedhisfatherwassmiling

athimandmovedclosertothebed.

“Youareagoodboy,Parker…goodboy,youarealwaysonthemove.Ihatetoputsomuchonyou,butIneedyounowmorethanevertheson.”HemovedhisfingersasifhewasreachingforhimandParkertookhishandinhis.

“I’mheredad,I’mhereforgood.Don’tworryabouta

thing.”Heheldhishandtightlyandhefeltthesameoldfearcreepintohisheart.

“You’regoingtobemadatmeson,butIhadnochoice.Youneverwanttomoveforward.”

Parkerfrowned,whatwashetalkingabout?

“Dad,I’mnotgoingtobemadatyou,whatareyoutalkingabout?”

Beforehecouldanswer

hehadfallenasleepagain.Parkerhatedseeinghimlikethis,inpain.Itwastoomuchtowatch.Heleanedbackinhischairandthoughtabouthismotherforamoment.Hisfatherhadlovedhersomuchitnearlykilledhimwhenshedied.Lovemadepeopledocrazythingsandheneverwantedanypartofthat.He’dhadhisshareofwomen.Especiallyontheroad,therewasalwaysanewgirlin

everycity,butnothingserious.Heneverwantedtoloveanyonelikehisfatherhad.Ithurttoomuchwhentheyleft,andultimatelysomeonealwaysleft.Hewatchedtheslow,shallowbreathingofhisfather’schestandsettledintothechairalittledeeper.

ChapterThree-Jasmine

Itwasararethingwhenshegottosleepinandtodayasoneofthosedays.

Jasmineturnedoverinherbedandsmiledtoherself.MariehadputthecoffeeonalreadyandlefttostartherdayleavingJasminethere

alone.Shesighed,asmuchasshewasenjoyinghavingsomequiettimealone,shehadalotonhershoulders.Shehadjustenoughmoneyhiddeninherroomtopayhershareofthebillsbutthatwasit.

She’dhadbigplansforwhereshewouldbebynow,insteadshewasstrugglingtomakeit.Shemadeherwayintothekitchenandpickedup

thenewspaperfromthedaybefore.Shescanneditforlocalauditionsandfoundthattherewasn’tmuchtospeakof.Hereyecaughtanadforsomethingdifferent.

Apparently,therewasaneedforsurrogates,andthepaywasextreme.Shehadnevergivenitmuchthought,butshesatbackinherchairandthoughtaboutthepossibilities.Shewasstill

youngandwasinnohurrytostartafamilyofherown.Withthekindofmoneytheywereofferingshecouldlivecomfortablyandputbackanicenestegg.Itwassomethingtothinkaboutthatwasforsure.

Sheputthepaperonherbedandwentaboutherday,cleaningandlaundrynothingspecial.Sheglanceddownatherphone,noticing

theredlightflashingandrolledhereyeswhenshewasthatJamalhadtextedheragain.Theyhaddatedforalmosttwoyearswhenshehadfinallyendeditforgood.HewasanotoriousrakeandJasminehadbeenoneofmanywomenhehadsweettalkedintobelievingshewasspecial.Theproblemforherwasthatshehadbeeninlovewithhimandhadgivenhimmoreofherselfthanshe

shouldhave.Hehadbrokenherheartandshehadwalkedinonhimhavingsexwithherbestfriend,andthathadbeenthelaststraw.Shewentoutofherwaytonotspeaktoeitherofthemagain.Occasionally,hewouldreachoutanddespiteknowingwhoandwhathewas,shehadtowrestlewithherselfnottorespond.

Thatmayhavebeen

thereasonsheneverdated,andmadeithermissiontoneverfallinloveagain,atleastnotformanyyears,untilshehadmadesomethingofherself.Lovewasapainfulthingandshewouldjustassoonavoiditatallcosts.Herphonerangandshetookadeepbreathbeforelookingatthenumber,itwasworkandshefeltasenseofrelief.

“Heythere,Frank,”she

answeredcheerfully.Frankhasbeenalwaysgoodtoher.

“HeyJaz,Ihatetodoit,butIneedyoutonight.”Shesmiledintothephone,heneededthehelpandshewasallbutbrokeasidefromnextmonth’sbills,itonlymadesensetogoin.

“That’scoolFrankie,Ineedthetips.”

Shegavehimanideaofwhenshecouldbethere

andgotready,methodicallychangingintoheruniformbeforesheheadeddowntheshortwalktowork,

OnethingshewashappyaboutwasthatshewasgoingtomissMarie’spartylaterthatnight.Mariewasalwaysentertainingherfriendsandtonightwasoneofherget-togethers.Theyusuallystartedattheapartmentandthenmovedon

toabiggerandbettervenue.Neveroneforthepartylife,Jasminejustassoonwouldbeatworkwhentheyallshowedup.SinceitwasaThursdaysheexpectedtheeveningtomoveslowlyanditdid.Bythetimeshewenthome,shewasn’tsureifithadevenbeenworthgoing.

Shecreptintotheapartmentlateandwasgreetedbyamessthatwas

certainlyapartofthepartythathadtakenplaceearlier.Shesteppedoverthemesswithasighuntilshestoppedathercurtain.Everythingwasmovedinside.Someonehadbeeninherspaceandshefeltasenseofpanicriseupwithinher.Sheimmediatelywenttotheplaceshehidhermoneyandfeltaroundfrantically.Itwasgone.Someonehadtakenitandshehadnothingleft.Shesat

downinahuffonherbedandfeltthetearswellup.Shehadnoideawhatshewasgoingtodonow.Shefeltsomethingrolledupunderherandshepulledupthenewspapershehadputtherethatmorning.Maybeshedidhaveasolutionafterall.

ChapterFour-Parker

Thiswascrazy,absolutenonsense.Howcouldtheyreallyholdhimtothis?HisfatherhadbeenburiedlastTuesdayandhehadassumedhewouldstayattheranchandkeepthingsrunning.Nowthisimbecilelawyerwastellinghimthathe

hadalistofruleshehadtofollowthroughonortheranchwasturnedovertocharityonhis30thbirthday.Hefelttheheatrisingupinhisfaceagainasheslammedhishanddownonthedeskinfrontofhim.

“Myfathermadethatranchwithhisbarehands,thereisnowayhewouldwanttotakeachanceoflosingit…ofnotkeepingit

inthefamily.”Thelawyerhadn’t

movedamuscle.GarrettJacksonhadnotonlybeensomeoneheworkedforbuthehadalsobeenhisfriend.Longbeforethisdaycame,hehadbeenwarnedofParkersenthusiasmforthingshedidn’tagreewith.HegaveParkeraonceover.HewassomuchlikeGarretitmadehimsilentlyoverjoyed.Hewould

dotherightthing,despitehisprotestsrightnow,hehadnodoubtofit.Heclearedhisthroattocontinueon.

“Asthewillmentioned,beforeyouare30Parkeryouhavetohaveachildandawife.Heisveryclearaboutthat,however,hedidn’tgiveanyinstructionsabouthowyougeteitherofthesethings.Isuggestyougettheballrollingsoonsinceyou

justturned29.Youdon’thaveawholelotoftimeleft.Youcanstayattheranchandhavefullaccesstothefinances.”

“Yeah,Iknowthat.Look,thisisn’tyourfault,Iamjustnotsurewhattodo.”Heranahandthroughhishairinfrustration.“Thatranchismywholelife,everything,Iwon’tletitgo.”Heslammedhishanddown

hardonthetableagain.“Parker,mightI

suggestfindingasurrogate?Theyhavewomen,whowillcarryachildforyouforcompensation.Thatwouldatleastgetyouthroughhalfoftheproblem.Betteryet,findanicegirlwhoyoucanlivewithandhaveamarriageofconvenience,abusinessproposal.”Heleanedforwardinhisoverstuffedchairand

handedhimapieceofpaperwithanagencycontactinformation.

Parkerglaredathimfromacrossthedesk.

“Tobehonest,Idon’tthinkthat’swhatmyfatherhadinmind,butthenwhoknowswhathewasthinking.”I’llgettheballrollingASAP.Thanks.”

Heshookhishandandmadehiswayoutofthe

office.Heglanceddownatthe

slipofpaperinhishand.Hewouldcallfirstthingwhenhegothome.

Hestoppedonthewaytohaveadrink.Hewasn’tadrinkingmanbyanystretchoftheimagination,buttodayhadsimplybeentoomuch.Heknewhecouldgetmarried,he’dhadhisshareofwomen,mostofwhichhehad

runawayfromafterthingsstartedgettingserious.Hejustknewnoneofthemhadbeenrightforhim,atleastnotfortherestofhislife.Heheldupthepaperinhishandsagain.Thiswastheonlyway,buthewantedittobesomeonedifferent,someonedefinitelyfarfromhere.Maybeacitygirl,thatwayshewouldbeeagertogetbackhometoherlifeandawayfromhere.Withasigh,

hescoopeduphisjacketandheadedforhome.

ChapterFive-Jasmine

Shestillcouldn’tbelieveshewassittinghere.

Theroomwascoldandwhiteandunfeeling.Shereallywasn’tsuresheknewwhattoexpect.Shehadneverbeeninaplacelikethisbefore.Shehadbeenthrough

theringer,picturesbloodwork,etc.Nowshewaswaitingtoseewhattheyhadtotellher.Thedoctorcameinandslidthestoolovertowardsher.

“MissTurner,youareinperfecthealth,I’mhappytosay.Wehavecrossmatchedyouwithanumberofpotentialfamiliesandhavenarroweditdowntothree.Thechoiceisuptoyou.Once

youhavedecidedwhichyouwouldbemorecomfortablewith,wecanproceedfromthere.Hereisthebasicinformationoneach.I'llletyoutakesometimeintheconferenceroomandwhenyou’vemadeachoiceyoucanletthenurseoutfrontknow.Ifyouneedmoretimethat’sfineaswell,justunderstandtheseopportunitieschangeprettyregularly.”

Shetookthefileshehandedherandthankedhimasshemadeherwayintothelobby.Itwasoverwhelmingtothinkabout.Shewasplanningtocarryababy,forsomeoneelse.Couldshedoit?Therealissuewascouldshedoitandletgowhenthetimecame.Shemovedintotheconferenceroomandspreadthefilesinfrontofher.

Wherevershedidthesurrogacy,shewouldhavetolivethere.Shewantedtobesomeplacenice,whereshecouldstartover.Shehadthreemoredaysuntilshehadnoplacetogo,havinglostallofhermoney,andgottenintoahugefightwithMarieoverit.Someonehadtakenit,butnoonewouldbelieveher.Shetookadeepbreathandstartedwithfileone.

ThefirstfamilywasinMexico,theywerespecificallylookingforsomeonewithhercomplexionandheritage.Theywantedtohaveachildsoonandwantedthesurrogatetocometothemandlive.Theywouldprovidearoomandboard,andshewasfreetostayuptotwoweeksafterthechildwasborn.Theydid,however,wantthesurrogatetoparticipateinexperimental

geneticcodingsothattheycouldhaveagirl.Shefrowned,andmovedtothesecondfamily.

Asinglemotherwaslookingforawomanwhocouldcarryachildforherusingdonatedsperm.ShewasabusinesswomaninNewYork,andwanedtobeasinglemother.Shewaswillingtoofferaroom,butonlyifthesurrogatewouldbe

willingtocleanandcookduringthepregnancy.Shestoppedreadingforamoment.Amaidwithababy.

Shegiggled.Lastly,filethree.Thefamilywanteda

surrogatewithanybackgroundandethnicity.NeededsomeonewhocouldcometolivewiththemASAP.Thetimingwasveryimportant.Thefamilywasa

youngman,age29,andonalargeestateinTexas.Shesmiled.TexaswasanicetownontheothersideofNewYork.Shehadalwayswantedtovisitthere.

Theproposalwasofferingauniqueopportunity,onethatwouldmeanamarriageonpaperwithnointimacy.Attheendofoneyear,afterthechildwasbornthesurrogatewouldreceivea

largesumofmoneyandthemarriageabsolved.$200,000dollarswouldbegivenupfrontwithanadditional$6,000fortravelexpensesandthesurrogatewouldhavetobewillingtodonatehereggs.

Shesatbackinherchair.Thatwascertainlyalotofmoney,moneysheneeded.Plustheadmentionedshewouldhaveherownroom.

Theonlyissuewasthemarriagepart,buteventhatseemedlikeatemporaryfix.Itdidsayitwouldbeonpaperonly.Thiswasherbestoption,andoneshewouldhavetodosoon.

***Theflightwasdelayed,

again.Shehadacceptedthe

offeranddonethepaperworkforamannamedParker

Jackson.Shehadbeengiventheticketandwalkedintotheairportquickly.Shewasrunninglate,ofcourse.Itwasn’tuntilshewasattheairportthatshetookthetimetolookatherboardingpass.Shesatdownwithathump.

Texas.ShewasheadedtoTexas.

NotthecityinNewYork,butthestate.Shehadjustassumedwhenshedid

herpaperworkthatitmeantthecityinNewYork.Nowshehadtwosuitcasesfullofeverythingsheownedandwasheadedtoastateshehadneverseen.Themoneyhadhelped,shehadsentsomehometoherfatherforhersister.Shewasasmartgirlandtheyhadbeendiscussingsendinghertoprivateschool.Shehadsentsomemoneytomakethatmoreofareality,andtohelpwithbillsthat

weresuretobepilingup.Finally,theycalledher

flightandshetookadeepbreathbeforeboarding.ItmaybealongtimebeforeshewasinNewYorkagainandshewouldmissthecityandallthehustleandbustlethatmadeitsowonderfultoher.Shefoundherseatquicklyandfeltanervousrushcomeoverher.Shehadneverflownbefore,hadneverbeenoutof

NewYorkforthatmatter.Thiswasachangethatwouldbelonglasting.Shedidn’thavethehearttotellherfatherthetruth.Likelyitwouldbreakhisheart.Shehadtoldhershewastravelingforwork,andinsomesenseshewasn’tlying.Shewatchedthecitybeneathherasherflighttookoffandshelightlytouchedthewindow.Nothingwouldbethesameagain,shethought.Shehad

noideajusthowmuch.***Theheatwas

staggeringandhitherwithfullforceasshelefttheplane.Howintheworldwouldshemanagetolivelikethisforthenextyear?Shemadeherwaythroughtheairportandsearchedforthesignthatwouldtakehertohernewhome.Shefinallysawatallmanholdingasignthat

simplysaidJ.Turner.Thiswasit,shetoldherselfassheheadedtowardshim.Hewasslightlysurprisedwhenshewalkeduptohim,shecouldtellbythelookonhisface.Shecertainlywasn’tthetypicalcowgirlthatwasforsure.Hetookherbagsandshefollowedhimouttothecar.Shewasmorethanalittlenervous.Shehadtoadmitittoherself.Shefelttheleatheroftheseatsunderher.Thecar

wasbeautiful.Shehadnoideawhatkinditwas,herknowledgeofcarswaslimited.Allsheknewwasthattheseatswerecoolandthecarrodesosmoothlyshecouldn’teventelltheyweremoving.Sheglancedoutthewindowastheyrolledalong.Thelandwasflatandsparse.Therewasanabundanceoftreesalongthelandscapeandshecouldseeformilesandmiles.Thiswasnothinglike

shewasusedto,thatwasforsure.Sheleanedbackagainsttheseatandclosedhereyesforasecond.

“MissTurner,areyouhungry?Iwastomakesureyouhadeverythingandanythingyouneed.”

“No,I'mfinerightnow,thankyou,whatwasyournameagain?I’msorryIamhorriblewithnames.”

“Mynameis

James,m’am.”“Pleasedon’tcallme,

ma'am,itmakesmefeelold,andageisaboutallIhavelefttoholdonto.”

Shegavehimasmileintherearviewmirrorandhereturnedit.

“TherideisaboutanhourorsoMissJasmine.Ifyouneedanythingpleaseletmeknow.”

“ThankyouJamesI

will.”Sheleanedbackandsighedsmoothingherhairdownasshedid.Shelovedherhairandthisheatwouldprobablyfrizzitallbackupagain.Withasigh,shelethereyescloseagain.

***Shewokewithastart

asthecarcametoastop.Shemusthavefallenasleep.Shelookedupandnoticedtheywereatagate.James

punchedinanumberandthegatesopenedwide.Shenoticedthelargesignthatsaid“CrookedCreekRanch”astheypassedthroughthewideopening.

Thedrivewaywaslongandcurvy,andshecouldbarelymakeoutthehouseinthebackground.Wasallofthispartoftheproperty?Astheycametothetopofaslighthilltheranchwas

spreadoutatthebase.Itwasamassivespreadwithamaincenterandthesidesofthehousespreadoutatanangleoneachsidealmostlikearmsopenwideandwelcoming.Therewerecattlegrazinginthewestfieldandhorsesofftotheright.Shecouldseesomesmallouterbuildingsspreadoutintheback.Thedrivewaymadeacircleinthefrontofthehouseandthecarpulleduptothefront.She

tookadeepbreathandstartedtoopenthedoorandJamescametohelpherimmediately.

Shesmiledupathim.Itwasobviousshewasn’tusedtopeopleholdingdoorsforherandshewasn’tabouttostartnow.Shewalkedtotherearofthecartohelphimwithherbagsandwasimmediatelystoppedbyhim.

“MissTurner,ifyou

wouldn’tmind,MissBeccaisinsidewaitingforyou.Ah,heresheisnow.”

Jasmineturnedtoseeabubbly,rounded,red-cheekedwomancomerushingdownthestairstowardsher.Thewomandidn’thesitateasshewrappedJasmineinamassivehug.Shewasn’tsurehowlongtheystoodlikethatandfinallythewomanleanedbackandtookherallin.

“Well,nowletmelookatyou,youareaprettyonearen’tyou?”ShegaveJasmineawinkandlinkedherarminhers.Shehadnochoicebuttofollowalonginaweastheyenteredthehouse.

Tosayitwasbeautifulwouldbeanunderstatement.Thewallswereallwoodandsmelledofsunshine.Thefoyeremptiedintoahugeden

whichleadintoanoffice.ThekitchenwastotheleftandfurtherdownthehallwasabedroomwhereBeccaslept.Therewasanentranceonbothsidesthatbranchedoffgoingdownbotharmsofthehouse.Beccachattedhappilyaboutthewingsoftheranchhouseandthisandthat.Finally,theywentdownthewestwingandstoppedatadoor.

“Thisisyou,sweetheart.”ShepushedopenthedoorandJasminetookastepinside.ItwastwiceasbigasherapartmentinNewYorkandwascompletewithacanopiedbedandbathroomofftooneside.Therewereavanityandchestofdrawersandthelinensandcurtainswereapalepinkcolor.Onthebedwasaboxwitharedribbonandasmalleroneonthedressingtable.

“Wehopeyoulikeit,dear,JamesandIweren’tsurewhatyoulikedandwejustwentforit.Therearen’tmanywomenthatcomebyherenotsincethemissusleftus.”ShepausedandJasminetookthepausetoaskheraquestion.

“Inoticedtheblackribbonsonthepillarsoutfront,didsomethinghappen?”Shenoticedher

bagsagainstthewall,JamesmusthavebroughttheminasshetouredthehousewithMissBecca.

“Ohyes,dearMr.Jacksonpassedawaynotthreeweeksagonow,Parkerisstillfeelingthebruntofit,heseemstobethrowinghimselfintoworkingtheranchtohealhisheart.Iamhopingthatchangesnowthatyou’rehere.”Shegavehera

sadsmile.“Whywouldhe

want…wellmeherenowthen?Iamnotsurewhyitisagoodtimeforit.”

“Ohmydear,youdon’tknowthedetailsdoyou?Well,Isupposeit’sbestifItellyou,bettermethanyouhearitfromoneoftheyardhands.ShepulledJasmineovertoasmallsittingareaandtoldherabout

thearrangement.Jasminesatthere

thinkingasMiss.Beccastoodtoleave.Shehadalotofinformationtotakeinthatmuchwascertain.Shewasakeypartofmakingsurethisranchstayedinthefamily.Shefeltthepressureofthatweighingonhershoulders.Whathadshegottenherselfinto?

“Dinnerisatsix,dear.

Parkersaidhewouldbehereintimefordinner.Whynottakeanapandashowerandgetyourselfsettledin?Iknowthisisanewplaceforyou,wewillhelpyoumydear.”

WithasmilesheleftJasminealoneforthefirsttimesinceleavinghome.Shestoodandwalkedovertowardsthelargewindowinherroom.Itfacedthelarge

fieldsbehindthehouseandshenoticedthehorsesrunning.Thiswasnotherworld,butitwasnow.Shemadeherwayovertothebedandpickedupthenoteontopofit.

Welcome,wehopeyoulikeit!

Shepulledoffthetopoftheboxandthenthedressbeneathit.Itwasasimplewhitedressofftheshoulder

andwascoveredinwhitelace.Itwashersizeaswell.Shesmiledatthethoughtfulgestureanddecidedshewouldwearitfordinner.Shefoundhercomfypajamasshehadbroughtfromhome.Theysomehowgaveasenseofpeaceassheslippedintothemandlaidgentlyonthemassivebed.Maybeshewouldtakeanapafterall.

***

Sheglancedupandnoticedtheclocksaid4:35.

Shestretchedandstood.ItwastimetogetreadytomeetParker.Whyshewassonervousshewasn’tsure.Theentirepointofthisarrangementwasthatshedidn’thavetoworryaboutbeingimpressive,sheonlyhadtobeherself.Sheshoweredandtookcarewithhermakeup.Hercaramelskin

hadanaturalglowandshedidn’tusemuchmorethansomeglossonherlips.Herhairwaslikesilkandsheslippedintothebeautifuldresswithease.Asshecamebackintotheroom,shepickeduptheothersmallerpackageshehadforgottenabout.InsidewasanotefromParker.

Welcome,pleasemakeyourselfathome.Iwillbe

therefordinnerandwillspeakwithyouthen.

Shesquaredhershouldersandsmootheddownthefrontofherdresstakingdeepbreathstocalmherracingheart.Shewentintothehallwayatexactly5:45.Itwasbettertobeearlythanlate,somethingherfatherhadtaughtheralongtimeago.

Shewalkedintothe

formaldiningroomandshesawhimforthefirsttime.Hewasinacleanwhiteshirtandhehadblondehair.Hehadstubblethatcoveredhisfaceandhewasinaheateddiscussionwithsomeoneonhisphone.

Itgaveherextratimetotakeinthescenebeforeherandshedidn’tminditintheleast.Hemusthavebeen6feettall.Hewasstanding

withhisbacktohernowandsheadmiredtheleanmuscledbackthatbulgedwithhismovements.Shelethergazedriftandshelandedonhisjeansthatweremadetofithim.Theysculptedhimandflexedwithhiseverymovement.Sheshookherheadfreeofthesethoughts.Whatwaswrongwithheranyway?Shehadneverevenlookedatguyslikehimbefore,muchlessdatedone;

especiallyacowboy.Shelookeduptosee

Beccasmilingatherfromthedoorway,andsheblushed.ShecouldonlyimaginehowlongshehadstoodthereasJasminehaddoneherexaminationofParkerJackson.

ChapterSix-Parker

Therewasalevelofrespectwhenawomanhasbeencookingthathisfatherhadtaughthimveryearlyon.Whenawomansaysdinnerisreadyyoudropwhateveryou’redoingandheadinsidetoeatit.Ahappycookisagoodcook,that’s

whathehadalwaystoldhim.HeshovedhisphonebackinhispocketwithasighandgaveBeccaasmile.Hemadehiswayovertoherandpickedherupinahugbeforesheswattedhimaway.

Ittookamomentbeforehethoughttoturnaround,butwhenhedidhewasfloored.

Shewasbeautiful,therewasnootherwaytoput

it.Shestoodtherewatchinghim,herhandsclaspedtogetherinfrontofher.Shewasofaverageheightandthatwastheonlythingaboutherthatwasaverage.Herskinlookedasifshewaskissedbythesunforhoursandhadahealthyglow.Shewascurvy,inalltherightplaces,butpetite.Hewalkedovertoherandstuckouthishand.

“YoumustbeJasmine.”

Hegaveherahalfsmileandshereturnedit.Therewassomethingexoticaboutherthatdrewhimin.Hereyeswerelikeliquidhoneyandtosayhewasattractedtoherwasanunderstatement.Hisfatherwaslookingdownonhimrightnowandlaughing,hecouldalmosthearit.

“Sendforastrangertohaveababywithandyougetabeautifulwoman.”

Withasigh,heheldthechairforhertogetsettledandmadehiswayacrossthetablefromher.Therewassomethingabouthersmilethatmadehimwanttobeclosertoher.Hereyeswerestrikinganddeepdownsomewhereheknewhewas

introuble.Hehadspecificallygoneinsearchofsomeonedifferent,someonefromfarawayfromhere,andithadbackfired.Shecertainlydidn’tlooklikeshewasfromaroundhere,yetatthesametimeshelookedasthoughshewasrightwhereshebelonged.Sheheldherselfwithahumblesortofgrace,hermovementsfluidandshy,yetwhenshepassionatelytalkedaboutherfamilyher

eyescametolife.“Soyouhavea

sister?Thatmustbefun.”Hesippedathisglasswatchingherreaction.

“Itcanbe,butsheis15,soshecanbeabitofahandful.Sherecentlydiscoveredboys,soI’mdoingmybesttopointherintherightdirection.”Shesmiledathim.

“Whataboutyourmother

andfather?”“Myfatherdoesthebest

hecanwithher,likeIsaidshecanbeahandful.Mymother,shediedwhenIwasyoung.Imissherthough.Iwas12,justfiguringoutIwasagirl.”

Thetonewassomberforamomentbeforehedecidedtochangethesubject.

“HaveyoueverbeentoTexasbefore?”

“No,notatall.TobehonestwhenIwaschoosingapathtotakeIassumeditmeantTexas,NewYork.”Shegavehimahalfsmile.“Ifeltridiculouswhentheyhandedmetheticketfortheflighthere,Iaskedtwentyquestions.Ilookedlikeacompletefool.”

“Idon’tthinkyoucouldeverlooklikeafoolJasmine,andIjustmetyou.”Hegave

heranotherhalf-smile.

ChapterSeven-Jasmine

Hewasgorgeous.Therewassomethingruggedabouthimthatsheappreciated.Heobviouslyworkedhardandlovedtheranch.Beingnostrangertohardworktheyhadthatincommon.Dinnerwasalightheartedaffairand

theychattedhappilyaboutnothingserious.Afterthedeliciousmealwasclearedaway,heaskedhertojoinhiminthestudytogooversomepaperwork.

“I’dbehappytoassoonasIhelpBeccacleanupfromdinner.”Hefrownedatherandbeforehecouldtellhernoshegathereduptheremainsofthefoodandcarrieditintothekitchen.She

couldtellhewasamanusedtogettinghisownway,butsherefusedtobebulliedintochangingherways.Shedidn’tcomeheretobepamperedshecameforapurpose.AftershehelpedtheflutteryBeccaclearupfromdinner,shemadeherwayintothestudywherehewaswaiting.Hehadafrownonhisfaceandsheignoreditasshetookaseatinachairnearhim.

“SotomorrowIhaveanappointmentforusbothwithDr.McCann.Shejustwantstodiscusstheprocessandprocedure.Canyoubereadyat10?Ifiguredwecouldhavelunchafteranddiscusstheplanfortheremainderofyourtimehere.”

“Tomorrow?Yes,thatsoundsgood.Iamsureyouareanxioustogettheprocessstarted.”

Shesawhimhesitatebeforehesaidwhatwasonhismind.“JasmineIwant…needthistobeapainlessandquickprocess.Thestaffherearewellpaidtodotheirjob.Youdon’thavetohelpthem.Youarehereforotherreasons.”

Shefelttheangerriseupinherimmediately.Shehadn’tfeltlikepartofhisemployeesuntilnow.She

supposedhisgoodlooksweren’tgoingtocarryhisbadpersonality.

“Iappreciatetheclarificationonmyposition,Mr.Jackson,Iwasn’ttryingtodomorethan…requiredofme,Iwassimplyhelping.Iamnotusetohavingpeoplewaitonme.”Shestoodtoleave.“I’llbereadyat10.”

***Thedaycame

tooquicklyforher.ShewasstilltryingtogetusedtohersurroundingsandtheheatoftheTexassummer.

Shewassurprisedatherselflastnight.Itusuallytookmuchmorethanthatbeforeshegotupset,buttherewassomethingabouthimthatsetsheronedge.Shedressedcasuallyforthedayaheadandmethiminthefrontofthehouse.Heseemedtobe

broodingoversomethingandshedecidedtolethim.Itwoulddonogoodtotryandunderstandhim,hedidn’twanthertogetthatclosetohimthatmuchwasobvious.

Theymadetheirwayintotownwheretheymetwiththedoctor.Shewasasweetwomanandtookcaretoexplaineverythingabouttheprocess.Theydecidedtosetthedatefornextweekfor

thefirsttry.SheassuredthemitmaytakemorethanonceandsheknewParkerwanteditdoneassoonaspossible.

“Ijustwanttomakethiscleartoyouboththatthismaytakemorethanacoupleroundsbeforewehaveanyrealresults.Somethingstaketime,andalloftheconditionshavetobejustrightforthingstowork.Mybestadvicetoyouistobepatient.”She

smileddownatJasminewhoblushedslightly.

***Lunchwasamuch

differentaffair.Heseemedtobewatchinghermorethanbefore.Shewishedshecouldgetinsidehisheadandseewhathewasthinking.Theychattedaboutthehouseandtouchedonhisfatherforamoment.

“Whataboutyour

mother?Idon’tmeantopry,ifyoudon’twanttosharethat’sfine.”Shetookasipofherwater.

“ShediedwhenIwasakid,Irememberhowshesmelledmorethananythingelse,likelotionandlilacs.”Hegaveherasmile.

Theybothsatlostinthoughtforamoment.Shesawhimwatchingheragainandfeltsomethingstartto

burndeepdowninside.Shewouldhavetobeverycarefularoundhim.

Theymadetheirwaytothelawyer’sofficeintown.Hewasallbusiness,butanicemanandhadallthenecessarypaperworkdrawnup.

Assoonastheysignedoffoneverything,Parkertookherhand,givingherareassuringsqueezeandthey

madetheirwayovertoCityHall.Itwasquaintandcute,theystoodinaroomandshebrushedoffsomethingonhisshirt.

Theyspoketheirvowsanditwasasiftimehadsuddenlysloweddown.Shesawhimsmileatherashesaidthefinal“Ido.”Itwasn’tuntilanhourlaterwhentheywerebackinthecarthatitoccurredtoherthatshewas

married.Itallhadhappenedso

fast.Shehadalwaysthoughtshewouldmarryforloveoneday,butsavingaranchandhelpingherfamilywasreasonenough.Shewasstillthinkingaboutitwhensheheardaknockonthedoorbeforedinner.SheopeneditandParkerstoodtherewithasmallbox.

“Iknowthisisn’t

traditionalinanysenseoftheword,but,Ithoughtthiswasanecessarypartofit.IncaseanyoneasksIdon’twanttoseemliketheguywhodidn’tatleastmakeitofficial.”

Sheopenedtheboxandfoundasolidgoldbandthatheslippedonherfinger.Itwasaperfectfitandshesmiledupathimasheflashedthematchingoneonhisaswell.

“Isupposewewillgetusedtothefeelofit.”Hegaveherthathalfsmileofhisthatdrovehercrazy.

Thedayswentbyquickly,Parkerwouldbeatthehouseformealsandtocheckonher.Healwaysseemedtohavesomequicksecondtogivehergriefaboutsomethingandshewouldgiveitbacktohim.Hewouldoftentouchherhandashe

wentbyorherarmandthesamefeelingwouldconsumeheragain.SherefusedtoletherselffeelanythingforParkerJackson.

Hewas,byallaccounts,dangerous.Shewasabouttocarryababyforhim,andeventually,leaveit.Sometimesitwoulddoherwelltorememberwhatshewasherefor.Shesatwaitingatthedoctor’sofficefor

Parkertocomeout.Hewentinfirstforhispartintheprocessandshenoticedtheblushonhisfacewhenhesatbackdowninthelobby.Hesqueezedherhandlightlybeforeshewentbackandshesmiledathim.Theycouldbecreatingalifethisafternoon.

Theideawaspowerfulandshetookamomenttogetadrinkofwaterasshemadeherwaybacktotheroom.Dr.

McCanntalkedherthrougheverystepandtherewasonlysomeslightdiscomfort.Beforetheymadeanymovetoleavethedoctorcamebackintodiscusstheiroptions.

“AsImentionedbefore,thisrarelyworksonthefirsttry,thoughit’snotimpossible.Iunderstandyou’reinauniquesituationMr.Jackson,butlet’scheckinnextmonthandseewhere

thingsstand.”Sheshookhandsallaround.Parkerlookedalmostnervousandhehelpedherouttothecar.

Theridehomewasquiet,hewouldglanceatherfromtimetotimeandsheclosedhereyestorest.Shewasonbedrestthenexttwodaysandtheideaofitwastorture.Shehadneverhadsomuchdowntimeinherlife.Astheymadeittothehouse

heopenedthedoorandhelpedhertoherroom.Shegavehimasmileashetuckedherintobed.Hewasgentleashediditandshestartedtogivehimgriefrightaway.

“Asanemployee,willIbeallowedtohavefoodtoday,Iamstarving?”Hefrownedbeforerealizingshewasjoking.

“IguessI’llhavetofeedyouthen.”He

leftandshelaughedathimashewent.

Hereturnedwithasmallfeastofchunksofhamandcheeseandsomesoftbread.Theyatetogetherandtalkedabouttheupcomingrodeo.Shecouldtellhefeltstronglyaboutit.

“Whyaren’tyougoing?It’sobviousyouloveit?”Shetookalongdrinkofwater.

“IwishIcould,it’sjusttheranch.Ineedtooverseethingshere.Plusthereissomuchtodo,togetreadyforthebaby.”

Therealityofwhattheyweredoingwasbroughttothesurfaceandtheybothstoppedforasecond.

Heknewanopportunitylikethismaynotcomeupagainandheleanedinandkissedhersoftatfirst

thendeeper.Herheadwasspinning

asshefelthislipsonhers.Shehadthoughtaboutitmorethanonce,despitetryingherbesttoignoreit.Theybrokeapartandherheartwasstillflutteringwildly.Thiswasabadthingandsomethingshehadwantedtoavoid.Someonewouldgethurt,therewasnodenyingthat.Shewatchedhimtakeastep

backandherbodyreactedtohimleavingasifshewasmissingsomething.

“I’ll…leaveyoutogetsomerest.IknowIshouldsayI’msorryJasmine,butI’mnot.Idon’tknowwhatthisiswithusbut,thereissomethingthereandIknowyoufeelittoo.”

Heleftherthenandshelaidherheaddownonthepillowlostinthought.

Sheusuallyhadafirmhandleonheremotionsandherbody.Shehadn’treactedlikethistosomeoneinalongtime.Shethoughtabouttheirsituationuntilfinallyshefellasleep.

Thebedrestseemedtodragonuntil,finally,onthethirddayshewasabletogetupandmovearound.

Parkerhadmissed

dinnerthelasttwonightsandwasworkinglonghoursontheranchdoingonethingoranother.Shemissedhim,shecouldn’tdenyit.Therewassomuchtoconsiderineverysteptheytookanditwasallajumblenow.Nothingmadesenseandallshethoughtaboutwasthekisstheyshared.Finally,aweekaftertheirappointmentParkermadehiswayintothekitchenfordinner.

“I’mnotpregnant.Ithoughtyoushouldknowitdidn’twork.”Shelookedoverathimandsawhisscowl.“I’msorry,Parker.Iknowthat’snotwhatyouwantedtohear.”

“Ishouldapologizetoyou,Jasmine.IthinkwhenIkissedyouIfeltalotofdifferentthingsaboutit.”Heglancedoverather.

“I’msureyouhavea

lotofemotionsgoingonaboutallofthisParker,itcan’tbeeasy.I’msureyouwerejustexcitedaboutthepossibilities,that’sall.”

Shegavehimasmileandtheatmosphereintheroomchanged.

***Thenextmonth

wentbyquickly.Jasminewasenjoying

hertimethere,morethanshe

thoughtpossible.SheandParkerwould

havedinnerandwalkthepathsinthegarden,bothtalkingabouttheirday.Itwasincreasinglyobviousthattheyweregettingcloser,butneitherwantedthingstoend.Sotheyneverbroughtuphowtheywerefeeling.Bythetimeshehadbeentherefor6weeksorsoshehadadjustedtohernewsurroundings.

Shehadfoundawaytotamehermaneofhair,andshewouldspendhermorningswithBeccainthekitchenbeforeshewouldwalkthegardens.ShelovedthefeelofthesunonherfaceandTexashadplentyofthat.Parkerwasgonemostdaysandshewaslefttofindherownentertainment.Shedidalotofreadingandovertimeeventhatleftherfeelingasthoughshewaswastingher

days.Finally,shedecidedtotryandfindajobintown.Itwouldgivehersomethingtodo,somethingtohelpkeephermindoffofParker,andwhatshewasdoinghere.

Sheeventuallyfoundsomething,helpingcoordinateactivitiesataseniorcenter.Shelovedit,itgaveherasenseofpurposeanditwasonlyparttime.Itleftherplentyoftimetogo

homeandwalkthegardensintheafternoon,andbetheretohelpwithdinner.

Italsogavehersomeextramoneytospendonthedaytodaythingssheneeded,shedidn’twanttoaskParkerformoneyforthosethings.Itwouldonlybringherpurposehereinfocus,andalthoughshewasveryawareofit,shewouldmuchratherenjoybeinginthefantasyworldshe

wasincurrently.Dinnerwas

becomingastrainedaffaireverynighthewasthere,whichwasincreasinglylessandless.Hewouldlaughandsmilewithherandyetkeepheratarm’slength.Asthedaysturnedintoweekssherarelysawhimandevenherjobcouldn’toccupyherenough,shemissedhimandhistalltales.

Shemissedhisface,hispresence.Hemadeherfeelsafeandprotectedandyetshealsofeltempoweredbyhim.Maybehewashavingsecondthoughtsabouttheirarrangement?Maybeshehaddonesomethingwrong.Shecouldn’taddressit,couldn’tfixitunlesshetoldhersomething.Shedecidedtogivehimsomespace,untilthenexttimehewashere,thenshewouldgetsome

answersandmakethebestdecisionforherself.Ifhehadchangedhismindsheneededtoknow,shewouldn’tstayhere,livinginhishousebecausehefeltsorryforher.Itwasprobablybecausethefirsttworoundsofinvitrohadn’tworked.Maybehehadlostfaithinherabilitytogivehimwhatheneeded.Sheknewhehadadeadlinetomeet,timewasoftheessence.Itwasn’tforlackof

trying.Everytimeshewentinshehopeditwouldwork,forParker.Shewouldbelyingtoherselfifshedidn’twantthehonorofcarryinghischild.Shehadgrowntocareabouthimalotoverthelastfewmonths.

ChapterEight-Parker

Hewantedher.He’dthoughtabout

littleelseinthetwomonthsshehadbeenthere.

Inhismind,theyhadbeenonthelongestdateofhislifeandhewantedtoholdherinhisarms.Shehadtogo

backforroundthreeofinvitrosoon,shewouldbeonbedrestagain,somethinghelikedfarmorethanshedid.

Tobehonest,shewasdrivinghimcrazy.Wheneverhewasathomeallheitchedtodowaskissherandwraphisarmsaroundher.Ifhecrossedthatlineagain,orworse,itwentfurtherthanithadbefore,itwouldcomplicatethesituationina

wayhecouldn’ttakeachanceon.Hedidn’thavetimetofallforher,orhaveherinhislifepermanently.Hehadtostayfocusedonthetaskathand.Hehaddecidednottomakeaproblemwheretherewasn’toneandhestartedputtingsomedistancebetweenthem.Hefoundoneprojectafteranotherthatneededhisattention.Herarelycamehomefordinnernow,hewasoverwhelmedbywork.He

restedhisarmsonthefencehehadjustrepairedandlookedoutoverthefields.Thisranchwashisfather’sprideandjoy,hehadworkedituntilhebled.Evenasaboythisplacewasthefoundationforeverystoryhisfathertoldhim.

Maybehefeltthewayhedidbecauseshewasinthiswithhim.Shehadhisbackandoftentriedtomakehim

feellessalone.She,insomeways,wassavingthisranchforhim.Withouther,therewouldbenobabytobehad.Itwasthatgratitude,perhaps,thatmadehimwanttotouchher,andholdhersobadly.Whatelsecoulditbe?Hehadn’tbeenwithawomaninalongtimetoo,thatsurelyplayedapartinit.Maybeitwasoneofthosesituationsthatneededtohappensotheycouldbothmoveon.Heknew

shefeltittoo,everytimetheywereinaroomtogethertheairwaschargedandfullofelectricity.Hemadehiswaytowardsthehouse,heneededtobehometonight.Itwasgoingtorainandheneededtogivehisspaceintheoutbuildingtosomeoneelse.Withadeepbreath,heopenedthedoorandheadeddownthehallway.

Hecamearoundthe

cornerandsawherthere.Shewasinallwhitethelightfromthefadingsunstreamingthroughitandleavingverylittletotheimagination.Apparently,shedidn’twantthingstobelikethisanymoresoshehadwaitedupforhimandshestoodthere.Theairwaselectricastheylookedateachother.Beccawalkedintothehalltotellthemdinnerwasready,breakingthesilenttensionandtheybothwent

inside.Somethinghadtobedoneandsoon.Shesatnearthedoor,almostguardingitsomehow,tokeephimfromignoringher.Dinnerwasstrained,bothofthemhavingtoomuchtosay,butneitherofthemstrongenoughtostart.Finally,whentheywerefinished,shebroachedthesubject,neitherhadbeenwillingtotalkabout.

“Parker,whyhaveyou

beenavoidingme?”Shesawhimraisehisheadatherquestion.

“It’snotthatI’mavoidingyou.Thingsontheranchhavebeenbusy,that’sall,”hesaidandgaveheraonceoverbeforehemovedtowardsthehall.

ChapterNine-Jasmine

Shewasangry,shehatedbeingdismissedmorethananythingelseandshehadbeenpracticallyalonefordays,shewasn’tgoingtoletthisgoonlikeitwas.Shefollowedhimintohisstudyandshutthedoorwithabang.Shewatchedhimleanagainst

thedeskasifhewereinpainandshecontinuedon.

“Ifyouhavechangedyourmind,orIdidsomethingwrongthenIneedyoutotellme.Icantakeit,I’vebeenthroughworsethanaheadachebefore.Juststopshuttingmeoutallofthetime.EverytimeIamaroundyouseemtodisappear,itdoesn’tmakessense.Ithoughtweweregetting

alongfine,gettingtoknoweachother.Evennowyouwon’tlookatme,youwon’tfaceme.Justtellmewhat’swrong!”

Shefeltthetearswellup,despitehereffortstostopthem.

“DoyoureallyhavetoaskJasmine?”Hestoodandturnedtowardsherbeforeheheadedforthedoor.

“Stoprunningandtalk

tome.Doyouknowwhatit’slikebeinginthishousealldayeverydaywithnoonetotalkto?Iwaitforyou…didyouknowthat?Iwaitforyouhopingyou’regoingtocome,atleasttodinnersoIcanhavesomecompanionshipandyounevershow.”

Shewasexhaustedandherchestheavingshewaitedforhimtorespond.

“Sodon’twait,

Jasmine.Don’twaitanylonger.”Hedrewhertohiminoneswoop.

Hepushedheragainstthecloseddoor,leaninghisbodyintohers.

Shefelthisheartbeatingunderherhandsasshepressedthemagainsthischest.Hekissedherwildly,barelyallowinghertobreatheashetrailedkissesdownherneckandnibbledthearea

underherrightear.Shewhispered,hisname,atleastshethoughtsoashesweptherupintohisarms.

Hecarriedhertohisroom,kickingthedoorshutbehindhim.Hecarefullyplacedheronthebedandstartedhisslowdecentonherachingbody.Herbreathwascominginlittlegaspsnowasheunbuttonedthefrontofhershirt,kissingaftereachone.

Shelookedupathimandhepausedonlyforamoment.

Insteadofwordsshereachedupforhimpullinghismouthbacktoheranditwastheonlyanswerheneeded.Heundressedherquicklyandstoodbacklookingathernakedform.

“You’resobeautiful,Jasmine.”Hetracedhisfingerdownovereachbreastwatchingaseach

nipplehardenedtoattentionwithhiseverymove.

Hefollowedwithhismouthkissingandlovingeveryinchofheralongtheway.Shelovedhishandsthefirmnessofthemonherskin.Shereveledinthewayhemovedandinturn,howshemovedwithhim.Theyfittogetherlikemissinghalvesofeachother.Hemovedwithherandfelthertremble

beneathhim.Hehadmadelovetomanywomen,butithadneverbeenlikethis.Bothwantingtopleasetheothertheironlyfocuswasfeelingthewaytheymovedandloved.

Nothinghadpreparedherforthis.Shehadwantedtotalk…tomakethingsbetter,butthiswasmuchmorethanthat.Hesloweddown,tastingand

lovingeverypartofherandshearchedherbackmeetinghismouth.Shelookedupathimandhestopped,onlylongenoughtogentlymoveherhairbackfromherheadandlowerhismouthtohers,crushingherwithakiss.Everymovementwasfrantic,asiftheyonlyhadthismoment.

Herbreathcameingaspsandtheliquidheat

coursedthroughher.Shefelthimexplorehermorewithhishandsandhereyesflickeredupathimashemovedlower,andlowerstilluntilhepushedfirstonefingerintoherandthentwo.Herlegsopenedforhimandherhipsarchedagainsthishands,hemovedagainsther,feelingherandwatchedherfaceassheclimbedhigherandhigheruntilfinallyshefeltthegloriousclimaxshudder

throughherbody.Eventhenhestillmovedagainstherrubbing,andgrindingintoher.Herlegswerelikejellyandshemissedhisassaultonherashemovedhishandaway.

“Ifyouwantmetostoptellmenow.Iwantyouandifyoudon’ttellmesoonIwon’tbeabletostop,”hesaid.

“Idon’twantyouto

stop.”Beforesheevenfinished,hepushedhishandsintoherhairandlovedhermouthwithhis.

Hepushedintoherslowly,savoringthefeelofher,theheat.Itwasasifnothingelseexistedforherasshefelthimmovewithinher.Shewrappedherlegsaroundhim,pullinghimevendeeper,asshedugherfingersintohisback.Helovedherrecklessly

andshegaveoverwithabandon.

Itstartedslowlyandgraduallygrewfaster,moreerratic.Shefeltasthoughshewasstretchedtocapacity,butshemethimthrustforthrust.Shelookedupathimonceandinthatmomenttheywereperfectlyjoined.Hemovedhishandsunderherandleanedbackonhislegsasheliftedherupandreachedeven

deeperinsideher.Shefelthisbodytrembleashegrewcloser,thethoughtexcitedherandasheleaneddowntotugathernipplewithhismouthshefeltherselfslipping.Shemoanedhisnameasshetightenedaroundhimandwatchingherorgasmwashisundoing.Withonefinallypushdeepinside,hefilledher.Theshockwentthroughherlikeawave.Eventhenhestayedhisplace,burieddeep.

Itwastoogood,tofeelherselffullofhislength.Shemadenomovetochangepositionsbutlaytherewithhim.

Theylaytogetherafter,silentlythinkingofwhattosaytoeachother.Shewasspoonedintohimlyingonhersideandshefelthimdrawinglazycirclesonherhips.Shecouldfeelhisbreathonherhairasshelaythere.She

knewtherewasonlyafewmomentsofthisleftbeforerealitycamebacktothesurface.Sheknewthiswouldcomplicatethings,complicatethem.Sherolledoveronhersideandhepulledherbacktohim.

“NotyetJasmine,notyet.”Sherelaxedandnestledintohimoncemoreallowingsleeptotakeover,andgivewaytoher

dreams.***Fortunately,she

didn’thavetofacetherealityofwhathadhappenedfirstthing.Sheopenedhereyesandsatup,pullingthesheetwithher.Shewasstillinhisroom,buthehadgonefortheday.Shelaidherheadbackonthepillowandbreathedinthescentofhim.Whatevertheyhadtriedtoavoidwas

donenow,andtherewasnoturningback.Itwasallsocomplicatednow.Shestoodandfoundherclothesstrewnabouttheroom.Sheslippedthemonandmadeherwayintothehallsothatshecouldslipbackintoherroom.Itwasstillearlyandshecouldgobacktosleepforalittlewhile.

ChapterTen-Parker

Shewasunderhisskintherewasnodoubtaboutit.

Lastnighthadbeenahugemistakeandtherewasnowaytheycouldcomebackfromit.Shemadehimcrazyandhewasn’tsurewhattodo

aboutit.Hecouldn’tlosethisranch,thatwasforsure.Theywouldhavetoeitheravoideachotherorhewouldhavetofindadifferentsurrogate.

Hesworeashebeatthedustoffofhishat.Thinkingaboutherleavingwastoomuch,itwastoohard.Shewasasmuchapartofthisasanyoneelse.Theyhadspenthourstalkingabouttheranchandlifethere.Sheknewhow

importantitwasforhimtokeepit.Iftheycouldn’tstopthisthingbetweenthem,shewouldunderstandifthiswouldn’twork.Therewasmoreaboutittoconsider.Hecaredabouther.Itwasthatfactorthatmadehimthinkmoreaboutfindinganewwayoutofthissituation.

Herememberedhowshehadlookedthatmorningwhenheleft.Shehadbeen

wrappedupinfrontofhimandhehadsleptlikeababy,whenhepulledawayfromhertoleaveithadbeenthehardestthinghehadeverdone.Hewantedtowakeherupgently,slowlyandmakelovetoherintheearlymorninghoursofdawn.

Hesatonthechairbesidethebedwatchingherforamoment.Shesleptwithasleepysmileonherfaceand

herbodywasperfectlyshaped.Foramomenthethoughtabouthowshewouldlookpregnantandheswelledupwithasenseofpurpose.Shewouldbeevenmorebeautifulthen,creatingandcarryinglife.

Evennow,thinkingabouthowshefeltbeneathhim,hefelthimselfharden.Hewantedevenmoreofherthanbefore.Hehadhopedby

crossingthislinethathewouldbeabletoputherbehindhimandseeherasthesurrogateandnothingmore.Sadly,thatwasn’tthecase.Hewouldhavetotellherthiswasn’tworking,Hewouldhavetolethergo.

ChapterEleven-Jasmine

Therewasnodenyingthingsweredifferent.Shefeltherheartracewhensheheardthefrontdoorslamclosed.Todayhadbeenthelongestdayofherlife.Sheneededtoseehim,talktohim.Theyneededtomakesenseofitall.Shewaitedfor

himinthediningroomandstoodwhenheentered.Hebrushedpastherandsunkdowninhischair,notlookingupather.Shecouldtellhewasinamood,butherheartwasbreakingslightlyathisindifference.Howcouldhebesocoldtoherafterthenighttheyshared?Shetriedtotalktohimafewtimes,buthisresponseswereshortandclipped.Eventuallyshegaveupandlefttheroom.Shefelt

thetearswellupassheheadedtoherroom.Shewasafool.Shehadgivenherselftohimlastnightandnowhetreatedherwithindifferenceasifnothinghadhappenedatall.Shewentoutthebackdoorandoutontothelawn.Thesunwasjustsettingandsheneededthefreshair.Shefelthimbehindherlongbeforehesaidanything.

“Jasmine,we

needtotalk.”Sheturnedaroundquicklyandputherhandsonherhips.

“OhreallyParker,nowyouwanttotalktome?ItriedtotalktoyouforoveranhourandyoutreatedmelikeIdidn’texist.Nowyoufollowmeallthewayoutheretotellmeyou’rereadytotalktomeNOW!YouthinktheworldrevolvesaroundyouParkerbutit’snotjustyou

anymore.”Shestoodthereher

breathcominginshortbursts.“I’msorryJasmine,

really.Lastnight…wellthethingisIdon’tknowwhattodoanymore.”Hewrunghishandsandwalkedovertoabenchintheyard.Shefollowedhim.Andhecontinued.“IfeelthingsaboutyouJasmine,Ido…theproblemisIcan’t.”

“IwatchedmyfatherfallapartaftermymotherdiedandIsworeIwouldneverloveanyonelikethat.Ever.Idon’tintendtostartthatnow.IcareaboutyouandthetruthofitisIwantyou.Evennowstandingherelookingatyoufulloffire.Iwanttopullyouinmyarmsagainandtakeyouinmyroomandmakelovetoyouforhours.”

Shetookadeepbreath.

Evenhearingthewordsdidsomethingtoherandsheknewthiswasgettingoutofcontrol.“ParkerIdidn’taskforthis…meandyou.IfIrecallyoukissedme,youpulledmeintoyourroom.Iamnotaskingyoutoloveme,Idon'tevenbelieveinit.”Heglancedupatherthenandfrowned.

“Maybethiswon’tworkforusJasmine.Ijustdon’t

know.”Hesoundedsadandhisheartwasheavywitheachwordhespoke.

Jasminetookastepbackasifshehadbeenhit.Withoutawordsheturnedandstompedbackintothehouse.Sheshutthedoorofherroominarushandstartedpullingherthingsintoherbags.Ifhewantedhertogoshewouldgo.Sheletthetearsrununcheckeddownher

face.Shehadcomeheretohelphim,todosomethingtohelpallofthemreally,andnowshewasn’tgoingtoworkoutforhimbecausehe“felt”something?Wouldhewantthemoneybacknow?Mostofit,shehadsenttoherfamilyandwhatwasleftwouldgetherbackhomeatleast.Maybethenshecouldstartoverandputthiswholemessbehindher.Sheknewtherewasmuchmorethan

justbusinessonherendtoo,shehaddevelopedfeelingsforhimquickly,andshejustdidn’tknowwhattheywere.Shecalledthecabbeforeshecouldchangehermindandcarriedherbagsoutfrontalone.MissBeccahadthenightoffandfortunatelysavedJasminefromhavingtofaceher.Shegaveonelastlookatthehousebeforeshegotintothecabandleft.Sheheadedtotown.Therewasa

flightleavinginthemorningandsheintendedtobeonit.

Shespentthenightcryinglikeshehadlongagowhenhermotherhaddied.Therewasasenseoflossnowthatswallowedherup.ShehadtoadmittoherselfthatshewasinlovewithParker.Itwouldbesomucheasiertopretendthatshedidn’t,butitwastoolatenow.Sheshoweredandmade

herwaytotheairport.Somesmallpartofherhadhopedthathewouldshowupandstopher,liketheyalwaysdidintheromancenovels,buthehadn’t.ShewaitedforherflighttoboardandasshewatchedTexasfadeintothedistanceshedecidedtofocusonhome,andstartingoveragain.

Theflightwentquicklyandshestartedtotryand

buildherselfupforseeingherfatherandsister.Theywerebothexcitedtoseeherandsheneededtoputonagoodface.Iftheyknewshewassadherfatherwouldworryandshedidn’twantthat.Shegotofftheplaneandhersisterrantoherembracingherinahug.Hersisterwasverymuchlikeherfather.Herskinwasadarkershadeandshewasembracingher“sisterhood”asshewould

oftensayandhadleftherhairinitsnaturalstate.Thefactofthematterwasshewasbeautifulandhadoftenbeenapproachedtodomodeling,butshehadturneditalldowntofocusonschool.

“Iamsooogladyou’rehereJaz,IhavesomuchtotellyouaboutthereisaboyatschoolandheissocutebutIignorehimwhichmakeshimsocrazy.”Jasminesmiledat

her,tolistentohersisterandherdramaatschoolwasexactlywhatsheneeded.

Jasminenoticedherfather’sstareandavoidedthequestioningglancehegaveher.TheymadetheirwaytothecarandJasminesmiled.ThiscarhadbeenaroundsincehersisterRikawasborn.Shethrewherbagsinthetrunkandfinallytheywereontheirway.She

watchedasherfathercarefullymaneuveredhiswaythroughtownanddownthestreetwhereshehadgrownup.Sheputherthingsintheroom,shesharedwithhersisterandwentdownstairstotalktoherfather.

“IwaswonderingifyouweregoingtocomedownhereandtalkaboutitorifIwasgoingtohavetocomeupthereandask.”Shesawhim

massaginghisinjuredlegunderthetable.

“Thingsjustdidn’tworkoutDaddy,that’sall.”Shepickedattheblanketdrapedonthebackofthecouch.

“OhnoJasminegoonandgetitoutyouwillfeelbetter.”Hewalkedcarefullyintothelivingroomandsettledintohischairwaitingforhertoshare.

Itonlytookamoment

beforeshetookadeepbreathandproceededtotellhimeverything.Shehadwatchedhisfacechangeoverthecourseofherstory.Fromdisbelieftoangertosadness.Shehadfailedtosharewithhimtheintimateparts,butshehadsharedherfeelingsandthatshewasinlovewithhim.Finally,whenhedidspeak,hetookherhandinhis.

“JasmineIlovedyourmotherwitheverysinglepartofmybeing.Shewasthelightinmylifeuntilyougirlscamealong,thatis.ShewasthebestthingbeforeyouandIwouldneverwanttobewithouther.Sadly,lifehappensandwhenitdoesyoucan’talwayscontroltheoutcome.AllIcantellyouisthatevenknowinghowthingswouldendupIwoulddoitallagainbecauseloving

someoneisthegreatestthingintheworld.”

Shetookhiswordstoheartandhuggedhimbeforegoingtobed.Hersisterhadclasstomorrowandshewouldtakethedaytofigureouthernextmove.FromthenonshewouldgetsomethingrightandfinallyputParkerJacksonoutofhermind.

ThedaysturnedintoweeksandJasminewas

sickerthanshehadeverbeeninherlife.Shehadbeenhomeexactlythreeweekswhenthefluhadhitherhard.Theissuewas,itseemedtoflareupinthemorningsmorethananyotherandshewashavingahardtimeeatinganything.Shemovedthroughherdaysslowly,onestepatatime.Shefinallyhadfoundajobatadinerontheeastendoftown,closetohomeandshewasrightbackwhereshe

hadstartedbeforeParker.Eventhinkingabouthimhurt.Sheglanceddownatherhandatthebandshestillwore.Somepartofherlikedit,likedknowingtheywerestillmarried.Hehadtriedtocallherafewtimes,butshehadignoredhim.Shecouldn’taffordtobedistractedbyemotion.AfterhershiftJasminedecidedtogotothedoctor.

Workingthirdshifthaditsperks.Shewasabletoleavethereandswingbythehospitalonherwayhome.Shedidn’thaveinsuranceanymore,surelyParkerhadcancelledthatbynow.Shewaslayinginthebedwaitingforthedoctorwhenherphonerang.Itwashim.Sheknewshewouldhavetofacehimeventually,ifforanyotherreasonthantosignthedivorcepapers.Suddenlythe

doctorcameinwithasmile.“MissTurneritappears

youarenotsickatall,infactyou'refine.Youarepregnant.”

Theworldfellfromunderherashespokethewords.Shelistenedashetoldherallaboutprenatalvitaminsandfindingadoctorlocally.Therewasanumbinghazesurroundingherasshetookitallin.Herphonerang

againafterheleftandsheknewshewouldanswerthistime.

“Parker.”Shewhisperedintothephone.

“Jasmine,ohmygodIhavebeentryingtofindyouforweeks,weneedtotalkIamgoingcrazy.”

“ParkerI’mpregnant.Iamatthehospitalnow.Iknowthingsweremessy,butI’mscared.”

“WhereareyouJasmine?”shetoldhimheraddress.

Sheheardhimhangupandshetookadeepbreath.

ChapterTwelve–Parker

Hewasfrantic.Hewasterrifiedandangry.Hewasagoodmanyotherthingsaswell,butrightnowhecouldn’tputanameoneverysingleoneofthem.Shehadbeengonethreeweeks,threeweeksandthenwhenshedoesrespondit’stotellhim

she’spregnant.Hehadneverexpectedhertogo.Hehadsaidallofthosethingstoherthatnight,buthedidn’tmeanrightatthatmoment.Hehadgonetobedangrywithhimselfandthenextmorningwaswhenherealized,shewasgone.Hehadsenthermessagesandvoicemailsandnothing.Hetriedtocontacttheagencytogetheraddress,ifshewouldn’trespond,hewouldjustgofaceher,but

theywouldn’tgiveittohim.Shewasstillhiswife,

damnit!Theyhadsignedallofthosepapersinthatofficeandthemomentthey’dhadsextheyhadconsummatedthisshamofamarriagetheyhadcreated.Shecouldkeepthebabynow,hellshecoulddoanythingshewanted.Everythinghadslowlyfallenapart,anditwashisfault.Whatcouldheblameherfor?

Beingtoobeautiful,toosweet?Hehadmadethefirstmoveandevenashesatthereheknewhewoulddoitagain,givenhalfachance.Hehadmissedhersmile,thewayshelaughed.HewastoocloseandyetherehewasonaflighttoNewYorkofallplaces.Hedetestedthebigcities,butinordertobringherbackhomewithhim,heknewhewouldhavetogogether.

Hefoundhisrentalcarandsetouttofindher.TheGPSroutewassimpleenough,buthewastakenbacktotheareashelivedin.Itwasinaneighborhoodwherepeoplewereeverywhereandtobehonesthedidn’ttrustit.Hewoulddefinitelyhavetobringherbackwithhim,therewasnodebatethere.Finallythecarfoundthehouseandhepulledintothedriveway.He

hesitatedforasecondbeforehetookadeepbreathandknockedonthedoor.

Thedoorflewopenandhewasalmostknockeddownthestairbyamassofhairandastreamofperfume.HeknewthemomentsheturnedaroundthatthiswasJasmine'slittlesister.Thenextwhirlwindcamebyquicklyandhewatchedinaweassheyelledafterher.

“Rika!It’sjusthomeworkandyouhavetogetitdone!”Shewasyellingatthefiguregrowingsmallerasitmovedawayfromthem.“Youneedtogotocollegeyouknow?”Shewasyellingnowatthefigurethatkeptgoing.”

Whensheturnedaroundtoheadbackinshelookedathim,hecouldtellshewassurprised.

“Parker,whatareyoudoinghere?”sheshookherhead.“MaybeIshouldaskwhyyoudidn’ttellmeyouwereonyourway.Iwouldhavemetyousomeplace.”Sheshieldedhereyesandlookedupathim.

“HowareyoufeelingJasmine?Imean…youknow?”Hegesturedtowardsherstomachandshesmiled.

“Let’sgoinsideandchat,

myfatherwentintothecityandwehaveacouplehours.”Hefollowedherinside.Thehousewassmallbuttidyandefficient.Ithadahomeyfeelandheglancedatthepicturesliningthewall.

TheysatdownandParkerstaredather.“Jasmine,Itriedtogetintouchwithyouafteryouleft,Ididn’tthinkyouwouldrunthatnight,Iwasterrified

somethinghadhappenedtoyou.Ihadhalfofthepolicedepartmentlookingforyouuntilwefoundoutyouhadflownoutofthestate.Iassumedthenyouwereheadedhome,butIdidn’tknowwhere.”

“I’msorry.AfterwelastspokeIassumedthat’sexactlywhatyouwantedmetodo.”

Hewatchedher

expressionchangeandheknewshehadbeenhurtduringtheentireexchange.

“InevermeanttohurtyouJasmine,Iwantyoutoknowthat.”Hesawherdeepsigh.

“ThequestioniswhatdoyouwanttodonowParker?I’mpregnant,justasrequired.Doyouwantthisbaby?Doyouwantmetokeepit?Iwouldifyouwantedtogoa

differentrouteyouknow.Ifyouwantedsomeoneelse.”Shelookedupathim.

“Idon’twantanyoneelseJasmine,Iwantyou…yourbaby.Youunderstandme,understandwhatdrivesmeandyouareokwiththearrangementwealreadyhave.”

Shesmiled.“YouhavetheranchParker.Asofthismomentyouessentiallyhave

everythingyouwererequiredtohave.”Shesubconsciouslytouchedherstomach.

Hadhebeenwithanyoneelsethatsmallmovementwouldnothavemeantathingtohim.Sadly,thiswasn’tjustanyone.Hefelthishearttightenjustwatchingherdothat.Nothinghadchanged,hewantedherasmuchasever.Itwasdifferentsomehow,deeper,

stronger.Hefeltthepulltoprotecther,andthebaby.

“ComebacktotheranchwithmeJasmine,I’mnotsurewhat’shappeningwithus.It’sallamess,butthebabyishere,it'srealnow.”Hewatchedtheemotionsplayoutonherface.Hewantedtotellheritwouldbeok,thathewouldloveher,buthewasn’tsureifthatwastrue,notuntilthe

ranchwassecure,notuntilheknewwhathefelt.Heneededtime,thatwouldmakeitallfallintoplace.

“ParkerIamfinehere,myfatherandmysisterandIareok.Youdon’thavetoberesponsibleformeanymore.WhenthetimecomesandthebabyishereIwillcallyouandyoucancomegethim.”

Shestoodandmadeherwayovertothewindow,

waitingforhisresponse.“Absolutelynot,

Jasmine,Iwantyouthere,Iwantmybabybornthere.Whenheishere,youcangohome.”Hetouchedherarm.“Ijustwon’tfeelsafe,Jasmine,likeI’moutoftouchwithwhathappenstohim.Iwanttogotothedoctorwithyou,andmakesureyou’refed.Iwanttobeapartoftheprocess.Please,don’ttake

thatfromme.”Healmostpleadedwith

her.

ChapterThirteen–Jasmine

Hewashurtinganditshowed.Hemeanteverywordhespokeandsheknewshewouldn’ttakeitfromhim.

“Ok,Parker.I’llgobackwithyou.”

Shesawhimvisiblyrelaxwithherword,sheknewthiswouldbethehardestthingsheeverdidbutshewouldtry,forhim.Hestoodandwalkedovertoher.Hewasevenmorehandsomethansheremembered.

Heheldhishatinhishand,allshethoughtaboutwasthewayhehadtouchedherwiththosehandsjustamonthago.Thiswouldbe

hardforthemboth.Theywouldhavetosetrules,tomakesurethingsdidn’tgetoutofhand.Hedidn’twantafamily,hewantedaranchandnothingelse.Shewaspainfullyawareofthatfactnow.TheymadeplanstoflybacktoTexasthenextdayandshewalkedhimtothedoor.Heturnedasifhewantedtosaysomethingelsebuthedidn’tandinsteadhemoveddownthestairstohis

car.Sheshutthe

doorandleanedagainstit.Shehadthoughtlovingsomeonewouldbehard.Thatfallinginlovecouldwreckyourworld,butthetruthwas,notlovingsomeonewasevenharder.Shelovedhim,lovedthisbabyevennowasitgrewinsideher.

Shewantedalifewithhim,butitwasoutofthe

questionandthesoonersheacceptedthatthebetterofftheywouldbe.Sheexplainedthingstoherfatherthatnightandhesmiledatherwithsomesortofunderstandingthatevenshedidn’tknow.Shetoldhimshewouldbebackinabouteightmonths.Thatwouldgivehersixweeksorsotorecoverandmakeherwaybackhome.Heneversaidawordandshejustarchedaneyebrowathim.

***Parkerfinally

cameandsheopenedthedoor.Hislargeframefillinguptheroom.Shewatchedherfathergreethimwarmly,shakinghishandandaskinghimquestionsaboutTexas.Evennowshewassurprisedatherfather’slaidbackattitude.Shewasalittleconcernedthathedidn’tseembotheredbythesituationa

littlemore.Itwashisgrandchildafterall.Atleasttechnically,onpaper,itwasParkersbabyandthatwasall.

Onceagainshegentlytouchedherstomach.Eventhatshewouldhavetotryandseparateherselffrom.Shemadeherwayoutsideandsaidhergoodbyes.Hersisterleanedintohughergoodbyeandwhisperedtoher.

“Heishot.”

Jasminerolledhereyesandsmiled.

Theyfoundtheirgateandweremethodicallymakingtheirwaytotheentrancewhenthehostessaskediftheywouldlikeafreeupgradesincetherehadbeenafewcancellations.Parkerglanceddownatherandhappilyagreed.

“Haveyoueverflownfirstclass?”Heleaned

downcloseenoughtomakeherjump.

“No,Ihaven’t,IhaveneverflownbeforeIcametoTexasthefirsttime,I’msureitwillbesomething.”

Shelookedoutthewindowoftheplane.

Theyweregiveneveryluxuryonboard,theladieswalkedaroundofferingthemeverythingfromdrinkstofoodtosnacks.Jasmine's

appetitehadcertainlypickedupsoshehadnoproblemacceptingallthetreatstheyoffered.SheandParkerlaughedaboutthingsthathadhappenedattheranchinherabsence.Theykeptthingslightandfriendlybetweenthem.Aslongastheycontinuedthattheywouldbeok.Theflightwasovertooquickly,Jasminehadjustfallenasleepwhentheylanded.Sheshookherself

awakeandfrowned.Maybewhentheygotbacktotheranchshecouldrest.AsifhereadhermindParkerinterjected.

“Youseemtired.Areyouok?”

Helookedherover,concerned.Jasminefeltmorelikeaprizedanimalthanapersonanditleftherfeelingunsettled.

“Iwill,I’mstillnot

feelingwell,”Jasminesaid.Shedidn’tlookhisway

shechoserathertofocusongettingthereandthenshecouldstartsortingoutherfeelingssomemore.

Theridewasasmoothaffair.ShesaidherhellostoJames,whosmiledatherinwelcome.

ShefellasleepagaininthecarandsheleanedmoreandmoretowardsParker,

whomusthaveenvelopedherinhisarmsbecausewhentheycametoastopattheranchthat’swhereshefoundherself.Sheglancedupathim,questioningly,beforemovingawayfromhim.Thenextfewmonthswouldbehardtotake,butsheknewitwasforthebest.

ChapterFourteen–Parker

Shehadfinallyrelaxedandfallenasleeponhim.Heknewhecouldstealthismomenttotouchherlikethis.Oncetheywerehomeitwouldbeallbusiness,foralltheirsakes.Hestruggledwith

theemotionshestirredwithinhim.Wasthishowhisfatherhadfeltabouthismother?Thethoughtmadehimshiver,hewouldn’tputhimselfinthatplace,ever.Heleaneddownandbreathedinthescentofherhairandastheypulledintothecirclehegentlykissedthetopofherhead.

Hewatchedherwakeupandfindherselfon

him.Shescrambledtositup

andsomepartofhimwashurt.Therewasaconstantbattlegoingoninsidehim.Partofhimwantedtoavoidwhathisfeelingsforherwouldcreate,theotherparthurtwhenshepulledaway,andwhenshewasgone.Howwouldheeverbeabletoreallylethergo?Hopefullytheywouldfindaway.

Theymadetheirwayinside,heletBeccacomewalkJasminedown,sothathewouldn’tintrude.Heknewshewantedanapandtheideaofbeingbackinherroomwastoomuchyet.Ifhewasinthereheknewhewouldkissherandwantevenmore.Instead,hestrodeoutofthehouseandbacktotheoutbuildings.Heneededanupdateabouthowthingswereprogressingattheranchwhile

hewasgone,heneededtoworktohelphimstopthinkingabouther.

Thedayswentbybothofthemfillingtheirtimewithworkandeducatingthemselvesaboutababy,whichwasgrowingmoreeveryday.Theyshareddinnertime,butalwaysleftseparatelysothattheycouldavoidanyunnecessarycontact.

Twoweeksaftershehadbeenbacktheymadetheirwaytothedoctorwhowelcomedthemwithopenarms.

Theultrasoundmachineseemedanever-endingblurofcoloruntilfinallythedoctorputthehandleonherstomachandtheycouldseethebabyinside.Itwassmallstill,almosthardtobelievethat

wouldonedaysoonbebigenoughtohold.Thedoctormeasuredthebaby’ssize,timinghertobeabouttwomonthsnow.Shegulpedandblushedastheybothrealizedthebabywasdefinitelynotaproductoftheinsemination.Thedoctornoticedtoo,andsmiledassheglancedatthemboth.SheprintedoutthepictureofthelittlebeanandJasminetookithometohaveitframedanditsatonher

nighttable.Theywereonly

requiredtocomeinonceeverytwomonthsrightnow.Shescheduleditandtheymadetheirwaybacktotheranch.Parkerwasmoreexcitedthanshehadeverseenhim,Hekepttellingherhowwonderfulshewasandhisexcitementwascontagious.Theysoonfoundthemselvesataburgerjointin

Austin.“Inevereatthisstuff,

butitissooogoodrightnow.”Sherolledhereyesbackasshesaiditandnoticedhisamusedlook.

“Thisbabylikesgreasyfoodandchocolate.Thereisnotellingwhohewillbecome.”Parkerlaughedwithher.Hereachedacrossthetableandtouchedherhandwithhis.Shewas

practicallyglowingandheknewhehadneverbeenhappierthanatthismoment.

Helethishandlingerthere,andfeltherheartbeatfaster.

Hewassolonelyforher,andshefeltittoo.Itwasalmosttoomuchtolookatherlikethat.Shepulledherhandawayandhefrowned.Hecouldn’thaveitbothways.Hemayhavetobe

morecarefulaboutthetimetheyspendtogether.Shefinishedoffherfood,Parkercheeringheronasshewent.Shemanagedtoeatallofitandevensheseemedsurprised.

“Iamsuchapig.”Sheexclaimedastheymadetheirwayintothehouse.

“No,youarebeautiful.”Hesmileddownatherandheknewthetension

intheairwasn’tjustnoticeabletohim.

***Theymadeitto

herdoorandshestoppedtosaygoodnightbutinsteadhecrushedhislipstohersonceagain.Itwasanachinglysweetkiss.Hewasfightinghisowndemons.Sheseemedtohesitateasthoughshewasfightingsomeofherownaswell.Bothofthemneeding

eachotherbutrefusingtotakethechance.Shepulledawayfromhimandlookedintohiseyes.

“IwantyouJasmine.IknowIhavenoright,Iknowyoumaynotfeelanythingforme,butdamnifIdon’twantyoumorethanIdidbefore.”Hewasfrozentothespot.

“Parker,”shewhispered.“Iwantyou,too.I’vealwayswantedyou.”

Hewrappedhisarmsaroundherthen,pullingatherclothinguntilshewasnakedstandinginfrontofhim.Hequicklyshedhisclothingastheykissed.

Parkersuddenlyscoopedherupandcarriedhertothebed,gentlylayingherdownintothepinkfluffycomforter.Hemovedbacksome,thecontrastofhercaramelskinandthepale

pinkmadeherskinglowevenmorethanusual.

Herbreastswereheavingwitheverybreathshetookandthecrestedpeakswerehardandwaiting.Heneedednofurtherencouragementandcoveredonewithhislips,sucklinghardandnippingather.Sheranherhandsinhishairandpulledhimtotheotherone,needinghimtoserviceboth

ofthelusciousglobes.Hecuppedoneinhis

handherdarknippleseemingtobeckonhimformorewhilehisotherhandmoveddownthelengthofherbody.Hehissedinairashefeltthewarmheatofher.Heranhisthumboverthetinynubofexcitementandshemovedagainsthishand.Tonighthewantedittobeabouther.Hemovedslowlykissingand

nippinghiswaydownherbodyuntilhismouthwasmereinchesawayfromtheheatofher.Heusedhishandstospreadherlegswideandheardhermoansasheattackedherwithhistongue.

Hewantedthis,wantedher.Helovedthetasteofherasheworkedherwithhismouth.Hefeltthetrembleinherlegsbeginassheputherhandinhishairgrindinginto

hisface.Shewantedit…neededitandhewastheonlyonetogiveittoher.Beforeshefoundrelease,hemovedupandmovedtopushintoherdeeplywithonethrust.Sheencasedhislengthandsheshudderedatthetightfeelofher.Shewasmadeforhim,forhisloving.

Hemovedslowly,layingthelengthofhisbodyalonghersgrindinghimself

intoher.Hekissedherashemoved,coveringherfacewithlittlekissesandasthepacepickedupandheknewtheendwasnearhereacheddowntousehishandstohelphermeethimthere.Shestartedtheclimbandheusedthattofuelhimself,hefelthercontractaroundhimandhespilledhimselfintoher.

ChapterFifteen-Jasmine

Shefelttheheatofhischestunderherfingertipsandsnuggledincloser.Nogoodcouldcomeofwhattheyhaddone,butshewantedit,neededit.Shelovedhimsomuchitwasaphysicalpainwhenshehadtotellherselfhewasn’tcapable

oflovingherback.Hewasstubbornshecouldonlywonderifhegotthattraitfromhisfather.Maybehedidn’tknowhecouldlove,whateveritwasshewouldtry,trytoshowhimhowgooditcouldbe.Shelookedupathisface,hewasn’tsleeping,buthewasrecoveringfromwhattheyhadexperiencedtogether.

“Atleastyoudon’t

havetoworryaboutmegettingpregnant.”Shesmiledathimwhenheopenedhiseyesandhesmiledback.

“Isupposethatissomething,isn’tit?”Heleanedtowardsherandkissedherstomachbeforelayingbackoncemoreandgentlylayinghishandonherwherehehadkissed.

“It’shardtobelievethereisababyinthere,our

baby.”Shegavehimawidesmile.“Aswellasahugecheeseburgerandfries.”Shegiggled.

“You’resobeautifulwhenyousmileJasmine,I’mgladyou’rehappy.”Hereachedupandmovedherhairback,runninghisthumbalongherjawline.

“IamworkingonitParker,youdeservetobehappytooyouknowthat

Parker,don’tyou?”“Idon’tknowJasmine,

Idon’tknowwhatIdeserve,orwant…”hepausedlookingather.“Orneedanymore.Everythingisamessinmyhead.IjustknowtheonlytimeitmakessenseiswhenIamwithyou.Thathastobeagoodthing.”

Shestretchedandranherhandsoverhischest.Shecouldseducehim,showhim

thathewantedherformorethanjustababy.Shefelthisintakeofbreathassheletherhandtravellowerstilluntilsherancirclesinthehairbelowhisstomach.Sheraisedupanddroppedlittlekissesonhischestandshesoonfelthishandrunningalongherhip.Shetraveledloweruntilshemovedthesheetcoveringhimandwasfacedwiththemagnitudeofhisarousal.Sheglancedupathimbefore

lovinghimwithhermouththewayhehaddonetoherearlier.Henevertoldhertostop,buthegrippedthesheetsuntilhisknuckleswerewhite.

Finally,hestoppedher,hepulledherupandguidedherabovehimuntilhewascompletelyencasedinher.Hesetthepaceandsherodehim,grindingdownhardwhenshewantedto.

Hegrabbedherhipswithonehandwhileatthesametimeusingtheothertopullherdownsothatshelayagainsthim.Hethenusedhishandstoworkherhipsoverhimagainandagainuntilhewhisperedhernameandexplodedinsideher.

Shekeptgoing,findingherownreleaseafewstrokeslater.Shecollapsedontopofhimandshefelthishands

againstherbackslowlystrokingalongherspine.Heraisedupliftingherwithhimuntilhespunheraroundandlaidhergentlyonherback.Helaidtherewithherlikethat,bothlostinthisworld,untilsleepcame.Shewaiteduntilshethoughthewasasleepbeforeshesaidthewords.

“Iloveyou,Parker.”Shedriftedofftosleep

herself,withasmileonherface.

ChapterSixteen-Parker

Hewashappy.Hewasn’tsurehowto

feelaboutanythingbutforthemomenthewashappy.Inthelastfewweeksthingsathomehadbeengood,verygood.

Hewasstillgonealot

gettingreadyforthenextride.HehadamatchinaweekinDallas,andhewasgoingtogo.Jasminewasmorethancapableofhandlingthingsthere,andtheyhadspentalmosteverynightdiscussinglifeontheranch.Heknewthisnewfoundhappinesswastemporaryforthem,butinsteadoffightingit,heembracedit.Whenshewasgoneitwouldlikelykillhim,

butfornowhewouldjustmakesureshewassafe.

Hehadslippedintoherroomtomakelovethenightbeforehewasleaving.Itwasalmostsillythewaytheysnuckaround.Theywerebothadultsandthiswashishome,butinsomewayshestillfeltlikeachild,asifhisfatherwouldcatchhimsneakinginagirlthewayhehadCathyMathewswhenhe

was16.Shewasstandinginfrontofthemirrorinherroomnakedfeelingherstomachforchanges,aslightpuffinesswasthere,butnotmuchelseyet.

Juststandingthereshewasbeautiful.Shehadnoideashewas,whichmadeherevenmoreendearingtohim.Hespuntheweddingbandonhisfingerlostinthemoment.Itwasahabithehad

developedandonethatremindedhimofher.Henoticedshemadeafacebeforesherushedintothebathroomagain.Shehadbeensickearlyonandthennothing,nowshewasgettingsickprettyregularly.Heheldbackherhairuntilshewasdone.Hewishedthathecouldsomehowhelpher.

“Thanks,”shestoodonshakylegsandhenoticed

howpaleshewas.“Maybeweneedto

stopallofthis,Jasmine.I’mworriedaboutyou.”Helookedather.

“Well,you’releavingtomorrowaftertheappointmentwiththedoctor,sowedon’tneedtoworryaboutitforaweek.”

Shesmiledupathimashegaveheraquickpeckonthenose.Theyclimbed

intobedandhewrappedhisarmsaroundherprotectively.

ThenextmorningcameandParkerfeltthefamiliarthrillofaprospectiveride.Helovedridingabull,itmadehimfeelalive.NothinghadcomeclosetoituntilJasmineofcourse.Lifewasgood,hisranchwassecurethebabywouldbeheretwomonthsbeforethedeadlineandhe

hadawife.Hegulpedasthethoughtcrossedhismind.Ineveryway,shewastrulyhiswife.Thethoughtcausedasenseofpanictowellupinhimandhetriedtoputitoutofhismindashedrovethemtothedoctor.

Thescreencametolifeastheylookedatthebabyoncemore.Itwasbiggernow,butstillanon-formedlittlebean.Shesaid

thingslookedgoodandtheyheardtheheartbeatforthefirsttime.Parkerfelttheoverwhelmingsenseofprideatthesound.Hehadhelpedcreatethat.Theheartbeatsomehowmadeitmorerealtohimandhetooktheprintedpictureandputitinhisthingstotakewithhimontheroad.Theymadetheirwayhomeboththinkingabouthistrip.Jasminewasoverlyconcernedaboutthisbull

ridingthing.Herfearswereunfounded,hewasaprofessional,butstillshetoldhimitsoundedterriblydangerous.Shetoldhimshewouldtrytowatchitsinceitwasatelevisedevent,buthedoubteditwouldhappen.Thetimecameforhimtoleaveandshewalkedhimtothedoor.Thereweresomanythingshewantedtosaytoher,butnoneofthemcametothesurface.Hisheartandhis

mindwerestrugglingtoconnectandhestaredather,andthenleaneddowntokisshergoodbye.

“Becareful.IfyouneedanythingJamesandBeccaarebothhereallweek,ok?”

“Iknow,Parker,gobefamous.”Shesmiledathimandhegaveheroncelastlookbeforeheheadeddownthestairs.

ChapterSeventeen-Jasmine

“Helovesyoutoo,youknow.”

Jasminespunaroundtoafamiliarvoice.BeccawasstandingtherewithherwatchingParkerpulloutofthedrive.

“Idon’tknow,Becca,Iamtryingtoshowhimit'sok,but…”shetrailedoff.

“Heisasstubbornashisfatherwas.”ShepattedJasmineontheshoulderandmadeherwaybacktothekitchen.

Twodayslater,Jasminewasbedridden.Shehadneverbeensosickinherlifeandnothingshedidmadeitbetter.Aftermuchprodding

fromBecca,sheagreedtogotothehospital.

“PromisemeBecca,promiseyouwon’tcallParker?”Herlipsweredryandherfacepaleasshewhisperedthewordstoher.

“IknowJasmine,Iknowwhatyousaid.Iwon’tcallhimunlessthereisanemergency.”Beccawaslookingather,herfacefilledwithconcern.

Theyadmittedherfordehydrationandtohelpgetthevomitingundercontrol.Shefinallywasabletogetsomesleepthefirstnight,butbymorningshewasinworsecondition.Shehadspikedafever,anditwasincreasinglydifficulttocontrol.Thedoctorsbathedherdownandpumpedherfullofantibiotics.Itwasthatafternoonwhenthelaborpainsstarted.Atfirstshe

franticallydenieditwashappening.WhenDr.McCanncame,shewasforcedtolisten.

“I’msosorryJasmine,butyou’rehavingamiscarriage.Thefevercamefromaninfectionandthebabywasjusttoosmalltohandleitall.You’refarenoughalongthatyouwillfeelthepressureandhavetopushok,butIamrighthere

withyou.”Hertearswerespilling

downherfaceasshecriedoutinpain.Itwastoomuchandshewassoalone.Beccawasthere,holdingherhandandwipingawayhertears,butnothingwouldhelp.Itwasoversoonandthedoctorswereabletogivehersomethingtohelphersleep.Shedriftedoff,butnotbeforeshecriedoncemore.

***Themorningcameand

Jasminestaredoutthewindowatthetreebranchesthatswayedwiththewind.Shecouldn’tthink,couldfeel.Shesimplystaredatthetree.Everythingshehadworkedhardtodo,forParker,forher,wasgone.Thedoctorscameinfromtimetotimetogivehermoreantibioticsandtohelpher

fever.Shewasdefinitelybetterthanshehadbeenwhenshearrived,butshewasnumballover.Beccacametoseeherandwithhercameanewwaveoftears.Shehadbeenlikeamothertoherthroughoutallofthis.Parkerwouldbedevastated,andshehadfailed.Thatwasassimpleofanexplanationasshecouldsay.

“IcalledParker

sweetheart,hedidn’tanswerandhehasn’tcalledbackyet,whenhedoes,hewillcomehome.”Beccawipedherheadwitharag,gentlypattingheronthearm.

“Justwait,don’tcallhimyet.Letmegethomefirst.Thereisnoneedtoruinhislifeanysoonerthannecessary.”Shelaidherheadbackdownandwatchedthetreeoutside.

***Twodays,later

Jasminewasallowedtoleave.ShehadmanagedtoputofftellingParkeranything.WhenhecalledBeccaback,shehadhandedthephonetoJasmineandlefttogivehersomeprivacy.Onceshewasgone,sheaskedhowtheridingwasgoing.

“It'sgreatJasmine,Ihavemisseditsomuch.I

missyou,though,andbeinghome.”

HerambledonaboutthingsthereandJasmineletthetearsstreamdownherface.“Well,IbettergoJasmine,I’mupinafewminutesandIneedtofindmyrig.I…ImissyouJasmine.”Hehungupandshesobbed.Forhislossandforhers.

Shemethodicallypackedher

thingsattheranch.Beccahadbeeninand

outoftheroomtryingtoconvincehernottogo,butsherefusedtolisten.ShehadgivenJasmineherwordnottocallParkeruntilshewashomeinNewYork.Shewasbeingacowardmorethananything,andsheknewit.Whenhefoundouthewouldbedevastatedandshecouldn’tbearthatheartache,

notwhenherswassofresh.Jamesagreedtotakehertotheairport,notwantinghertobealoneanymorethannecessary.Hedidhisbesttocomforther,butshewasstillnumbtoanythingbutthesadnessshefelt.

***Whenshesawher

fatherstandingthereattheairport,sherantohim,muchlikewhenshewasalittlegirl.

Hehuggedherandshecriednewtears.Shehadtoldhimeverythingalreadyandhehadbeenwaitingforher,totakeherhometoheal.Shewelcomedthecomfortofhomemorenowthaneverbefore.She'dhadababycomingthelasttimeshehadbeenhere.Nowhewasgone.Ithadbeenahe,thedoctorhadtoldherwhensheasked.Ithadbeenanecessarythingforhertoknow.Togivethat

smalllifeanidentity.Shemadeherwayinsideandcurledupinherbed.Itwasthefirsttimeshecouldsleepindays.

ChapterEighteen–Parker

Hethrewbackanothershot,eventheburndidnothingtoeasehispain.

Hewasdyingaslowdeath,nothingelsecouldfeelthisbad.Shehadlefthim.Shedidn’twait,didn’tsaya

wordshehadjustgone.Hehadcomehomefullofhope,fulloflove…forher.Itwouldevenmakesensetodenyitnow,hewasmoreinlovewithJasmineTurnerthanhehadanyrightto.TwohoursagohehadwalkedintohishouseandnoonewasthereexceptBecca.Heknewsomethingwaswrongtheminutehesawherface.Shewasredeyedandwringingherhandsandhefeltpanic

unlikeanythinghehadeverfeltbefore.

“Becca,whatisit.”

“It’sJasmine,honey.”Shesniffedandhefelthisheartstop.

“Issheok,pleasetellmesheisok?”Hegrippedthechairinfrontofhimuntilitalmostbroke.

“Sheisokhoney,sheisfine.”Therelief

hefeltmadehimswayslightly.

“Tellme,Becca,please.”

“Jasmineisgonehoney.Shegotrealsickwhenyouweregone.Shewasvomitingrepeatedlyuntilshecouldn’tmove.Itookhertothehospitalandshemademepromisenottocallyou,unlessitwasserious.Shespikedafever,whenshedid

shelostthebabyParker,I’msosorry.”

Hefelttheworldspinningaroundhim,shewasgone…andshelostthebaby.Whywouldsheleaveandwhydidn’tsomeonetellhimanythingbeforenow.

“Icalled,Becca.Icalledherandsheletmerambleonabouttheridingandshedidn’tsayanything.”Hisvoicebrokeandhe

chokedbacktears.Beccacameovertohimandhuggedhim.

“Iknow,sweetheart,Ithoughtshewasgoingtotellyoutocomehome,Ileftheraloneandwhenwegothome,shetoldmethetruth.Shedidn’twanttorushyouintothepainshewasfeeling.”

Hesobbedandlethimselfcry,shewasgone.Shehadgonethrough

somethinghorribleandleft.Thebaby...hehadloveditbeforeandhefeltthelossofitnowlikeacrushingblow.Heshookhisheadandwasbroughtbacktothepresent.Ithadn’tbeenuntilanhourlater,atthebarthatherememberedhewasalsogoingtobehomelesssoon.Theranchwashishome,hislifehadbeenspentthereclimbingtreesandgettingintotrouble.Hisfatherhad

lefthimalegacyandhehadfailedhim.Noonecouldbefaultedforthis,itcertainlywasn’tJasmine'sfault.Shehadnotonlydealtwiththeloss,shehadfeltthelifeslipfromherownbody.Therewasnothinghecoulddoabouttheranch,buthecouldfixsomething.Hegrabbedhisjacketanddroppedatwentyonthebarbeforeheleftandheadedhome.

Hefoundithardtosleepthatnight.Hehadtoplanthingsoutjustrightbeforetheybackfiredonhim.HefoundBeccainthemorning.Shewassittingatthetabledrinkingcoffeewhenhewalkedin.Shewasabouttogetuptomakehisfood,buthestoppedher.

“Howwasshe,whensheleftBecca?Howwasshereally?”

Hehadtoknow,hadtotrytounderstandwhatshehadgonethroughsincehehadbeenaway.

“Idon’tknowifyouwantthedetailssweetheart.”

Shetookanotherdrinkandathisinsistentgaze,shetoldhimindetailhowmuchJasminehadsuffered.Howmuchpainshehaddealtwithnothingtohelp.Mostimportantly,shetoldhim

abouthowchanged,shewaswhentheyhadmadeithome.

“ShewasalmostlifelessParker.Thelightwasgoneinhereyesandallshedidwascry.Shejustkepttellingmethatshefailedandthathersonwasgoneforgood.”

“Itwasaboythen?”Heaskedherasheclosedhiseyestofightbackthewaveofemotionrollingthroughhim.

“Yes,thedoctortoldusbeforeweleft.Theyaskedifwewantedhim…toburyandItoldthemthatyouwouldcontactthem.”

Heexhaledslowlybeforehelookedupather.“I’mgoingtobegoneadayortwoBecca.”Hestoodandshestoodwithhim.

“WhereareyougoingParker?”

“I’mgoingtobringmy

wifehomewhereshebelongs.”

ChapterNineteen–Jasmine

Sheheardtheknockfromherroom.Shedidn’tcarewhoitwas,truthbetoldshedidn’tcareaboutanything.Shestruggledtoclimboutofbedtoshowereveryday.Eachmorningshe

wouldwakeupandpraythishadallbeensometerribledream,buteverydayshewasdisappointed.Shesatupandlookedoutherwindowatthecloudsthatwererollingin.Itwouldprobablyraintoday.

“Jasmine.”Sheturnedaroundandhewasthere.Hisfacewassad,heknew.

“Parker?Whyareyouhere,Idon’thaveyour

moneyParker,Icangetittoyou,butitwillbeawhile.”Shesaideverythinginthesamesadtone.Shewaitedforhimtosaysomething.Shelookedupathimandshesawatearstreamdownhisface.

“GetyourthingsJasmine,wearegoinghome.”Shefrownedathim.

“Iamhome.”Hemovedtowardsher

then,heleaneddownonhis

kneesandgrabbedherhandsinhis.

“NO,Jasmine,youaren’thome.Yourhomeiswithme.”HelookedupathersearchingfortheJasmineheonceknew.

“No,it’snot.Ifailed.IfailedandhediedParker,heisgone.”

Hervoicebrokeandhewrappedherinhisarms,lettinghercry.Shefelther

bodyrelaxasshesobbedintohischest.Sheneededhim,hemadeherhurtfeellessoverwhelming,becausehehurttoo.Hestrokedherhair,holdinghertight.

“Iknowbaby,Iknow.Heisgone,butyouweresuchagoodmothertohim,whilehewasapartofyou.Youwouldn’teveneatchocolateremember?Dr.McCannsaidthatsometimesthebabyis

justsickorsomethingiswrong.Itwasn’tyourfaultJasmine.Neveryourfault.”Herockedhergentlyandhersobssubsided.Shefelthisbodytightenandshelookedupathim.

Tearswerestreamingdownhisface.“IamsosorryIwasn’tthereforyouJasmine,I’msorryyouhadtodothatalone.”Shecuppedhisfaceinherhandsand

kissedhiseyesandcheeksbeforehecrushedherinahugoncemore.

“IloveyouJasmine,I’velovedyouforalongtimeIwasjusttoostubborntoadmitit.Iwantyoutocomehomewithme,andbemywife.”

Shepulledawayfromhim.“ButtheranchParker…”

“Idon’tcareaboutthatJasmine,Icareaboutyou.We

canliveanywheretogether,butwithoutyouI,can’tliveatall.”

Hekissedherthenandsheheldontohimknowingthathelovedher,andtogethertheywouldheal.

ChapterTwenty-Parker

HehadbeenhomewithJasminefortwoweekswhenhedecidedtomakehiswaytoseethelawyeragain.

Itwastimeheadmitteddefeatinhisfather’slastrequest.Theranchwasasmuchapartofhimastheair

hewasbreathingbutwithoutJasminehehadnothing.Hemadehiswayinsideandshookhishand.

TheParkerinfrontofhimwasmostdefinitelynotthesameonewhohadbeensittinghere9monthsago.Hehadchanged,grown.Hisfatherwouldhavebeenproudofhim,ofwhohehadbecome.

“Parkerit’sgoodtosee

youagain.Pleasehaveaseat.”HegesturedtothechairandParkersatdown.“Iassumeyou’rehereaboutthedeadline?”

“Yes,Iamactually,myfatherwasahardmandidyouknowthatabouthim?Healwayshadeverythingplannedoutandwitheveryplan,therewasalessontobelearned.HesaidIhadtomemarriedbythirty,andhavea

child.SeewhatIthinkismyfatherwantedmetofindlovemorethananything.HeknewIavoidedtheideaentirely.Ithinkhethrewthebabythinginthereforfun,sothathecouldwatchmescrambletochangediapers.Whateverthereason,ortheplanIthinkIhavedoneexactlywhathewanted.Iammarried,andIlovemywifeverymuch.Asamatteroffact,shewasmysurrogate.Wegotpregnant,

butshelostthebabyabouttwoweeksagonow.”Hestoppedtobreathe.“SoIwon’tmakethedeadline,andIwon’tgettheranch.ButIsuspectwhatIdidfindwillmaketheoldmanjustashappy.”

Hestoodtogo.“Parker,Icanhonestly

sayyourfatherwouldbethrilledforyou,andyourwife.Iamsosorryaboutthe

babythough.Iwentthroughthatwithmyownwifemanyyearsago,itwasnotaneasything.Myquestiontoyounowis,whycan’tyouhaveitall?”

“I’mafraidIdon’tunderstand”Parkerfrownedathim.

“Thereisnothinginthewillthatsaysyoucan’tadopt.WithmyconnectionsIcanhelpyoudothatveryquickly.

Thetimingmaybeclose,butIthinkit’spossible,ifyouwanttodothat?”

Parkersatbackdownlostinthought,heshouldtalktoJasmineaboutit,butheknewherheart,andwhatshewouldsay.Shewouldtellhimtodowhateverittakes,andshewouldloveanychildtheyraisedtogether.Hesmiledathimandsaid.

“Let’sseewhatwecan

do.”

ChapterTwentyOne–Cody

Hehadbeenattheboy’shomeforsixyears.Notoncehadhebeenaskedaboutuntilnow.TodayanotherorphanWallacehadsaidsomethingabouthismother,whohedidn’tevenknow,andhehadlaidhimoutflat.Onehitandhehad

takenhimdown.That’swhenthatmanandladyhadaskedabouthim.

Themanseemedniceenough.Hehadacowboyhatwhichwascool.Hesatandaskedhimallsortsofquestionsabouthislifeandhedidn’thavemuchtotellhimreally.HeaskedwhyhehitWallaceandhehadn’thesitated.

“Hewastalkingabout

mymother,Idon’tevenknowwhosheisbutyoudon’ttalkaboutaperson'sfamily,itjustain'tright.”Hehadwipedhisnoseonthesleeveofhisshirtandtheladyhadgivenhimatissue.

Hewasn’tsureaboutheryet.

ShelookedlikeoneofthosewomenhesawsingingonTV.Shewasreallypretty,butsheonlytalkedabout

clothesandshoes,whatsizeshewore.Theonlytimeshesaidanythingworthhearingwasabouthisfavoritefoods.Theyhadvisitedhimeveryweekforamonthnowandtodaytheyhadwalkedinandaskedhimifhewantedtocomelivewiththem.Hejustlookedatthemwonderingiftheywereforreal.

“Yousureaboutthat?Imean,don’tyouwantababy

orsomecutegirlorsomething?Boys,likemewedon’tevergetasked.”Hescruncheduphisfaceastheladywipedthechocolatefromhischeekfromtheirlunchtogether.

Themanandladylookedateachotherandsmiled,themantouchedherhand.Theysuredidliketohugandstuff,theyevenhuggedhimsometimeswhich

heliked,kind.“Yes,Cody,weare

sure.”Parkersmiledathim“Well,canIbringmy

ownstuff?”“Youcanbring

anythingyouwant.Weliveonaranch.”

Thistimetheladytoldhim.Shemustbetheboss.

“Really!Ohman,yougothorsesandstuff?”Hesat

up.Thiscouldbecoolafterall.

Theman,smileddownathimandruffledhishair.

“Wehaveboth,andwehaveaplacetherewhereyoucanlearnhowtoridethem.Plus,youwillhavearoomalltoyourself,todecorateanywayyouwantit.”

Cody,lookedatthemboth.Itmustbehisluckyday.“OK,ifyouwantme

thenI’llgowithyou."Heshrugged.Theman

andthewomanhuggedhimagainandthethreeofthemwalkeddowntotheoffice.It’sfunnyhowthingshappen,justlastweekhewashopingandprayingsomethinggoodwouldhappenforhisbirthdayandnowhewasgettinghisownroom.Hewatchedtheladysmoothdownherskirt.Shewasgoingtomakehim

washbehindhisearsandeatveggies,buthecoulddealwiththat.

“I’veneverhadmyownroombefore,isit…youknownearyours?Justincaseyouneedmyhelpwithanything?”

JasminesmiledatParkeroverhishead.“YesitisCody,andwewillberightnextdoorwheneveryoumayneedustoo.”

Codysmiledandstoppedinthehallwayforasecond.Herubbedhisrighthandoffonhiswornjeansandofferedittotheladywhosmiledandthethreeofthemwalkedtowardstheirfuture,together.

TheEndIfyouenjoyedthisebook

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MeekaBrownhasbeenhavingatoughlife. Afterarobberygonewrongtookthe

lifeofherhusband,Meekawasleftalonetostruggletoraisehersonforthelasttwoyearsonawaitress'ssalary.

Herjobasawaitressisnothingbutstress,andshejugglesanonlinedegree,whileherbossmakesherlifemiserable.Itseemslikeshejustcan'tcatchabreak.Shefindsherselfdrivinghomefromworkonenightwhenhercarbreaksdownandshe

hastowalktherestofthewayhome.

Onherwayhome,afriendlystrangeroffersheraride,butshedeclines.Hepersists,andhedoesn'tseemliketheusualcreepsthathitonherandherbabysitterisontheclock,soshedecidestotakearidewithhim,keepingherpeppersprayclosebyofcourse.

Heturnsouttobeanabsolute

gentleman,andadoctor,whojusthasatotallydifferentattitudetowardslife.Heseemslikehecomesfromatotallydifferentworldfromher,butshefeelsaconnection.Itdoesn'thurtthatshe'sbeengoingthroughatwoyeardryspelltoo.

Thenextmorning,shemiraculouslyfindshercarallfixedup,withanotefromtheDoctoraskingherout.She

thinksnothingofit,andchalksituptoeitherarichguylookingtofeelgoodabouthimself,orsomeonejusttryingtogetintoherpants.

Butafterfinallygettingsomealonetimeforherself,andwiththehelpfulencouragementofhermother,shedecidestogivehimacall.Andsheissogladshedid,becausetheyfallmadlyin

lovetogether.Theydateforthenextfewmonthsandbecomeevenmoreinfatuatedwitheachother.Theybecomesoclosethatsheevenfinallydecidestointroducehimtoherson.Whenthedoctormeetsherson,hisfacegoespalewhite,ashediscoversadisturbingsecret.

Theirrelationshipstaysgreatforthenextlittlewhileuntilshegetsintoacaraccident

andlearnstheyareconnectedinawaythatshewouldnothaveimagined.Totopitalloff,whilesheisinthehospitalshefindsoutthatsheispregnant.

Willthisdisturbingsecretkeepthemapart?Orwilltheirloveovercomealloddsandbringthemtogetheragain?

CityVibes-CompleteSeries

Justyouraveragecurvy,hardworkingAfricanAmericangirlwithamodestupbringing,twojobsandnosleep,ReeseAllenstrugglestoputherselfthroughschoolandmaintainalovelife. Throughsheerchanceshemeetsawealthymanofherdreams,thecompleteoppositetowhatshethoughtshewouldwant,whoshowsherasideofNewYorkshecouldonlyimagine.

Everythingisallroses,untilhelosesitallandtheirloveisputtothetest.InthemidstofitallanotherwhiteknightcomestoReese'srescuewithmoremoneythanshehaseverseen,specificallyforhertofurtherhercareer.Canshechoosehercareeroverlove?Ordoessheevenhaveto? Jamaica,ILoveYou

Afteradrunkendare,curvaceousandsassy

AmandaStevensmeetsherdreamguywhileonvacationinbeautifulJamaica.Untilshefindsoutthere'smoretohimthanmeetstheeye.Theysaynothinglastsinparadise,ordoesit?

AboutTashaJones

Hey,

I'mTashaandthankyousomuchfortakingthetimetotakeareadthroughmybook.I'mayoungmotherofone,withalovinghusband,currentlylivinginJacksonville,andamabigreader.I'vedecidedtoturnmyloveforbooksintosomethingmore,andhavestartedtopassionatelywritemoreandmore.IrecentlywentonatriptoAfricawithmyfam,andgotmanyideas

forstoriesonthattrip.Ialsolovetravelingandcookingandhopeitshowsinmywriting.IreallyhopeyouenjoymywritingandIcanbringjustatinybitofjoyintoyourday.Thanks,TashaNow,ifyouenjoyedthebookyoujustread,pleaseleaveapositivereviewofitonAmazon.It'llhelpgetitout

therealotmoreandmeansIcancontinuefollowingmydreamandwritingthesebooksforyou.Sothankyou:)