Page 30 of The Forbidden Texan
“This is beautiful, Jake,” she said, aware of his hand lightly holding her forearm. She could detect the faint scent of his aftershave and it made her think of being alone with him later this evening.
“Ahh, here come the Grants and the Morettis,” he said, calling her attention to the door.
“Vivian looks like a model,” Emily said, looking at her blond friend who wore a black ankle-length dress that had a straight skirt, long sleeves and a deep V-neckline. She walked next to Mike, handsome in a black tux. “She doesn’t even look pregnant yet. She doesn’t show at all.”
Walking beside them were Noah and Camilla. Camilla’s long brown hair was straight and fell over her shoulders. She wore a deep blue ankle-length dress and greeted friends as they crossed the room.
Behind the two couples, Emily saw two of her brothers approaching. “Here come Doug and Lucas.”
“Hi, Em. Congratulations, Jake,” Lucas said, shaking Jake’s hand.
“Congratulations and a big thank you,” Doug said as he shook Jake’s hand. “What you did was great. We haven’t always agreed in the past—maybe never,” he added, smiling, “but we agree on this. We came tonight because Lucas, Will and I all want to thank you for the dogs you helped rescue.”
“It’s good to find something we agree about,” Jake said. “Thank you for taking tables. Everything helps.”
“Yeah,” Lucas said. “If you need us to help on one of the rescue missions, just let us know.”
Jake smiled. “I’ll remember that. It’s good to know that some more Kincaids will work with a Ralston. That’s what Thane wanted to have happen. I wish he could know it.”
“Yeah, we can work with Ralstons. That’s not impossible,” Lucas said. “Sorry about your buddy. I know you and Thane were close.”
“Thanks.”
“Enjoy your evening,” Doug said and walked away, and Jake faced Lucas, who had a sheepish grin.
“I guess I was hasty when we crossed paths in the lobby. This is a good charity and our family has nine rescue dogs. Em and I are the only ones without dogs. I’ll send a check to this group.”
“Thanks, Lucas.”
“Well, enjoy your evening. I’ll be sure to bring my date over to meet you. Do you know her, Jake? Harper Ralston?”
He shook his head. “But I’d like to meet her and I’m glad you invited her. That would really please Thane.”
“Pleases me, too,” Lucas said, grinning.
Jake watched Lucas walk away and shook his head. “Maybe we’ve found common ground. At least with your older brothers.”
“Time will tell, but that was a good start,” she said, turning to sit at the table to talk to Vivian and Camilla, who had her phone out and was showing Vivian pictures of Ethan. Emily asked to see and Camilla passed the phone to her. She looked at a smiling little boy with thick black curls and blue eyes. “He looks like Noah.”
“Yes, he does. They’re having fun with each other. Noah’s a great dad.”
“Mike, Noah and Jake,” Vivian said, “they’re great guys. And so was Thane.”
“Vivian, I’m grateful to Thane and you for your generosity. You could have gotten the old ranch house cleaned up and everything cleared out of it without giving me such a generous gift.”
“I’m excited for you,” Vivian said to Emily. “Thane really wanted that feud to end because it caused him trouble sometimes. I know he was trying to keep Mike from having to deal with fighting neighbors. Anyway, you and Camilla and I will be able to work together on our art.” She turned to Camilla. “When our baby comes, I’ll probably call you with questions.”
“Any time,” Camilla answered.
Vivian looked at Emily. “I’m glad Jake is happy with the Long L Ranch because no one in our family wanted it. Thane didn’t intend to keep it. I didn’t want it and neither does Mike. He runs our ranch and isn’t interested in another.”
“I didn’t want the Long L Ranch, either,” Camilla said. “Thane asked me if I did and I told him I never wanted to set foot on it again.”
“I don’t know whether Jake will ever live there, but it isn’t going to look like it did,” Emily explained. “While he’s keeping some things, I don’t think you’ll recognize the place when he’s through doing it over.”
“It was a creepy old place and I hated going there,” Camilla said. “I wouldn’t want Ethan there at all. It was scary.”
“It won’t be scary, I promise you,” Emily said.
