* * *
Jake wasn’tsure how long he’d been asleep, but he awoke when his mother walked through the front door. She took one look at him and Emily, and her eyebrows shot up. She didn’t even bother trying to hide her amusement.
“I’m sorry I’m so late,” she whispered. Her tone sounded apologetic, but the smile on her face said otherwise. “I stopped by Charity’s to pick up a few things, and Hope stopped by. We lost track of time while we visited.” She let out a sigh and smiled again. “I haven’t laughed with my sisters like that in a long time. It was nice.” Then a frown crossed her face. “But I should have been here to help Emily to bed.”
“It’s fine, Mom.” Jake kept his voice low. “I’m glad you had a nice visit. Emily had a difficult time for a while tonight. She remembered her mother who died when Emily was sixteen.”
Faith sighed. “The poor girl. I should help her to bed.”
“I’ll carry her in.” Jake put his hand under Emily’s head to support it while he slid his body out from under her. She sat up as he slid his arms under her. “Shh... be still,” he whispered with his lips against her hair. The strawberry scent wasn’t as strong now, but he enjoyed the feel of her in his arms.
He carried her to her room and gently laid her on the bed. He was reluctant to leave, but his mother walked in, carrying Emily’s crutches. Emily didn’t need him anymore. His stomach dropped at the thought. He turned to leave.
“Jake.” Emily grabbed his hand. “Thank you.” She let go and reached up to stroke her hair, letting him know exactly what she was thanking him for.
He curled his fingers into a fist to prevent himself from reaching out and stroking her hair one last time. “You’re welcome.”
He returned to the great room and turned off the music. He picked up the hairbrush from the end table, intending to return it to the bathroom but decided to lock up first. His mom came out of Emily’s room as he locked the back door.
“Poor girl, she’s exhausted.”
“She was upset. She finally remembered something, but it was a sad memory.”
His mother got a twinkle in her eyes. “You two looked comfortable on the couch. I have to say you make an attractive couple.”
“Mom don’t make more of it than it is. She was upset, and I did my best to comfort her.”
She looked at the hairbrush in his hand and gave him a knowing look.
“I was just... she likes... her mother used to brush her hair to soothe her.”
“You did good, son.” She patted his arm. “Keep in mind you’re capable of doing more than comforting.”
Jake’s eyes narrowed. It was bad enough he felt a strong attraction toward Emily; he didn’t need his mother pushing her on him or vice a versa. He couldn’t get involved with a woman like her. Someone who would leave the ranch as soon as her memory returned, and she was able.
“Jake, you have so much to offer a woman. You’re a handsome, successful rancher with a large house that needs a family to fill it,andyou’re patient, giving, and compassionate.”
“I told you; I’m too busy for a wife and children.”
“Nonsense,” Faith chided. “You’ve been around plenty the past couple of days.”
“Because I hired an extra ranch hand to help in case you or Emily needed me.”
“Exactly, and you can afford to do that all the time. So what makes you think you don’t have time for a wife and family?”
“Fine. I can afford it, but that doesn’t mean I’ll always put a wife and children first. I don’t want to turn out like dad.” Jake regretted saying the words when his mother’s expression turned to shock.
“What do you mean? Your father was a wonderful husband and father.”
As much as he’d like to, Jake couldn’t take back the words. He forged ahead, hoping he didn’t hurt his mother any worse than he already had. “Come on, Mom, Dad neglected you, and he would have neglected us kids if we hadn’t always been by his side, working with him.”
Her eyes grew troubled. “Your father never neglected me.”
“He worked long hours on the ranch, and you always buried yourself in dozens of projects to stay busy. So you wouldn’t get lonely.”
She grabbed his arm. “I did do a lot of things to keep myself busy, but that was my way of coping with how fast you all grew up. Besides, helping others is what matters to me. You know that. I need to be needed. I know your father loved this ranch and his animals, and it may have felt like he put it all first, before me. But I never felt that way.” She squeezed his arm. “I never doubted his love for me. I never wanted for anything. I know he wasn’t the most patient man when it came to getting the work done and making sure it was done right, but when he spent time with me...” She smiled and her voice softened, taking on a dreamy tone. “I never felt like I took second place or that his mind was elsewhere. He focused solely on me when we were together. He often brought me bouquets of wildflowers to let me know he thought about me when he was away. Occasionally, with Lottie’s help, he even surprised me with a picnic.” Faith’s smile deepened. “You were conceived on one such picnic.”
“Okay.” Jake put up his hands to ward off any more information. “I don’t need details.”
