She was antsy. The bath should be calming her down, but it wasn’t really. With the samples being sent off, hopefully today to the processing plant, then they’d have to wait for the results.
Jenna sank under the water and held her breath; her hair floated around her and she looked up through the bubbles liking the way the sun played a rainbow through them. There was no way she’d have the patience to wait. She’d have to do something to keep herself occupied and her mind on something else. Then she remembered they’d be taking a trip to Texas. That should do it. Going to Wild Vista Ranch for a few days would be exactly what she needed.
The last few weeks had been a whirlwind of excitement. Once they had the sampling results, they could make a decision to see if extracting the gold was viable or if they should just leave it all alone. Since it was his family heritage, it was totally up to Chet how he wanted to proceed, but it didn’t stop Jennafrom bubbling with excitement. She knew he was pretty thrilled himself.
Needing air, she surfaced and smiled at Belle when she popped her head up with surprise.
“It’s okay, sweetie, just me.” Jenna assured her and the pup relaxed and closed her eyes
She couldn’t shut off her brain and a million thoughts raced around. He’d asked her what she thought of the name if they established a gold mining company, Chester Gold. She loved it and thought it a very fitting way to honor Chet’s many-great uncle.
She sat up and reached for the towel and opened the drain. For now, they would enjoy the glow of knowing, after all these years, Chester had been proven right.
Tonight, Chet’s kids were coming for a barbeque. She was thrilled they all got along so well after meeting when she first arrived. The last thing she wanted was for them to think she was replacing their mom. So, she’d been very respectful of them, and hoped their relationship would grow naturally.
She genuinely liked them. That was the toughest part when kids, no matter what their ages, were involved. Blending families is not an easy task, and the fact she didn’t have kids was actually a plus in this situation. Her heart tightened. It wasn’t that she didn’t want kids, there just hadn’t been the right man or the right time. Her biological clock was ticking and the desire for kids was growing.
They hadn’t talked about anything long term, but it almost seemed like a given they were committed to each other. It’s just the distance they had to sort out. Would she –could she –stay here and leave her home? She had nothing holding her there except her job.
Jenna dried herself and lost herself in thought. After meeting his parents tonight, who were also coming for dinner, perhapsshe’d have a better feel about her situation. If his parents liked her, then maybe they would be able to work out a future.
Jenna was looking forward to a full-fledged family reunion. She didn’t know a whole lot about his ex, and unless he wanted to tell her, she wouldn’t ask, but she sensed there’d been contention before and after the divorce. Chet was so mild mannered, she wondered what had happened. Anyway, it was none of her business.
Jenna didn’t have family and was eager to know his better.
4
Chet was looking forward to seeing his kids tonight. Taylee and Tytan were at college now and home for summer break. The twins stayed at their mother’s but were making rumbling noises about wanted to come to the ranch for the rest of the summer. They’d even asked about heading down to Wild Vista as ranch hands. Something they’d discuss later.
He’d be thrilled if they did come and stay with him and he was only a tad concerned how Jenna would react to the news. He’d remained cordial with his ex since their divorce and she wasn’t easy to get along with. They’d been thrown together as teenagers and things had gotten complicated in a hurry. He hadn’t really thought about her much until one of his friends said she wasn’t too bad looking. It had changed Chet’s perspective about her. So, they’d gone out for a while.
She’d been difficult to deal with and he had been about to break things off. When she’d gotten pregnant, it had been a goat fuck. He hadn’t wanted kids at the time and yet he hadn’t been able to bear the thought of ending the pregnancy. They’d talked about what to do. The plan was to have the babies, not getmarried until after they were born, and see how things worked out.
He’d been confident and content with the plan. As had she. They’d told his parents first, and while they’d been devastated this had happened at such a young age, they’d supported him. Her parents had been a whole different matter.
As soon as the words were out of her mouth that they were expecting, her father declared they’d get married right away. Chet shook his head remembering. He’d tried to say that wasn’t the plan they’d agreed on, but he had been overrun by her tears, her father’s shouting, and her mother wringing her hands and worried what everyone would think.
All Chet wanted to do was escape the house and high tail it back to the ranch. But, he’d been cornered. They wanted him to agree to a wedding. He’d stood his ground and said no. But his stance hadn’t lasted long. Neither had the marriage. In fact, he’d found out after the divorce that she had planned to get pregnant to keep him, knowing he’d been getting close to ending their relationship.
But in hindsight now, putting up with her for those few years, while painful, had given him the greatest gift. His children.
He drew in a breath and hauled open the freezer in the basement pantry. The cool air billowed out on a cloud of fog and he breathed it in. Even now years later, it angered him how he’d allowed himself to be manipulated and he’d vowed it would never happen again.
Inside the walk-in freezer, he selected eight prime steaks. One for each of them, Jenna, Taylee, Tytan, Mom and Dad, and two extra in case the kids brought friends.
He carried them to the kitchen and spread them out on a baking sheet to thaw and season. Nothing better than grilling on charcoal. He selected wine he knew Jenna loved, and made surethe whiskey was full and ice was in the cooler for beer. Checking his watch, he got excited knowing they’d be here in a few hours.
He heard Jenna on the stairs and went to greet her in the other room.
“All freshened up?” he asked.
“Mmhm, I adore that tub and the room.” She came over and slipped into his embrace lifting her face for a kiss.
He obliged.
“So, not long now until everyone gets here,” she commented. “I want to make dessert. Damn, though, I didn’t check we had the ingredients. I better see what we have.”
Chet followed her into the kitchen. “What were you planning on making. We could have bought something to save time,” he suggested.
