The raw honesty and vulnerability in her voice seemed to stop Jake in his tracks. He turned towards her and stalked over to stand in front of her. He grabbed her face in his hands and cradling it gently, he wiped away her tears.
“You’re mine, Callie, and I’m yours. I know I promised nothing would change my mind about how I feel, and I meant it. But seeing you there, with his hand on you, it made me crazy.”
“No, Jake, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you. I should have told you about the lunch, and none of this would have happened. Can you forgive me?”
Jake smiled tenderly, all traces of pain erased when he said, “No forgiveness necessary. We’re good. Just don’t expect me to take my hands off you when we go to your parents’ party. Consider me a wild animal, marking my territory.”
Callie laughed at his comment, even as secretly his words thrilled her. This strong, handsome man wanted her, and only her.
“I’m yours, Jake, and we’ll make certain that everyone knows it.”
Chapter 14
The next couple of weeks passed in a blur for Callie. After the disastrous lunch with her mother and Joseph, she and Jake took every opportunity they could to be together, cementing their strong connection. No more words were spoken about Joseph or Callie’s family, but Callie’s nerves about the upcoming party at her parents’ home were growing every day. She had missed a call from her mother while she was at the hospital and was scared to call her back.
Thanksgiving day, the day she was to have dinner with Jake’s family, Callie found herself buried in her closet as she worried about what to wear.
“Seriously, Reags, I have to make a good impression! I can’t be too slutty, or too frumpy. I need to be comfortable but classy, and I have nothing to wear!”
Reagan chuckled at the sound of the usually calm and collected Callie sounding so frantic. “You could show up in sweats and you would still be stunning. I think I know exactly what you should wear.”
Ten minutes later, Callie smiled ruefully at herself in the mirror. Once again, Reagan had come to her rescue. Her soft black pants and flowing green blouse looked perfect, and with a pair of low-heeled boots, a long gold necklace and subtle makeup she would be ready to go. With a glance at the clock, Callie rushed to finish getting ready before Jake arrived to pick her up.
* * *
As they drove to Jake’s parents’ house, Callie’s stomach churned with nerves.
“Babe, you’ve barely said two words this whole trip. Don’t tell me you’re nervous about meeting my family?” Jake teased, reaching his hand over to place it on top of Callie’s fingers as they drummed on her thigh.
“Of course I am, Jake! I want your family to like me.” Callie glanced at Jake shyly, “I know how much you love your family, and how close you are to them. I just want to make a good impression that’s all.”
Jake pulled his truck over to the side of the road, and gently held Callie’s face in his hands forcing her to look him in the eyes.
“Oh, you crazy woman. You have no idea how incredible you are. I am so lucky that you care about me the way you do. Trust me when I say my family is going to adore you. Please, stop worrying. It kills me that you can’t see yourself the way I see you.”
Speechless, all Callie could do in response to Jake’s heartfelt words was press a soft kiss to his lips. She was deeply moved by his attempt to reassure her and touched by his confidence in her. As their kiss turned from sweet to steamy, all thoughts of feeling nervous fled and Callie lost herself in Jake’s embrace.
After another moment spent gazing into each others’ eyes, enjoying the intimate silence, Jake eased the car back onto the road.
He glanced over at Callie one more time with a smirk on his face. “Besides, you have homemade pie with you. That alone will win you major points with my dad!”
Callie let her head fall back against the seat with a laugh, much more relaxed than before.
A short while later they pulled up to Jake’s family home. As Callie got out of the truck, she paused to admire the beautiful house with a large wrap around porch. The yard was obviously well maintained, and there was a cute porch swing with bright cushions on it just beside the large front door. She smiled up at Jake as he grabbed her hand. They walked up to the front steps just as the door opened and a smiling older woman who was obviously Jake’s mother stepped out.
“Callie! Jake! Happy Thanksgiving, I’m so glad you’re both here.” Elena Evans rushed down the steps and, catching Callie by surprise, immediately wrapped her in a warm hug.
Jake stood back, grinning at his mom. “Geez, thanks Mom, greet my girlfriend before your own son.”
Elena swatted at Jake’s arm as she released Callie and turned to pull Jake’s head down so she could press a kiss to his cheek before hugging him as well. “Now you hush, Jacob Evans, you know how excited I am to finally meet Callie. Now come on inside you two, it’s cold out here!” Elena ushered them into the inviting warmth of the house.
It took Callie a moment to adjust to the open affection Jake’s mother had shown her. So different from the cool greetings she received from her own parents whenever she visited their home.
Once inside, Callie sniffed the air appreciatively. The delicious aromas of turkey, stuffing, and fresh bread delighted her senses. Looking to Jake’s mother who was putting their coats away, Callie was eager to make a positive first impression as she said, “Thank you so much for inviting me tonight, Elena, everything smells amazing. Can I help at all?”
“Oh no, my dear. You just go on into the living room with Jake. His father is in the garage bringing in some wine, and Monica’s family will be here any minute.”
No sooner had Elena said that, and the front door opened, and in spilled Monica, Chris, and of course Sarah, who immediately dashed over to Jake, giggling with childlike abandon as he swung her up in the air. Callie hung back, smiling as she watched Jake’s family interact. There was so much love and warmth between them all.
