Jake's Bride Read Free

Jake's doorbell, praying he still worked from an office in his house.  Her courage faded as she stood on the doorstep of the Spanish-styled two-story with its black wrought iron trim and terra cotta-colored exterior.  She'd always loved Jake's house with it's old world charm and cozy interior.  Was he sharing it with someone else?
    The door opened and a pretty woman with light brown hair and a warm smile stood before Sara.  Sara was speechless for a moment, though she'd thought about Jake marrying another woman.  She swallowed hard, her courage flagging, but her determination taking over.
    "Hello?  Can I help you?" the woman asked as her gaze slid over Sara's yellow dress and bolero jacket.
    "I'm looking for Jake Donovan.  Are you...Mrs. Donovan?"
    The woman laughed.  "Absolutely not."  She extended her hand.  "I'm Gillian Bradley, and I work with Jake.  Are you trying to find someone?"
    "Uh, no.  Just Jake."
    Gillian motioned her to follow.  "Come in.  He's in the office."
    Sara stood in Jake's living room, her emotions tightening her throat.  After four long years, everything was the same, from the native American painting above the fireplace to the hand-carved wooden lamps standing as sentinels on either side of the taupe and green tweed sofa.  The light wood end tables, their tops inlaid with mosaic tiles, even held the same bronze sculptures of wild horses Jake had purchased from an art collector.  She'd stood beside him as he'd bargained for them.  The only new piece was a chest with shelves sitting by the stairway.
    Gillian motioned to the office, a sunroom adjacent to the living room.  Sara walked toward it, her heart pounding.
    A portable playpen was set up in one corner.  But a child wasn't in it.  Jake stood by the windows, holding a toddler.  Sara couldn't believe it.
    Jake said, "I think Matthew's getting another tooth.  I have an extra teething ring in the refrigerator--"  He turned toward the doorway and went perfectly still.
    Sara knew she looked different.  She'd let her hair grow longer after Christopher was born.  She'd lost some weight, too.  Working and running after her son had kept her in shape.
    But she wasn't the only one who'd changed her hairstyle.  Where Jake had once worn his hair cropped short, it now hung to his shirt collar in the back and over his ears on the sides.  As for the rest of him--  Her heart had already tripled its rhythm.  In khakis and a cream polo shirt, he looked good enough to...hug.  But the stance of his body, the set expression on his face told her this wasn't a reunion he'd anticipated or ever expected.
    Suddenly, the baby waved his arms and reached for Jake's collar.  Jake tore his gaze from Sara's and rubbed the little guy's back as if he'd done it many times before.  "I think your mom has plans for you."
    Gillian laughed.  "It's time to go home.  He's just trying to coax you into carrying him around a bit longer."  She picked up the diaper bag sitting near the playpen, then held out her arms.
    Matthew reached for his mother, then swayed back toward Jake with a smile and a gurgle.  Jake leaned closer to Gillian.  "Go on, pal.  I'll see you tomorrow."
    Gillian lifted Matthew from Jake's arms.  After a short pout, he snuggled in his mom's arm.  "Call me if you have any questions on the notes I made.  I'll see you in the morning," she said, glancing at Sara, then back to Jake.
    Jake nodded, but his gaze returned to Sara's.  It wasn't until the front door closed that he finally looked away.
    Sara felt shell-shocked, seeing him again.  Memories came rushing back along with old feelings.  She remembered the day she'd met him, the workshop he'd presented, his intensity when he'd talked about teenagers needing to be guided in the right direction instead of letting them end up in the criminal justice system.  After his workshop, she'd approached him with a few questions.  They'd gone for coffee and talked, becoming more absorbed in