To a Macallister Born Read online

  Jennifer lifted her head from Jack’s shoulder and turned to look at him. “Jack?” she said softly.

  He met her gaze. “Hmm?”

  She placed one hand on his cheek, then raised up enough to capture his lips with hers. Jack jerked in surprise, then slid one hand to the nape of her neck and returned the kiss with equal intensity.

  Heat rocketed through him and his desire soared instantly. He had to force himself to break the kiss, then drew a ragged breath.

  “Jennifer,” he said, his voice rough, “don’t. You’re exhausted. Let’s not start something here that can’t be finished.”

  “But you said it was my night,” she said. “Mine. This is what I choose to do with it. I want you, Jack.” She paused. “Of course, if you’re too tired, then—”

  Jennifer’s words were smothered by Jack’s mouth covering hers in a melting kiss that stole the very breath from her body. She wrapped her arms around his neck, sinking her fingertips into the lush thickness of his hair, urging his mouth harder onto hers.

  She was filled with immeasurable joy—a sense of completeness—that was accompanied by raging passion she made no attempt to quell.

  She was falling for this man, her heart sang. She was falling in love with Jack MacAllister, who was real, and honest, and everything he claimed to be. Surely he would never betray her, lie to her. After all, she knew his truths, knew he would be leaving soon.

  This night was hers.

  She would bask in the wondrous glory of making love with a man with no secrets, no weapons of duplicity to destroy her with.

  The memories would be hers to cherish once Jack was gone. Memories of a relationship that she would not have to bury deep within her to keep the pain from ripping her to shreds.

  Oh, yes, this night was hers.

  Jennifer shifted her hands to push lightly against Jack’s chest, ending the passionate kiss. She got to her feet and, her gaze never leaving his, removed her clothes. She stood naked before him, the light from the dancing flames in the hearth cascading over her like a golden waterfall.

  Jack’s heart thundered as he strove for control. He made himself sit where he was, drinking in the vision of loveliness standing before him.

  There she was, he thought hazily. Jennifer. His Jennifer. She was rendering herself totally vulnerable, trusting him, believing in him, knowing he would never hurt her.

  And he trusted and believed in her.

  Ah, yes, he truly did, because this was Jennifer, a woman like none he’d ever known before. An honest woman. A real woman. She didn’t have a secret agenda, wasn’t attempting to take from him more than he was willing, or able, to give.

  No, not Jennifer.

  She was simply Jennifer Mackane, exactly as she was, as he knew her to be.

  And he loved her.

  Jack stiffened, every muscle in his body tensing as the realization of his emotions slammed into his mind.

  No! he thought frantically. How had this happened? When had he lost the tight command over his heart?

  He had to get out of there, out of this house, put as much distance as possible between him and Jennifer as quickly as he could.

  Run, MacAllister.

  Run, before Jennifer discovered the true depths of his feelings for her, had the power to demolish him, strip him bare of all his defenses.

  Go. Run. Now!

  “Jack?” Jennifer said, her voice quivering slightly as a shadow of uncertainty clouded her features. “Don’t…don’t you want me?”

  Ah, hell, Jack thought, he couldn’t fight the spell Jennifer had cast over him. He couldn’t leave her now, causing her to question his desire for her.

  He couldn’t do that—not to the woman he loved.

  Jack rolled to his feet. “Want you? You’ll never know how much.”

  Jennifer smiled. “Then show me.”

  Jack tore off his clothes, flinging them aside, then closed the distance between him and Jennifer. He took her into his arms, then lowered her to the floor and lay next to her. His mouth melted over hers, and a groan of need rumbled in his chest.

  Jennifer splayed her hands on Jack’s back, relishing the feel of his taut muscles beneath her palms.

  Power. Strength, her mind hummed. But infinite tenderness, gentleness. Magnificent. Oh, how very magnificent was this man.

  “Jack, please,” she whispered, close to his lips. “I can’t bear it. I need you. I want you…now.”

  “Yes. I’ve got to protect you, though, so—”

  “No, no,” she said, her hold on him tightening as a sob caught in her throat. “Don’t leave me. It’s all right. It’s the wrong time of the month. It’s safe. Don’t leave me. Come to me, Jack. Please.”

  All rational thought fled Jack’s mind. He moved over her and thrust into her with one powerful surge, filling her.

  It was wild. Earthy. Rough and real. The rhythm was pounding, the cadence thundering.

  They were flung into oblivion seconds apart, holding fast to each other as they shattered into brilliant pieces. They lingered there, etching memories indelibly in their minds.

  When they returned to reality, they didn’t speak. They lay close, limbs entwined, sated and contented.

  Jack moved finally to pull an afghan from the sofa to cover their cooling bodies.

  Then with Jennifer’s head nestled on Jack’s shoulder, they slept.

  Chapter Eleven

  Jennifer peered into the oven, nodded in approval as she looked at the turkey, then closed the door. She turned to the counter and began to cut tomatoes into cubes for a salad while she hummed off-key.

  Thanksgiving day, she thought. It was time to take a quiet moment and count her blessings—a pleasant task that would probably take more than all her fingers and toes to complete.

  The sound of laughter reached her where she worked in the kitchen, and she smiled, knowing her home was filled with people who were important to her, people she loved.

  Out in the living room, probably chattering like a magpie, was Joey, her precious son. It had been ten days since the frightening event of his surgery, and Joey was practically as good as new. He’d return to school on Monday, no doubt ready to relate his great adventure to anyone who would listen to the exciting tale.

  Her beloved parents had driven up from Phoenix for the special day, and it was wonderful to see them. Andrea and Brandon were here, Aunt Prudence and Aunt Charity, Megan and Ben.

  And Jack.

  Jack, Jack, Jack, Jennifer thought, tossing a handful of tomato chunks into a bowl. The intensity and depth of her feelings for him grew with every passing day…and night, despite her knowing they had no future together.

  She was an idiot. And she would pay a heavy price when Jack left Prescott, which he most certainly would.

  All she knew for sure was that now, right now, she was happier, more fulfilled and complete, than she had ever been in her life. While Jack didn’t know how she felt about him, she certainly did, and she was savoring every moment, every memory while Jack was still there.

  The piper would come to collect his due when Jack was gone. She knew that, but still, she felt as she did.

  “Football, football, football,” Andrea said, coming into the kitchen. “We actually had some conversation going out there for a bit, but so much for that. The men are now watching other men clobber each other. What a silly game that is.”

  Jennifer laughed. “Don’t let my mother hear you say that. She’s a devoted fan of that nonsense. I told her that she likes to see guys wearing tight pants. She just smiled, and did not deny it.”

  “Aunt Charity is watching the game, but Aunt Prudence is talking to Megan. I bet Aunt Charity takes a good look at those nifty male tushes, too.”

  “I’m sure she does,” Jennifer said, smiling.

  “What can I do to help you with dinner?”

  “Nothing. It’s all under control. With each of you bringing a part of the meal, there isn’t that much for me to do. The turkey is cookin
g right on schedule. You and baby-girl Hamilton can just sit down at the table there and relax.”

  “Baby-girl Hamilton?” Andrea said, settling onto one of the chairs at the kitchen table.

  Jennifer nodded. “No doubt about it. Jack told me about the MacAllister family baby bet and how Brandon qualifies because he’s a close friend of a MacAllister. Brandon says you’re having a girl, so—”

  “I know, I know,” Andrea said, laughing. “They made a believer out of me, too. I’m concentrating on the bachelor bet now. There are three candidates for marriage in the running—Jack, his brother Richard, and our own Sheriff Cable Montana.”

  “So I’ve heard. Jack told me.”

  “It would seem that Jack has kept you up to date on a lot of things, Jennifer.”

  “Yes, well, I’ve been meaning to talk to you about Jack, but I never see you alone for long enough at the hotel.”

  “Oh?”

  Jennifer covered the salad bowl, put it in the refrigerator , then crossed the room and sat down opposite Andrea at the table.

  “I’m all ears,” Andrea said.

  “No, you’re all tummy,” Jennifer said. “How are you feeling these days?”

  “Fat,” Andrea said. “Don’t change the subject. What did you want to discuss with me regarding Jack?”

  Jennifer took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Okay,” she said, “here goes. I know Ben must have told you that he saw Jack and me kissing in the waiting room at the hospital the day of Joey’s surgery. And we were…kissing. Actually, you see, Jack and I are involved in a…What I mean is, we’re—Now I realize it’s very foolish because he’ll be leaving soon, and I’ll never see him again, but I don’t care because I’ve never been this happy, and I’m holding fast to what I’m sharing with Jack for as long as it’s mine to have.”

  Jennifer lifted her chin. “I don’t want to hear that I’m headed for heartache because it’s all temporary. I know the facts and I’ve accepted them, so don’t worry about me. I just felt that since Ben told you what he’d witnessed at the hospital, I should explain that no one need be concerned that I’ll be a basket case when Jack goes. Sad? Yes. Missing Jack? Oh, yes. But I’ll be all right in time.”

  Jennifer nodded. “There. That covers it, I guess. Oh, wait. There’s Joey, too. He’s very fond of Jack, idolizes him, but we remind him that Jack will be leaving before Christmas. Joey seems to understand that. So, that’s it. That should answer any questions you might have after Ben reported what he saw.”

  “I see,” Andrea said slowly. “There’s just one little thing you ought to know.”

  “What is it?” Jennifer said, frowning.

  “Ben never said one word about seeing you and Jack kissing,” Andrea said, laughing.

  “Oh, good grief,” Jennifer said. “I don’t believe this. I was certain that he would go racing right over to the hotel and…Don’t men know how to gossip?”

  Andrea shrugged. “Some don’t, apparently. Ben is a very private person, you know. Look how long he kept silent about the fact that he might lose his sight at some point in the future.”

  “That’s true,” Jennifer said, nodding. “Well, I just blithered my little heart out for no reason.”

  “I’m glad you told me, Jennifer, and I’m sincerely happy for you. I’m a bit worried, too, that you’ll be hurt by this relationship because it will all be over soon.”

  “Nope. Won’t happen. I won’t be hurt.”

  “I hope you’re right.” Andrea paused, then nodded. “This explains why Jack…Yes, it makes sense.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Well, I’ll confess that we all had been discussing you a bit, wondering why you refused to even date. Jack presented a theory—this was early on, right after he’d met you—that maybe you weren’t grieving for the happiness you’d had in your marriage with Joe Mackane, but were protecting yourself because that union had been…well, totally miserable.”

  Jennifer felt the color drain from her face. “Jack said that?”

  “Yes, and it was something none of us had ever thought of,” Andrea said, “due to the fact that you named Joey after his father.”

  “Yes,” Jennifer whispered. “Yes, I did.”

  “Anyway, Jack got us all upset with that new thought and he promised to report back on any clues he got while he was repairing your house. Please don’t be angry, Jennifer. This was all done because we care so much about you.”

  Jennifer nodded, still gazing at Andrea. Yes, she thought frantically, all of them did care about her, but, dear heaven, no, she didn’t want anyone to know the truth about her and Joe Mackane.

  “The thing is,” Andrea went on, “Jack suddenly clammed up, wouldn’t say a word, said it was actually none of our business. It was baffling because it had been his idea in the first place. Now everything makes sense.”

  “It does?” Jennifer said.

  “Well, sure. Jack was becoming personally involved with you. Whatever had kept you from dating for the past five years was no longer standing in your way. But Jack, gentleman that he is, wasn’t about to show up for breakfast at Hamilton House and announce to all of us that there was no longer any cause for concern about you because he was sleeping with you.”

  Jennifer’s earlier pallor was replaced by a flush of embarrassment.

  “I never said that we were—” she started.

  Andrea laughed. “Hey, it’s all right. I’m a big girl, know the facts of life. Of course you’re sleeping with Jack.” Her smile faded. “But, oh, Jennifer, I don’t want to see you brokenhearted when he leaves.”

  “I’ll be fine,” Jennifer said quietly. “I really will. This time with Jack is like a gift I’m giving myself. I feel so womanly, so alive, so—”

  “In love?” Andrea said gently.

  “Oh, no, no, I…” Jennifer sighed. “Well, truth is, I think I’m falling in love with Jack. I certainly didn’t intend for that to happen, believe me, but I’ve accepted the reality of it and am prepared to handle it when he’s gone.”

  “Does Jack know how you feel about him?”

  “Heavens, no,” Jennifer said. “There’s absolutely no point in his knowing. In fact, it might be disastrous if he knew. He could very well break things off between us and leave for California earlier than he planned if he thought things were getting…sticky, shall we say, between us. No, he mustn’t find out the depths of my feelings. I don’t want to lose what time I have left with him—not one minute of it.”

  “Oh, dear me,” Andrea said, shaking her head. “This sounds so emotionally…dangerous for you.”

  “Worry not, my friend,” Jennifer said, getting to her feet. “I’m in control. All is right with the world. I’ve got to check on my turkey.”

  As had been agreed, Brandon had brought a long, folding table from one of the conference rooms at the hotel, as well as enough chairs to seat Jennifer’s guests. The table was set up in the living room behind the sofa that faced the fireplace.

  Jennifer’s parents had surprised her with a lovely centerpiece of flowers in fall colors that looked perfect on the off-white linen tablecloth.

  Jack’s contribution to the event had been several bottles of top-of-the-line wine that Jennifer poured into crystal glasses. The table was filled with a variety of food, and delicious aromas floated through the air.

  Jennifer sat at the head of the table with Jack on her right and Joey on her left, his plastic glass containing apple juice.

  “A toast,” Jennifer said, lifting her glass after everyone was seated. “To family.”

  “Hear! Hear!” Brandon said.

  Jennifer clinked her glass against Joey’s, then turned to repeat the ritual with Jack. He met her gaze and she smiled as their glasses touched. She forced herself to break the warm, visual contact with him, then spoke to her father, who sat at the opposite end of the table.

  “Would you say grace, please, Dad?” she said.

  Dishes were soon being passed a
nd several conversations taking place at the same time. The noise level was high, the mood festive.

  To family, Jack thought, mentally repeating Jennifer’s toast. Yes, that was who was gathered around this table—friends who were so close and caring they were a family. It had been a great many years since he’d taken part in a traditional Thanksgiving like this one.

  Family.

  Jack slid a glance at Jennifer, then Joey, as he began to eat. He loved them. There was no point in attempting to deny it, nowhere to hide from the momentous truth of it. He loved Jennifer as a man loved a woman. He loved Joey as a father would a son.

  The unanswered question was…what was he going to do about it?

  Jennifer didn’t have a clue as to his true feelings for her. He would leave for California just before Christmas as planned, with Jennifer none the wiser.

  And that should be that. End of story.

  But it wasn’t, and he knew it.

  He hadn’t intended to fall in love with Jennifer Mackane, nor have his heart well and truly captured by her son, and he was angry as hell at himself that he had let it actually happen. A cold fist tightened in his gut as he once again questioned his inability to see the real agenda hidden by a woman.

  But the thought of leaving Jennifer and Joey, walking out of their lives, never seeing them again, caused his stomach to clench yet again each time the image of their last goodbye flashed in his mind’s eye.

  Family.

  His was waiting for him on the coast—the huge MacAllister clan, plus close friends who were included in the group. He’d be surrounded by those who loved him, overrun by little kids eager to spend time with fun-loving Uncle Jack. He’d have more than enough people to fill his idle hours.

  Yet…

  None of them would be Jennifer. None of them would be Joey.

  His family. His wife.

  Jack choked on a sip of wine as the word wife echoed loudly in his mind.

  “Goodness,” Jennifer said, reaching over and patting him on the back.

  “It just went down the wrong way,” he said, smiling slightly.

  “I must say, Jack,” Jennifer’s father said, “that the old homestead looks great. I understand you’re the one to thank for that.”