Summer Vows (Arabesque) (26 page)

Anchoring her arms under his shoulders, Ana pressed her face to his chest. She didn’t know what made Jacob change his mind and didn’t care. “You’ve just made me the happiest woman in the world.”

Jacob buried his face in her hair. “I know we haven’t had a traditional courtship or marriage but I intend to make up for it. I’m going to call you up and ask whether you’d like to go out with me. Then we’ll have to establish date night where we stay home and I’ll cook for you or you’ll cook for me.”

“I like candlelight dinners.”

“Hold up, baby, I’m getting to that. We’ll dance, flirt, and if we’re not too full or tipsy we can share a bath before retiring for bed.”

Ana swayed back and forth to the song in her head. “I’d like for us to go down to the Keys to hang out when most of the tourists have gone home. I want you to teach me how to bait a hook and catch a monster fish.”

“What else do you want, darling?”

“I want a baby.” She felt the muscles in his arms tighten.

“When do you want to start trying?”

Leaning back, Ana met his eyes. “New Year’s Eve.”

A slight frown creased his forehead. “Why then?”

“I’d like for us to renew—or say our vows for the first time on New Year’s Eve. It’s a tradition that Coles marry between the week of Christmas and New Year’s. Then we could say we had a wedding night.”

Jacob nuzzled her scented neck. “Now who’s being traditional?”

“I never denied wanting what most women want. We want romance, love and marriage, the house with the picket fence, children and family pets.”

“Are you allowed to have pets here?” he asked.

“No. I guess that means we’ll have to look for a house.”

Jacob knew he would have to compromise again. There was no doubt he would have to do a lot of compromising in his marriage, but he knew Ana was more than worth it. He’d spent years holding back with women, pushing them out of his life when they attempted to get too close. There were ones he saw because of sex, and others he could care less about if they did or did not sleep together.

The determining factor with Ana had been his protective instincts. The need to take care of her was so strong it was palpable and had nothing to do with his promise to Diego. He also had to admit that he wasn’t completely immune to Ana. When he’d noticed her at his godson’s celebration he hadn’t been able to keep his eyes off her. He’d been so enthralled by her haughty attitude that he actually felt sorry for her hapless date. She’d admitted to liking a challenge and so did he because he never knew what to expect from her.

“How many dogs and cats do you want?”

Ana couldn’t control her burst of laughter. “No more than two dogs and two cats.”

“What? No birds, fish, rabbits or gerbils?”

“No!”

“Just asking,” he teased. “I’m going to get those bags out of the foyer before your family comes.”

“I’ll help you. We can store them here and off the pantry.” The words were barely off her tongue when the doorbell rang. “That’s probably management with the duplicate card key.”

“Stay here. I’ll get it.”

Ana watched him walk away. Was that the way it would always be? She having to hide out while Jacob checked and rechecked doors, the interior of buildings, and their surroundings when he helped her into and out of a vehicle? It was then she was reminded that as a U.S. deputy marshal he’d been trained for witness protection.

* * *

The intercom rang and Ana rushed over to pick up the receiver. “Yes?”

“Ms. Cole, this is the booth. Mr. David Cole is asking for you.”

“Please let him through.”

Her pulses racing uncontrollably, Ana smiled at Jacob. “They’re here.”

Wrapping his arms around her waist, he rocked her gently from side to side. “Try to relax,
m’ija.
Everything looks wonderful.” They’d moved all the bags, storing them where they weren’t visible. Although the master bedroom had a wall-to-wall, walk-in closet, there still wasn’t enough room to store all of Ana’s clothes and shoes. He’d held his tongue when he wanted to suggest she go through the closet and donate anything she hadn’t worn in two years.

Dozens of lighted votive candles flickered on flat surfaces in the foyer, living and dining rooms. Even though Ana revealed her father was bringing food, she and Jacob decided to use up the perishables in the refrigerator, freezer and pantry to make deviled eggs, chilled shrimp and potato salad. They’d worked comfortably in the large kitchen, talking, stopping to dance if a selection on the satellite radio proved too infectious for them not to move.

She’d explained to Jacob her motivation for purchasing the condo and not a house was extreme security. The manned gatehouse and the semiprivate elevators served only two residences per floor, and the incomparable amenities included beach cabana service, two oceanfront pools, each with a bar, state-of-the-art fitness center with Olympic-size pool, a private café and elegant club room.

When he saw the excitement in his wife’s eyes Jacob knew he didn’t want Ana to have to choose where she wanted to live. Purchasing the condo had been a high point in her life not only because she’d purchased property for the first time, but also because no one knew about it until after she’d closed on the property. Owning property had become her rally cry for total independence—something she’d craved since adolescence. The excitement in her eyes told Jacob he couldn’t force Ana to give up a lifestyle that afforded her the security that made her who she was.

Ana clasped the larger hands pressed to her belly. “Thank you for helping with the cooking and setting up.”

“There’s no need to thank me. Aren’t we a team?”

“Of course we are.”

“I’ve made a decision as to where we should live.” Jacob felt Ana go completely still. “It’s not what you think.”

“What am I thinking?”

He smiled. “That I want you to move in with me. But, that’s not going to happen because I’m willing to move here and commute to Miami.” Her body slumped slightly and he tightened his hold on her slender frame. “Once we start a family we can then decide where we’d like to buy a house. If I’m going to live here, then I’m going to need some closet space.”

Turning around, Ana met his eyes. “I have too many clothes and shoes.”

Jacob’s eyebrows lifted. “You think?”

She smiled. “I know. I still have clothes at my parents’ house. What I’m going to do is go through the closet and pack up everything I no longer wear and donate them to several charitable organizations.”

Angling his head, Jacob placed a light kiss at the corners of her mouth. “That’s a wonderful idea.” It was what he’d hoped she would do.

“I’ll call the concierge tomorrow and order cartons so I can box...” The chime of the doorbell preempted her statement. “That’s Daddy.”

Jacob dropped his arms. “I’ll get it.”

Ana stood in the middle of the living room, her heart pounding a runaway rhythm as she waited to see her father and brother. Jacob’s pronouncement that he was willing to relocate from Miami had shocked her as much as his revelation that her net worth would no longer become a topic of discussion. It was apparent he wanted to save their marriage and he was willing to compromise and make the necessary sacrifices to achieve that goal. And he wasn’t just mouthing the words, but that he truly loved her.

Jones men make good husbands. We support our women, protect them and remain faithful.
Ana bit her lip to stop its trembling when she recalled Jacob’s boast. “I love him,” she whispered over and over as tears rolled down her face. She was still crying when her mother, sisters, nieces, nephews and cousins rushed into the living room, hugging and kissing her until she felt faint.

“Please stop! I can’t breathe.”

Jacob managed to wind his way through the throng of Coles to rescue his wife, his arms going protectively around her body as she wiped away her tears. “I know you’re happy to see Ana, but right now she’s a little overwhelmed because she didn’t expect all of you to show up.”

David, Jason, Diego and Gabriel walked in, all carrying large covered trays from which wafted the most mouth-watering aromas. “Welcome home, baby girl,” David shouted loudly as he strolled in the direction of the kitchen.

“I wanted to tell you that the family was coming, but David swore me to secrecy,” Diego said, as he followed his uncle into the kitchen.

Jason lingered, dipping his head and kissing Ana’s cheek. “You look pretty good for an old married woman.”

Ana hugged her twin. “You try marriage. It definitely has its perks.” She smiled at her mother who stood motionless with the most angelic smile on her face. “Hello, Mama.” She extended her arms and Ana wasn’t disappointed when Serena walked into her embrace.

Serena pulled back, staring into a pair of eyes so much like her own, her gaze moving slowly over her daughter’s face. “You’re a little thin, but other than that you look beautiful.”

A rush of joy and peace enveloped Ana like her mother’s hug. She touched the graying reddish curls. “Jacob has promised to fatten me up.”

Serena gave her a startled look. “Are you planning on getting pregnant?”

“Not yet. I’d like to get used to being married first.”

“You’re staying together?”

“Of course,” Ana said glibly. “We love each other.”

“Titi!”

Ana glanced down to find her goddaughter Victoria Grayslake tugging on the leg of her white slacks. Bending slightly, she picked up the four-year-old, hugging her tightly and spinning her around and around, Victoria squealing for her to go faster and faster.

She stopped abruptly, her own head spinning until she regained her balance. Pressing her forehead to the little girl’s, Ana stared into a pair of hazel eyes that changed color depending upon her mood. Heavy red waves fell over the child’s damp forehead. She planted a loud kiss on her cheek. “Thank you for coming to see me.”

Victoria flashed a smile, and a single dimple appeared in her right cheek. “You’re welcome.”

The little girl never failed to surprise Ana. Vicky, as her younger cousins called her, was articulate and extremely bright. Alexandra and Merrick had enrolled her in preschool, but at three Vicky was reading on a third-grade level. Her parents subsequently enrolled her in a school for gifted children where the child blossomed like a newly opened flower.

Ana took turns hugging her older brother, his wife and their three children. Going on tiptoe, she whispered in Diego’s ear that she was going to get him back for not telling her he’d arranged for the family to welcome her home.

Diego lifted her until her sandaled feet were off the floor. “If I’d told you, then it wouldn’t have been a surprise.”

She kissed his cheek. “
Gracias, primo.
Excuse me, but I want say hello to Vivienne, then I have to figure out where everyone’s going to sit.”

“Don’t worry about that. Your dining-room table seats twelve, so that’s enough room for the grown folks. You can spread a tablecloth on the floor for the kids so they’ll think they’re having a picnic. Even if they ate at a table you know that most of the food ends up on the floor anyway.”

Anna nodded in agreement as her gaze swept over the assembly. “Where’re Michael and Jolene? I thought they would’ve come down with Alex.” Her cousin and his wife lived Georgetown, and Alexandra and Merrick lived in Alexandria.

“Jolene is kinda pregnant, so she decided to sit this out until she’s feeling better.”

Ana wanted to tell Diego there was no such thing as kinda pregnant. Either she was or she wasn’t. “Where’s Merrick?” It was a Saturday, and she knew he worked Monday through Friday.

Taking her arm, Diego led her away from the others. “We can’t involve Merrick, Gavin or even your husband in this.”

With wide eyes, she stared numbly at him. “What are you talking about?”

“Lower your voice, Ana. They’re federal agents and we don’t want to compromise their careers.”

“Who are
we?
” she whispered harshly.

“Martin, your father, Jason, Joshua, Timothy, Matthew Sterling and myself.”

Ana held up a hand. “Please don’t tell me anymore.” She’d heard enough. As a child she’d overheard conversations that Matthew Sterling had been a highly paid mercenary before he’d retired to become a New Mexico horse breeder.

Turning on her heels, she approached Vivienne and Jacob. The sight of her husband cradling his godson while the toddler slept on his shoulder hit her full force. Ana stared at the large hand splayed over the child’s back and at that moment she tried fantasizing about him holding their son or daughter. She’d asked that he wait until after they exchanged vows to begin a family, but seeing him now had her questioning herself.

Was she being fair to him when he’d confessed to wanting to get her pregnant? Jacob had done all the compromising, while she’d remained inflexible as to what she wanted or wouldn’t do. Marriage was about give and take and so far she’d done all of the taking. A satisfied smile crossed her features. It was her turn to do a little giving.

“Hi, Viv,” she said, greeting Diego’s gorgeous wife. Her high cheekbones, sensual mouth and tawny-colored eyes that made her appear slightly startled had most men giving her a second look whenever she entered a room.

Vivienne hugged Ana, then looping their arms steered her over to the window. “I’ll have you know I gave Diego the business when he told me that he’d arranged for you to marry Jake, but when he explained why it was necessary I told him I would think about forgiving him. You know how I feel about Jake. If it hadn’t been for his help in solving my ex-husband’s so-called hit-and-run I wouldn’t be here talking to you.”

Ana stared at the woman who’d pulled her shoulder-length hair up in a ponytail. “Do you think I’m going to hurt him, Vivienne?”

“Oh, no,” she said much too quickly.

“Everyone knows how controlling Diego can be,” Ana said in a softer tone. “But this is one time I have to say he did the right thing. I’m in love with Jacob.”

Vivienne’s expression brightened. “You’re kidding?”

“No, I’m not. We’ve decided to stay together.”

“Hot damn!” Vivienne said between clenched teeth. “I know it’s a little premature, but will you become godmother for my next baby.”