Chapter 19

19

R y awoke in Emerson's bed, her body snug against his. He heard her soft breathing and remained still.

They had made love three times. A thorough exploration late yesterday afternoon. A frenetic, passion-crazed time again after dinner, which had exhausted them both. They'd lain in bed afterward, talking for hours, and then he'd convinced her to shower together. She'd had no idea you could make love in the shower, but his girl was a quick study.

That's what he liked about her. Emerson went all-in, no matter what she was doing. Baking a wedding cake. Being loyal to a friend.

And loving him.

He'd always enjoyed sex and had taken pride in making sure it was always good for his partner. Ry had never been long-term with anyone. His time in the army hadn't been conducive for a semi-permanent relationship. He'd used sex as a way to blow off steam. Scratch an itch. Escape from the drudgery— and danger —of the battlefield.

His time with Emerson yesterday had been different from anything he'd experienced. He had never even thought to look for love, despite the fact in coming home to Lost Creek, he'd known he wanted to put down roots. Find a wife. Start a family. Now, he realized that love had found him.

The only problem now was when he should tell Emerson that he loved her.

She'd come a long way from the scared rabbit he'd met. He decided he'd actually read her wrong. She was extremely shy and did lack confidence about things she'd never experienced before. But she was a strong, proud woman. Talented. Smart. Beautiful. And very giving of herself to others. She would make the ideal partner for what Ry wanted in life. A home. His own business. And lots of kids.

He'd taken things slowly with her up until now, but he loved her— and needed her to know that.

Absently, he stroked her forearm as he thought of the best way to share his feelings for her. Then he felt her stir in his arms and realized he'd probably awakened her.

"Sorry," he said, brushing a kiss against her hair. "I didn't mean to mess with your sleep."

She turned so she faced him. "I'm an early bird. You know that. I may not go into The Bake House at three every morning these days, but old habits die hard. Are you going to run with Dax this morning?"

"Not if I can make love to you instead." He hesitated. "Are you too sore?"

"Not a bit," she assured him, pulling him down to her and kissing him. Then she broke the kiss, panic written on her face. "Oh, no. I'm so sorry."

"For what?"

She smiled ruefully. "Morning breath."

"I will take that morning breath and raise it." He kissed her. "See? We both have it. I'm not going to let it stop me from having my wicked way with you."

Emerson laughed as his lips glided along her bare shoulder. "Wicked? Is that what we did? If so, then something wicked this way comes."

Her arms went around him, and she threw one leg over his. They kissed, desire flickering in them both, and Ry lifted her so she straddled him.

She giggled. "Another wicked position?"

"One of the best. Ride me," he urged, knowing he was already hard as stone.

Frowning, she said, "Help me figure this out."

Lifting her, Ry eased her down on his shaft. Understanding lit her eyes. "My, this feels awfully good, Mr. Blackwood." She wriggled her bottom and sucked in a quick breath. " Very good."

Soon, the dance of love was in full swing as Emerson figured things out. She rocked against him, leaning over, her full breasts tempting him. He palmed them, squeezing gently, then brought her close enough so he had a mouthful of delectable goodness. The action heated up, and she rode him with enthusiasm, joy on her face. His climax was the strongest of his life, and he realized too late that he hadn't slipped on a condom.

She collapsed against him, breathing hard, her cheek resting against his beating heart.

"That was way wicked," she said, laughing. "I think you're going to teach me a lot, Ry Blackwood."

"Can I do that as your husband?" he countered.

Emerson froze. "What?" She looked down at him, their eyes meeting.

"I love you," he said.

She shook her head. "It's the sex talking," she said, denying him. "Men think with their penis at times like this."

"Nope. Not this guy," he protested. "I love you, Emerson. It's a feeling that's gradually happened. I can't pinpoint when I first felt it. It's… just there. I love you. I want a life with you. I want kids with you. Maybe a dog and cat and guinea pig."

"Guinea pig?" she asked, laughter bubbling up from her.

"Well, I'm sure one of our kids is going to be a little out of the mainstream. He— or she —will be the one that wants a guinea pig. They won't have chocolate or vanilla as their favorite ice cream and like something like pistachio instead. But we'll love this kid as much as we love the other ones."

She studied him a long moment. "You really mean it, don't you?"

"If you mean that I love you and want a life with you, then the answer is absolutely yes."

"What if something's wrong with me, and I can't have kids?"

He shrugged. "We'll adopt all of them then. You've already said you want to adopt. Maybe we can go half and half. Have a couple. Adopt a couple."

Tears brimmed in her eyes. "You would do that? Adopt?"

"You bet," he said enthusiastically. "After all, you were in the system. There are all kinds of kids in foster care, waiting for their mom and dad. We are going to make fantastic parents, whether it's kids that have our DNA or kids we choose to be mom and dad to."

Emerson covered his face with kisses. "You are the best, Ry."

"Hey, wait a minute."

She paused. "What?"

"You haven't told me how you feel about me?"

But her gray eyes gave him the answer before she spoke. "I love you, Ry. I thought I was crazy to fall in love with you because guys like you don't give girls like me the time of day. But you've changed my mind. And my heart. I cannot imagine living a single day without you. I need you like fish need water. Like the grass needs rain. Like?—"

Ry cut her off, kissing her with everything he had.

Emerson broke the kiss, though. "Let's keep this to ourselves for a while. Not tell anyone." She paused and then quietly said. "Just in case you change your mind."

"I won't ever change my mind, but we can wait a little bit before we share our good news with family and friends."

As he kissed her again, Ry knew everything was going to be fine.

Because he would spend the rest of his life with the most amazing woman on the planet.

Ry was glad he had decided to move the smokers to the event center. It had made a huge difference in getting out food for the wrap party. Ana had wanted everything to be finger foods, so neither Emerson's desserts nor the food they had combined their efforts on needed any silverware. He had enjoyed combining his smoking skills with her baking ones and concocting several new apps for the party.

From the sound of it, things were in full swing outside the kitchen. Dax and his Lone Star Rebels were playing an eclectic group of songs, which the crowd seemed to appreciate enthusiastically from their hoots and hollers and applause that occurred at the beginning and end of each song.

Ana entered the kitchen as Emerson pulled out a fresh tray of the brisket puff pastries and Ry put together one of his pork sliders.

"You two are doing a fabulous job with the food," she praised. "The cast and crew are having such a wonderful time. I know a wrap party is held at the end of productions, but sometimes people seem too tired to actually celebrate. With your food— and the band —we have a real party atmosphere going."

"I'm glad your guests are enjoying what we're providing," he said.

"This is the last of the food going out," Emerson said. "I hope everyone's enjoying the chocolate tacos you requested."

"They are superb, Emerson," Ana exclaimed. "I'm hoping you'll come to the ranch and teach me how to make them because Eva and Bear have gone wild for them. Once you've finished here, please come join the party. You deserve to kick up your heels after all the hard work you've put in tonight."

"We'll do it," Ry promised, topping the last of the sliders with their buns and signaling to Harper's staff members gathered to begin sending out the last trays to the various stations.

After Ana left, someone new appeared in the kitchen. He recognized Jack Calder from his day on the set. The leading man was the only big name in the Hill Country Homicide cast, and Ry had been impressed with Jack's acting skills. He had a woman and two small children with him.

"Hope it's okay to invade the kitchen," the actor said, giving them an easy smile, one which charmed his fans.

"You're welcome to be here," he told Jack. "Is this your family?"

Jack Calder beamed with pride, slipping an arm about his wife's waist. "This is my wife, Sandra, and our kids, Hannah and Billy. We just wanted to come back and thank you for all the fabulous food you've provided tonight. Filming in Texas and working with Wolf and Ana has been a dream. In fact, Sandra and I like Texas so much, we've decided to buy a place here. More and more movies are being shot in Texas. We're thinking it would be great to use Texas as our home base to raise the kids."

"You can't go wrong bringing up your kids in Texas," Ry told him. "Especially a place such as Lost Creek."

"We think we'll buy a ranch similar in size to what Wolf and Ana have," Jack continued. "I'd like the kids to grow up with some animals and have some responsibility. I'm a Midwestern boy with those solid Midwestern values. I don't want Billy and Hannah to become entitled Hollywood brats."

He looked at the two kids, Sandra holding baby Billy, while Jack held Hannah, who looked about three, in his arms.

"We enjoyed all the barbeque," Sandra said. "Especially when combined with the different breads and pastries."

"I like the cheesecake," Hannah piped up, causing them all to laugh.

"It looks as if you've sent all the food out," Jack continued. "Please, come join the party now. Your mom is really making her mark on the dance floor."

Ry chuckled. "Mom loves to dance. And Dad can't stand to. Fortunately, he's a good sport about letting her have as many partners as she chooses."

He looked to Emerson. "Want to go take a turn on the dance floor with me?"

She began untying her apron. "I think that sounds like a wonderful way to end the evening."

Removing his apron, he took Emerson's hand, leading her from the kitchen. The music was loud and the crowd lively. He spied his mom on the dance floor, and she waved to him.

He and Emerson blended into the crowd, and he thought of all the happy times to come in their future.

"I can't believe how much fun dancing is," she said, laughing. "You're introducing me to so many wonderful activities, Ry."

He brought his lips to her ear. "Maybe we can engage in one of those so-called wonderful activities when we get home tonight," he said, causing her to laugh even harder.

The song ended, and he said, "Let's get something to drink. We've earned it."

They headed to one of the three bars, where he asked for a Shiner Bock and Emerson got a glass of sangria. Holden waved to them, and they headed his and Finley's way.

Thrusting out a hand, Ry said, "Congratulations, my friend. Your first filmed screenplay is done."

"There's still a lot of work to come on it," Holden shared. "I've watched a lot of the daily rushes— what was filmed each day —and Wolf will now head into the editing room to tighten it up. Pacing is critical, especially in a murder mystery. Then it'll need a score added."

"It'll premier at a film festival in Austin," Finley added. "You'll be invited as VIP guests, of course." She grinned. "And you won't have to cater a thing."

"It'll be nice to have a night off," he joked.

His mom joined them. "Aren't these movie people just the nicest folks?" Shelly Blackwood asked. "They were so sweet when they filmed scenes in the diner. I was thrilled they invited us to this party as a thank you for using the diner."

"Is Dad here?" Ry asked. "I haven't seen him."

"You know him. He's working at the restaurant tonight. He did say he'd come over after closing." Her eyes skimmed the room. "Wait. There he is. Talk to you soon."

Harper and Braden came up, Harper glowing. She was about six months along now and as busy as ever. If anyone could have a baby and keep a business running smoothly, it would be Harper Hart Clark.

Ivy joined them. "Isn't this a great party? It's nice to have a night out, even if I can't dance with my husband. I've been working non-stop, wanting to finish up the last two paintings which will be in my show in September."

"Would you like to dance, Ivy?" Ry asked. "After all, I have to take care of my little sister."

She looked to Emerson. "Would you mind, Em?"

"Not a bit. Dance as much as you want with him."

They hit the dance floor, and Ivy told him, "I wanted to let you know that Dax and I are going to have a baby."

His feet stopped moving, and he wrapped her in a bear hug. "I can't believe both you and Harper will have kids so close together. That's awesome. Congratulations."

"We'll tell everyone at our friends' dinner tomorrow night, but I wanted you to know before we announced it."

They began moving again, and Ry said, "I'm honored you shared the news with me, Ivy. I've always thought of you as family. It'll be fun being an uncle to your kids."

Her eyes gleamed at him. "Speaking of family, how are things going with Emerson? Am I going to see a ring on her finger anytime soon?"

"Absolutely," he declared. "She knows that's the end goal. It's been a pretty whirlwind romance, but when you find the one you're meant to be with? You just know."

"That's how it was with Dax," Ivy revealed. "I can't imagine my life without him. He's so loving and supportive of me. And changing subjects, your food tonight was incredible. I want to be invited to every wedding at the winery just so I can keep eating all the wonderful things you and Emerson are creating."

"It's my turn to cook dinner tomorrow night," he told her. "Emerson and I are teaming up together to make something really special for the gang."

"Then I look forward to it."

The song ended, and Ry kissed Ivy's cheek, leading her back to where Emerson and their friends were talking.

Wolf Ramirez tapped him on the shoulder. "Gotta tell you, Ry, this has been the best wrap party I've ever been a part of. You and Emerson have done a fantastic job on the food, and Dax's Lone Star Rebels have really brought the house down."

The director laughed. "I should've started my own production company years, ago, just so all my wrap parties could be held at Lost Creek Vineyards." He looked to Emerson. "Ana and I are really taken with your chocolate tacos? She told me she's talked you into coming to the ranch and showing us how to make them. We'll even feed you dinner in return."

"I'd be happy to come over and do so, Wolf."

Ry started to ask Emerson to dance again when he caught sight of his dad weaving his way through the crowd, heading toward them.

And from the look on Shy Blackwood's reddened face, things were not going to go well.

He had known his dad would be scrutinizing all the food served. Many of the apps included the fusion of Asian cuisine with barbeque. Ry thought he'd prepared himself for the inevitable confrontation, but he saw now that his dad was ready to explode.

Unfortunately, the band finished playing their song just as Shy Blackwood reached them, allowing everyone present to hear him confront Ry.

In a loud voice, Shy demanded, "What the hell are you doing, son? You're ruining the Blackwood name!"