CHAPTER21
Jakob walked into the house unable to shake how close they had come to losing Blanche. That grizzly would have torn her apart. A shiver rippled through him.
Yes, he’d retrieved the locket from that bitch Alice. She wouldn’t be bothering them any longer. And in fact, Aunt Grace warned her that one more episode and she would be on the streets before the coach arrived to take her home.
Thank goodness, she was leaving, going back to Charleston on the next stage. Jakob intended to make certain she got on that rattle trap. She was not staying in Treasure Falls.
All he’d thought about was Blanche on the way home. If he continued on this path, she would own his heart and soul. And then he would be so vulnerable.
And yet he knew he loved her. Today had proven that to him. Yes, she got into a fight, but it was because she was trying to retrieve a family heirloom he’d given her.
Every time he looked at her, his heart clenched with terror and his dick would harden. Part of him wanted to run out the door, jump on his horse, and ride away, and then Martin would give him that look that recognized Jakob was dealing with his demons.
Tonight he hoped they fucked them away because he was tired of fighting his expectations and reality. Blanche had done what she thought was necessary to save his family heirloom.
And that made him proud.
A whining noise whimpered from inside his shirt.
“Shhh, it’s okay. We’re almost home and you’re going to love your new mama.”
Tonight he and Martin planned to claim her together and he couldn’t wait. When he reached the house, he ran up the porch. Pulling out his gift, the puppy licked his face. His heart warmed with love as he entered the house. Martin and Blanche glanced up.
“You’re home,” she said.
He grinned. He liked the way she said the word home like this was her place as well as his. Then she saw the puppy and her eyes widened.
“If you’re going to stay and make this your permanent home, you need a dog.”
She jumped up and ran to him and he pulled her into his arms. Squishing the little dog between them.
“Thank you, thank you,” she said, crying as she rubbed behind his ears. “I’ve missed Rusty so bad. But now we have this little pup.”
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the locket.
“She resisted giving it back, but I told her that my next stop would be the sheriff and she returned it,” he said, thinking the woman was a total bitch to him, and he was glad Blanche had busted her nose.
“I’m so sorry,” she said, tears rolling down her face.
He reached for her and gently wiped away her tears. “Let me fight for you.”
She nodded. “It’s just I had planned on giving it to our first born and the thought of someone stealing it overcame me.”
A grin spread across his face. That was what he wanted, this locket to be handed down to his son or his daughter. And he intended on buying more jewelry for Blanche to give to their children upon her death.
And Lord, he hoped and prayed it wasn’t anytime soon.
“I love that idea,” he said. “Now who is going to protect you from having to fight?”
“You and Martin,” she said.
Taking the puppy from him, she cuddled him in her arms. “What are we going to name you, little pup? You’re so cute.”
The dog proceeded to lick her face and she laughed. “Puppy kisses.”
Setting him down on the floor, he promptly peed.
“Oh dear. You’re going to need some training. Outside. Puppies go outside,” she told him before going to the kitchen to get a towel to clean up the mess.
The puppy scampered after her and she smiled at him. Then she glanced up at her husband and smiled. “Thank you. The best gift ever.”
Jakob’s heart warmed. He loved this woman and knew she had made his life so much better.
For the next thirty minutes, they played with the puppy until his eyes began to droop.
“Time for bed,” she told him.
Martin went to the barn and found him a box and she lined it with rags.
“Night, night, baby,” she told him. The little dog curled up and was soon fast asleep.
With a contented sigh, Blanche held out her hand to Jakob.
He pulled her deeper into his arms and Martin sandwiched her between them. No, he had not wanted to get married, but now he was so damn glad they had found Blanche.
She glanced up at him and then turned to face Martin.
“Gentlemen, I’ll be waiting in the bedroom, naked,” she said. “I suggest you hurry along. Tonight you can both claim me at the same time.”
Martin’s eyes grew large. “We’ll give you five minutes to prepare.” She ran up the stairs, a giggle in her voice.