To Meet a Hart - Chapter 11
The cool Southern California morning was the ideal setting for a polo match, but also for a wedding which was to be held later that day. Jonathan's long time and Jennifer's more recent friends Mel and Ryan were to be married in a fairytale setting. But first, the excitement of Jennifer's first polo game in California.
She walked around to the back end of the SUV where Jonathan stood unloading their bags. He grabbed both his and hers, and lowered the door.
"I don't suppose you're going to let me carry my own bag?"
"Nope, not yet anyway."
Jennifer shook her head smiling, but took the opportunity of her hands being free to put her arm around his waist and lean into his shoulder. Jonathan leaned and kissed the top of her head, and the pair walked toward the field.
"May the best man win," Jonathan offered and handed over her bag, then kissed Jennifer's cheek before heading to his own team's area at the side of the field.
"Or the best woman," she called after him.
He turned and gave her a wink and a jaunty grin.
She watched him walk away, enjoying the view and appreciating the confidence of his stride. He really was made for her, she marveled. As she headed toward her team's tent, she focused on the match to come.
After play began, neither could do more than try to keep up with the pace of the game. Both were excellent riders, but each team had a new player, Jennifer on her team, and the defensive player on Jonathan's team. The match was heated, and the score inched up slowly, the score volleying back and forth. The final chukka, understandably, was the most tense, and the horses and their riders pushed for victory. Jonathan dashed down the field trailed by most of the opposing team, and successfully scored the winning goal. His happiness came to a screeching halt when he turned back toward the broad expanse of field and saw Jennifer's horse standing without her rider, and Jennifer sprawled out on the ground.
He raced to her, and jumped from his mount, followed by the onsite medical team.
"Jennifer?" Jonathan kneeled down at her side, and ran his gloved hand down her leg slowly and methodically, checking for injuries.
"She's not responding," the young medic stated in a concerned tone.
As his hand came back to rest on the ground near her hip, he felt a hand grab his wrist, prompting Jonathan to breathe a huge sigh of relief.
"Darling, are you okay?"
She didn't open her eyes but flirted, "Nothing a big bubble bath and your magic hands can't fix."
Jonathan smiled and looked up at the medic who was now trying to not laugh out loud. The medic gave a thumbs up to the crowd that had circled a few feet away, which was met with a hearty round of applause.
"We should really get her on the board and make sure there are no serious injuries, club rules."
Jennifer's eyes popped open at the sound of the unfamiliar voice and she started to argue, "I don't think—"
"She doesn't think she can thank you enough for your suggestion, and she'll happily lay here quietly until you're ready to safely move her."
"That's not what I was going to say" she pulled her elbows under her to prop herself up.
"It's okay darling, I'm here to help when you can't find the right words."
Jennifer rolled her eyes. "Congratulations on your win," she conceded and let herself settle back to a horizontal position.
"Thank you, that's very sporting of you," Jonathan smirked.
"This time!" she added
"This time? You think you stand a chance next time?"
"If Ryan was here, if he hadn't been busy with his wedding day preparations, I have no doubt we would have beat your team soundly."
"Big talk from a woman laying on the ground having fallen off her horse."
"Hey! I didn't fall!"
"I'm teasing, I'm just glad you're okay." He pulled the glove from his hand and brushed his bare knuckle down Jennifer's cheek, letting his warm gaze hold hers. "Now, let them take you to the medical tent to look you over, okay?"
"You're coming with me?"
"Absolutely, I'd follow you anywhere."
H2H2H2H2H
After she received the all clear from the club's medic team, Jonathan loaded Jennifer in the SUV, and drove her back to the house.
"Why don't you go on up and I'll be right behind you with some drinks and snacks."
"Thank you darling, I really am fine, you don't need to wait on me. You heard what they said, the fall just knocked the wind out of me."
"Just let me pamper you, okay? It's the least I can do for the woman I love."
The pair exchanged a warm look, and exchanged a soft kiss.
"Go on now, you can start the water and pick whatever bubbly concoction makes you happy."
"You're not being so nice because my team lost, are you?" Jennifer asked as she climbed the stairs.
Jonathan smiled and looked up as she passed him at the railing, "I wouldn't dream of it darling, something tells me it won't happen all that often."
H2H2H2H
"What kept you? I was starting to think you'd changed your mind." Wrapped in a cotton robe, Jennifer stood at the edge of the tub sprinkling in some soaking salts followed by a little bit of bubble bath.
"I had to fill Max in on the match. Once I told him what had happened to you, he insisted on making the tray. He said to tell you to be sure to eat a decent amount and not peck like a bird like you usually do."
"I don't peck," she said defensively, as Jonathan set down the loaded tray at the stone ledge behind the tub.
"Actually, he's right, you don't eat near enough, and since I make sure you get exercise very regularly, you should probably consider upping your caloric intake."
"You make sure?"
"Of course, just for the sake of your health."
Jennifer smiled and let her robe fall from her shoulders. "Right, just for my sake?"
As anticipated, Jonathan was mesmerized by the site of her toned form, and in response pulled his shirt over his head. "Yes, I do it all for you darling, though I do enjoy it," he stepped toward her, "very, very much."
H2H2H2H
After pausing to reheat the water, Jennifer and Jonathan sat in the large soaking tub, her seated on top of his outstretched legs, leaned back against his broad chest. The subtle citrus scent of the bubble bath she had chosen filled the air.
"You okay back there?" she asked, stretching her arms back to circle his neck. Jennifer had noticed that Jonathan had become quiet, even pensive.
The movement of her arms resting on either side of his neck pulled him into the present, and the sight of her chest exposed above the water pushed him to change gears and actively appreciate the opportunity.
"Yes, just thinking."
"About what?"
"About how gorgeous you are, and how much I love you, and that I'm so glad that you weren't hurt today."
"I'm fine, I promise, though I'm still waiting for that back rub," Jennifer flirted.
"If you'll turn around, I'd be happy to get started." Jonathan kissed her, and then leaned back to give her space to turn, his hands never leaving her sides. He deftly lifted her as she turned, and then assisted her back down, strategically aligning the descent.
"But now you're not facing my back," she whispered, her mouth an inch from his.
"Do you doubt that I can multitask?" Jonathan leaned forward and captured her lips. After hearing her moan, he trailed his hands down her side, to her hips, and around to knead the muscles at either side of her spine.
"I'm impressed," Jennifer's voice resonated with the effect his touch was having.
"What can I say, you inspire me."
After a few minutes of letting him knead the stiff muscles in her back, Jennifer placed her hands on his upper arms. "Hey," she whispered softly, her stare waiting on his.
"Hmmm?"
"Are you really okay? Stop flirting and talk to me."
Jonathan smiled despite her request. He loved that she knew him this well. "You getting hurt today—"
"I'm fine, I told you," she interrupted.
"I know, really, but it still got me thinking. If anything happened to you, it would change my entire life. In the short time we've known each other you've filled the other half of my heart and my mind keeps drifting to the what if scenarios. What if you had been more seriously hurt, what if you had been paralyzed, what if you had been killed?"
"If I had been paralyzed, would you love me any less?"
"Absolutely not!"
"Do you want me to stop playing polo?"
"Of course not! You love it, and you're good at it! Better than me, that's for sure."
"I don't know about that, but Jonathan, isn't that what love and life for that matter, is all about? We have to jump in, feet first. I don't want anything to happen to either one of us, but to have you to experience everything with has turned my world upside down in the most amazing way."
He chuckled, "you know you have the most incredible way with words. You should really think about being a writer."
"Jonathan?" She didn't want the serious tone of their conversation to be lost with his teasing.
"Stop worrying, darling, I really am ok. Our game plan is to enjoy life together, as an adventure, side by side."
She interjected, "Taking care of each other, loving one another, making each other laugh…creating our very own happily ever after."
"I wonder if Mel and Ryan already wrote their vows, because those sounded pretty good to me."
"I love you Jonathan Hart," she wrapped her arms around his torso, and leaned forward to rest her head on his chest. The sound of his heartbeat seemed a perfect harmony to her own.
"I love you too Jennifer Edwards," he kissed the top of her head, and wrapped his own arms around the most important person in his world.
H2H2H2H
The wedding scene was idyllic, well worth the 45-minute drive out of the city. Besides, there was nowhere else Jonathan and Jennifer would have wanted to be than celebrating this day with two of their closest friends.
The attractive couple walked under the lattice portico and paused to take in the venue. White wooden folding chairs were aligned in rows to create the all important center aisle. The white pergola at the end of the aisle was decorated with twirled vines, which drew the eye to the rows of vineyards beyond. All of the natural beauty was highlighted by swags of silky fabrics, bows, and white flowers to make it clear to all in attendance that this was a high end wedding. To Jennifer, it seemed no detail had been overlooked and no expense had been spared. She couldn't deny it was beautiful, but in a very formal way. After a moment, she felt Jonathan's hand on her back, guiding her to walk forward to their seats.
"Remind me, is this the bride's side, or the groom's?" she whispered as they found their seat on the left side of the aisle.
"I've known Mel the longest, so I went with the bride's."
Other guests joined the pair, all waiting for the magic moment when the bride walked down the aisle.
Jonathan leaned over, "What kind of wedding do you want to have?"
"I don't know."
"Really? I thought all little girls had dreams of white veils and long trains."
"That's very chauvinistic of you, Mr. Hart," she teased back. "Besides, what about you? Do you have a vision of that perfect matrimonial moment?"
"I do actually, it's the one where you're up there with me at the front of the aisle."
"That's it, that's all you want?"
"Maybe some cake."
Jennifer laughed softly and leaned forward to kiss him, then the music started, diverting their attention.
The bridesmaids came first, in shades of blush pink, three in a row walking in time with the instrumental provided by a small quartet positioned off to the side of the clearing. Then, the music tempo changed and the guests stood for the bride's entrance.
A low murmur of excitement came from the group once Mel appeared at the base of the aisle. Jennifer reached for Jonathan's hand which he automatically took in his own and held. Mel was a vision in her silky sheath gown, the epitome of elegance as she walked past the smiling guests on the arm of a man Jennifer assumed was her father.
When Mel reached Ryan, their love for one another was unmistakably obvious, and the service continued through the vows, the exchange of rings, and finally the kiss, before the couple walked back down the aisle together as man and wife. After the ceremony, the music continued to play and the guests were invited to head toward a large barn shaped building where the reception was being held.
H2H2H2H
"Now you seem deep in thought," Jonathan whispered against Jennifer's temple as they slowly danced surrounded by other couples doing the same. String lights subtly illuminated the room providing a romantic glow to the scene.
"I am, I guess. Just thinking. They look very happy, don't they?"
Jonathan turned to see Mel and Ryan taking their own turn on the dance floor. "Very. What about you?" he turned back to face Jennifer and studied her face.
"With you? I've never been happier in my life." She kissed him softly and nestled closer in his embrace, continuing to sway to the music.
"So I shouldn't be worried that you've had your engagement ring turned in all evening?" he whispered against her temple.
"What? No, I'm sorry darling." It was Jennifer's turn to pull back and face him. "I haven't had a chance to see Mel to share the good news and didn't want to detract from her big day, that's all."
"You're a very, very kind hearted woman, Jennifer Edwards, but you deserve your own chance to shine."
"When we have our own wedding, I will."
Jonathan slid his thumb from Jennifer's wrist, across her palm, and to the base of her ring finger, and deftly twisted the ring so the stone was resting on the top of her finger.
"You just want the world to see that I'm taken," she offered knowingly.
"Damn straight."
H2H2H2H
After a few hours of festivities, the crowd began to thin out, and Jennifer and Jonathan mingled with the other guests while sipping on champagne.
Roger Timmons, one of the directors of the Polo league, saw Jonathan and Jennifer and greeted them. "I wasn't sure you two would be here this evening, I heard what a nasty fall you had today, dear."
"It wasn't really that dramatic, I was actually more concerned about my horse, but we are both fine."
The older man cleared his throat, "Yes, well that's a lucky turn, isn't it? Polo isn't really a sport for everyone, especially the fairer sex. Jonathan, you may want to protect your interests and tell Jennifer to find another way to fill her days."
Jennifer smiled politely at the awkward comment, but Jonathan's response set the record straight. "Roger, what Jennifer choses to do with her time is her choice and I support her in any endeavor she chooses to participate in. My only interest is her happiness and I would appreciate it if you kept your archaic chauvinism to yourself."
Jennifer's smile turned to a radiant grin, and she led Jonathan away without a glance back at the stunned man. "We may have to find a new league to play in, but thanks for standing up for me."
"Thank you for getting me out of there, I don't think Mel and Ryan would have appreciated me punching one of their guests."
H2H2H2H
Sunday morning dawned without a cloud in the sky, and found Jennifer out early relaxing on the back patio with a croissant and coffee. She was absorbed in the Sunday paper when Jonathan joined her, still in his robe, but holding something behind his back.
"Good morning, darling, you're up early."
"Good morning! I know, I woke up this morning expecting to feel a bit battered and bruised from yesterday, but I feel fine so I thought I'd come enjoy the morning sunshine before it became too warm." She angled her head to try to see whatever it was he was holding behind his back, "What's that?"
"I brought you a little surprise."
"Can I see it?"
"Yes, but before you open it, I took to heart what we talked about yesterday, seizing the moment, living in our adventure. I was going to wait to give you this as a wedding present, but I decided that I didn't want to wait any longer."
"Jonathan, are you, uh, concerned about when we get married? I mean we just got engaged."
"No, darling, really. Yes, I do want to get married, we both do, right?" At her nod, he continued, "but as for the when, we'll know when it's the right time for both of us. I'm just excited about this gift too, so I don't want to wait."
A wide smile blossomed across her face and the anticipation that she had showed when he first joined her had returned. "Here you go." He presented her a long white cardboard roll with a red ribbon tied at the middle.
"Hmm, I'm intrigued! Is it a piece of art?"
"Open it and see for yourself," Jonathan enjoyed watching her open the roll, and restrained himself from helping her pry off the plastic cap. Once accomplished, she peeked inside and then used her fingers to grab the end of the roll of papers inside.
Jonathan helped her clear a space at the patio table, and unrolled the papers, then watched her face.
"Jonathan, is this what I think it is?" Her face was filled with glee and wonder.
"It's plans for a stable, well a building that includes a stable. See, there's a six stall stable on this side of the building, which has access to the small arena here, but on the other side, is a long room that I thought could serve as a writing area for you. It's the full length of the building, so you could have a desk, but also a sitting area, maybe a small kitchen and bathroom so if you're focused, you can hole up in your own space. That side would all face the pool. And, then there's my favorite part. See these stairs, they go up to a loft, also the full expanse of the building, with dormers for lots of natural light." He looked up at her expectantly, "Do you like it?"
"Darling, I absolutely love it! I can't even come up with the words to tell you how much I adore you for thinking of this."
"I thought you could bring a few of your horses from your dad's place, and then maybe we could get a few together. But I wanted to go ahead and show you now, maybe fine tune the details to your liking."
"You've already thought of everything!"
"We've tried to, I've been working with an architect. In fact, I've asked him to come out on Thursday to meet with us, so look it over, okay. We can make whatever changes you want. This is your space, your own little get away here in California."
"Darling, it's too much! But I can't help it, I love it!"
"Nothing is too much for you, and apparently I'm going to have to keep proving this to you, over and over. I just want to give you the world."
Jennifer stood up and walked to his side of the table and sat down in his lap and looped her arms around his neck. "Don't you know? Jonathan, you are my world, and with you I have everything."
To be continued, just one more chapter! If you don't mind, please leave a review!