Chapter 35
Jake was finishing up the horse in at River Bend for training before his wedding. He'd be gone a week and so he wanted to get this horse done so Wyatt could sell him.
When he pulled Witch up at the hitching rail, he had immediately smelled the lavender from Grace's garden. Lavender always made him think of Sam. Jake sighed as he dismounted. His life with her was over. She had made sure of that. He was marrying another woman in a few days.
He and his brothers had gotten their final fittings for their tuxedos. Kit and Cricket were due in later today from Hawaii. The rehearsal dinner was tomorrow. Jake and Dawn would be marrying the day after that. Two days. He'd finally be a married man in two days.
Jake shook his head, dispelling the image of her that popped into his head. What was wrong with him lately? She disturbed his sleep, she disturbed his awake time.
He thought that if she were standing right in front of him, it wouldn't change anything. He had moved on.
He had recently heard a song which had summed up his feelings exactly. It had surprised him how the song had made him feel. Gosh, he had to stop listening to the radio again. Too many songs still reminded him of Sam.
She had broken his heart. Dawn had healed it. Dawn had made him whole again. He needed to remember that, like Mom had said.
Jake put on his gloves and went to gaze into the round pen at the horse he would be finishing up today. It was a nice bay gelding. A mustang like Ace. He'd make a nice safe horse for a first time owner by the time Jake was done with him.
Jake planned on riding him out of the pen today, onto the playa to see how he'd do. He didn't anticipate any problems.
"Hey Jake," Dallas came out of the bunkhouse.
"Hey Dallas," Jake greeted the older cowboy. He nodded towards Pepper and Ross.
"Finishing up before the big day, huh?" Pepper said.
"Yeah," Jake nodded.
"Good luck on the marriage, Jake," Ross told him.
"Thanks Ross," Jake murmured, suddenly aware that all four of them were thinking of Sam.
Jake shook his head as if he could shake her out of it. Dallas, Pepper and Ross glanced at each other, each knowing that they were all thinking of the woman Jake had planned to marry before.
"See ya, Jake," Pepper said, rushing to get out of there. Ross and Dallas were right behind him.
Jake sighed, knowing what they were doing. If only it were that easy.
He went into the barn and got the tack he'd need. Jake caught the mustang and saddled him up and swung up on him before taking the horse out towards the range.
Jake's mind tried to wander, but he kept it on the business at hand. He tried to anticipate the mustang. He didn't want to end up flat on his back with a possible broken bone two days before his wedding. He didn't think either Mom or Dawn would be very happy with him.
Jake chuckled to himself as he rode. He remembered Mom's reaction when she saw the bruising after playing football before Adam's wedding.
He hoped Mom was ready because he planned on playing football with all five of his brothers later today once Kit and Adam arrived. Gosh, he was getting married in two days.
Jake shook his head in wonder.