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  Jake gave him a sheepish grin then they returned their attention to their meal, lost in their own thoughts.

  Chapter Eleven

  Exhausted beyond anything she’d ever experienced, Jenna had no idea how she’d finish the drive home that night. Nearly six hours away from Tenacity, she acknowledged she had a problem.

  An hour later, she gave up and sat in a hotel room, crying in frustration. The undercurrents of overwhelming fatigue and fear kept yanking her off balance. Jenna could barely keep her head above the surface of her roiling emotions, let alone focus or function normally.

  Finally admitting defeat and her need for help, she phoned Josh.

  “Hey, babe!” Josh sounded happy she called. “I’m so excited you’ll be home soon. I can’t wait to see you.”

  “I’m glad, Josh. I’m looking forward to seeing you as well,” Jenna said, mustering the nerve to ask him for a huge favor.

  “You don’t sound well, Jenna. Are you sick? What’s wrong?” Worry carried through his voice when he spoke. She heard him shut off the tractor as the background noise faded into silence.

  “Honestly, I’m done in. I… I’m not going to be able to drive myself home tonight or even tomorrow. I just can’t.” Annoyed by the tears once again stinging her eyes, she hesitated. “Do you… what I mean is… do you think you can come get me? I know you’re so busy and I hate to ask, but I don’t know what else to do.”

  Josh heard the doubt and anxiety in Jenna’s voice. Strong-willed and independent, he assumed she was on the verge of a complete breakdown to ask for his help.

  “Do you have anything you need to finish there?” Josh asked, starting to make plans as he climbed on the four-wheeler and headed to the house.

  “No. I just want to be home.” Jenna sank down onto the hotel bed and brushed away the tears on her cheeks. She hated feeling weak and useless.

  “Hang in there, babe. I’m going to find someone to come along with me and leave as soon as possible. We’ll be there as quick as we can then we’ll all come back tomorrow.” Josh thought of the work he’d leave behind at home, but nothing was more important than Jenna. The fact she called and asked him to come made it clear how bad things were for her. It might do lasting damage to his wife’s stubborn pride to have to admit she needed help. “I’m almost to the house. Let me get inside then you can give me directions to your hotel and the room number.”

  Jenna gave him the information then she broke down into tears once more. “I’m so sorry, Josh. I hate this. I hate being a burden to you, especially when you’re so over-burdened with farm work. I’m really sorry.”

  “Jenna, there isn’t anything in this world more important to me than you. The whole farm could burn to the ground and it wouldn’t matter as long as you’re safe. Got it?”

  “But I’ve been so awful to you.” Jenna sobbed, bordering on hysteria. “I don’t deserve for you to be so good to me.”

  “I love you. Always have, always will. Now, get some rest and eat something. I’ll be there before you know it.”

  Josh disconnected the call and immediately called Jake. He’d sent him to finish a custom baling job a few miles down the road.

  “Hey, man, what’s up? I’m just pulling out of the field and should be back in a few minutes.” The sound of the tractor nearly drowned out Jake’s voice.

  “I’ve got a small emergency. I’ll fill you in as soon as you get back. Just pull the tractor in here at the house,” Josh said, hanging up. He jerked off his work boots and clothes, ran into the bathroom, and took a quick shower. By the time Jake walked inside the kitchen, he was dressed and pulling on his good boots.

  “What’s up? Is Jenna okay?” Jake asked, concerned.

  “Jenna’s too ill to drive home and I need to go get her. Someone needs to come with me so we can get both vehicles home. Would you be willing to go? We’d need to leave right away. It means about a five-hour drive one way, then turning around and heading back in the morning.”

  “Of course I’ll go. Can I run home and take a quick shower?” Jake asked as he backed toward the door.

  “Absolutely. I’ll throw a few things together while you get ready.” Josh plugged his cell phone in to charge as Jake turned and ran out the door then jumped on the four-wheeler. It was almost five. If they got on the road soon, they should arrive around ten. With any luck, they could all get some sleep then hit the road bright and early in the morning.

  Jake was back in twenty minutes with a small duffle bag. Josh rushed out the door as he pulled up, also carrying a small bag along with bottles of water, some jerky, and a couple of candy bars.

  “Have you ever been to the big city of Burns?” Josh asked as they tossed their bags into the backseat of Josh’s pickup and climbed in.

  “A few times with the high school rodeo team, and once for a horse sale. Not much to see on the drive there unless you really like sagebrush,” Jake commented as they drove out to the road.

  “If my GPS is functioning correctly, we should be there in about four and a half hours.” Josh pulled onto the highway.

  “Great. Hour upon hour of listening to you yammer on,” Jake teased, settling back into the seat. “Is this punishment for me taking the job at the lab?”

  “You know it.” Josh gave Jake a wicked grin. As he leaned his elbow out the window, he turned to look at the young man. “I really appreciate you doing this. You certainly didn’t have to, especially since tomorrow is your official last day as my one and only employee.”

  “No problem. I’m glad I was still here to help. It’s not every day you’re needed by a damsel in distress.”

  “I guess when you look at it that way, we’re two heroes going to rescue my fair maiden.” Josh laughed at an image of Jenna standing like Rapunzel at the top of a tower, waving a handkerchief at them.

  The two men fell into the easy camaraderie they shared and the miles flew by. After a few hours of driving, they’d devoured the jerky and candy, and remained hungry. When they stopped to fill the truck with fuel, they ordered burgers and fries before getting back on the road.

  A few minutes past ten, they pulled into the hotel parking lot at Jenna’s hotel in Burns. Quickly grabbing their bags, they walked to the front desk and secured a room for Jake. The front desk agent called Jenna to get her permission to send Josh up to the room. It took just a few minutes to reach her room. He knocked on the door and she opened it, falling against him, crying.

  “I’m so sorry, Josh. I’m such a wuss and this is a complete waste of your time. I don’t mean to be such a bother. I’m so sorry,” she sobbed into his shirt.

  “It’s fine, babe.” Josh rubbed his hand soothingly across her shoulders as he gently nudged her back into the room.

  Jake stood a few doors down the hall, in front of his room, and couldn’t help but stare. He’d never seen Jenna be anything but calm, cool, and collected, with the exception of the day she thought he was Josh in the kitchen. He could see why Josh was in such an all-fired hurry to get to her. She obviously wasn’t in any shape to drive home.

  Josh made eye contact with Jake and nodded his head in thanks as he closed the door.

  After dropping his bag on a chair, Josh put both arms around Jenna and let her cry, whispering soothing words as he held her close. When she finally stopped sobbing, he wiped the tears from her cheeks with his palms and kissed her softly on the lips.

  “I love you,” he said, wrapping her in his arms and breathing in her familiar scent. Her essence seeped into his heart and warmed his soul. “I missed you so much.”

  “I missed you, too,” she whispered, leaning into him and feeling his strength flow into her. “I love you so much, Josh. So very much.”

  “I’m glad. It makes it mighty convenient that way,” he teased, trying to lighten the mood.

  She released a shaky laugh and he smiled. “I’m about beat. Let’s get some sleep. Morning will be here before we know it and Jake is going to demand a good breakfast. He complained fo
r the last hour that I’m trying to starve him to death.”

  Jenna smiled as she changed into her pajamas and climbed into bed. “That sounds like Jake. I’m sure going to miss having him around. He’s a really great kid.”

  “Yeah, he is, and he isn’t too shabby as a farm hand either. I don’t know how we’re going to find someone to replace him.” Josh slid between the sheets and pulled Jenna close. She laid her head on his chest and released a contented sigh. Sleep soon claimed them both.

  The next morning found the three of them at a little café down the street from the hotel. The men ordered meals with bacon, eggs, hash browns, and stacks of pancakes. Jenna requested toast and tea.

  She nearly lost what little toast she’d eaten when Jake cut into his sunny-side up eggs and the yolk ran across the plate. She didn’t have morning sickness, but certain smells or seeing certain foods made her nauseated in a matter of seconds. Turning her head away, she took several deep breaths then sipped her tea.

  “You don’t look so good, Jen.” Jake noticed the green tinge that suddenly appeared on her face. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes and no,” she answered cryptically. She looked at Josh, hoping he would sense what it was she tried to convey without saying anything. He caught her eye, smiled, and nodded.

  “What does that mean? Yes, you are okay or no, you aren’t?” Jake set down his fork and stared at Jenna with real concern. He’d known her since the summer she and Josh started dating and it wasn’t like her to dance around something. She generally got straight to the point.

  “I’m not well right now but I’ll be perfectly fine in a while. In less than seven months,” Jenna said, giving him a shy smile.

  “Seven months? That’s a long time to be sick. Can’t your doctor give you something for that?” Jake stared at her, confused.

  Jenna laughed then put her hand on top of Jake’s and patted it gently. “Jake, we’re going to have a baby. That’s why I’m not feeling well.”

  It took a moment for the news to sink in but when it did, Jake’s head whipped up and he glanced from Josh’s broad grin to Jenna’s indulgent smile. “For real? You’re not kidding me? That is great news!”

  When Josh looked at Jenna instead of answering, she nodded her head. “It is great news, Jake, and we’re very much looking forward to meeting this little person. We haven’t told anyone yet, so can you keep this under your hat for a few weeks?”

  “Sure.” Jake’s foot jiggled in excitement as he resumed eating his breakfast. “I’ll be an almost-uncle, right?”

  “Absolutely. If you like, the baby can call you Uncle Jake.” Jenna beamed at him, pleased by his response to the news.

  Josh watched his wife, thrilled by the enthusiasm Jenna exhibited as she told Jake they were expecting.

  “Awesome!” Jake took a few bites of his breakfast then stopped his fork mid-air as a thought struck him. “You mean I know something Clay doesn’t know?”

  “I told Callan, which means Clay knows, but I made her promise not to tell anyone.” Josh smiled at Jenna, relieved to see her nod at him encouragingly. “But you definitely know before anyone else. We haven’t told Pop or Jenna’s folks yet either.”

  “This is too cool. When the baby is old enough, his ol’ Uncle Jake will show him how to ride and rope and everything he needs to know about horses and being a cowboy.” Jake envisioned how much fun it would be to have a nephew to follow in his footsteps.

  “And what makes you think it will be a boy?” Jenna asked with raised eyebrows. “It could very well be a girl.”

  “Nope, no more girls. We already have Audrey and Emma to fill the girl quota. We need a boy to even things up.”

  Josh laughed. “Who can argue with that?”

  “You two are something else.” Jenna shook her head then finished her toast.

  They were soon on the road and the trip home proved uneventful. Jenna slept part of the way, but when she was awake, she continued apologizing to Josh for her behavior. She had plenty of time to think about the baby and her attitude and knew she was the one to blame for getting pregnant.

  Opening her heart to Josh, she talked to him about getting past her fear of parenthood and embracing the idea of becoming a mother. She also told him about the plans for her to switch jobs and shared some of the feelings brought on by the sudden changes in her life.

  Josh tried to be understanding. The books Callan gave him were full of good advice and information. By the time they rolled into the driveway shortly after noon, Jenna had torn down most of the wall she built between them. Josh was glad to be back on even ground with his wife.

  Jake pulled in right behind them and Josh asked him to come inside the house. While Jake helped Jenna set out the fixings for sandwiches along with some fruit, Josh went to his office and wrote Jake his final paycheck, adding a bonus for his hard work all summer.

  When he returned to the kitchen, he slid the envelope across the counter to Jake. “Your final paycheck, my friend.” Josh thumped Jake on the back. “We’re going to miss having you around here, so be sure to visit when you have time.”

  “I will and I already told you, I’ll help weekends when I’m home until you get through wheat harvest.” Jake looked at Josh like he was getting forgetful in his old age. He walked over to Jenna and put his arm around her shoulders. “Besides I’ve got to keep tabs on the little mama and my almost-nephew.”

  “Jake, you are too much.” Jenna laughed, putting her arm around him and giving him a squeeze. “We’re really going to miss you.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Unable to find anyone to fill Jake’s shoes let alone the position, Josh did the best he could to keep up with the farm work and still spend time with Jenna. She was home evenings, always tired, but starting to feel better.

  Earlier that afternoon, he met her at the doctor’s office for her ultrasound. Accompanying her to the room where they did the procedure, he observed the process as they spread gel all around her abdomen.

  Jenna hadn’t mentioned it, but he couldn’t help but notice she sported a little baby bump. He thought it was wonderful. Although, knowing his wife, she probably thought it looked much bigger than it did.

  He watched as the technician moved around the device on her belly. In grainy black and white, he spied an image of their baby.

  “Oh, my. What do we have here?” The tech sounded amused before turning to look at them. “Can you both see the screen okay?”

  “Yes,” Jenna answered. Josh had trouble seeing it from the other side of Jenna, but numbly nodded his head. The experience was way outside his comfort zone.

  “Well, daddy-to-be, why don’t you come over here? You probably can’t see much from over there,” the tech said, smiling at Josh at she motioned to a spot closer to her.

  Josh walked around to stand behind the technician as she pointed to the screen. “See right here is a head, and an arm and a leg, and right there is the other head, and a leg.”

  “What do you mean other head and leg?” Jenna’s voice rose sharply and her eyes widened in panic.

  “It looks like you’ll be welcoming twins to your family,” the tech said, beaming. “Again, congratulations.”

  “Twins? Twins!” Josh leaned closer to the screen, rubbing his hands together like he tended to do whenever he got excited about something. “Can you show me all that again?”

  The technician happily pointed out the outline of each baby and then listened to the two tiny heartbeats that sounded more like flutters of air.

  Visibly moved by the experience, Josh needed a moment to gather his composure while Jenna stared unseeing across the room and her face grew pale. When the tech finished, she printed out a copy of the photo and handed it to Josh while Jenna cleaned up.

  “This is amazing,” Josh said for the eighth time, lost in the fact they were going to have not one but two babies.

  “The next time you come, we should be able to identify the sex of the babies for you. You’ll be astonished
at how different the photo will look from the one today,” the tech said as they prepared to leave.

  Josh pumped her hand with a warm handshake then escorted Jenna out the door, practically floating on air in his excitement at the tech’s news.

  Done with work for the day, Jenna was glad because she’d gone from being traumatized about her pregnancy to shell-shocked. Still not convinced she’d be a fit parent for one child, she struggled to embrace the idea of bringing home two.

  “Babe, what’s wrong?” Josh asked as he walked her to the parking garage. “Talk to me.”

  “I’m not sure I can do this,” she said, eyes glazed with fear.

  Josh laughed, squeezing her hand. “Like it or not, there’s no turning back now.”

  “I know that you dense man! I meant that I’m not exactly the most maternal thing on the planet. I’d almost talked myself into thinking I could bring home one baby and not accidentally do it mortal harm, but two? Josh, I’m afraid I’m not going to be any good at this parenting thing. I’m nothing like Callan.”

  “What’s Callan got to do with our babies?” Josh asked as they stopped beside her car.

  “She loves being a mother. She was born to be a mother.” Jenna sighed and leaned against the car. “I’m just not like that at all.”

  “You should talk to Callan about all that sometime soon. I think you might get a different perspective on her being born to be a mother. As for you, don’t sell yourself short. You’ll be a fantastic mom. You’re a wonderful wife, so why wouldn’t you be good at mothering as well? It’s all about nurturing and loving, right? And you are dynamite at both of those.”

  “Can’t you ever just let me pout and have a pity party without boosting my confidence and making me feel like I can do anything?” Jenna tried to sound annoyed, but the way her eyes lit up gave away her pleasure at his comments.

  “No can do.” Josh kissed her cheek and pushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “You’ll be a great mother, Jenna, so don’t worry about it. I should know, having been raised by one of the worst mothers in the history of parenthood.”