Jennifer pulled up the dusty drive to Jonathan’s ranch. On several occasions during the drive she began to second-guess the wisdom dropping in on Jonathan during one of his private trips. Each time she started to turn around, her heart sank. She had to concede that only hope for a life with Jonathan was what was keeping her going.
She parked next to Jonathan’s car and sat for a moment as another series of insecurities washed over her. "No time like the present, Jennifer." She said to herself as she got out of the car and headed to the door.
She knocked on the door and waited for destiny to open it. After several minutes, no one answered. Jennifer frowned. She stepped over by the window and looked in. The cabin was dark. Jennifer looked at her watch. Eight at night. Well, no that was in New York, it would only be five in the evening in California. I wonder if he went riding, Jennifer thought. There would be plenty of daylight left this July evening.
Jennifer headed the stables. "Jonathan?" she called as she approached. There was no answer. Noticing that Buck was not in his stall, Jennifer deduced that he was indeed riding.
"I’m not really dressed for this." Jennifer said as she searched for a saddle and bridle for Taska. "But what the hell. I’ve come this far."
Within 15 minutes Jennifer was leaving the stable and headed on the trail. "I hope he has gone to the lake," Jennifer thought since it was the only trail she knew. Jennifer forced herself to breathe in the clear mountain air and admire the scenic beauty. When she came to the meadow, she nudged the horse and galloped across. The wind in her face was exhilarating… or was it that she was only minutes away from Jonathan? She slowed down when she reached the next wooded area but still trotted. As the trees began to thin again, she was able to catch a glimpse of the lake. Eagerly her eyes searched the shore. There he was. Standing along the lake, gazing out over the water. Her heart cried out at the site of him. She cleared the woods and headed towards him.
Jonathan gazed out over the water lost in thought. It hurt more and yet it was somewhat comforting to be at the place where he had given himself to her and she to him. Only a couple of days, he thought. And then I can give myself completely. The rustle of the grass and snap of a twig brought him out of his daze. Turning towards the sound, he saw a vision. Now, I’m hallucinating, he thought. But as the vision came closer he realized it wasn’t a vision at all. It was Jennifer, in the flesh.
"Jennifer." Her name escaped on a breath from his lips. He began to walk towards her, his gait quickly turning to a run.
Jennifer watched as Jonathan eyes turned from wonder to realization. He was coming towards her, running. He wanted her. Jennifer jumped from the horse before it had time to stop. Her heart beat widely as she ran to him.
Jennifer threw her arms around his neck, burying her head in soft space where is shoulder met his neck. Jonathan wrapped his arms around her waist, lifting her from the ground. They clung to each other as the emptiness was filled with love and the despair was replaced by joy. Jonathan nuzzled her neck, reacquainting himself with her scent and drinking in the taste of her skin. Jennifer pulled her head back so that her lips could join with his. Their tongues danced frantic rhythms until they had to come up for air.
"You missed me." Jonathan said still holding her tight.
Jennifer laughed at the charming arrogance she had missed. "Yes."
He smiled and kissed her again. "You love me."
"Yes."
Jonathan set her down. Jennifer watched him as he pulled something from his breast pocket and kneeled. "Then, will you marry me?"
Jennifer’s heart soared. "Yes." Jonathan put the magnificent diamond ring on her finger and stood to take her in his arms again. "Oh yes."
"God, I missed you." He said as his lips nibbled her neck and ear.
"Jonathan?"
"Hmmm." Jonathan continued to kiss and taste her.
"Did you know I was coming?"
He pulled back. "What?"
"How come you had a ring all ready?"
Jonathan smiled. "Had my plans gone right, I would be on a plane right now to New York to look for you."
"Really?"
"Really. I guess it’s a good thing my business didn’t get finished or you would be here I would be there."
"Yes I guess you’re right." Jennifer, needing a refill of his divine kisses, pressed her lips to his. "How much time do you have?"
"I hoped to be able to give you, us, my full undivided attention from here on out. But, I can’t officially turn Hart Industries over until Monday…"
"Turn it over?" Jennifer’s eyes widened.
"Yes."
"But why? It’s your company. You.."
"Because I have found something else I want to dedicate my life too." Jonathan placed his hands on her cheeks, his thumbs brushing the tears that fell from her face. "I can go to New York or Africa or Timbuktu or wherever your work will take us… after Monday."
"Jonathan." Jennifer whispered. His love for her was overwhelming. Clearing her throat she said, "How about Los Angeles? I was told I could write by a pool there."
Jonathan smiled as he realized that she was ready to make equally important sacrifices. "It looks like we are both in a position to do whatever we want."
"All I want is to be with you."
"Me too." Jonathan slipped his arms around her back pulling her close. He kissed her long and deep and then held her close. "I have never been happier than I am at this moment." His whisper tickled her ear. "Although, after this last week, a root canal might have cheered me up."
"Jonathan!" Jennifer exclaimed at his teasing. She pulled away and smiled. "You missed me."
"More than anything. I felt like someone had ripped my heart out and tore into a million pieces." Jonathan put his arm around her waist and turned her so they could walk. "Thank God Max was there to help me see what I couldn’t."
"And what was that?" Jennifer asked as she reached behind her so she could touch his arm that was around her.
"My business was important because it was all I had that was really mine. When we met.."
"When you stole my taxi?"
Jonathan smiled. "Best move of my life. Yes, when I stole your taxi, I was not happy in my life. It made me crazy and I thought the answer was in my work, in new projects and ideas. But in that cab and then in plane, the unhappiness I had felt was gone. Just by being around you I felt so alive and complete and happy.."
"But, walking away from Hart Industries. I can’t let you do that."
"You can’t stop me. I don’t see it as walking away. I am walking towards something better. Hart Industries is going to be in good hands, still making me money… us money. And I’ll need to check in occasionally but right now I just want to be with you, and hold you, and marry you…" Jennifer smiled as he leaned forward to kiss her. "The other benefit is that I can go with you on your assignments. That is if you want me too."
"Well, you’re going to have to wait awhile."
"Why?"
"I didn’t feel so good myself over the last week. And, I couldn’t bear doing any interviews. I decided to work on my next book project, at least that is what I told everyone." Jennifer laughed. "I couldn’t even get out of bed anymore. It just hurt so bad." Jennifer was embarrassed by the tears that started to flow again. Jonathan, with his hands on her cheeks, kissed them away. "Your work and your freedom seemed so important from my standpoint. I guess that is what you thought about me, huh?" Jonathan nodded at her statement. "But, it isn’t. I mean, I love it. I still want to do it but not if I have to live without you in my life."
Jonathan wrapped his arms around her to comfort her, to comfort him. "I wish I told you how I really felt that night in the cabin; that I loved you and wanted to spend my life with you. I just couldn’t figure out how to make it happen without disrupting your life."
Jennifer nodded. "That’s about how I felt. For two smart people we were pretty dense."
Jonathan nodded in agreement. "Jennifer, I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you everything I desperately wanted to tell you. If I’d only told you I loved you…"
"But you did." She said not wanting Jonathan to feel responsible. "I wasn’t asleep like you thought I was."
"Neither was I," he responded to let her know he’d heard her too.
"Now we really are pathetic! I’m sorry I just left. Maybe if I’d stayed, let you take me to the airport…"
"You know, what’s done is done. The only thing that matters is right here, right now."
Jennifer smiled and rested her head on his shoulder. "So what do we do now that we’re two out-of-work, hopelessly in love people?"
"It seems like we can do anything we want. First, how about we get married?"
Back at the cabin, Jonathan built a fire and then sat nestled with Jennifer. He looked over at her, marveling at how beautiful she looked in the glow of the fire.
"I love you." He said as he kissed her cheek.
Jennifer smiled as she pulled him close. "Will you show me?"
They took their time touching, tasting, and savoring their love. The underlying desperation and grief from before was replaced with serenity and joy. His soft, warm hands molded to her body. His lips drank in her sweetness. Her whole body responded to his by reaching out for more. She clung, she grasped, she arched to him as he slowly carried her to the peak.
"Oh, please...," she moaned feeling tormented by the delay of gratification.
"I love you, Jennifer," he whispered as he pushed himself into her and carried them both over the edge.
This time when Jennifer reached for him, the man of her dreams was there beside her, reaching for her.
