Patio lights had been strung and a buffet had been set up in the new barn. Since they’d only had a few weeks to pull together the wedding, they’d decided to keep it small and have it here at the farm. The new barn had been left unused and now guests milled around, chatting, laughing and occasionally dancing to the music of the small three-piece band they’d hired.

The wedding was elegant—much like the woman he married—but simple enough to suit his taste. The ceremony had passed in a blur, but he’d never forget the moment he’d slipped the golden band on her finger, making her his. They’d eaten good food, drank a few toasts, cut their cake and danced.

Jackson’s body began to swell the longer he watched her. She was his now. They belonged together.

“Boy, you’ve got it bad.” Abel slapped him on the back as he came alongside Jackson, almost knocking the wind out of him.

He turned and glared at his best friend as he snorted. “Like you can talk.”

Abel’s eyes heated as he found his wife in the midst of the small gathering. “I think it will soon be time for us to go home. Pregnant women need their rest, you know.”

Jackson laughed and shook his head. “Go. The quicker the rest of you leave, the faster I can get Emerald inside.”

Nathan chuckled and inclined his head. “Carly has to get up early for work tomorrow morning. We need to leave.”

Both men sauntered across the lawn to collect their women, but they didn’t leave right away. It took a while for everyone to say their goodbyes. Jackson strode over to stand at Emerald’s side as she hugged his sister and Carly. The men stood back and watched them chatter. Finally, Jackson leaned down and whispered in Emerald’s ear, “For God’s sake, you can see them tomorrow.”

Everyone around him burst out laughing. He’d meant to whisper, but obviously they’d all heard what he said. He shrugged, totally unrepentant. He wanted his wife and he wanted her now. Maybe in five or ten years he wouldn’t want her every minute of the day, but he wouldn’t bank on it.

Aloysius came up and shook his hand as he ushered his wife and daughters to the car. Thankfully, they were staying in a local B&B. He really liked his new in-laws. The few townspeople who’d been invited all said their goodbyes and a half an hour later, he and Emerald were standing on the back porch by themselves.

Stars were sprinkled across the dark night sky and the moon was a sliver of silver. The harvest was done for the year and now the long winter would give them both time to meld their lives together.

Jackson stood behind her, his arms wrapped around her. There was a nip in the air. Frost wasn’t too many days away. “Cold?”

She shook her head and leaned back against him. “No.” Her voice was low and with the darkness surrounding them, there was an intimacy to the moment that he didn’t want to disrupt.

They stood there for the longest time, peering over the land that was in his blood. The fact that she was standing here with him, sharing it, made the moment perfect. “I love you.”

She sighed deeply as if inhaling his words. “I love you too.” She hesitated a moment and then pulled away from him. “I got you a present.”

He smiled, thinking how much she was going to enjoy what he’d gotten for her. “I got you one too.”

“Me first.” She hurried in through the house and returned a moment later with a huge box that had holes in the top. His suspicions grew when the box moved. She peered coyly at him through her lashes. “I kept it over at Erin’s place. Abel slipped the box inside the door a few hours ago.”

A low whine emanated from inside the box as Emerald set it on the porch. She flipped open the lid and a furry brown head popped up. Jackson reached down and plucked the pup from his makeshift kennel. “How you doing, little guy?” The puppy licked his face, squirming to get closer.

“His name is Martin. You need a dog to keep you company while you’re working in the fields. You’ve got all winter to train him, so he’ll be ready to go with you next spring.” Emerald stared at him almost defiantly.

Jackson knew she’d remembered their conversation about the farm not having any animals. He shook his head and chuckled as he lowered the little guy back into his box. “He’s perfect. Now wait here while I get your present.”

It only took him a minute to go to his office and collect his present. Her eyes widened when he stepped back out onto the porch. He laid the small kennel beside the box and opened the door. A tiny black kitten pranced out, her big green eyes blinking as she peered up at them and let out a plaintive meow.

“Oh, she’s beautiful.” Emerald scooped up the kitten and snuggled her. A loud purring sound filled the air around them.

“I thought you could use some company for when I’m gone in the days.” He couldn’t take his eyes off her as she and the kitten bonded. “Her name is Onyx.”

“I love it.” Emerald bit her lip. “Do you think they’ll get along?”

“Only one way to find out.” Taking the kitten from her, Jackson placed it in the box with the puppy. The kitten hissed, but the puppy licked playfully at her. Onyx made a show of ruffling her fur and hissing a few more times, but the puppy was woefully unconcerned. Within five minutes they’d both settled down, the two of them curled up side by side.

“Thank you.” Emerald’s eyes practically glowed as she opened the door so he could carry the box inside. He set it down in the laundry room, making sure the kitten’s litter box was there, along with water for the two of them.

“You’re welcome.” He turned off the light and shut the door, praying the puppy wouldn’t set to howling at least for an hour or two. He leaned against the door and pulled Emerald into his arms. “Thank you for making me the happiest man in the world today.”

Her finger traced over the buttons on his crisp white shirt. His body tightened in anticipation of the night ahead. He hadn’t let her out of his arms for a single night since she’d returned to him. Not even last night, even though she’d scolded that he wasn’t supposed to see the bride the night before the wedding. He’d informed her that she could sleep wherever she wanted, but he was going with her.

He lifted her into his arms, savoring the weight and feel of her against him as he made his way through the kitchen and up the stairs. As he carried her across the threshold of their bedroom, he glanced down at her. He knew it was a cliché, but she glowed. Damn, but she was a beautiful bride.

His arms tightened as he carried her across the room and laid her on the bed. She opened her arms to him and he came down on the mattress beside her, pulling her into his arms. His mouth lowered to hers.

She belonged to him now, his very own jewel.