“I’m Jones,” the handsome devil said, reaching out his hand to take mine, then turning it to place a soft kiss on my palm.
“From Vegas,” I whispered without thinking, when the name registered as the one Luke had mentioned.
“The very one,” he admitted with a jaunty bow. “Luke wouldn’t shut up about you for weeks after that night, and then one day you drop out of the sky and into his kitchen, which has me wondering … Are you an angel sent from heaven to heal his old wounds?”
I chuckled nervously at his mirth, he was obviously a character, but my heart stilled at his mention of Luke talking about me for weeks.
“Nope, just a human woman,” I answered, playing along. He seemed harmless enough, and it was nice to meet one of Luke’s friends.
“He’s not bothering you, is he?” Luke asked as he strolled in to clap his friend on the back. “Don’t believe a word that comes out of his mouth.”
“Don’t let him fool you, he loves me,” Jones said, then added, “And I must love him too, to come to a Super Bowl party with no beer!”
They said something else, but it fell on deaf ears. I barely noticed when they left the kitchen, my heart pounding in my ears as Jones’s statement played over in my head.
How had I not realized that I’d never seen alcohol in this house? No beer in the fridge, no wine on the counter, no secret cabinet filled with liquor bottles.
I gazed out to where the voices of excited men sounded, puzzled and awestruck. Did Luke not drink, or had he cleared out his home for me? And now, he was having a party in his house, but he’d put a ban on alcohol? At a Super Bowl party?
Could he have done that for me?
I tried to process all of the possibilities as I readied the chicken wings, barbeque meatballs, sandwiches, and fried shrimp.
“That’s a ton of food,” Luke’s voice drew me out of my reverie and I watched him come toward me warily. “Are you okay?”
I didn’t respond. I was trying to figure out what to say, which made him worried.
“Did Jones say something to upset you?” he asked, looking over his shoulder as if expecting to see his friend there. “Look, I’m sorry I told him about Vegas, but honestly, I never expected to see you again when I did … And then when you showed up here, well, I had to talk about it with someone.”
“No,” I said, finally finding my voice. “It isn’t that.”
“But there is something wrong,” he prompted.
“Do you drink? Normally, I mean. I know you haven’t had anything since I’ve been here, at least not in front of me, but I’d swear that in Vegas you’d had something.”
“Yeah, I do occasionally drink, but not all the time.”
“Why haven’t I seen anything in your house? Not that I’ve been looking,” I assured him. “In fact, I just realized it, especially after Jones said that he wasn’t allowed to bring beer.”
“Jones is an idiot,” Luke said, his gaze sincere. “It’s true, I had Lucille get rid of any and all alcohol that was in the house before you came. You’re just coming out of rehab, and I didn’t want there to be any temptation here for you.”
“But, this is your home,” I argued, mixed feelings of guilt and tenderness warring within me.
Luke leaned against the counter and assured me, “It’s not a hardship, Belle. Would I sometimes come home and have a beer before I went to bed, yes, but I don’t need it, and I haven’t even missed it. Please, don’t even think of it. I haven’t.”
“You’re sure?” I asked as I rounded the island to stand in front of him.
“Absolutely.”
“Thank you,” I said, truly touched. “That’s the sweetest, most thoughtful thing anyone has ever done for me.”
That said, I rushed into his arms and held him tightly. I breathed in his earthy scent, and let his warmth and strength envelope me.
This time it was the sound of a female voice clearing that had me looking toward the kitchen entrance. Patricia was standing there with a small, knowing smile on her face. I jumped back from Luke so fast he had to hold a hand out to steady me.
Once he was sure I was safe, Luke chuckled, “Hey, Patty, is Matty in the living room?”
“Yeah, he’s climbing all over Jones,” she replied, then let him kiss her on the cheek as they passed each other. She came in, eyes on me, and sat on a stool, while I scurried around to the other side and resumed my food prep. “I’ve been meaning to contact you to see how you were adjusting.”
I looked up and met her curious gaze. Her brown eyes were soft and she seemed pleased, which was confusing to me, so I had to ask, “Why didn’t you tell me?”
I didn’t have to explain what I meant, she knew.
“I wasn’t sure you’d take the job if I told you Luke was my ex,” Patricia explained quietly. “I didn’t want you to pass up this opportunity, just because it may be awkward. Of course, I had no idea that you had met each other before. I knew your situation, and I knew Luke’s, and it seemed like a perfect fit at the perfect time.”
“You weren’t worried, about me being here with your son?” I asked, voicing the concern that had been with me for weeks.
Patricia leaned on her forearms and shook her head.
“Not at all,” she assured me. “I don’t know everything about you, but I like what I do know. You fell on hard times and reacted to the death of your husband. That’s totally understandable. I know you aren’t dangerous, and if I thought you were, or that you weren’t strong enough to be here, I wouldn’t have suggested it. I honestly thought you would all be a good fit for each other, and since I can’t be with my son twenty-four seven, I want to have him a strong, caring woman around.”
“I think you’re amazing,” I replied, touched by her kind sentiment.
“I think you’re pretty amazing too,” Patricia said with a smile. “Can I help you with anything?”
“Sure, thanks,” I said moving to the side so she could join me. “I didn’t know you were coming, but I’m so happy you’re here. I’ve missed the company of another woman.”
“Yeah,” she chuckled. “Life on the ranch can be pretty man-centric. Anytime you want to get away, just give me a call. We can meet up for shopping and dinner.”
“I’d really like that.”
“Me too!”
Chapter 28
I was back in the kitchen cooking in bulk. This time for a group of Girl Scouts who were spending the day at the ranch learning about horses. Luke had asked me if I could whip up some easy breakfast and lunch items and serve them to the girls, and the ranch hands that were helping him out.
The weather was getting nice, so I was looking forward to spending the day outside and getting a chance to see Luke in his element.
I’d made a breakfast skillet and put it in warming dishes, along with Luke’s contribution of chorizo beans, lots of chopped fruit, and assorted boxes of cereal, just in case we had some picky eaters.
Luke picked me and the food up in his truck and drove us down to the site. There were picnic tables set up, and a large covered patio with serving tables and a grill. We were keeping lunch simple with hamburgers, hot dogs, pasta salad, chips, and bottled water.
“Here, let me help you with that,” Hank said as he rounded the back of the truck and grabbed some bags out of the bed.
“Thanks.”
“Sure thing, Belle. You just let me know if you need anything, and feel free to use the house whenever you need to,” he said, tilting his head to the main house.
It was similar in style to Luke’s, a large, ranch-style, with rocking chairs swinging happily on the wrap-around porch.
“Thanks, Hank.”
I was just pulling the last item out of a bag when a large bus pulled up the lane and parked, and a group of giggling girls came streaming out. I watched as Luke talked to the scout leader, then raised his hand and pointed to me, then the barn, then the closed-off area where the horses often trained.
The girls were lined up
single file and brought over to the tables.
“Good morning, ladies,” I said, oddly nervous at my first time in this new role. “You have your choice of breakfast items. Hot food is on this table, and cold food is on that one. All of the drinks are in the coolers at the end. Please let me know if you have any questions, or need anything.”
I watched as the girls walked through and picked out their items, refilling once they were done, and the ranch hands began to migrate toward the food.
The men were all respectful and thankful, some giving me a quick smile, while others watched me curiously. A few of them were quite handsome, although I couldn’t help but compare them to Luke, who won out in the hot cowboy competition, hands down.
The hot cowboy himself sauntered over to me with a grin on his face and said, “Thanks again, Belle. I can’t tell you how pleased I’ve been with your work since you’ve come to us.”
Pride ran through me at his words, and I grinned when he winked and moved on toward his men. I watched him out of the corner of my eye as I cleaned up around the tables. He was laughing at something his father said, and I couldn’t contain my answering smile.
He looked really good when he laughed.
“Something caught your fancy?”
I jumped guiltily at being caught staring, and blushed when I turned to see Jones leaning against a wood beam, grinning wickedly at me.
“Oh, hey, Jones,” I stammered, ignoring his insinuation. “I didn’t expect to see you this morning.”
He pushed off and walked closer, his hair blowing wildly in the wind.
“I usually come help out whenever the ranch has an event. I can pass it off as community service with the job, which they like, but really like having an excuse to eat good food, and spend the day outdoors playing with the horses.”
“That’s nice,” I said lamely, then lifted the lid off of the eggs. “Are you hungry?”
“Yeah, I’ll make a plate … but first, I have a huge favor to ask.”
I looked up at him, puzzlement showing on my face.
“You do?”
I couldn’t imagine what I could do for him.
“Yeah, and it’s short notice,” he began, schooling his features to look beguilingly bashful. “You see, we’ve got this new client and my bosses want me to wine and dine them … and if I do, and land the account, there’s a sizeable promotion in it for me. I’d like to hire your services, for Friday night. It would be a small dinner, for six, at my place. I’ll buy all the food and have the house ready, and I’ll even pay you extra, it being last minute and all. What do ya say?”
I thought about his request, the wheels spinning in my head. I’d been saving up all of my money from Luke, which was pretty easy, since room and board were included … but it still wasn’t enough of a nest egg to get me on my feet once Ms. Lucille came back. And, Friday was my day off, so … “Yes, I can do that.”
“Thanks, Belle, you’re a real lifesaver,” Jones gushed, leaning down to drop a grateful kiss on my cheek.
“Do you have a menu planned, or do you want me to come up with one?”
“I’ll leave that totally in your hands; you’re the expert,” he said, holding up his hands. “You can pick up what you need and bring me the bill, or text me the list and I can get it. Whatever works for you.”
“I’ll get the ingredients,” I replied, chewing my lips as I thought about logistics. “You live in Charleston, right?”
“Just outside, but yeah, pretty much. I’ll give you the address, and Luke has a key, so you can come in and have free reign of the place. We’ll have drinks at six and dinner at seven.”
“Sounds good,” I said with a smile, excited at the prospect of catering an event. Even if it was small.
“Thanks again, doll,” Jones said, then made himself a plate and wandered over to the guys.
I cleaned up the breakfast mess once everyone had cleared out and gone to the barn for their first lesson of the day. I loaded everything up, and since the keys were still in the truck, I took it back to Luke’s, unloaded, cleaned, and put everything away. Then I grabbed a couple things I’d forgotten to bring for lunch and headed back down.
Once I got back, half of the girls were standing around the fence, watching as one of their fellow scouts was being led around on a beautiful black horse. I left the things in the truck and wandered over to watch.
It was a beautiful spring day, and I relished the feel of the sun shining down on my bare arms as I listened to the excited laughter of the girls.
“What are you thinking about, with that smile on your face?” Luke asked, and I turned to see him coming toward me, leading what I assumed was Skywalker.
“I was just thinking that this is a pretty special place you have here,” I replied as I eyed the horse warily. I’d never had one this close to my face before. He was looking me right in the eye, and it was kinda freaking me out. “Whatchya got here?”
“This is Skywalker,” he said proudly, and I swear, if I didn’t know better, I’d say the horse stood up more proudly at the introduction. “I’ve been remiss in not getting you down here sooner. It’s a shame to have you living and working on a ranch, without ever having met a horse before.”
“Oh, well, it’s nice to meet you, Skywalker,” I said, giving the horse a little finger wave and feeling like a total fool.
Luke chuckled and said, “He won’t hurt you. Just let him catch your scent. He likes to be pet, and told he’s handsome, just like any other man.”
I turned my face to Luke’s and asked without thinking, “You like to be pet and told you’re handsome?”
His blue eyes twinkled at me, then his face sobered and he leaned in to admit, “I’ve never wanted to injure my best friend, until I saw his lips on your face.”
I realized he must have seen me talking to Jones and said quickly, “He was just asking me to cater for him on Friday.”
Luke moved back and inch and searched my face, then nodded.
“Yeah, he told me … Still, I didn’t like it.”
“I don’t think of him that way,” I said softly, hoping that my face conveyed the truth of my words.
“Good,” he replied, then grinned. “I’ve got to get back to the troop, but maybe later I’ll give you a ride.”
I stood there speechless at his parting shot, then blushed when I realized he was talking about the horse.
Chapter 29
“I’m so excited,” I gushed over the phone to Ginger as I carried bags up to Jones’s town house. “I can’t believe you’re actually coming to visit.”
Luke had given his blessing just that morning for Ginger to come out for the next weekend. I felt weird asking him to have a guest, but I was beyond thrilled to see my friend again.
“I know. I’ve never been to South Carolina,” Ginger responded.
“Well, Luke’s place is in the country, but I figured when I picked you up from the airport, we’d spend the day in Charleston. We can have dinner here, and then I’ll take you back to the ranch. Then we can just relax and hang out there on Saturday, and I’ll bring you back to town on Sunday.”
“That sounds great,” she replied. “I’ll text you the info.”
I was trying to juggle the phone and bags, and at the same time get to the key Luke gave me.
“Um, I have to let you go, so I can get started prepping for the dinner tonight, but I’ll talk to you soon, okay?”
“Yeah, and thanks, sug. I can’t wait to see your face!”
I hung up with a grin and let myself into the town house. I looked around, surprised by how clean and modern everything looked. Jones had obviously made good on his promise to have the house clean and ready for the party. I entered the gleaming kitchen and began unpacking the groceries as I surveyed the area to figure out where I wanted everything.
There was an open floor plan, which would allow a nice flow from drinks to dinner. I figured I’d set up a tray of drinks and appetizers in the living area, where he had
black leather furniture and a nice oversized glass coffee table. Then they’d transition into the dining room, which featured a tall six-person table with a glass center. I planned to plate the dishes in the kitchen and serve them myself.
I’d put a lot of thought into the menu and was enjoying the entire experience immensely. I’d never given catering a thought, but now that I was doing it, I realized I needed to be more creative with my hopes for the future.
“You look good in my kitchen,” Jones said as he came strolling in with a couple bottles of wine in his hands.
I just rolled eyes. I was getting used to his charming, flirtatious ways.
“I thought I’d also make a sangria, in addition to the wine. It feels like spring outside, so I thought it would be a fun option.”
“Perfect,” he replied, then grabbed a piece of avocado and popped it in his mouth.
I made like I was going to slap his hand, causing him to laugh.
“I’m going to go get ready. You good?”
“Yes, everything is under control and ready for your guests to start arriving.”
“Thanks, Bella,” Jones said with a wink, then left me and walked down the hall.
While I was putting the finishing touches on the starters, the idea of introducing Jones and Ginger began to form in my head.
Time went by quickly, and before I knew it, the guests had arrived and were in the living room enjoying their wine and sangria, as well as the ahi poke and avocado, and California rolls.
For dinner I decided to service lettuce wraps, rather than a salad, as the starter. I was pleased to see that no one had left any food on their plates when I cleared, and when I served the jasmine rice with lemon chicken and edamame, with homemade egg rolls and plum sauce on the side, Jones shot me a pleased grin and mouthed, “Perfect.”
The final course of the night was baked pears with a brown sugar and cinnamon glaze, which I served with coffee.
I was cleaning in an adrenaline-fueled frenzy, running on the high of a successful event, when Jones saw the last of his guests to the door. He loosened his tie and came into the kitchen with a satisfied grin.
More Than Exist Page 11