by Ciana Stone
"I'm not —"
"Oh you don't have to try to hide it from me. You know I'm the vault around these parts. Holding everybody's secrets."
Those words sounded all too familiar and gave Jo more than a bit of discomfort. The last person who said that to her, Nellie Mae, had run straight to Netta and the two of them had broadcast lies all over town about the Weathers. If she didn't set Netta straight, by nightfall everyone in Cotton Creek would think she and Jayce were having some kind of hot affair.
She opened her mouth to chastise Netta and abruptly changed her mind. So what if people thought she had something going on with Jayce? He was hot as a match, fun to be around and it wasn't like either one of them were sneaking around on a spouse.
"You have a nice day, Ms. Netta. I have to scoot. Jayce and Jason are waiting."
She paid and hurried back to the table where the men waited. When Jayce put his hand on the small of her back to escort her out, she cut a look over her shoulder. Sure enough, Netta Bloom was watching.
Jo bit back a smile. Wonder just how involved the gossip would have her and Jayce Weathers by morning?
Chapter Eight
When the people of Cotton Creek said they supported their high school football team they were not exaggerating. The stands were packed. Jolene stopped and looked around as she and Jayce entered. "Wow, is it always this well attended?"
"You know it, sugar."
She shook her head and smiled up at him. He was such a flirt, but god what a sexy one and so much fun just to be around. He took her hand and led the way. Halfway up the center of the home team side, was his entire family. Including JD.
Greetings from his family were enthusiastic and friendly, except for JD, who merely nodded and looked away. She and Jayce took a seat on the row in front of JD, beside Bronson and his kids. Bronson looked around Jayce at her. "So, you a football fan, Jo?"
"Well, I have a general idea of how the game is played but I don't follow it. But tonight will be special because I know the family of the two star players of the team."
Out of the corner of her eye she noticed someone behind them stand. She looked around to see JD making his way to the other end of the stand. She looked at Jason and he shrugged. Jolene watched JD as he took a seat beside a man sitting alone. The man smiled as JD took a seat and they started talking.
"You want something to drink?" Jayce asked.
"No, I'm good thanks."
The game started, and all conversation centered on what was happening on the field. Jolene couldn't resist cutting glances now and then in JD's direction. Clearly he didn't want to have anything to do with her. When was she going to get that through her head?
If she was smart she'd forget about JD. He was way too wrapped up in his own guilt and misery. Pining after him was foolish. Jayce looked over her and smiled and it occurred to her that while she was wasting time obsessing over JD she could be having a good time with Jayce. She should just put JD out of her mind and enjoy her time in Cotton Creek.
By half time she'd convinced herself that was what she was going to do. Let JD wallow in his guilt and unhappiness. She couldn't waste any more of her life agonizing over something that had been nothing more than a fling. It was never going to be a love-story between her and JD. He was going to make damn sure of that.
*****
JD felt guilty on a couple of levels. First, he shouldn't have left his family just because Jo showed up with Jayce. The problem was, there was just no way he could sit there and watch Jayce flirt with her.
He also felt guilty that the man he sat beside, Kyle Stadler, had been going through a rough patch and JD had not known. He and Kyle went way back. They'd grown up together. Kyle's family had a small spread about fifteen miles outside of town on the northern side. His father had been a horse breeder and trainer, a damn good one and had also grown up in Cotton Creek.
Kyle's mother was from Oklahoma, a Native American and probably the only genuine horse whisperer JD had ever known. Both Kyle's parents were gone now, and Kyle ran the ranch alone. He'd earned one hell of a reputation as a breeder and had inherited his mama's talents with horses.
He was also one of the shyest people JD had ever known. One-on-one he could carry on a conversation about most anything, but put him in a crowd and he became part of the scenery in two red-hot seconds. The funny thing about that was even with his shyness he'd always been a woman magnet. Why he'd never married was a mystery, unless he had too much fun with all the women that passed in and out of his life.
Until tonight JD hadn't known that Kyle had broken his leg. He mentally kicked himself for being so wrapped up in his own life that he'd fallen out of touch with a good friend. "So, how're you managing with that leg, buddy?"
"Not easy but I'm getting by. Old Buddy Mingo who worked for me got laid up with the gout, and that young fella, Lou Messer up and left last week. I need to hire on at least one man. Just until this damn cast comes off."
"I can have a couple of our guys come over and help you out - maybe two or three days a week until you're back on your feet."
"No, you got your own place to take care of."
"It's the least I can do for a friend."
"I appreciate that, JD, but I don't want to take advantage. I really need to hire someone."
"Well, I'll keep my eyes and ears open and if I hear of anyone looking for work I'll steer 'em your way. In the meantime, I'm gonna send some of the boys over next week."
"Thanks. So, your boys. Man, they have skills."
"Yeah, they're doing really well."
"That's putting it mildly, brother. I hear they have quite a few scouts interested."
"Yep."
Kyle looked over at him with a serious expression. "So how you gonna handle them leaving home JD?"
JD shrugged. "I guess like everything else, one day at a time. Just want them to be happy."
"They always have been. You know they stopped by last week and unloaded feed for me."
"They did?"
"Yep. You taught 'em well."
"I tried. So, word has it Mabel Collins daughter was here for a visit a couple of weeks back and was darn near camping out at your place."
Kyle shook his head. "I tell you, what, I don't know how to handle city women."
"She grew up here, Kyle."
"And hit the road the minute she graduated high school. Lives in Dallas now and is a flight attendant."
"And had quite the interest in you – at least according to the gossip."
"She was just bored and looking for a way to fill her time."
"And did you help her with that?"
Kyle gave him a sly smile. "Did my best, but the broken leg you know…"
They both laughed. JD knew Kyle well enough to know that a broken leg wouldn't stop him from enjoying a woman. He was a little like Jayce in that respect. He purely loved women, and could literally charm them right out of their pants with his quiet manner, but when one of them got to thinking along the lines of commitment, Kyle backed away fast.
That thought prompted a darker one. Jayce was with Jo, and if he knew his brother, Jayce would be using every ounce of charm he had to get into Jo's pants.
The good mood that had started to develop suddenly disappeared. No matter what he did or didn't do as long as Jolene was here his life was going to be miserable.
*****
"So, who's that guy JD's sitting with?" Jolene asked as the game ended.
"Where?"
She pointed and Jayce followed the direction of her finger. "Oh, that's Kyle Stadler."
"He's very striking."
"Yep. Half the women in Cotton Creek have the hots for him."
"Oh? So he's not married?"
"Kyle?" Jayce laughed. "No ma'am. That's one man that doesn't have any interest in getting married."
"Why not? Was he left at the altar? Had his heart broken when his high school sweetheart chose college over him?"
Jayce shrugged. "Don't know. He just i
sn't the marrying kind I guess. He is a bonafide horse whisperer. Ever met one of those?"
"A whole family. Your cousins, the Nash’s."
"Seriously?"
"Very."
"Well I'll be damned. It's pretty amazing to watch Kyle work with an animal."
"I bet. I'd love to watch sometime."
"I can call and ask him if you want."
"That'd be great."
"You keep finding people that tweak your interest and you're never leaving Cotton Creek girl."
Jolene smiled. "There are a lot of interesting people here."
"Hey!" Cody hopped from the bleacher behind them to beside Jo. "You headed out with handsome here or wanna head out to the ranch with me, knock back a few and talk about men?"
Jolene looked from her to Jayce. She had no doubt that if she rode with Jayce he would make a move. His hand had landed on her leg more than once during the game, and several times he'd given her little kisses on the cheek, flirting and teasing.
She knew he wasn't interested in anything other than a fling, and while she had no doubt that she'd enjoy it, she also knew it would not be a smart move. "Didn't you say you were working in the morning?"
"Yep."
"Well, then I think I'll go with Cody. See you at the shindig tomorrow?"
"You bet."
"Okay, great." She gave him a kiss on the cheek and headed off with Cody. As they walked away she looked back and saw JD watching. She raised her hand and waved and to her surprise he did the same.
What puzzled her was why that commonplace gesture meant so much coming from him. Was she never going to get it through her head that JD Weathers was not going to be hers? She'd had a pretty good evening, but all the while she'd been aware of him. Why couldn't she just let it go and move on?
All at once she was ready for a drink. Or six. Something to wash thoughts of JD from her mind.
*****
Jolene was surprised how crowded the diner was. It was barely eight in the morning. She'd been up for several hours and could have eaten at Mrs. Nellie Mae's after Cody dropped her off but she didn't feel up to fending off questions this morning. It wasn't as if she could have an unguarded conversation with the woman. She was fearful of anything she said being twisted into gossip fuel.
Not to mention the fact that she wasn't quite recovered from the night at Cody's. They had almost polished off an entire bottle of tequila. Jolene had gotten the low down on almost everyone in Cotton Creek, including JD. Sadly, what she'd learned had not helped her break the hold he seemed to have on her.
However, that aside, she was in no mood for Nellie Mae. Let Nellie Mae try her stuff on the crew. That gave Jolene a smile. Nellie May had little luck with the men on her crew. They focused on eating and discussing the project or sports. Gossip wasn't part of their wheelhouse.
Since there was no free seating at the diner, she headed over to the bakery. The moment she opened the door her mouth watered. Whatever that was she wanted a dozen.
"Good morning." The lovely blonde woman behind the counter smiled at her. "Ms. Windwalker, right?"
"Jolene."
"Well hi, Jolene. I'm Stella Sweet. I've heard a lot of nice things about you from my daughter Cody and a lot of the folks in town. It's nice to meet you."
"It's such a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Sweet. And my god, what is that smell? Whatever it is can I have a truckload?"
Stella chuckled. "My husband's favorite – apple fritters. They just came out of the oven. Want one?"
"Can we make that two? And can I get a dozen to go?"
"Absolutely. There's coffee and tea over there." She pointed to the drink counter. "Just help yourself and I'll get those fritters dished up."
"Thank you."
Jolene pour herself a big cup of coffee, doused it with cream, and took a seat at the last vacant table. She sipped her coffee and watched the people in the bakery. They smiled and chatted as they sipped coffee and enjoyed a pastry. It was a bright and cheery place that reminded her of someone's kitchen, all pretty with yellow walls and white trim. There were even tablecloths on the tables with small floral arrangements on each one.
Just as Stella started from behind the counter with the plate of fritters, JD walked in with his sons, two tall, handsome boys. "Morning, JD." Stella smiled at him and then at the boys. "And good morning to you boys. Just took a fresh batch of fritters out of the oven if you're interested."
"Yes, ma'am." They both chimed in at the same time.
"Well all righty then. Grab yourself something to drink and I'll bring 'em right out." She continued to Jolene's table "Here ya go, hon."
"Thanks." Jolene gave Stella a quick smile and immediately looked down at the plate of fritters the moment Stella walked away. She was all too aware of JD's presence.
He didn't so much as glance her way as he headed for the beverage counter. His sons got their drinks and looked around for an empty table. Aside from the one Jolene occupied, there were no empty seats available.
She waved at them and they walked over. "You can have this table."
"You haven't finished." One of them pointed out.
"That's okay, I can get it bagged up to go."
"Well how 'bout we sit with you? We kinda been wanting to meet you anyway. You're that TV lady that's doing the show on our family, right?"
"Yes. Jolene Windwalker. Nice to meet you…?"
"Briggs, and this is my brother Dawson. We've seen you on TV."
She gave them a smile then cut her eyes to JD who had turned in their direction and was now glaring. "Maybe it would be best if I just gave you the table. Your dad doesn't look too pleased."
They both looked at their dad as he approached. "He looks that way a lot, but he's okay. So can we sit?"
"Of course. Please."
They sat down just as JD reached the table. "Boys, we best get something to go."
"Why?" The twin she now knew as Briggs asked. "Ms. Windwalker said we could sit with her. And we wanted to ask her about our kin."
Jolene saw the flash of annoyance that crossed JD's face and the resignation that followed. "Fine." He took a seat across from her as the twins had the chairs on either side of her.
"So, you've actually met Jesse Nash?" Dawson asked.
"Yes, I have."
"What's he like?"
"He's very nice. Great sense of humor, a heck of a cowboy and he's also a detective with the county sheriff's office."
"Really? A lawman?" Dawson grinned. "That's cool."
"And a world champion cowboy." Briggs added. "Now that's really cool."
"Yes, just like your father."
The eyes of both boys widened and as if possessed of one mind their heads turned toward JD. "You?" Dawson asked at the same moment Briggs blurted, "For real?"
The look JD cut Jolene did not spell pleasure. Well damn. Apparently, she'd stuck her boot in her mouth right off the get-go.
"That was a long time ago." He finally answered.
"Doesn't diminish the accomplishment." She pointed out.
"Another life."
"Holy – seriously, Dad? What event? What year? Did you win more than once? Why didn't you ever tell us? Why did you stop?" The questions poured from the twins and Jolene couldn't help but smile at their excitement.
"I'll tell you all about it sometime." He looked at Stella as she walked up to the table. "Here ya go fellas. Piping hot." She set the fritters on the table, smiled, and turned away.
As the boys dug in, JD looked across the table at Jolene. She hated the little jump of excitement that sparked inside her when their gazes met. "Maybe I could add something about your buckles to the piece? Viewers love to hear about rodeo champions."
"That was a long time ago."
"Still. The article is about your family, how you've survived when so many other family-owned farms and ranches have failed. You've diversified into construction and energy and you have sons who are being scouted by major universities for their football pro
grams. From what I hear your sons have a good chance at winning in the team roping at the upcoming rodeo, following in their father's footsteps. Your family is interesting, and that's what we want to show the viewers."
She hoped she was getting her point across. She didn't intend to reveal his secret, or make the family curse a big part of the article. While the first part of what she said didn't bring a positive reaction, the bit about his sons did. A smile came on his face and she marveled at how much younger he appeared, and how truly handsome he was.
"Yeah, the boys have done well. I'm proud of them."
"As you should be." She gave the twins a smile. "I saw you play last night and you were amazing. The whole town seems to be loyal fans and fully expects the two of you to be leading a university team very soon."
"I hope!" Briggs said around a bite of fritter.
"And I understand that part of your appeal for the universities is that you're both honor students?"
"Yes ma'am." Dawson looked at JD. "Dad says that football is great and he supports us every step of the way, but education is the real reason to go to college, cause a sports career can be cut short in a flash, but an education lasts a lifetime."
"That's so true. You're lucky to have such a wise and supportive father."
"He's the best." Briggs said and then added. "And you know, he's single. Pop said you're not married."
Jolene felt heat flood her face. "Well, no, I'm not."
"Then you should go with dad to the thing at Billy's – well what used to be Billy's. It's tonight. There will be music and dancing and drinking and—"
"Son, Ms. Windwalker might not be interested in the shin-dig at Billy's."
"No?" Dawson looked at Jolene.
"No. I mean, not that I'm not interested. It sounds like it will be fun but – but—"
"She's already got a date." Briggs cut in drawing everyone's attention.
"She does?" Dawson looked at Jolene and then back at his brother.
"Yeah, Uncle Jayce. He told me last night."
The look on JD's face told her it was time to get moving. "Well, I hate to eat and run, but I have a lot to do. It was a pleasure meeting you Dawson and Briggs and congratulations on your accomplishments. I hope to see you again. And you have a nice day, Mr. Weathers."