“You two are a pair.” Treven stepped onto the porch and thrust a long black wool coat into her hands. “I know in L.A. you don’t need coats, but you’re in the mountains here, and it gets cold.”
“Thanks,” she murmured, though his underhanded comment stung. Mom had begged and pushed her to go to L.A. and she was the only reason Daisy had dared to pursue her dreams. Not that it was right that Daisy hadn’t been there to help when Mom was sick and ditched Treven when he needed her most, but his feelings of desertion ripped at her. Like she’d ditched him and Snow Valley for something better. If only he knew. She’d worked night and day to succeed, trying to honor her mom’s last request. Now, she had nothing.
Jamison took the coat and helped her into it. His strong hands brushed her shoulder and then her neck, distracting her completely. He didn’t say anything as he took her elbow and escorted her to his four-door silver truck. It seemed everybody in Snow Valley had a truck. It was something she’d oddly missed in L.A. where trucks definitely weren’t the norm. In her mind, nothing said man like a truck. She didn’t care if it was an old farm truck or a shiny new truck, she just liked them.
“Daisy Pipsqueak,” he murmured as he helped her in.
Daisy couldn’t help but laugh. He strode around to his side. The heater was effective and she quickly shed the coat she’d just put on before strapping on her seatbelt. Jamison climbed in and gave her another appreciative look. “Thanks for fulfilling every fantasy I’ve ever had when I bought this truck.”
Daisy laughed. “What in the world does that mean?”
“You sitting there. It’s a dream come true for me.”
“You’re a dork.” But she was grinning.
“Thank you kindly, ma’am. I’ve worked hard to become so.”
“You’ve worked hard to be a dork?”
“Oh, yes, ma’am. Famous singers don’t want some suave, charming guy. They want a down-to-earth cowboy dork.” He winked, and she couldn’t help but laugh.
He put the truck into gear and drove north out of town toward his ranch. Her brother had built his house in town because he was a pharmacist at the local hospital. Jamison drove past the home she grew up in, just down the street from Treven’s house. There was a light on in the living room, and she supposed her father was there.
“Have you seen your dad yet?” Jamison asked quietly.
Daisy’s gaze snapped to his. It was the most serious she’d ever heard him, and she wondered how he knew that she hadn’t. “Not yet. Working up my nerve.”
“You know Treven runs him dinner every night.”
Daisy swallowed hard, and it really hurt her throat. It probably wasn’t the lump though. Her throat felt raw from emotion. She had noticed Treven slipping out with a paper plate of food when she did the dishes and wondered, but she hadn’t asked, hadn’t really wanted the answer. The last time she’d tried to visit her dad, he’d been so drunk he hadn’t even recognized her. That had been over two years ago. She didn’t know if she could ever go back. Her mom’s house had stunk. The sink had been piled with dishes, and the dust was an inch thick on her mom’s beloved Lladro statues.
“Treven’s a good guy when he wants to be.”
“Does he give you a hard time?” Jamison was using a careful, concerned voice, and she wanted to go back to the way he usually said things funny and teasing.
“That’s what big brothers are for.” She tried to shrug off his concern. Family issues should stay within the family. “So where are you taking me on this date of a lifetime?”
Jamison arched his eyebrows. “You think it’s going to be the best date of your life, eh?”
“No, I think you’re only getting one date with me, so it’d better be the best date of your life.”
Jamison chuckled but then pinned her with a look. “It’ll be so good you’ll be begging me for more.”
“We’ll see” was all she said. Inside, she knew she couldn’t allow this to continue no matter how great Jamison and this date were. It didn’t matter if she fell head over heels for him. She wouldn’t allow it to continue. She had cancer just like her mom, and the thought of falling in love and Jamison busting apart like her dad had was something she could never have on her conscience.
Jamison pulled off the main road into his family’s ranch.
“Still living with Mom and Dad? That’s a little awkward at twenty-six.”
He grinned at her. “It’s only awkward when I bring a date home and Dad’s lounging around in his tighty-whities.”
Daisy busted up, imagining Jamison’s dad sitting in the Lazy Boy in white underwear. He was a big guy and so kind, didn’t say much as Jamison’s mom and younger brothers were loud enough for the entire family.
Jamison drove her around by the barn. She noticed a new home on the property and wondered if maybe it was his. It was a two-story with tan clapboard siding, a wraparound porch, and lots of windows. Warm light from the main floor windows spilled out into the chilly night. She wanted to go inside that beautiful house but Jamison parked by the barn, hurried around to open her door, helped her back into her coat, and escorted her to a horse and buggy combo. One of his high-school aged brothers held the horse and gave her a huge grin.
“Hi, Daisy,” he called out.
“Hi, J-J…” She glanced at Jamison for help.
“Justin,” the boy said. “I know we all look alike.”
“Don’t slam me like that,” Jamison teased his little brother.
“Hah! If only you could have a face this good-looking.” Justin threw back at him.
Jamison chuckled and held out his fist. Justin bumped it. “We both know you’re the most handsome of us all, bro.”
“Thank you for admitting it.” Justin winked at her.
Jamison helped Daisy into the cart and squeezed in beside her. He pulled a heavy Levi quilt over the two of them. Daisy’s cheeks warmed. Snuggling under a blanket with Jamison sounded like a lot of fun. She tried to remember the reasons she couldn’t date him, but they were a little fuzzy at the moment.
He glanced down at her with a wide smile and a look of promise in his eyes, and the reasons were incomprehensible. How did she not give in to a smile like that?
Justin handed Jamison the reins, breaking his gaze on her. Daisy shivered.
“Thanks again, bro,” Jamison said.
“Sure thing. Have fun you two.” Justin’s voice was full of innuendo.
Daisy bit at her lip. What was she doing alone with this handsome stud of a man that she couldn’t dream of having a future with?
Jamison clucked to the horses, and they cantered away from the barn and out along a dirt road behind the houses. The night was crisp and so clear she could see for miles. The road climbed up the foothills but stayed along the side of the mountain. Daisy stared out over Snow Valley. There were lights from nearby houses and barns, and further away was the strip of Main Street and the businesses and homes clustered around it. She missed the simplicity and beauty of this place so much.
Jamison pulled back on the reins and softly said, “Whoa.” They hadn’t talked in a few minutes, and his voice startled her from her perusal of the valley.
Jamison wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and his warm breath brushed her cheek as he said, “Look up.”
Daisy obeyed, resting her head back against the strength of his arm. She couldn’t help but sigh at the black sky illuminated with stars. The moon was just coming up above the mountains behind them. She wanted to sing “How Great Thou Art” clear and full. She swallowed down the disappointment, and that awful lump was there, mocking her that she couldn’t sing.
She blinked and focused on the night sky again. It was perfect, and she wondered how she’d survived in a concrete jungle for four years with no stars and no Jamison.
She turned to look at him. He studied her. His eyes dipped to her lips then back up to her eyes. She caught a breath and held it, warmth rushing through her. Would he kiss her? Should she let him? Everything
in her head was muddied as she felt herself unconsciously leaning closer to him. Jamison wrapped her tightly in his embrace. Daisy gasped from the sudden movement and how great it felt to be pressed against his muscular chest.
She blinked up at him, and his gaze seared through her. Kiss me, she wanted to beg. Jamison trailed his hand along her cheek. Daisy waited so impatiently. He slowly bent and pressed a chaste kiss on her forehead and then ushered her cheek down to his neck. Daisy swallowed the disappointment, breathing in his manly scent and the feel of the soft but firm skin of his neck. She softly kissed right where his pulse was beating steadily. She knew she was wrong to do it and was sending him mixed signals, as she shouldn’t even have allowed herself to go on this date.
Jamison inhaled quickly and swallowed hard. She felt the swallow against her lips and tenderly kissed his neck again. Oh, this was so wrong of her, but it felt so good. Jamison’s strong arms tightened around her, but then he released her and grasped the reins with both hands.
Daisy reeled from the loss of his touch and the cold air swirling around her face without the protection of him surrounding her.
“We’d better get back. Dinner will be cold,” Jamison said gruffly. It didn’t even sound like his voice. There was nothing funny or warm about it.
Daisy’s temper rose. Why had he roped her into the date, brought her to this beautiful spot all cuddled in a blanket, and not wanted to kiss her? Was this his way to get back at her for not accepting his advances earlier? Was he mocking her?
Just as the anger rushed in, it left quickly. The cold air hit her like a slap in the face as they cantered back down the dirt road. She was a brat to want to kiss Jamison when she couldn’t dream of dating him. Her surgery loomed ever closer, and who knew what else would happen with cancer or her career? She should’ve kept Jamison at arm’s length and never let him persuade her to go on a date. Now, she was reeling from the near kiss and was probably going to ruin their friendship. She hated her life right now.
Jamison pulled up to the barn, and his heart rate still wasn’t back to normal. Had Daisy really looked up at him with those beautiful thick-lashed eyes with the moonlight coming up behind them and the valley spread out below him, and he’d kissed her on the forehead? Had she really kissed his neck twice? His blood was still hot from the touch of her lips—so intimate, so personal. At Jordan’s football game, she’d implied someone had hurt her, so he’d promised himself he would take it slowly. He’d barely corralled her into this date, and he didn’t want it to be one and done. They’d been friends their entire lives, but it had never been like this. He wanted to grow their friendship and let the fire for each other flame naturally until he knew good and well that she welcomed his kiss and wanted to date him. Maybe his plans were stupid and he’d just messed up his one chance with her.
Neither of them had spoken on the way back to his house. Daisy was stiff beside him, and he didn’t know that he blamed her. He’d pursued her hard and then hadn’t gone for a kiss in a romantic situation. She was probably as confused as he was. He helped her from the cart with a muttered, “Just a second.” Then he walked the horse and cart into the barn.
Justin was waiting for him. He jumped up and gave him a thumb’s up. “Best spot for a kiss ever?”
Jamison blew out a breath. “Thanks, bro.”
Justin took the reins. “Wait! No kiss?”
“None of your business.” He turned and hurried out of the barn before Justin could respond.
“Sheesh, my bet is on a big fat no,” Justin said to his back.
Jamison didn’t respond. He walked to where Daisy waited. She tilted her head up and gave him a hesitant smile. She was so exquisitely beautiful, and Jamison was second-guessing himself. Why did he need to wait? If she felt any of the sparks and warmth from him that he was feeling every time they touched or looked at each other, a kiss could solidify his chance of dating her more. But no, she’d been more than reluctant about giving him a chance, and he still didn’t know if someone had hurt her or what she’d meant about the fairy’s wings being broken. He had to take it slow. Curse his male hormones for wanting to grab her and kiss her until they both had to come up for air.
He gestured toward his house, wanting to take her hand, but needing some distance. He was usually so confident and happy. Right now, he was a mess.
Daisy fell into step by his side. “Thank you for the ride. That was beautiful.”
“I live to please.”
She cocked her head and looked up at him. “Is that right?”
“Yes, ma’am.” The cold air didn’t help with his hot neck as she gave him a searching gaze as if wondering why he hadn’t kissed her. She’d probably been kissed by many a man in California, and he hated the thought of that, but he wanted their first kiss to be special and meaningful, not just because he was so physically drawn to her.
They walked up the side steps of his porch, and he swung open the door that led into the kitchen. The potato soup and cornbread smelled spot on. He smiled. At least his food would be good. She glanced around at his open floor plan. The main floor was simple and spacious—a large kitchen and living area, a mudroom, a half bath, and the master suite on one end. The rest of the bedrooms and a game room were upstairs.
Daisy trailed her hand along the granite countertop. “I love this.”
“The counter?” It had reds, grays, and browns swirled in it, and he liked it, but love was pushing it a bit.
“No.” She laughed. “Well yes, I like the countertop, but I love your house. It’s so open.” She glanced around. “Do you ever close the blinds?”
He started and glanced at his windows. “Um, I’ve never really needed to.” He only had coverings on the south-facing windows. They automatically dropped down from outside, but he only used them when the sun was glaring. He liked to look outside at the mountains and the valley.
“What if someone was watching you?” She shivered.
Jamison had to clench his fists at his side to stop himself from reaching for her and pulling her into his chest. First, she’d acted like someone had hurt her. Now, she was acting like she was afraid. Maybe she had a crazy stalker or something terrifying like that. “I guess one of my brothers might be watching, but I’d just kick their rears.” He winked and hoped to put her at ease. “Why don’t you settle into this seat, and I’ll set supper out?” He pulled out a barstool, and she sat cautiously on it.
Jamison retrieved a salad from the fridge and dressings. Then he brought the hot pot of soup over from the stove and set it on a hot pad and pulled the cornbread out of the warm oven. The plates, bowls, utensils, honey butter, salt, and pepper were all sitting out already.
Daisy watched him with her mouth slightly open. “You made all of this?”
He grinned. Maybe knowing he could cook would make her like him more. A guy could hope. “Do you mind if I say grace?”
She pulled in a quick breath, but nodded her head slightly. Jamison walked to her and extended his hands. She glanced up at him, pulled her lower lip between her teeth, and finally placed both of her hands in his. Jamison felt a warmth jolt through him and a surge of protectiveness that he’d never felt for a woman. Daisy looked down at their hands then back up into his eyes. Did she feel the connection too?
Jamison bowed his head and offered a brief prayer of gratitude for the food and for their friendship. He noticed she didn’t repeat his amen. It reminded him of her not singing in church. Was she not a believer anymore? How did he bring something like that up?
He tugged her to her feet. “I’d dish you up, but you probably can’t pack away quite as much as I can.”
Releasing her hands, he gestured toward the food.
“Oh, I don’t know. Homemade soup and cornbread? I might out eat Jordan tonight.”
She walked around him and dished up a large bowl of soup and then put cornbread and salad on a plate. Jamison grabbed a bag of shredded cheese and bacon bits from the fridge and offered both to her, but she decl
ined. He filled two glasses with ice water then got his own serving of everything, putting lots of bacon and cheese in his bowl.
They sat side by side and started eating.
“This is fabulous,” Daisy said.
“Thank you.” Score one for him, even if he had missed his opportunity to kiss her earlier.
It was too quiet with the clinks of their silverware on the bowl or them swallowing or chewing. Jamison was starting to feel self-conscious and was scrambling for something to say. Treven had always been the first one to call another friend out on chewing loudly or smacking their lips. Would Daisy think Jamison was chewing obnoxiously? He tried to focus on chewing more quietly.
“I can’t remember the last time I had homemade food.” She broke the awkward spell.
Jamison pivoted to look at her more fully. “That’s the saddest thing I’ve ever heard.”
Daisy laughed. “There are a lot sadder things in this world.”
“I know, but come on. What do you eat?”
Daisy shrugged her delicate shoulders. “I have a chef who prepares my food, and it’s all right. I guess it would be considered homemade, but it’s all tailored to a special diet to make sure I look good on stage. It isn’t delicious like this.” She gestured to the spread.
Jamison couldn’t even put another bite in as he stared at her. “Wait.” He held up a hand. “Y-you’re …” He was stuttering and unable to form a coherent sentence. “You’re stinking perfect, too skinny in fact, and somebody made you eat bird food so you look good on stage?”
Daisy laughed again. “If I ate creamy soup and cornbread with honey butter at every meal, I wouldn’t be ‘stinking perfect.’” She looked down at her bowl of soup. “But thank you.”
Jamison set his spoon down and pivoted on the barstool. “Tell me about your life, Daisy.”
She put a hand to her neck and shrugged before picking up her spoon and taking another bite. A long pause ensued in which Jamison wondered if he should ask again or change the subject. Finally, she said quietly, “It’s pretty boring. Wake up early and work out with my trainer. Work all day recording songs or, when I’m on tour, traveling and performing. Lots of time sitting while the makeup artists and hairstylists do their thing … and eating bird food.” She actually smiled at him, but something was off. Her eyes were too bright and shiny.
Romancing the Singer (Cami's Snow Valley Romance Book 5) Page 5