by Amanda Renee
She trusted Tomás, she just didn’t like relying on someone else to run her company or any other aspect of her life. Which must be driving Liv crazy, because that’s exactly what Jade was doing for her. She wished her sister would call. They’d never gone this long without some form of communication. Whether it had been a brief text message or a voice mail, they’d kept in contact with each other. Every morning she reached for her phone and fought the disappointment of the deafening silence.
“How about we go for a walk?” Jade asked the girls, who were happily rocking in the new infant seats Wes had bought them. He was right, they really were a godsend. Emma showed her how she used hers with her six-month-old daughter, Holly, who Jade was relieved to see looked nothing like the triplets. Feeding and naps were much easier and she was sure Liv would appreciate that when she returned home.
Jade bundled the girls in their triplet stroller and set off on the paved path that wound around the ranch. “Your mommy would love it here.” It was unfortunate Wes and Liv hadn’t been a real couple. The girls would have enjoyed growing up on the ranch with family. It was ironic in a way. Liv wanted family so desperately, and even chose a man to father her children from Saddle Ridge’s largest, yet they both wanted to keep the girls a secret from their cousins, aunts and uncles. Jade and Liv never had any of those people in their lives. Maybe if they had they would have grown up loved.
Her sister’s poor decision making still bothered her. It had been one thing to ask Jade to be the egg donor. But Wes? Lookswise, there was no arguing he was a fine specimen of a man. But his attitude...maybe not so much considering she hadn’t seen him since before he left for South Dakota on Tuesday. He’d come back last night, according to Maddie, who had seen him while she was locking lips with Jarrod behind the stables. He texted her and had even called twice, but she had been on the phone with Tomás and a client and couldn’t answer. When she called back, it went straight to voice mail, as if he’d turned off his phone.
It didn’t matter, anyway. Wes was leaving for good in a few days and so would she once Liv came home. Although she should probably stick around for a month—if not more—afterward to make sure Liv was truly okay alone with the girls. Jade still couldn’t quite pocket the anger she had about that. It would be much easier if the four of them came back with her to California. With the exception of her ex-husband, her sister had no other ties to town. She worked remotely and could do the same job from Los Angeles. Jade didn’t think it was selfish to point that fact out to both the doctor and Liv. Jade had been more than reasonable so far.
Up ahead in the distance, Jade saw Wes atop a beautiful black-and-white quarter horse giving a group of guests a riding lesson in a large, dirt-covered outdoor arena. Damn, he looked good. She checked her watch, surprised he wasn’t at the rehearsal dinner. She set the brake on the stroller and crouched down beside the girls. “Look, that’s your da—Oh dear!”
I can’t believe I almost said daddy. Jade stood up and quickly released the brake. If she could slip up that easily now, what would happen if she made that kind of mistake when the girls were older. As she turned the stroller around, she noticed Wes watching them. Within seconds, he was at the fence and Jade noticed a sling around his neck and arm.
She tried to tell herself she didn’t care, but the cold, hard fact was she did. “What happened to you?”
Wes smiled down at the girls who were intently looking up at his horse. “I had a run-in with a bull and dislocated my shoulder. This is just a precaution while it heals.”
Jade’s palms began to throb from gripping the stroller handle too tight. “I still don’t understand all the fuss over eight seconds. It’s so dangerous.”
His expression hardened. “Those eight seconds require a lot of skill and athleticism.”
“Don’t get your boxers in a wad.” Jade hated when men got touchy about sports. “I’m not saying anything to the contrary. I just don’t get the attraction.”
“I wear boxer briefs, thank you. I’m not going to lie...there’s an adrenaline rush every time I compete. But it’s also my job, and those mighty highs are sometimes accompanied by devastating lows.” Wes nudged his mount closer to the fence. “Is this the first time they’ve seen a horse?”
Jade peered over the top of the stroller, trying desperately not to picture Wes wearing nothing but boxer briefs. “They’ve um—they’ve seen the Belgians from a distance. I think they may be more fascinated with you though. We—uh—they haven’t seen you in a few days.”
His mouth curved into a cocky grin. “You’re cute when you’re flustered.”
He shifted in his saddle and Jade wondered if she affected him the same delicious way he affected her. His eyes perused her body before stopping at her breasts. She’d always been self-conscious of their generous size, but Wes’s appreciative gaze made every nerve ending in her body prickle with desire. Definitely not thoughts she should be having about the man who defined complicated.
A muscle twitched along his jawline as he returned his gaze to hers. “I’ve been busy helping my family with the upcoming weddings this weekend. I heard you’re planning Garrett and Delta’s ceremony.”
“It’s going to be so sweet.” Relieved by the subject change, Jade began to relax. “There really wasn’t much to it since they stressed simplicity. But it will be uniquely different from Dylan and Emma’s wedding.”
“I’ve never seen your face light up so much before.” Wes’s devastating smile made her bite her bottom lip to prevent her jaw from hitting the ground.
“I love event planning. It brings people together and makes them happy. Speaking of which, why aren’t you at the rehearsal dinner?”
“Because the ranch has guests and my brothers have their hands full. I went to the ceremony rehearsal and told Garrett I would take his evening lesson. I thought you’d be there.”
“I guess Emma told you she invited me. Is that the real reason you didn’t go?”
Wes averted his eyes, giving Jade her answer.
“Well, we’ll be seeing you, then.” She spun the stroller around and started back to the cabin.
“I told you the truth but that wasn’t good enough. You had to dig deeper.”
“Go away.” Jade waved to him over her shoulder.
“Jade, stop. It’s not like that.” Wes paced her on his horse. “It’s complicated.”
“Seriously?” Jade continued down the path. “You’re going to talk to me about complicated when I’ve uprooted my life more than you have. You get to go home in a few days.” Jade stopped herself from adding, while I’m stuck here. She didn’t want to think of Audra, Hadley and Mackenzie that way despite feeling like a prisoner of sorts.
“At least you still have your career.”
“What?” Jade stopped and looked up at him. “What happened?”
“There are a lot of factors involved, but the short of it is, my competing days may be over before my planned retirement and I’m not sure what to do. Chirp on all you want about giving up more than me, but I may have just lost everything.” He ran his hand down the horse’s neck and gave him a scratch. “This is one of those days I wish Liv was here. She was the best sounding board.”
Jade knew she should maintain a friendly distance from Wes, but couldn’t fathom having to give up her career. Especially at such a young age. “I realize the girls and I are part of your problem, but if you’re willing to join us for dinner, I’m willing to listen. I can’t replace her advice, but I’m here.”
“You’re not a problem, Jade. I’m sorry I ever made you think that.” He glanced over his shoulder at the guests. “Where’s Maddie tonight?”
“On a date with Jarrod. And Alyssa and Megan are babysitting your brothers’ kids.” Jade still had work to finish, but she craved adult conversation more. “I wouldn’t mind the company.”
He nodded. “Give me an hour to finish here
and clean up.”
“Great.” A giddy rush swept over her at the thought of cooking for him. “Do you like Italian?”
“Love it. I’ll see you soon.” He winked before riding away and she couldn’t be sure if it had been at her or the girls. Probably the girls, although she secretly wished otherwise. There were a thousand reasons why she should stay away from Wes Slade, but they had suddenly escaped her brain. And she was okay with that. At least for one night.
* * *
“I DIDN’T REALIZE you could cook like that.” Stuffed, Wes willed himself to stand and help Jade clear the kitchen table. “It definitely beats the pizza we ordered last week.”
Jade had fed the girls before he arrived, giving them time to enjoy their meal. It hadn’t been candlelight and champagne, but between her vintage yellow floral dress and the wine, it bordered on romantic to him. He tried to ignore the ever-increasing emotions churning in his gut, drawing him to her like a bear to honey. He was failing. Miserably.
“Chicken scaloppine is one of my specialties. A perk of working with some of LA’s finest chefs and caterers is I get to learn how they prepare many of their signature dishes.”
“I think I would gain ten pounds a week if I ate your cooking every day.” His hand brushed hers as he handed her another plate, causing the hair on his arm to stand on end at the jolt of excitement she sent through him. If this was her effect on him without trying, he’d be a goner if they were an actual couple.
“No, you wouldn’t,” she said as she rinsed the silverware and dropped it in the dishwasher basket. “Half the time I skip dinner because I’ve been nibbling throughout the day and the other half of the time I order out because Tomás and I are working an event.”
“How is he managing without you?”
“I guess I should say he’s doing great. The problem is we’re losing clients because I’m not there. He’s overworked because he hasn’t found a suitable replacement for his old position. It’s going to take an extraordinary candidate to do what he does, which is why I told him to hire two people. While he’s interviewing, he’s also doing a large portion of my job. He has the mentality of ‘I’d rather do it myself than delegate it’ and he’s quickly learning he has to let go of the smaller things. On the flip side, Tomás and the rest of my team have managed to bring in some lucrative last-minute clients like a movie wrap party the other night. Filming finished way ahead of schedule and they needed something large, lavish and fast. With my contacts and Tomás’s vision, he pulled off a quarter-of-a-million-dollar party in under twelve hours.”
“That’s incredible.” Wes couldn’t imagine wasting that much money on a party. “Then why do you still seem nervous?”
“The company is my baby, my spouse, my everything. The day I graduated, I bought a one-way bus ticket to Los Angeles and the following week I got a job at an event planning company. The job itself sucked. The pay was horrible. But I loved seeing how we took nothing and turned it into something beautiful.” Wes may not personally care for frivolous spending, but he enjoyed the way Jade’s features grew more animated as she spoke. “At the end of the day, no matter how tired we were, we had something spectacular to show for it. I worked my way up until I was ready to start my own business.”
“I didn’t realize you left right after high school.” Wes had an inclination she’d left because of the misery he’d unknowingly created for her.
“I couldn’t get out of this town fast enough. It’s not like I had good memories here. That’s why I don’t understand Liv’s attraction to it. If it was all about Kevin, then maybe I can convince her to come back to California with me.”
Jade poured two mugs of coffee and handed them to Wes. “Can you bring these into the living room while I move the girls’ chairs?”
“Why don’t you let me do that?” Wes watched their content faces as Jade lifted the first chair off the dining room floor.
“It’s okay, I got it.”
Audra and Hadley looked around the room and continued to discover the taste of their own hands, while Mackenzie peacefully snoozed.
“They really love those things, don’t they?” Not seeing any coasters, Wes set the hot cups on a parenting magazine on the end table.
“I think I may love them more than they do. I switch the chairs on and once they fall asleep, I put them in their cribs. Usually they’re all asleep by now, but you’re their favorite shiny new toy. I can’t thank you enough. Liv will love them too.”
“Shiny new toy, huh?” Wes laughed. “I can’t say I’ve ever been described that way before. All kidding aside, maybe you shouldn’t tell Liv they’re from me.”
“Why? Maddie said she was hurt when you ended your friendship. I would think she’d be happy you gave her this gift.”
“Maybe, maybe not. I still wonder if she saw us with the kids that night.”
“If she did, she’s in the right place to deal with it.” Jade shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t mean that to sound as harsh as it does. The reality of the situation is, whether she did or didn’t is out of our control. I can’t keep dwelling on it and neither should you. I’m having a difficult enough time mentally preparing for the pediatrician on Tuesday.”
“What’s so scary about a pediatrician?”
“I’m afraid if she thinks I’m doing something wrong, they’ll take the girls from me. I know it sounds irrational, but I can’t shake the thought.” Wes noticed a slight tremble in Jade’s body as she spoke. “I’ve read my sister’s books at the house, and I think I’m following every parenting blog on the internet, but I have nothing to compare it to. Even Maddie said the same thing. We’ve never done this before. At least she has a little more experience from helping Liv. Then again, Liv never did it before, either. What if the doctor feels I’m not qualified to care for them? And why are you laughing at me?” She swatted him.
Wes gently cupped her face in his hand. “Because it doesn’t work that way and you’re doing an amazing job. Look at them.” His hand slid down her shoulder, turning her body away from him. His chest pressed lightly against her back as he eased behind her. The fingers on his good arm lightly trailed down her waist and settled on her hip. “Those are three very blissful babies.” He leaned into her, wishing he could pull her even closer and shield her from the pain of the past and erase her fears of tomorrow. “They are healthy, well-nourished children. They’re clean. They have clean clothes and a small village of people willing to pitch in. Nobody is going to take them away.”
“I want to believe you.” Her voice broke as she whispered, “It’s so hard.”
Wes shifted behind her and lifted his sling over his head.
“Don’t you need to wear that?”
“I’m supposed to keep my arm as close to my body as possible. Unless I’m—how did you put it?—bouncing on the back of a bull, I’m not really in any pain without it. The sling just makes me aware of what I shouldn’t do with my arm until it heals. I think I can make a small exception.”
Wes moved to the corner of the couch, softly tugging her to join him. Wordlessly she settled between his legs, her back still to him. He was pushing the boundaries of their relationship more than he should, but the overwhelming need to protect and care for the four females who’d interrupted and taken over his life won out.
“I know you went through hell growing up. But what your mom did and what you’re doing are worlds apart from one another. You’re not the same person she was. No one is going to compare you to her.”
“Why not? I can’t help comparing Liv to my mom.” Jade’s voice pitched. “I’m disgusted with myself for even thinking it. What if that’s what happened to my mom?”
“Your mom was a drug addict.” Wes wrapped his arms around her, inadvertently resting on top of her breasts. One lone part of his body twitched at the skin-on-skin contact and he prayed the reaction didn’t become too evident.
“Have you ever attempted to contact him?” Wes tried to imagine what life would have been like never knowing his father.
“I can’t. Our mom never told us who he was, and we have no idea where she is or if she’s still alive. There’s no father listed on our birth certificates. I cringed when I had to show it to get my driver’s license and passport. The woman at the post office had the nerve to argue with me over the blank field on my passport form. Everyone in line behind me heard me explain I didn’t know who my father was. I was so embarrassed. Stuff like that happens, even in this day and age. That’s another reason I’m surprised Liv chose the route she did. She hated that growing up.”
“By the time the girls are old enough to know what a birth certificate is, I’d like to think people will be more educated to the changing family dynamic.”
“I like that you get it.” Jade tilted her head and looked up at him. His eyes trailed over her face, stopping on her full red lips. How did her lipstick manage to stay on through dinner? He wanted to kiss her to see if it would survive the heat between them. More than that, he wanted to kiss away her worries and promise her everything would be all right.
“I agreed to be a donor so the fact I accept a modern family shouldn’t surprise you.”
“Nothing should surprise me at this point, but every time I turn around something else does.” Her sultry voice, whether intentional or not, only heightened his desire.
“Like what?” The selfish part of him secretly wished she’d say her attraction to him, while the logical side of him hoped she didn’t.