“Tyler’s defending Becky’s virtue,” Maggie said.
“Good, maybe that’ll get him off my back,” Jenny chided. “I’m getting a little too old for a big brother.”
“Tyler’s only looking out for you.”
“I’m twenty-six, and he still grills my dates.”
“He’s only doing it because he loves you,” Maggie argued.
“I know. But I’m glad he has Becky to look after.” Jenny began to laugh. “Oh, look what they’re doing now.”
Jessie glanced up toward the stage as another song began. She smiled seeing Tyler and Brett stumbling around as Becky and Katie showed them how to line dance. Her heart warmed as Brett let Katie demonstrate the dance steps for him. Before long, he was doing them on his own and motioning for other kids and adults to come up, too.
Maggie nudged Jessie, and with Jenny’s help they escorted her to the floor, but Jessie stood at the side watching the others dance. That night at the Gazebo had been her first attempt at dancing.
But before she knew it, Brett swung her onto the floor and made her move in time with the music. They weren’t exactly in unison, but it didn’t matter since everyone was having such a good time.
Finally, the fast music ended and a ballad began. Brett pulled Jessie into his arms.
“This is my favorite way of dancing,” he said, grinning down at her. “Up close and personal.”
Brett held Jessie tighter, molding her body to his. He bit back a groan, feeling her luscious breasts pressed against his chest. This was heaven, and he wanted it to last an eternity.
The song ended and they reluctantly broke apart. When Jessie looked at him, her blue eyes shone bright with longing. He watched her run her tongue over her full bottom lip. God! He ached to kiss her. But once he started, one kiss would never satisfy him. He wanted more...much more.
The music began again. Brett gripped her arm, pulled her against him. “Do you know how much I want you?” he breathed, watching her eyes grow large. Then her dark lashes fluttered down, hiding her desire.
“Don’t, Jessie.” They were swaying to the music. “I need to know if you feel the same.”
“Yes,” she said and laid her head against his chest.
“You really do?” His arms tightened around her. “Oh, Jessie, you’ll never know how much I like hearing that. And, once the well comes in—”
“Hey, Brett,” Tyler interrupted, looking apologetic. “It’s time. We’re needed up on stage.”
“Don’t go away.” Brett’s eyes sought hers. “We still need to talk.”
Jessie watched the man she loved walk away, her heart soaring as he stood with the other Murdocks: Tyler, Maggie, Jenny and Caroline. Tyler came to the microphone and thanked their neighbors and friends for coming to the barbecue. He also talked about his father and how much J.T. had loved the celebration. A teary-eyed Caroline stood between her children. Then Tyler raised a glass in a toast to his father.
“To a proud Texan, who loved his family and friends. He taught us that hard work paid off, and all a man needed was a firm handshake and his word to make a deal.” Tyler looked at Caroline and smiled. “And the love of a good woman to make a life.” He raised his glass higher. “My father, J. T. Murdock.”
The crowd was silent a moment, then broke out into a round of applause as the band began to play the “Yellow Rose of Texas.” Jessie moved away from the people and waited for Brett to join her, but he was beside his mother talking to several people. She didn’t mind. Caroline needed him with her now.
It was Jenny Murdock who came off the stage first and walked toward Jessie along with two other women about her age.
“Jessie, I’d like you to meet two of my friends. Alissa Brown and Lynne Kencade. Girls, this is Jessie Burke. She’s a friend of Brett’s.”
The two women were politely pleasant, but Jessie felt uncomfortable in their presence. They might be about her age, but from their designer clothes, to their manicured nails and their expensive salon haircuts, they were as different from her as they could be.
“We just had to see the woman who finally caught Brett Murdock’s attention,” Lynne spoke up. “What I mean is, a lot of girls have caught Brett’s attention.” She giggled. “No one has managed to keep it long.”
“Oh, I tried,” Alissa said. “Believe me, I tried.”
“We’ve all tried, honey,” Lynne added, giving Jessie the once-over. “But it’s hard to figure why Brett would go for an Oklahoma girl instead of a purebred Texan.”
Jessie stiffened.
“Don’t mind us, Jessie,” Jenny interjected. “We Texans can get a little arrogant at times.”
“Oh, I think I’ve heard about Durant.” Alissa snapped her fingers. “Isn’t that where Southeastern Oklahoma State is?” She turned to Jenny. “You remember, Daddy threatened to send me away to school there if I didn’t straighten up.”
“C’mon, Alissa, Southeastern Oklahoma is a good school,” Jenny said, looking uncomfortable.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Jessie,” Alissa said. “Is that where you went?”
Jessie tried to mask her dismay. They all seemed so interested in her answer. “No, it’s not. I...I didn’t go to college.” Ignoring their amazed expressions, Jessie excused herself and hurried through the crowd. She kept going past the house until she reached the corral.
Jessie leaned against the fence as tears welled up in her eyes. She didn’t belong here with these people. Durant, Oklahoma, was farther away than just a few hundred miles. It was an entirely different way of life.
A tear trickled down her face as she listened to music in the background. Her time had run out, just like in “Cinderella.” She had to go home.
Another tear fell, then another. She loved her prince so. How could she give him up? Jessie’s pain felt unbearable. Her heart ached for what she couldn’t have, for a man who would never be hers.
She heard her name and suddenly Brett appeared. She swiped at the tears on her face and forced a smile, praying the soft moonlight would disguise her unhappiness.
“Jessie. You okay?” Brett’s hands rested on her shoulders. “I thought you were going to wait for me.”
She looked away. “It got so crowded. I thought I’d go for a walk. Tyler made a beautiful toast to your father.”
“Hey, it was. I think my dad would have liked it, too.”
“He’d...be very proud of you both.” Jessie worked to keep the trembling out of her voice.
Brett moved closer. “I think we’ve talked enough about my dad. I’ve wanted you to myself for the entire night. Now that I have you, I don’t plan to waste a second of it...with talking.”
Brett’s head lowered and his mouth covered hers. Jessie stiffened, but she was unable to resist him. When his tongue drove into her mouth, it sent hot shivers racing through her body, and she couldn’t think about all the reasons that they shouldn’t be together. None of them mattered. Not now. This was her weekend and she was in Brett’s arms. All she could think about was how wonderful he made her feel.
Tomorrow when she returned home would be soon enough to face reality.
* * *
Brett lifted Zach in his arms and they both peered over the fence to watch Becky and Katie on horseback.
“Horsie! Horsie!” Zach pointed and he nearly jumped out of Brett’s arms.
“Whoa, cowboy.” Brett smiled, gripping him tighter. “You’re going to fall on your bottom.”
“No!” Zach shook his head.
Brett laughed as Tyler walked over. “What’s so funny?” he asked.
“This little guy. He’s got his mind made up about everything, doesn’t he?”
“He’s pretty stubborn,” Tyler replied. “Maggie says he’s inherited it from the Murdock side.”
Tyler reached for his son and tossed him in the air, making the child giggle. Brett watched in envy. His older brother had a booming horse business, a lovely wife, two kids and a third on the way. Brett couldn’t help wondering wh
at it would be like for Jessie to be pregnant with his child. Suddenly, his body came alive, filling him with excitement.
“When do you start back?” Tyler asked.
Tyler’s question shook Brett from his daydream. “Oh, in a few hours. Josh and Mac are anxious to see their sisters. Besides, I have to work tomorrow.”
Tyler tipped his hat off his forehead and fit Zach in the crook of his arm. “How are things going with the Burke well? Mom said you’re having some holdups.”
Brett shrugged. “It’s going okay.”
“Hey, I’m still your big brother. I don’t mind you sharing some of your burden. It’s not healthy to keep things to yourself. Wouldn’t doubt if that was what killed Dad. He carried too much of the load alone, especially when it came to business.” He cocked an eyebrow. “So, how is the well coming?”
Brett drew in a long breath and released it. “Marcus told me Friday that we needed to go another five hundred feet. I came home to see if I could get some more money from the backers, but they flatly refused. I was afraid if I pushed too hard, they’d pull out altogether.”
Tyler let go a string of curses. “They’ve conveniently forgotten all the money they’ve made off Murdock wells in the past.” He stared out at the pasture. “How much do you need?”
“Fifty thousand,” Brett announced. “I might be able to get by with forty.”
Tyler shook his head. “It’s all a gamble, isn’t it?”
“Wildcatting? Yeah, it is. But when there’s something that tells you a well is going to pay off, you’ve got to listen.”
“What about Jessie?” Tyler asked. “She’s a lot different than the women you’ve dated before. How does she fit in?”
“I can’t deny she’s special, Ty. Really special.”
“Yeah, when those long-legged women walk into your life, it’s like getting hit right between the eyes.” The corners of his mouth lifted in a sly grin. “You’re a goner.”
“Yeah, but I can’t focus on anything else until this well comes in,” Brett said.
Tyler nodded and they both watched as Will helped the girls off the horses. “Tell me one thing, Brett.” The two Murdocks faced each other. “What will happen to Murdock Oil if this well doesn’t come in?”
Brett looked Tyler in the eye, wishing he had better news. “There won’t be any Murdock Oil.”
* * *
Brett was standing on the driver’s side of the car as Jessie and Katie said their goodbyes.
“You be sure to come back,” Maggie said as she hugged Katie. “You’re always welcome here.” She looked at Jessie. “You, too, Jessie. Let me know what you decide. Call me if you need to talk.”
Jessie felt the tears in her eyes. Maggie had made her feel so welcome at the ranch, but Jessie would probably never see her again after this weekend. Still, she’d never forget Maggie’s kindness.
And Jessie had decided she would find out about the adult-education classes. “I’ll call as soon as I check into what we talked about.”
“You can do it, Jessie.” Maggie gripped Jessie’s shoulders. “And tell Brett. It will be so much easier.”
Jessie tensed. “Not yet.”
Maggie nodded in agreement and hugged her. “I understand.”
Jessie pulled back and noticed Jenny Murdock running toward them. “Oh, good, I caught you before you left,” she said breathlessly. “Jessie, I wanted to apologize for what happened last night.” She glanced at Maggie, then back to Jessie. “Sometimes my friends can be a little tactless. I’m sorry if they got out of hand last night.”
Jessie didn’t want to be reminded. “Don’t worry, Jenny. It’s okay, they just expected Brett’s friend to be...different.” She climbed into the car.
Brett watched as Tyler came around to his side of the car.
“Thanks for coming home and helping with the barbecue.” Tyler glanced away. “I think Dad would have liked how we handled things.”
Brett slapped his brother on the back. “Yeah, I’d say we did J.T. proud, especially the toast you gave.”
Tyler smiled. “You’re doing the hard part, brother, salvaging the family business.” He reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. “Dad was pretty generous when he gave me the ranch. Maggie and I just want to make sure that you’re given the same chance for your dream.”
Brett’s hands trembled as he unfolded a check for fifty thousand dollars.
Chapter Ten
Except for a porch light, the farmhouse was dark when they drove up the road and parked by the kitchen door. Jessie looked out the car window for any signs of life. There were none. But what did she expect at nearly midnight, a welcoming committee?
“Well, we made it,” Brett said and turned off the key. He glanced in the back seat at a sleeping Katie. He shook his head. “I think we lost her just this side of Dallas. It sure made for a quieter trip, though.” He reached for Jessie’s hand. “You were awfully quiet, too.”
“I guess...I’m just tired.”
“Let’s get this little one to bed, and then maybe we should do the same.” Brett got out, opened the back door and picked Katie up off the seat. Jessie hurried up the steps and opened the kitchen door. With Brett carrying the sleeping bundle, they sneaked through the dark house, trying not to wake anyone. Once upstairs in Katie’s room, Jessie undressed her sister and had managed to get her under the covers, when Brett returned with the suitcases.
Katie woke up just long enough to thank him for taking her to Texas, give him a kiss and turn to her older sister with another. Then she rolled over on her side and went back to sleep.
Brett and Jessie said good-night to the little girl and closed the bedroom door. He followed her down the hall to the next room, Jessie’s. Seeing the moonlight coming in through the window, Jessie didn’t bother switching on a light. Brett wouldn’t be staying.
But he didn’t leave. “I have no doubt Katie will sleep well,” he whispered as he sat the suitcase down on the bare floor.
“Yeah, she probably will,” Jessie answered, feeling anxious with Brett so close. “But we have to be up in about five hours.” She didn’t want him in her room. It was too intimate.
“Don’t remind me,” he said as he walked the short distance to the window. Jessie’s blood surged through her veins as he turned around and examined the small room. The twin bed against the wall, the scarred table next to it. A lone dresser with a cracked mirror sat in the shadows, the only decoration a crocheted scarf across the top. His gaze came back to her.
She glanced away. “I guess we both need some sleep.” She knew she was rambling, but if she didn’t get him to leave, she was afraid she’d beg him to stay. “I’m really tired....”
“Maybe I can revive you,” Brett said as he pulled her into his arms and kissed her gently. Then resting his forehead against hers, he whispered, “I wish we didn’t have to come back. I loved having you all to myself.”
Jessie had so many emotions churning inside her. All the way home, she’d planned on how she was going to tell Brett that they couldn’t see each other anymore.
“We weren’t exactly alone,” she murmured.
“Sweetheart, if we were alone any more than we were, we could have found ourselves in a heap of trouble.”
Jessie’s body trembled, hearing the low seductive tone of his voice. She, too, remembered every time they’d been alone, every place Brett had kissed her...touched her... She squeezed her eyes shut. Oh, Lord! How could she tell him goodbye?
“I don’t want it to end, Jessie,” he said in a husky voice. “Not ever.” Brett lowered his head to hers as he closed the bedroom door.
Jessie knew she should stop him. Tell him now they were all wrong for each other, that it would never work between them, that they were too different. But when his mouth covered hers, it was like lighting a torch that set her body aflame. She was lost. When he crushed her against him and his tongue parted her lips, all she could do was rise on her toes and show him
how much she wanted him in return.
Brett moved his mouth over Jessie’s, devouring its softness as his hands eagerly roamed across her back, then came around to cover her breasts. She moaned her need, and he nearly went crazy. With want and need driving him, he managed to get them the short distance to the bed, his fingers fumbling at the buttons on her blouse. He wanted this woman like no other he’d ever known.
In the dim light of the room, he could see her wet and swollen lips. She was breathing as hard as he was.
“Oh, Jessie, what you do to me.” He cupped her face, taking her mouth again in a hard and searching kiss. He pressed her back against the mattress and she wrapped her arms around his neck, raking her fingers through his hair.
Brett tugged her blouse from her jeans and finished with the buttons. Then his shaky hand reached out and caressed her breasts through her bra, feeling her nipples turn into hard buds. Every one of her soft sighs and throaty purrs shot currents of desire through him.
“I want you, Jessie. I want to make love to you.”
Every coherent thought had flown right out of Jessie’s head. Every good intention of ending the relationship was lost. She loved Brett in a way she’d never believed possible. And he wanted her. She ached so much to be loved in return that she couldn’t give it up. If only for this one time.
“I...I want you, too,” she admitted, but swallowed back any words of love when Brett found the front clasp to her bra and opened it. She gasped as her breasts spilled into his hands. He lowered his head and his tongue snaked out, licking at her taut nipple.
“Brett,” she cried, her fingers digging into his arms. “Please...”
He came off the bed, and Jessie’s eyes shot open, seeing him tugging his shirt from his jeans. He smiled tenderly. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’m not going anywhere.” He stripped to the waist, his glorious chest gleaming in the moonlight. He lay next to her and his tongue made a path down her ribs to her stomach, sending warm shivers along her spine. Then he moved over her, pressing her into the mattress as his mouth crushed hers in a hungry kiss. The sweet friction of his naked skin against her breasts drove her passion to an all-out hunger. Her body surged at the intimacy of his touch.
Wildcat Wedding (Wranglers & Lace #2) Page 14