Jana nodded. She was following so far.
“And timing and balance are important, but they can be learned—trained, really,” he continued. “But the feel and effort can’t be taught. You’ve gotta have instincts. You have to be able to feel how that bull’s going to leave the chute. If the bull’s going to the right or the left, or if he’s going to try to whip you to the outside.”
“That’s a lot of intuition.”
“Sure is.” His smile inched out as his gaze trailed the length of her.
Heat zinged through her. Oh boy. Knox’s lazy gaze had made women turn to Jell-O around him, and it seemed as if that hadn’t changed one bit.
He must have realized at the same time how she felt about him standing on her porch, because he cleared his throat and put his hat back on. Then he reached into his back pocket and pulled out a battered wallet. “Let me pay you for the gas and time.”
“No, it’s okay,” Jana said quickly. The last thing she wanted was a sweaty twenty bucks from Knox. It would only make her feel indebted to him. She leaned back into the house to check the clock. The pickup should be coming soon.
“Uh, if you can just hang here for a few minutes,” she began. “I need to be here for the delivery truck. Then I can take you back to your truck.”
“No problem,” Knox said, looking about the porch. He moved toward the wooden rocking chair that was somehow still all in one piece.
“You can come inside,” Jana said, hiding a sigh. Was she really inviting him in? “You look like you could use some ice water, and a stint of staying out of the sun.”
His gaze cut to hers, appreciative yet wary.
She stepped aside, holding open the door. “Come on. I won’t bite.”
“I’m filthy.”
Both of them looked at his jeans.
“You’re fine,” she said. “Just keep to the kitchen.”
The edge of his mouth lifted. “All right, then. Thank you, ma’am.”
“You don’t need to call me ma’am,” Jana said as he stepped past her and walked into the house.
Having Knox in the small ranch house made him seem larger than life. Well, technically, he was to her—or had been to her. No longer. Even when they were on their short dating stint, she didn’t remember him ever coming inside her parents’ home.
She saw him eye the open laptop.
“Working two jobs?” he asked.
Why did he have to be so observant? And why did he have to ask questions she didn’t want to answer?
“Something like that.” She moved to the couch and closed the laptop.
Knox walked into the sunny kitchen and stopped near the table. Whistling low, he said, “You weren’t kidding when you said you were making jam.”
Jana skirted around him so that she was on the opposite side of the table from him. Which was a good thing in her book. “Yeah. Like I said, it’s my parents’ business. We send jam to stores all over the county.”
Knox picked up a jar of the scarlet red jam. He turned it over, read the label, then looked at her. “Harris Farms Preserves. I like it.”
Jana shouldn’t have felt pleased at his compliment, but she did. It wasn’t like she’d chosen the name or anything. Still… She looked away from his penetrating green gaze, because she was suddenly feeling self-conscious. Yeah, she might have changed into a blouse and put on a bit of makeup, knowing that he’d be coming back.
Where was that delivery truck? Jana glanced at the clock on the kitchen wall. Five minutes. She could do this. Get him a drink, that will take some time. She turned to the fridge and pulled out a pitcher she kept water in so it would always be cold. Then she opened the freezer and took out the ice-cube tray. Yeah, they didn’t have one of those fridges with ice makers, but she didn’t mind.
Knox moved about the kitchen, checking out the makings of jam that she had yet to clean up from this morning. She filled a yellow glass with ice, then added the cold water.
“So, does your sister help out with the business, too?” Knox asked, taking the glass from her, then leaning against the sink. “Natalie, right?”
“Right.” Jana poured her own glass of cold water, but forewent the ice. “She left right after high school for college, then went on to law school.”
Knox’s brows raised. “Wow. That’s impressive.”
“Yeah.” Jana took a long swallow of her water. Knox was watching her, and she didn’t know what to make of it. “Our conversations are mostly about business since she’s part of the company—at least the legal side. Well, she and my dad put together the operations, and my mom and I just do what we’re told. My dad started the jam business as a pet project to keep my mom busy, and it ended up being successful. But now, with their semi-retirement, the production side is up to me.”
“You’ve done an impressive job, too,” Knox said.
“What? Making jam? A ten-year-old can do this.” Jana hadn’t meant to sound bitter, but really, no one could compare a law degree to making jam.
Knox didn’t seem to mind her retort. He set his glass down, now empty save for the ice, and moved to the table again. Picking up a jar, he said, “I know a lot of ten-year-olds, and none of them could have done this.”
He peeked at her, and she was pretty sure he was about to laugh, although his expression was skillfully schooled.
“Oh, really?” Jana challenged. “You know a lot of ten-year-olds? How many exactly do you know, Mr. Prosper?”
Knox looked up at the ceiling, as if he had to count them all in his mind. When their gazes connected again, he said, “Okay, so maybe I don’t know any ten-year-olds personally, but I am a grown man, and I couldn’t do any of this.”
Jana set her glass down, then rested her hands on her hips. “Sure, you could. It’s easy, once you learn in the first place.”
Knox set the jar down and tilted his head while studying Jana.
She wouldn’t blush—nope, she wouldn’t. She was way past any connection with Knox Prosper, and all her feelings were in the past.
“My mom would probably faint on the spot if she heard me say this,” Knox said in a slow voice, “but I’d love to learn to make jam.”
Jana felt like fainting on the spot herself. As it was, she placed one hand on the counter behind her. “You would, huh? And why’s that?”
Knox picked up another jam jar and acted like he was studying it, but Jana wasn’t fooled. He was stalling to come up with an answer. “Seems like a good and useful skill to have. I mean, I can’t ride bulls forever.”
The laughter burst out of Jana, completely unexpected. She covered her mouth to stop any more outbursts.
Knox smiled as he set down the jar and folded his arms. “What? You don’t think this old cowboy can learn new tricks?”
Jana had to stop grinning. This was ridiculous. She couldn’t fall into any sort of friendly pattern with Knox. “I just don’t get why you want to learn. You don’t seem much the homemaker type.”
“Are you being sexist, ma’am?” Knox said, his face straight.
Jana laughed. “Not at all… I’m being Knox-ist, I guess.”
He dipped his chin. “Fair enough. But I’m serious, Jana. I’d like to learn if you’re willing to teach me.”
Her pulse fluttered, and instead of giving into wanting to tell him yes, she said, “How about I think about it, cowboy?”
Had Knox ever worked so hard to get a woman’s number? Not in his recollection. But telling Jana he was truly interested in learning the art of jam-making had led to the segue of asking for her number.
“So we can agree on a time,” he told her in the kitchen that looked like it contained every raspberry in the state of Texas.
Jana was good about staying on the opposite side of the table from him, which was a smart thing to do. Because if there was one thing Knox was realizing, it was that Jana was even more beautiful than he remembered. Her beauty was only one part of her, though; it was her character that he’d been most drawn to in high sch
ool.
Okay, so he wasn’t crushing on her. Not at all. He was just analyzing another person’s character, like one did from time to time. Jana had caught his attention in high school when they were in English class together. Yeah, he’d always known who the skinny redhead Jana Harris was. But their senior year, something had changed over the summer, and the girl who sat two rows in front of him had gone from sweet hometown girl to stunning.
She’d been standoffish toward him at first, and he couldn’t really blame her since he did have a bit of a reputation. She had her friends; he had his. That had also complicated things, because he’d dated two of her friends, albeit briefly.
Now, Jana was reaching into the back pocket of her jeans. Ones that he liked very much. She pulled out her phone and said, “What’s your number?”
It was a good thing to hear. He recited his number, and she sent a text to it.
Just then, a truck pulled up outside the house. “They’re here,” Jana said in a rush, “and I forgot to load the jars into their boxes.”
Knox jumped in to help, wondering about the blush staining her cheeks. They loaded the boxes quickly, and by the time the delivery guy was ready for the last one, the box was loaded.
“Thanks,” Jana told the delivery guy, and gave him a tip.
Knox watched her as she interacted with the delivery guy—Jed something or other. Jed certainly wasn’t immune to her charms, and Knox wondered if Jana had a boyfriend.
Would it be too forward to ask? There was a time he wouldn’t have even thought twice about asking a woman if she was in a relationship, but he was the new Knox. Or at least, he was trying to be.
Jana turned to him next. “Ready to get back to your broken truck?” she said, her tone light, which was a definite improvement from when she’d first stopped and talked to him.
“Yep,” he said.
“Okay, great,” she said. “I’ll just grab my keys.”
He probably shouldn’t have stared after her as she walked into the house. He was just curious, that was all. Here in Prosper, he should be focusing on only two things. Winning the bull-riding and spending some time with his daughter. Which he’d do tonight. And he’d already done his rodeo practice. So that left fixing his truck and wishing that Jana wasn’t going to be dropping him off soon.
Jana came out of the house again, keys in her hand. He wasn’t positive, but it looked like she’d put on some lip gloss. Had her lips been shiny earlier? Should he be noticing? They headed to her SUV, and after they both climbed in, Knox said, “If you’re not too busy, I’m happy to treat you to lunch. You know, as a thank you.”
Jana looked over at him with raised eyebrows as she started the engine. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. I still haven’t decided on the jam thing, and lunch in public would feel… a bit much.”
“You’re probably right.” He rolled down the window and let in the warm breeze as they drove. From his peripheral vision, he could see that Jana was smiling, though.
“I’m sure there are plenty of other women in Prosper who’d jump at the chance,” she continued. “You know, hanging out with the town rodeo legend, and all.”
Knox slapped a hand on his chest. “You’re wounding me.”
Jana laughed, and he grinned. “Save it for someone else, cowboy. I’m not one of your rodeo chicks.”
Knox groaned and pulled his hat down over his eyes. “You did not just say that.” He felt the SUV slow.
“We’re here,” Jana said.
He lifted his hat to see that she’d pulled over next to his truck, but he wasn’t done with their conversation. “This is your last chance. Lunch?”
She shook her head. “I’ve got a busy day, and no offense, but running out of jars, then helping you out this morning put me behind schedule.”
“More jam-making?” he said. “I can help with that.”
“No, I have other deadlines,” she said.
“Like what?”
Her cheeks flushed, and she looked away.
“A second job, or something?” Knox pressed. “With that laptop?” He didn’t know why he was so curious, but he was.
“I write a column,” she said, glancing at him, then away. “So I really should get back to it. Good luck with everything, Knox.”
“Whoa,” he said. “Are you about to tell me to have a nice life?”
Her hands were gripping the steering wheel so tight, her knuckles were turning white. He rested a hand atop hers. She flinched, and he pulled away.
“I think that’s amazing,” he said. “You’re a writer. I’m not surprised. I don’t think I would have passed English if it weren’t for you.”
Now, her cheeks were definitely pink, and then he remembered. Most of their study sessions had turned into kissing sessions.
“Well,” she said, smoothing her hair behind her ear, “thanks.”
“You coming to the rodeo tomorrow?” he asked, thinking it was a pretty standard question, but her eyes darted to him, then away.
“I don’t think so.”
“Why not?”
She shrugged, and he wished he could see what was going on in that pretty head of hers. “I’ve really got to go.”
Knox could take a hint, or three. He popped open the door and climbed out, but before leaving, he leaned back in and said, “When you make up your mind about the jam, call me. You got my number.”
She bit her lip. “Okay.”
“I can be to your place in five minutes,” he teased.
She didn’t laugh, though. “Where you staying? Prosperity Ranch?”
They both knew it was on the other side of town, hardly five minutes away. “Uh, no. Not quite ready for that much family bonding. Things are… complicated in that neck of the woods.”
He didn’t blame her for the curious look she gave him.
“So you’re staying at the bed and breakfast? You’re lucky you got a room there.”
“Not exactly,” he said. “It was booked, and so was everything else within miles around.”
A line appeared between her brows, then her eyes widened. “Don’t tell me you’re sleeping in your truck?”
“You caught me,” he said nonchalantly. “Keeps me humble. Now, have a good rest of your day, ma’am, and don’t delete my number.”
Jana only stared at him, and he couldn’t guess what was going through her mind. He straightened then shut the door, heading to his truck. He sure hoped that the new U-joint would do the trick. The last thing he needed right now was a major truck repair.
He didn’t look up when Jana’s SUV turned around in the road and headed back the way they’d come. But his thoughts stayed with her. He wondered what might have happened between them if he had confronted her all those years ago in high school about the rumors he’d been told. Would they have stayed together? Would he have ever asked Macie to the dirt dance? Or would he have been with Jana instead?
So many ifs, and he hated to think of a life without Ruby. He’d messed up too much and for too long. He was done with that. He didn’t know where he fit in with his family anymore, because things were beyond complicated between him and Holt. But being able to spend time with Ruby would be worth the other barriers he had to push through.
Somehow, the gods of Prosper heaven were smiling down on him, because the U-joint worked. Knox thanked his lucky star, whichever one it was, as the truck purred to life. He was back in business. First stop was back to the mechanic’s shop so that he could buy an extra bottle of oil. As he drove, the memories of Prosper flooded back. The high school. The café where he’d hang out with his friends. The bar… Racoons was closed up this time of day, but he had no doubt it would be hopping as soon as the sun set. Especially with so many people in town for the rodeo.
But Knox was finished with the bar scene. The booze, the late nights, the women… If there was one thing his divorce taught him, it was that some mistakes couldn’t ever be corrected. It took his own ex-wife marrying his brother to send the final mes
sage through Knox’s stubborn brain that there were some pains that could never be dulled with drinking.
He’d never made it to his brother’s wedding, but that day had become a banner day for him, and he hadn’t touched alcohol since. He just wished the road hadn’t been so hard to making that change in his life.
Still, his hands felt jittery as he drove past the bar. Even though he’d been clean for months, that didn’t diminish the pull. The temptation. The way he knew it would make him feel—throw him into a blissful oblivion where he didn’t have to dwell on how he’d been a lousy husband and even worse father to an innocent little kid.
Knox’s jaw was clenched tight by the time he stopped in front of the mechanic shop. He needed to push past the haunting memories, both good and bad. He needed to exist in the present and only look toward the future.
As he climbed out of his truck, his phone chimed with a text. He pulled it out and glanced at the screen. He’d already told his mom he wouldn’t be at the ranch for dinner, but he’d come shortly after to pick up Ruby and spend some time with her. Knox wasn’t too keen on making polite conversation with Holt and Macie at the same time, with his parents looking on.
His other siblings were off, doing their things. Lane was embroiled in some high-brow graduate program. Evie was in San Antonio, doing the digital media marketing for a newspaper, and Cara was cooking up a storm at some exclusive culinary arts school. It was a wonder that Knox was even related to these folks at all. He had no aspirations for college, or for cooking, or for anything on a computer.
Which brought him back to Holt, the oldest of the family, who was the ranch manager for Prosperity Ranch. Truth be told, Knox was probably most like Holt—at least in interests for an occupation. But there was no room at the family ranch for Knox. Maybe if he’d stayed married to Macie, things might have worked out differently. But that door was completely shut, locked, and sealed now.
Inside the shop, he shook hands with the owner, Bill, and they walked out to his truck together.
Not Over You (Prosperity Ranch Book 3) Page 4