“That I am.” He was giving her one of those heart-stopping smiles.
“Okay, one chapter.”
He grinned and strode to the living room.
“Wait,” she called after him, hurrying to join him.
He sat on the couch and handed her the laptop.
“I can’t believe you,” she mumbled, but she couldn’t deny the thrill running through her. She was both thrilled and a little petrified. She opened the laptop, then scrolled to the top of the manuscript.
“Read it to me,” he said, and then he draped an arm across the back of the couch. His arm wasn’t touching her, but he was definitely increasing his presence.
Heat crawled up her neck as she began, but she continued, trying not to be self-conscious about her writing. Yet, she wondered the whole time what he thought of it. When she finished the first chapter, she closed the laptop.
“That’s it?” he asked. “I’m waiting to see what happens with Sandy’s job promotion.”
“Spoiler. She gets the job.”
“Ah, good to know. And her loser boyfriend? Is she going to start taking Ryan seriously? He’s the one treating her right.”
“You’re pretty good at catching all the foreshadowing.”
His brows furrowed. “What shadows?”
“You know.” She elbowed him. “The plot device we talked about in English class. Where the author leaves a clue of what’s to come.”
“I still have no idea, but I believe you,” he said. “You paid a lot more attention in that class. I think I spent most of my time paying attention to you.”
Jana wouldn’t allow herself to blush. “When you say things like that, it makes me think you’re flirting with me. And we’re both past that.” She was pretty sure she’d shocked him, but he merely turned toward her.
“You know… since my divorce, I’ve done a lot of thinking.” He paused. “I’ve gone about a lot of stuff wrong in my life, and I hope to correct that one thing at a time. Might take me forever, but it’s all I can hang onto for now.”
“What are you trying to correct?”
“Flirting with women who I know I don’t want to end up with,” he said.
“So… I’m a special case?”
He didn’t answer at first, then surprisingly, he moved to his feet. “You’ve always been special, Jana. I don’t think I appreciated it as much as I should have, though.” He extended his hand.
Now, it was Jana’s turn to hesitate.
“I won’t bite, promise.”
She placed her hand in his larger, warmer one. She ignored the appearance of her trusty goose bumps and rose to her feet easily with Knox’s help. He didn’t release her hand, but rubbed his thumb over her wrist.
Tingles zoomed up her arm, and she wanted to lean into him, press her cheek against his T-shirt. Feel his arms about her. But his sweet words and regretful tone wouldn’t make her a fool twice.
“Well, thanks for listening to my chapter,” she said, pulling her hand away even though it was the last thing she wanted to do. “The jam should be done now, so back to work.”
“Best story time I’ve ever been to,” Knox said as he followed her into the kitchen.
She turned off the water canners, then lifted their lids. Steam billowed out, the moisture clouding over her.
“What can I help with?” Knox asked.
She hesitated, and he noticed it.
“I’m serious, I don’t have to be anywhere for a couple of hours, so I’m all yours,” he said. “Unless you’re sick of me? You can kick me out, you know.”
She glanced over to see his beautiful smile. She might have melted just a bit. “All right. I’m going to let these jars cool before setting them on the table. But in the meantime, we can prepare the next batch.” She snatched an apron off the hook on the pantry door. “You’re going to need this.”
He dutifully tied on the apron as she tied on hers, and soon, they were standing side by side, washing raspberries she’d fetched from cold storage.
“See, I’m already an expert,” Knox teased.
Standing so close to him was making her pulse rise again, because they were doing something so domesticated… like they were best friends. Or something more.
“Now comes the measuring, then the smashing of the fruit.”
“You do it by hand?”
“Of course,” she said. “We’re not called Harris Farms for nothing. We’re homemade all the way.”
“Good enough for me.” Knox used the potato masher to do the raspberries justice.
When he was finished, Jana added the rest of the ingredients. “Now, we pour.” She demonstrated how much of the jam concoction should be poured into each jar. Then she added the sterilized lids.
“Am I doing this right?” Knox asked.
“Yeah, except you’re not supposed to drip the jam over the edge.”
“Whoops.” He set down the bowl and used his finger to swipe at the stray drip.
“Here, use this wet paper towel,” she said. “It’s more sanitary.”
“Ah, thanks.” Knox used the paper towel, but for the next jars, he suddenly turned into a perfectionist and didn’t spill anything. “Yes! Do you see this jar? Not one drip.”
“Nice,” Jana said, keeping the laughter out of her tone, because he was like an excited kid.
The work went twice as fast even though she had to take the time to explain things. Soon, the new jars were in the pressure cookers, and the first set of jars had finished cooling and Knox had loaded them into boxes.
“How long do they sit in the water canner?”
“About fifteen minutes.”
Knox nodded. “And when does the delivery man come to pick them up?”
“Not until 4:00 today.”
“So you have a few hours to spare?”
Jana set her hands on her hips. “Maybe…”
Knox rose from where he was sitting at the table and walked toward her where she’d just set the water canner timers. The kitchen was plenty warm, but his gaze on her was making her hot.
“Do you want to come to the park with me?” he asked when he stopped close to her. “I’m picking up Ruby in about an hour, and I thought maybe…”
She raised her brows, waiting. “Maybe what?”
“Maybe if you want to get out of the house, you’d like to come,” he said. “Or you can bring your laptop, and you know, write in nature. Get some inspiration.”
“The story takes place in New York City.”
“Right.” But he was smiling, and he must know that his smile did funny things to her mind, because she found herself considering it.
“The park is very public,” she said.
Knox shrugged. “Well, now that I know you don’t have a boyfriend, I’m good with a little gossip.”
“Oh, really?” Jana laughed. “That’s all it took, huh?”
His fingers slid over hers, then he grasped her hand.
The kitchen was definitely a too-hot place to be with a man like Knox Prosper.
“Please?”
She placed a hand on his chest, fully intending on pushing him away, and telling him she’d think about it. But somehow, her hand moved from his chest up and over his shoulder, bringing their bodies flush.
Knox’s eyes seemed to darken, and Jana was pretty sure her heart was doing somersaults.
“Why do you want me to come?”
He didn’t seem surprised at her question, and he also didn’t hesitate. “Because I want my daughter to meet my friend.”
Jana felt a smile tug at the edges of her mouth. “So, we’re friends now?”
“You bet.” He winked, sufficiently distracting her from the fact that his other hand had slid around her waist. They couldn’t get much closer unless they were, in fact, kissing. Which probably shouldn’t happen.
Knox had been open and honest with her, and she’d held back pretty much everything… her own regrets, and her continued crush on him. It was probably way mor
e than a crush, especially now that they’d cleared the air between them, but she couldn’t overlook the complications, either.
“Knox, what are we doing?”
She didn’t need to explain further, because he released her then. His brow furrowed, and she didn’t like it one bit.
Scrubbing a hand through his hair, he said, “I’m not gonna lie, I’m wishing right now that I didn’t have to leave tomorrow. You’re unexpected, Jana. I thought we’d have an argument about the past and I’d never see you again—unless by chance. But now… my mind is spinning with all sorts of questions and possibilities.”
She folded her arms because it stopped her from reaching for him. “Like what?” she asked in a soft voice.
He closed his eyes for a moment, and she didn’t miss the torment that flittered across his expression. When he opened his eyes again, they didn’t stray from her. “Like coming home to Prosper might be a possibility after all. That there might be a new beginning here for me.” He ran a hand over his jaw. “With Holt married to Macie, this town has seemed too small. But if I had my own… life…”
He didn’t finish, and he didn’t have to. Jana didn’t know if she could take much more, anyway. She was feeling overwhelmed enough. Placing her hand on her chest, even though it would do nothing to calm her racing heart, she said, “I’m glad you can see a future here, because I really like Prosper.”
Had she said too much? Confessed too much? Well, Knox didn’t seem to mind, because he stepped close again, and this time, his touch wasn’t tentative. His hands settled on her hips, and he drew her close.
“Jana…” he whispered before he leaned down and pressed his mouth against hers.
His lips were warm and soft, and she wasn’t sure she was still in reality. Knox was kissing her. Kissing her. The scrape of his whiskers against her chin only made her want to drag him closer. Her fingers curled into his shirt, and she marveled at all that had happened over the years, yet, here they were again.
“You taste like raspberries,” he murmured, his mouth moving to her jaw, then her neck, and she could feel his smile against her skin.
She smiled in return and whispered, “You do, too.”
He chuckled, and then his mouth was on hers again, his kissing deeper, more intense, as one hand tangled in her hair.
She didn’t mind Knox kissing her, not in the least. In fact, she’d probably been anticipating—or at least hoping for—this the moment she realized the cowboy she’d pulled over to help on the side of the road was Knox Prosper. Not that she assumed, but now that he was here, in her kitchen, kissing her like he meant something by it, she was going to let him know she’d be more than happy if he moved back to Prosper.
Jana slid her hands up his chest; the warmth and the rapid beating of his heart only stirred her up more. She memorized his taste, his smell, his touch, not knowing if this thing with Knox would turn into anything real, but right here, right now, it was very real.
Knox slowed his truck in front of Prosperity Ranch, and as expected, the memories of his youth came roaring back. Some good, some not so good, especially the way things had ended with his family several years ago. He still remembered the night he and his dad had gotten into a big argument—Christmastime. Macie was pregnant, and they’d been married only a few months. His dad had finally consented to hand over Knox’s share of the farm in cash.
But the animosity had been stifling. What happened to being encouraged as a kid to follow his dreams? Apparently, that had applied only to everyone else in the family. Yet, he knew now it had all been a mistake. If he hadn’t cut himself off from his family, would he have gone down such a dark path? Would he have destroyed his marriage? Would he have been in the position he was now? Being only a visitor to the ranch to pick up his daughter for a couple of hours?
All these thoughts surfaced, and they’d surfaced before, yet, now… the sting wasn’t so sharp. The teeth of regret weren’t sinking so hard into his skin. He felt… lighter, somehow. Like some of the weight had been lifted.
His daughter was happy. She was surrounded by doting grandparents, her mom, her step-dad, her aunts and uncles. Ruby was healthy. She was as smart as a whip. And Macie… after all the turmoil of their marriage, and all the pain of the divorce, she’d found happiness. Should he begrudge that it was with his brother?
No…
And Knox… spending time with Jana had been good for both his heart and his soul. He could see that now. Talking to her, making jam with her, listening to her read her book, laughing with her… it had been a balm. Like a vacation, really. One sorely needed.
And that kiss… wow. He’d had to force himself to step back after a few minutes of indulging. Because Jana was a beautiful woman, and her scent, touch, and taste were all intoxicating. There was no doubt that she was the real deal, and the last thing he wanted to do was mess things up, or hurt her.
He was done hurting people.
Which was why he wouldn’t stay at her house tonight. Their kiss had changed everything, and he hoped that she wasn’t freaked out or anything. He hoped she knew he wasn’t playing the field. No, he was done with that life for good.
He wanted what his parents had, what Macie and Holt had, what he believed his sister Evie had with her boyfriend. And he knew it took a lot of hard work and a lot of trust. He never wanted to betray another person’s trust again.
“Daddy!” a little voice shouted.
He looked toward the barn to see Ruby running out, her grandpa close behind.
Knox’s dad, Rex, had been the mayor of Prosper for many years, but he also had no problem putting in a day’s work on the ranch. Beyond the barn was the training arena where Holt brought in horses that needed training or other types of care. Holt’s truck wasn’t around, so maybe he was off on an errand. Which was just fine with Knox.
He climbed out of the truck and smiled at Ruby. “Hey there, baby. You ready to go have some fun?”
Ruby kept running, and behind her, Rex chuckled. “You sure you’re ready to handle this spitfire?”
Just then, Ruby launched herself at Knox. He hoisted her up and hugged her tight.
“Any words of advice, Gramps?” Knox said, smiling at his dad. He loved that he and his dad had patched things up, and they could have conversations like this.
“I’ve heard it said that this particular little girl likes ice cream.”
“I do!” Ruby said. “I love it so much, Daddy.”
Knox chuckled. “Then we’ll have to get you some.” He straightened and grasped her hand, then led her to the passenger side of the truck. After buckling her in and closing the door, he found his dad still standing there.
“You’re looking happy, son.”
Knox dipped his chin. “Time with Ruby must bring it out.”
His dad nodded. “Yeah, likely. Might be something else, too.”
“Won the bull-riding last night.”
Rex chuckled. “That’s a typical night for you.”
This was a compliment coming from his dad, because Knox’s passion for following his dream had been a sore point between them. “It was great all the same.”
Rex clapped a hand on Knox’s shoulder, but his gaze studied him. “I’ll figure it out.”
Knox adjusted his hat. “I’m putting a few ghosts to rest, I guess.”
“Good for you,” Rex said. “I mean it, son.”
“Thanks.” And Knox meant it, too.
Ruby began tapping on her window, then waving madly for him to get in the truck.
“Looks like I’m being summoned,” Knox said. “We’ll be back in a couple of hours if anyone is asking.”
“Enjoy yourselves,” Rex said with a wave to Ruby.
The drive to the park was filled with about eighty-four questions about bull-riding. He thought he’d answered them all the night before when he talked with his family before coming across Jana walking to her car. Apparently, Ruby still had more.
“Do the bulls get sad?”
/> “What do they eat?”
“Do they like ice cream?”
“Can I pet a baby bull?”
“How old are you, Daddy?”
“What’s your favorite color?”
“Do you like sparkles?”
Okay, so not all of the questions were bull-riding related. By the time they reached the park and pulled into a spot near the swings, Knox wondered if anyone had ever been so thoroughly interrogated. He opened his door and climbed out, trying not to feel disappointed that Jana hadn’t come with him. She said she might meet him here, but Knox was positive that was a polite way of saying no.
Ruby made a beeline for the swings, and for a second, Knox wondered what she was allowed or not allowed to do on the jungle gym. What if she fell off something or got hurt somehow? A few teens were on the other side of the park throwing a frisbee, but there weren’t any other little kids around. It was just as well. Another citizen of Prosper would have asked him even more questions than Ruby.
“Daddy, push me!” Ruby called as she inched her way onto a swing.
Knox chuckled and headed over to push her on the swing, not too high, even though she kept demanding it. As a baby, Ruby had been a fussy kid, and always wanted her mom. Knox didn’t blame her. But now, she was like a little person, and his heart overflowed when he was around her, and ached when he wasn’t.
“Higher, Daddy.”
“No, baby girl,” he said. “This is high enough. I don’t want you to get dizzy, because then you’ll be too sick for ice cream.”
“Okay.” She began to sing a random song he’d never heard of.
Knox exhaled, enjoying the clear blue sky, the warm weather, the time with his daughter, and the buzzing thoughts of Jana. What was she thinking now? What was she feeling? Were things already moving too fast? Had he jumped ahead too many steps?
He couldn’t make any promises, which meant he had to be completely honest with her. If things kept moving forward, he wouldn’t mind Jana as part of his future. Heck, he’d love her to be. That thought should have scared him right out of his boots, but one could say he’d come a long way.
He’d been to hell and back, and he never wanted to return.
When a SUV pulled into the parking lot and stopped near his truck, Knox was pretty sure he stopped breathing for a handful of seconds. Then he was grinning.
Not Over You (Prosperity Ranch Book 3) Page 7