When she didn’t continue, he filled in, “He still has a problem with me?”
“Yeah.” Jana looked down at her glass of water. “I think it will soften in time, but right now…” She met his gaze. “I think a little more time is needed.”
Knox rubbed a hand over his jaw. “If you don’t want me to discuss our current relationship, then that’s fine. But I need to get the past out in the open. It’s the only way to clean the festering wound.”
Jana looked away. “I don’t know. He was livid this morning, and I think the only way I made it through that meeting was because Natalie was there. She made him toe the line, and since she’s a lawyer, she can do that. I’m… dependent on them for my livelihood. I hate to admit it, since I’m a grown woman, but this is my job.”
“I get it, I really do, but this goes back to before you were working for their jam company,” Knox said. “I need to apologize to him in person; there’s no other way for me to do this.”
Jana closed her eyes. When she opened them, she said, “I just don’t want to make it worse, you know.”
“Enough time has passed since we were in high school,” Knox said. “Whether or not your dad wants to face the reality of his daughter making her own choices is his issue, not yours. You decide what your choice is, and then that’s what he will have to live with.”
Jana exhaled and rested her hands on the table. “You sound like my sister.”
He raised his brows. “Is that a good thing?” Her smile was half of what he wanted it to be.
“Things are getting better between us,” she said. “We’ve had some genuine conversations today.”
“Good.” He reached for her hand across the table and threaded their fingers together. “Is she okay with… us?”
“Yeah.” Jana’s smile was wider now. “She’s definitely okay with us.”
“And you?” Knox asked. “Are you okay with us?”
Jana’s eyes clung to his. He waited, and waited some more. Then she pushed up from the chair and leaned across the table.
“I’m okay with it,” she whispered, then kissed him.
The table might have separated them, but he felt the full impact of her kiss anyway.
“I think that’s the best thing I’ve heard in my entire life,” Knox whispered.
Jana smiled. “You’re easy to please, Knox Prosper.”
“I suppose I am.” He was tired of the distance the table put between them. He straightened, than moved around the table.
Jana just watched him with a gleam in her eyes. When he stepped close, she rose and looped her arms about his neck. Pressing close, Knox almost wished he didn’t have anything else to do that day, or that week, for that matter.
“Come with me, or not,” Knox said. “But I want to talk to him soon.”
Jana pressed her lips against his neck, then looked up at him. “I have jam to make, and you have a rodeo to get to tonight.”
“I’ve already canceled,” Knox said. “I’m here for you, and I want to clean up this mess, because I’m tired of not being with you.”
“You’re with me right now.”
Knox smiled. “I am.”
Jana paced the kitchen as she waited for Knox to show up. When she’d found him waiting for her yesterday at her house, she was pretty sure if she wasn’t already in love with him, she’d have fallen in love with him at that moment. More likely, she’d never really stopped since high school.
He’d helped her with the batches of jam, then he said he’d be staying at his parents’ ranch. Apparently, their family dynamics were going well, and everyone “approved” of her. The way he told her had made her smile, because he’d followed up with, “I don’t need anyone’s approval about you. I’ve already made up my mind. But staying here would mean I’d stare at the ceiling all night wishing I could be with you, sweetheart.”
Now, Jana sighed, because when Knox got here, it meant they’d be driving to San Antonio together to see her dad. At first, Jana hadn’t wanted him to go, then she didn’t want to be a part of the meeting, but then she’d changed her mind again. After talking to her sister the night before about all the updates, Natalie said that if Jana went with Knox, it would show how much of a united front they were.
The idea had then warmed.
Jana heard the rumble of his truck before she saw it. The sound sent both anticipation and happiness through her heart. She was having a hard time believing that she was dating Knox Prosper again. He was back in her life, and if she were to believe all the things he’d been telling her, he was here to stay.
Well, here was the relevant word. She wasn’t going to let him give up any part of his bull-riding career. Not after all that he’d fought for and lost in order to pursue his dream. Her phone chimed with a text from Natalie.
Jana glanced down and smiled at the message.
Good luck today with Dad. If you need me to break ankles, just call.
It was remarkable what one, single honest conversation could do for her relationship with her sister. For the first time since Jana was a young kid, she felt like she had a true sister. LOL, I’ll let you know, she wrote back.
Jana moved to the kitchen window, where she saw Knox climb out of his truck. He wore faded jeans, a plain gray T-shirt, and a black cowboy hat. Classic Knox. She should probably just meet him on the porch, but she kind of liked him walking up her walkway and knocking on her door to pick her up.
Speaking of knocking, he’d knocked, so Jana headed to the front door. “Who is it?” she called through the door.
“The best thing that ever happened to you, sweetheart.”
Jana laughed and opened the door. And there he was. Smiling his cocky grin, with his beautiful green eyes. He grasped her hand and tugged her toward him. She lifted her chin, waiting for his kiss.
She wasn’t disappointed, and she slipped her hands about his neck as he thoroughly kissed her. He smelled of soap and pine and Knox, and she wanted to keep him to herself the rest of the day. She might have acted too reluctant when he drew away, because he said, “Good morning to you, too,” with a chuckle.
“I think I missed you, or something.”
“I know I missed you, or something.” He kissed her again, this time slowly, with quite a bit of lingering. “Ready?”
“Yeah,” she said, unable to hold back a sigh. “Can’t we just live in a bubble?”
Knox twisted a lock of her hair around his fingers. “Soon.”
Jana nodded. “Okay, then, are you okay if we take my SUV?”
“Because my truck is…”
“Well, it’s… you know. Great and all that. But it did break down recently.”
“Whatever you want.” He threaded their fingers. “I think I’ll be saying that a lot with you.”
She laughed. “Sounds good to me.” She squeezed his hand, then said, “I’m going to grab my purse, and then we’ll go.”
As they drove to San Antonio, Jana’s mind was full of scenarios of how her dad would act around Knox. He said he’d called and left a message on her dad’s phone to let him know they’d be coming. Her dad had never responded to Knox, but Natalie had told her that their parents didn’t have any traveling plans.
“You know the plans for the ranch I talked about last night?” Knox asked.
He had told her about the options that Holt had come up with, such as doing fishing retreats, kids’ rodeo events, or renting out the barn for events… They were all great ideas, but would take a lot of work. And now that her dad had agreed to cancel the grant application, Jana hoped that the Prosper family wouldn’t have to take on more work than they were already doing.
“Yeah, I remember,” Jana said. “And remember how I said that I don’t want my dad’s actions to put more stress on your family?”
“I remember,” Knox said. “But this morning, I talked more with my brother, and we both know that my bull-riding career has a time limit. So we’re researching all of the scenarios, and whatever looks to make
the most sense, it will be the thing I head up.”
Jana glanced over at Knox to find his steady green gaze on her. “So you’re going to move back to your parents’ ranch?”
“Not exactly,” he said. “I’d get my own place, and then be the manager over whatever project we agree on. I could work it around the bull-riding, or start full-time when I’m done with the rodeo.”
Jana soaked all of this in. “You shouldn’t quit the rodeo, not when it’s been your dream for so long.”
“I’m not quitting anytime soon,” he said in a quiet voice. “But sometimes, dreams change.” He lifted a hand to her shoulder, his fingers lightly stroking her neck. “Whatever happens, though, I want you to be a part of it.”
The warmth from Knox’s touch traveled all the way to her heart. She didn’t know how to answer, she really didn’t. He was saying things she didn’t know if she was ready to hear. Or feel. “I don’t even know what to say to that.”
“I’m not asking for answers from you, Jana,” Knox continued. “I’m just telling you how I feel. Plain and simple.”
Jana exhaled. She wanted to pull over to the side of the road and hug this man, bury her face in his neck, feel his heartbeat against hers. For years, she’d missed Knox, but she’d completely given up on him. Yet, here he was…
Needless to say, Jana felt a lot of trepidation as she pulled up to her parents’ home. Seeing her parents yesterday had been stressful enough, and digging up the past hadn’t been fun, either.
When she parked, Knox took her hand and squeezed. “You don’t have to come in.”
She met his gaze, and her heart practically melted. No matter what her dad thought of Knox, or the mistakes he’d made, or any of them had made, she wanted this man in her life. Hopefully, permanently. “I’m coming.”
“Okay.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Let’s go.”
So Jana walked hand in hand with Knox to her parents’ place. Her mom answered the door.
Her mom’s eyes looked as wide as an owl’s as her gaze landed on Knox. Jana guessed that her dad hadn’t informed her mom of the phone call. And now, she wondered if her dad had gotten the message.
“Hi, Mom,” Jana said. “You remember Knox Prosper?”
Her mom’s gaze moved to Jana’s hand in Knox’s. “Of course, I remember you, Knox. Uh, come in, you two. I’ll get Dad.”
She hurried off, leaving Jana to open the door and walk in with Knox. Of course, her mother wouldn’t want to have a conversation alone with them. But Jana didn’t mind; it was her dad they needed to confront.
“Your mom seems…”
“Frazzled?” Jana suggested.
“That’s a good word for it,” he said. “Not that I spent much time around your parents, but I don’t remember her being so skittish.”
“She’s gotten more that way over the years,” Jana said. “She hates conflict and avoids it at all costs.”
Knox merely nodded.
Jana led him into the living room, and Knox checked out the pictures on the wall. There were several of Natalie, at her various graduations—high school, college, and law school. Another few from a rare family vacation. Jana’s high school graduation picture was on the wall, but it was the only picture of her in the whole place, that she knew of. Jana had been the daughter her parents had tolerated more than anything.
And she supposed they were still tolerating her. They didn’t even want to live in the same town anymore. But those were issues that Jana would deal with another day. This moment was about what Knox wanted to say.
She and Knox sat on the couch together not saying anything, their hands linked, Knox absently rubbing his thumb over her wrist.
They waited almost ten minutes before her father came down the stairs. She assumed his office was on the second floor. She’d never explored her parents’ place. But what had taken her dad so long?
Knox released her hand and rose to his feet when her dad entered the room. Her dad was dressed in a suit and tie, which made Jana frown. Was he trying to intimidate Knox or something, or was he on his way to a business meeting? She’d rarely seen him so dressed up.
“You came, too?” her dad said, his gaze moving from Knox to her. He’d completely ignored Knox’s outstretched hand.
“I can wait somewhere else if you want your conversation to be private with Knox,” Jana said, already feeling her neck heat up.
“I have nothing to hide,” her dad said, his gaze slicing to Knox. “Never did.”
This wasn’t completely true, and her dad knew it.
Her dad took a seat on the chair opposite the couch. Leaning back, he folded his hands. “What was so important that we need to have this discussion again?” Once again, he was looking at Jana.
She bit her lip and looked over at Knox. He’d taken his seat again, and she could practically see the tension vibrating in his shoulders.
“I wanted to speak to you in person, man to man,” Knox said in a calm tone.
Her dad scoffed. “A man doesn’t live recklessly. He takes his responsibilities seriously. And you’re not that man, Mr. Prosper. I might not be able to tell you what to do, or my daughter for that matter, but that’s not going to stop me from still trying.”
Knox ran a hand over his face. “I know I hurt your family,” he said. “I didn’t know the extent until recently, and for that, I’m even more sorry.”
Jana could see the surprise in her dad’s eyes, even though he didn’t react outwardly.
“Jana told me what you agreed to do yesterday about canceling the grant,” Knox continued. “And for that, I’m grateful. I don’t work at Prosperity Ranch right now, but I hope to in the future. Things between me and my family have been on shaky ground for a while, but I’m working hard to repair it.”
Her dad’s brows furrowed. “How does your ex-wife feel about you being back at the ranch?”
Knox didn’t answer for a moment, and the tension in the room seemed to heat up. “I haven’t discussed that with Macie directly, but I’ve spoken to my brother—”
“You mean your ex-wife’s husband,” her dad cut in. “Ha, what a mess.”
“Dad,” Jana cut in next.
He shot her a glare, and she glared right back.
“As I was saying,” Knox said, “Holt and I haven’t always seen eye to eye on things, and that will probably never change, but we both agree that family comes first. That’s our end goal. So what happens at Prosperity Ranch is very much my business, and when I retire from rodeo, I’ll figure out a way to contribute and grow the ranch’s profitability.”
Her dad leaned forward. “You telling me you’re quitting rodeo?”
“Not yet, but it’s not a lifelong career, as you know.”
Lines creased her dad’s forehead. “What about your other responsibilities?”
“Which?”
“Your kid,” her dad said, the hardness back in his tone. “Seems like you think nothing of knocking up girls, then dumping them. It’s a despicable pattern—no better than a dog’s life.”
Jana covered her mouth.
“What happened with Jana and I was a mistake,” Knox said. “Not because we were together, but because we let others do the talking for us. I believed false information and let that make my decisions for me. I want you to know, sir, that Jana was never a mistake. If she’d become pregnant, then I wouldn’t have turned my back on her, or any kid of ours.”
Her dad’s jaw worked, and Jana’s stomach felt like it was about to turn inside out.
“You might be sorry now, Prosper,” her dad said. “But that doesn’t make life all roses and daisies. You’re still a lowlife.”
Jana’s eyes stung with tears, and she had no idea how Knox could sit there and take her dad’s harsh words.
Knox had gone very still, and when he next spoke, it was devoid of any emotion. “You have every right to your own opinion, and I hope to prove you wrong someday.”
“I’m not just talking about my daughter
,” her dad said. “You married that Macie woman and then skipped out on her, too. In my opinion, Prosperity Ranch would be better off without the likes of you. Moral character goes a long, long way in my book.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” Knox said, a bite in his tone. “And I’m glad it took Natalie to call you out on your own cut corners, so we can all keep our moral characters in line.”
Jana had never seen her dad’s face so red.
“You stay out of my business!” he said in a seething tone. “Stay out of my family, and anything with the Harris name on it!”
Knox stood, and Jana felt sick. He was going to leave. She knew it. Walk out of this house, and right out of her life.
Her dad rose to his feet, too, and if this wasn’t so upsetting, it might be comical. Her dad had put on the pounds over the years, and Knox looked like he was strong enough to wrestle a bear to the ground—or a bull.
“I love your daughter, sir,” Knox said. “I always have. Life took a hard detour for me, and those are regrets I will always have to live with. But if she chooses to be in a relationship with me, then I can promise you and your wife that Jana will always be my priority. She will always come first, no matter what. And I’ll treat her like the amazing and talented woman she is.”
Tears fell down Jana’s cheeks, and she couldn’t take a full breath.
Without waiting for her dad’s reply, Knox turned to her and held out a hand. “Ready, sweetheart?”
Jana felt a rush of emotion swell in her chest. She wiped at her tears, then placed her hand in his. Knox smiled and drew her to her feet.
She faced her dad, and said, “Dad, you’re wrong about Knox. Dead wrong. And I hope that you’ll forgive me and Knox someday. Anger and bitterness is no way to live your life, and I’m speaking from experience.”
Her dad looked down at the ground, not meeting her gaze.
Together, Jana and Knox walked out of the door, hand in hand. Jana hoped her dad would find a way to look beyond past mistakes and stop using them to hurt others. But for now, she had to give him space. If he came around, good. If not, she’d have a new family.
Not Over You (Prosperity Ranch Book 3) Page 14