One side of his mouth pulled back in a lopsided frown. “You do realize you’re saying all that while keeping my brothers in front of you and standing ten feet away from them.”
“I might need my space, but I don’t need an entire ranch.” She turned her back on Rory and Colt and reached up and touched her fingertips to the dark circles and puffy bags he’d seen under his eyes himself in the mirror this morning. “If you’re not happy and well, how can I be? I want you to have everything you ever wanted.”
“She’s standing right in front of me.” He reached up and cupped her face in his hand, her soft skin against his rough fingertips.
She placed her hand over his and leaned into his palm. “Don’t hold on to me by letting everything else go. You’ll resent me if you do, and this will all fall apart.”
“I won’t let that happen.”
She gave him a quick kiss. “Good.” She stepped back and held his hand between them and glanced over her shoulder at his brothers. “Then I’ll see you guys more often and a few new faces around here soon.” She looked back up at him, a question in her eyes. “Right?”
He looked down at their joined hands. Hers trembled in his, but she gave him a squeeze to reassure him that despite this being difficult for her with his brothers at her back, she meant it. He sighed, giving in, hoping he made the right decision. “Yes. I’ll hire some help.”
Jamie let out her pent-up breath and pulled a horseshoe out from her back pocket and held it up to him. “Remember this?”
Surprise spread a smile across his face. “You kept that.”
“Took it with me everywhere I went. You never know when you’ll need a little luck.”
He frowned. “You needed more than that gave you.”
“It was enough to bring me back to you.” She squeezed his hand, another soft smile on her tempting lips.
He drew her in close, leaned down, and kissed her softly. “I think that makes me the lucky one.”
The love that filled her eyes matched the outpouring in his heart, then turned to a flirty twinkle. A promise of things to come later tonight.
Jamie turned back to his brothers. “What do you guys think about rounding up your wives and Grandpa Sammy and having dinner with us tonight? I’ve got groceries in the truck.”
Rory and Colt glanced at him. He stared down in shock at Jamie. Not only did she push him to hire help, she wanted to cook dinner for his entire family.
“Granddad has poker night with his buddies, he’ll be sorry to miss it, but I’m sure Sadie would love to come.”
“Luna’s been working on paperwork for the ranch all day. She’d probably love to get out of the house.”
Jamie beamed them both a smile. “Great. See you back here in a little while.” She walked over to the toolbox he’d left near the barn door, picked out a small hammer, then a nail out of the coffee can beside it.
She looked over at the chicken coop he and his brothers had put up yesterday morning before Jamie came over. She’d spent ten minutes cooing over the chicks and holding them. “What happened?” she asked, pointing to the damaged wood frame and hastily repaired wire.
“Something tried to get the chickens.”
“Did any of them get hurt?”
Ford shook his head. “No. They’re fine.” For all the damage done, not one chicken or chick appeared harmed. Not a single one had gone missing, taken by a predator. Nor had whatever had done the damage left a single track. He added the odd event to the other strange things happening on the ranch.
Rory waited for Jamie to head up to the house and out of earshot before he said, “So, we’re supposed to ignore the fact that she broke out in a sweat being that close to us?”
“Yes, because she overcame her fear and did it, because she trusted me to protect her.”
“From us?” Colt asked, appearing surprised and annoyed she’d think that about them.
“She knows she’s imagining the threat, but it doesn’t make it any less real for her. I’ll make the calls to the guys I talked to about working here already and see if they’re still available.” A few more people to keep an eye on things.
“You’re sure?” Rory asked, concerned as he was that Jamie may not have been as serious as she’d sounded about him hiring help.
“Yes. She’s right. I don’t want this place to come between us. I won’t let it. No matter what, she’ll always be my priority. But if I don’t get things moving here, I’ll lose it, and she’ll think it’s her fault.”
“She’s not like I remember,” Colt said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen that kind of . . . caution and . . . despair in her eyes. She just can’t hide it, can she?”
“No. And she can’t control the thoughts in her head, or the fear that sweeps through her, or the nightmares that make her scream in the night. So if you guys are here and you see her do something strange, just know it’s not you. Give her the space she needs. She’s better, but she’s not over it.”
“Whatever you and she need, you got it.” Rory clamped his hand on his shoulder in a show of support.
“Let’s keep dinner simple and short. Ease her back into the family nice and slow. Don’t walk up behind her. Don’t startle her. Don’t stare at her. Don’t ask her about the Army, or what happened to her. If she freaks out for some reason, duck and cover.” He smiled on the last sentence to let them know he was kidding. Mostly.
Colt smacked him on the shoulder. “We got this.”
“Great. Now I’m going to go show that girl how much I appreciate her.”
“Go get her, bro,” Colt coaxed.
He didn’t need the nudge when everything in him was drawn to the house and the woman hanging a lucky horseshoe over his front door. The woman he wanted to keep forever.
Chapter 18
Jamie set the last set of utensils on the table, stood back, and admired her work. Simple white dishes, gleaming silverware, navy napkins, and pretty wildflowers in three crystal vases down the center of the plank table. The roast chickens in the oven scented the air with garlic and butter. Potatoes boiled on the stove. She’d mash them once done. Fresh green beans sat on the cutting board waiting for her to steam them.
Ford wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into his chest. Fresh from his shower, he smelled of soap with a hint of citrus and mint. “Are you sure about this?”
“Ask me again, and I’ll shoot you.” He’d asked her a dozen times since his brothers left to pick up their wives if she was ready for a house full of guests. But they weren’t guests, they were family. She needed to get used to being around them again.
“I believe you will,” he joked, kissing her neck. “The table looks great. The food smells even better.”
“I’m nervous.”
The doorbell rang. “No time or reason to be nervous. They’re here. You know my brothers. You’ll love their wives.”
“Yeah, but will they like me?”
“What happened to your cease-fire?”
Be kind to yourself. She swapped her uncertainty for courage. “I can’t wait to meet them.”
Ford turned her in his arms, kissed her softly, then went to open the door.
Everyone came in one by one.
Rory first, with his beautiful, pregnant wife’s hand in his. When Rory stopped in the living room, Sadie passed him and approached her. Rory held her back, but Sadie tugged her hand free and closed the distance with her hand held out. “Thank you for inviting us, Jamie.”
Jamie took her warm hand, smiling back at Sadie. “I’m glad you came by while I’m here.” She looked around Sadie at Ford. “Instead of when Ford sneaks you over when I’m not.”
Sadie chuckled. “We wondered how long Ford would keep you all to himself.”
Luna scooped up Zoey and held her close. “Oh my God, I want her.” Zoey wiggled in pure bliss as Luna tried to hold on to the growing pup and scratch her belly. Pretty soon, no one would be able to handle the chocolate Lab.
Sadie put he
r hand to her swollen belly. “Oh my. Someone is hungry for whatever smells so good.”
Jamie reached out but pulled her hand back. She used to love working at the day care, seeing the expectant mothers come in and pick up their toddlers. She had longed for a child of her own. It seemed so long ago now, but being back with Ford uncovered the hope that it could be a reality someday.
Sadie smiled and pushed out her belly. “Go ahead. He’s kicking up a storm.”
Jamie pressed her palm to the mound and felt the baby kick and move under her hand. The wonder of it brought a smile to her face. “He’ll be as big and strong as his dad.” She winked at Rory, who stood protectively close to his wife.
Ford caught her eye. His gaze softened and he relaxed, seeing her with his family.
“I want in on this.” Luna stepped forward and put her hand next to Jamie’s on Sadie’s belly. “Oh my. Look at that, he kicked me.”
“Are you and Colt going to give Grandpa Sammy his second wish?” Sadie asked.
Colt hugged Luna from behind. “Grandpa Sammy and his pushing and prodding and meddling.”
Jamie eyed them, seeing the inside joke in their eyes. “What’s this about?”
Ford joined the group. “Nothing.”
“Nothing?” Luna scoffed. “The man won’t rest until he’s got his three grandsons married off with his three great-grandbabies on the way.”
Jamie nudged Colt’s shoulder. “No pressure though, right?”
Ford frowned. “Jamie, you know Granddad. He’s ornery as hell.”
“And bound and determined to see you join your brothers in wedded bliss.” Rory covered Sadie’s mouth to keep her from saying anything more.
Jamie got why. Ford must be feeling the pressure to fulfill Grandpa Sammy’s wishes now that she’d come back into his life. “So you guys didn’t come for the chicken. You came to make sure I have honorable intentions toward Ford.”
He actually groaned.
“Mostly to be sure you won’t murder him in his bed,” Luna teased.
Ford groaned again.
“Oh, I kill in bed,” Jamie teased back. “Which is why Ford is missing out on so much sleep.”
Ford sighed out his relief that she played off the jokes with humor rather than taking offense or getting upset that they knew she’d lost it and tried to kill him. That seemed a long time ago and a far different woman than she felt like now.
Rory and Colt high-fived Ford. Luna and Sadie rolled their eyes.
“Who wants a drink?” Now that they’d broken the ice, everyone seemed to relax and stop anticipating her total meltdown.
“We’ll help,” Sadie said, going to the fridge with Luna to grab beers for their husbands, soda for Luna, and a glass of lemonade for Sadie.
The guys settled on the sofa and chair in the living room. She went to the stove and stirred the potatoes, checking to see if they were done. No use telling Sadie and Luna she had dinner under control. They helped out anyway. Sadie put the green beans on. Luna dumped the boiling water from the potatoes, mashed them with salt, pepper, and lots of butter. Jamie took the chickens out of the oven and cut them into pieces on a platter.
Chatting with them about simple things eased Jamie into the evening even more.
“Sadie, where did you get those cute sandals?”
“Online. I’ll write down the name of the site before I go. They have great shoes. Not too expensive either. These are so comfortable, even for my swollen feet and ankles.”
Jamie laughed along with Luna. Sadie was the picture of a glowing expectant mother.
“I love your pink polka dot toes,” Luna commented, showing off her own dark purple pedicure.
“Ford mentioned you’re putting together an equine therapy program.” Jamie hoped they could connect on their mutual love of horses.
“Colt found me this gorgeous palomino. She’s a sweetheart. I’ve been training her the last few days. The kids are going to love her.”
They fell into easy conversation about horses. The ache she carried in her heart throbbed, thinking about working with Catalina and Jo. She missed her friends so much, but found she enjoyed making new ones with Ford’s sisters-in-law. The future she wanted with Ford included his brothers and these ladies. Having them over tonight showed her what life with him would really be like. She wanted it even more.
The three of them brought dinner to the table, which brought the men as well.
Everyone sat and filled their plates. Ford put his hand on her thigh under the table and gave her a soft squeeze, silently thanking her for dinner and inviting his family. She held his intense gaze. She smiled, letting him know she got it. This night was important to him. Having her beside him, his family at the table, it was what he’d always wanted. She’d wanted to take him away all those years ago, but she should have known leaving his brothers would have made him miserable. This was where he belonged.
She felt like she belonged, too.
“Happy?” she asked him.
“More than I can say.”
She leaned in and kissed him. Sadie and Luna both went, “Awww.” She and Ford smiled with their lips pressed together. She pulled back, then moved her chair to get up.
He stilled her with his hand on hers. “Where are you going?”
“To get my meds so I don’t murder you in your sleep.” Sarcasm dripped from her words, but everyone stilled around the table and stared at her. “Joking.” She put all her humor into the single word. “I forgot the gravy for the potatoes on the counter.”
The collective sigh made her shake her head and laugh. The rest of the evening went by with easy conversation, good food, and even better company. She really enjoyed it. Judging by the many thanks and requests they do this again soon as everyone left, so did Ford’s family. The warmth and expectation in their words told her they really meant them.
She stood on the porch by Ford’s side, his arm wrapped around her. He leaned down and kissed the top of her head and right there in the quiet said the words she’d longed to hear for too long. “I love you.”
Surprised, her heart all aglow with a warmth that spread through every cell of her being and lit up her soul, she put all she felt into her reply. “I love you, too. So much. This is how it should be.” She hugged him close. “Us, just like this.”
Ford took her hand and turned for the house. Something in the shadows by the barn caught her attention. That feeling of being watched crept up her spine, raising the hairs on the back of her neck.
“Jamie?”
She scanned the darkness one more time, wishing she wasn’t spotlighted in the porch light. The urge to shove Ford inside and take cover overwhelmed her.
“Jamie!”
Ford’s sharp voice jolted her out of the rising need to protect herself and Ford from whoever spied on them. Even though she knew no one was really there she had a hard time fighting that primitive part of her mind.
“Sorry. I’m coming.” She wished she could trust her instincts. “Do you mind if we stay at my place again tonight?”
Ford stood behind her in the open doorway. “Sure, Firefly. Whatever you want.” Disappointment filled his words, even though he tried to hide it.
He wanted her here with him. She wanted that, too, but when she stayed, she wanted it to be forever. She hoped he understood. She hoped he didn’t realize she wanted him away from here tonight because her radar had gone haywire again.
Chapter 19
Ford didn’t know what spooked Jamie last night, but he had a feeling whatever it was had to do with the strange things happening at the ranch. Like the fact that he suspected his patch job on the chicken coop had been torn apart by a two-legged culprit rather than the four-legged predators that normally did those kinds of things. Not a single damn track on the ground. He didn’t want to go there, but he had to consider someone had done this deliberately to provoke him. Unsettled as Jamie looked last night, he searched the yard again for any evidence to support his growing concern tha
t Jamie’s paranoia that someone was out there wasn’t all in her head.
The chickens and chicks had escaped their pen and roamed the yard, but were safe and all there by his count. Not one foot print from a predator out for an easy meal.
Another task to attack, he went to the tool shed to grab a hammer and staples to repair the broken boards and wire. The second he stepped through the door, it swung closed as something scraped against the wood followed by a thwack as the shovel he’d left propped against the outside wall fell and blocked the door. Ford pushed against it, but only managed to lodge the shovel firmly against the handle.
Another fucking fluke? This made one too many coincidences. Frustrated, he tried the door again, shaking the weathered wood, then punching it when it didn’t budge.
Ford listened intently as something rustled in the grass outside.
What was that?
Probably one of his now free-range chickens.
He rubbed his stinging knuckles and tried to think of the best way out of there. He needed a tool, something he could use to pry one of the weathered boards off the wall by the door and free himself.
Tired of bumping into things in the dim light coming through the narrow window at the peak of the low roof, he reached for the light switch, hoping the bare bulb wasn’t burned out and the damn thing worked. Seemed everything he touched went haywire lately. He flipped the switch. A spark and hiss alerted him to danger a split second before the gasoline soaked rag lying over the outlet box caught fire and it spread up the desert dry wood walls.
Who the hell put that there?
He thought the gas smell had come from one of the old lawn mowers.
Smoke filled the small space quickly. Ford tried to kick the door open, but the shovel handle held firm. Coughing, trying to think through the panic, he searched for something he could use to bust out one of the boards in the back wall.
His Cowboy Heart Page 17