“I’m fine, Chloe. I left my phone in Jase’s truck and we were…we were inside. I’m coming home right now. I love you, honey. I’m sorry.” Brenna covered her face with both hands when she sat her phone down. “Oh, I can’t do that again. She was petrified.”
“We’ll be there soon, and from now on we’ll make sure your phone is always with you.” When they pulled into the parking lot he parked and walked inside with her. Davy sat on the sofa beside Chloe. She got up and came to Jase, pushed him in the chest with both hands, and started to do it again, but he caught her wrists. He drew her against him, giving her the kind of security she didn’t have.
“Chloe, it wasn’t Jase’s fault,” said Brenna.
She shook herself free from Jase’s hold, and turned to Brenna. Tears streamed down Chloe’s face. “I thought something happened to you!” She openly trembled.
Davy came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. He closed his eyes and held her.
Jase glanced at Brenna to see how she took to that act, but she looked relieved. “I have to get back, hon. The horses need to be fed and watered. I have chores to complete.” When she smiled at him his temperature went up a couple degrees. Hell, maybe he hadn’t come down from his high yet.
Chloe went back to the sofa with Davy and he sat with his arm around her.
Brenna stood with Jase at the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” He pulled her close, and whispered. “You’re okay with those two doing that?”
“Yes, I…I have to be. They’re in love. I can’t stand in the way of love.” She lowered her voice. “He promised he wouldn’t…you know.”
Now he was the one not knowing how to handle this. Davy sure as hell better handle things the right way. Embracing her tighter, he said, “I get it. Bren. I don’t want to leave you. I love you.”
“See you tomorrow. Farewell for now. I love you, too.”
He kissed her on the forehead but brought her against him one more time. “Brenna,” he whispered. How’d I get this way? Jase backed away and put his hat on. “Night, sweetheart.” He turned and left, weakened by her, shaking his head as he slid behind the wheel of his truck. Inside, he gripped the steering wheel with both hands, tilting his head back against the headrest. He closed his eyes. “Shit.” I didn’t use protection. “Irresponsible bastard.”
***
At home, he first went into the barn and began feeding and watering his horses, but his thoughts didn’t once leave that blonde he fell in love with almost at first sight. Everything about her was wild and sexy, yet so innocent and compelling. When he came back to Warrior’s stall nearly an hour later, he put his bridle on him. “Let’s go for a ride, boy. We both need it.”
With the final buckle, he took hold of the reins and leapt to his back. They slowly walked outside and to the edge of the desert. Looking upward, the sky was littered with stars and the night was clear and black. He inhaled the night air, dust, and plain old dry grass. “Just a short ride, Warrior. Let’s go boy.” He kicked his heels and off they went into a trot, but it wasn’t long before he let Warrior set the pace into a steady gallop.
Coyote’s howled in the distance and his horse slowed up and came to a walk on his own. He patted his neck and talked smoothly to him. “It’s okay, you’re good.” He pulled the reins and turned around, heading back to the barn, not wanting to venture out too far in the dark with no protection on him. Seems I’m good at forgetting protection tonight.
Once back at the barn Jase got down and walked him back inside. He removed his bridle, took a minute to brush him down and check his hooves. When Sugar Plum grunted, he decided to take some time with her tomorrow, brush her real good, and maybe take her on a short ride behind him and Warrior. He had to ask himself if he was avoiding going inside his lonely house.
Yes, he was. The minute he hit that bed, his thoughts would be on Brenna, his kids, and his aching heart when he was left alone. And as with every other night, he’d pray that the next day would be the day…the day he’d bring his babies home.
He went inside his horse trailer and straightened up the bed. Inhaling a big whiff of her perfume, he took a minute to relive the highs, the ecstasy that went on there not long ago. Shake it off, dude. He literally shook, his shoulders showing a tremble. He tucked his milksop weakness away and stuck the candles back where they belonged.
At the door, he looked toward the bedroom again before stepping out and locking up—convincing himself with one more reminder that it had been real, and her warm skin had been naked against his. He’d wear it like armor for when he laid his head on the pillow.
At the table in the kitchen he removed his boots and poured a glass of wine before heading to the office. He lifted the glass to his lips, savoring the taste. He had that under control now and knew he wouldn’t be driven back to over-indulging.
Tomorrow he’d take Brenna out to a nice place for dinner. He’d like to see her dressed up and it wouldn’t hurt him to get out of his jeans.
Sitting in front of the computer at his desk, he took his phone and sent her a text message. An unexpected ring jarred his senses as he hit SUBMIT online to pay a bill for his hay. “Hello, sweetheart…”
“Hi, baby. Dinner out tomorrow? It sounds great. Before long I’ll be heading into my classroom. I’ll be so busy when school starts. So a relaxing dinner with you will be excellent.”
He loved the smoothness of her voice when she was sleepy. It flowed through his psyche like butter over a hot waffle. He closed his eyes and listened, letting it melt into his brain, then… “Brenna?”
“Yes, Jase?”
“I love you, woman. I went back into my trailer and smelled you there. Better’n hay, by the way.” When she laughed he found himself smiling, too. If it was up to him she’d be beside him now, in his kitchen…and bedroom. Hmm…imagine that. “And sweetheart, I was reminded of my carelessness. I deeply and sincerely apologize.”
“I thought of it as well. It’s already been done, and not just your fault.” She took a big breath and let it out slowly. “Well, since you brought up my perfume, I just unbuttoned my blouse and you’re all over my skin.”
“It’s not horse smell, is it?” He shook his head in wonderment of how he could be so casual with her.
“About your text… Where will we go for dinner?”
“Somewhere nice. Fancy. You’ve never seen me much out of jeans, but tomorrow you will, doll.”
“Mmm, I can already see you dressed up. It will be nice to do it myself, too.”
“Looking forward to it. Still come over tomorrow and we’ll take a ride…or go buy furniture.” He waited, wondering where that came from. No matter, it was necessary.
“Really? Let’s get furniture!”
“I thought you might like that idea. It’ll be nice to have you with me. Hell, bring the kid. I might end up with a psychedelic chair or something.”
“Does that still exist?”
“In my head sometimes.” He listened to her chuckle and it illuminated his soul. The things she did to his insides surprised even him. Was it new? Something that never happened before, or had he just forgotten? Maybe he had experienced this kind of thing in the past, the same joy and love he garnered from this woman now. If pain chased it away, love brought it back, and this was the only one he wanted to remember.
“Jase, you awake?”
“Yeah, I’m contemplating. I can be dangerous to myself when I do that.”
“Well, don’t hurt yourself. Go to bed and dream. That’s my answer.”
“Sure thing. Nice to hear your voice before falling out, but I have a few things to take care of here online. I’ll pick you up by noon tomorrow for shopping.” He chuckled to himself, hoping something like that didn’t get out.
“I’m sending a kiss your way. Good night.”
“Bye—”
“Jase?”
“Yeah, what?” He set his elbows on the desk, holding his head with one hand while he pressed the phone closer to his ear to hear her vo
ice, as if he wanted to feel the breath from her whisper.
“We never say bye. Farewell for tonight, my love.” The connection was cut.
Note to self. Don’t say bye. Jase paid a few more bills, checked his clients’ as well as his own funds and securities. He made a big deposit into his bank account. He sat back and nodded, happy with the way that trade came through. Jase stood and stretched before plodding to his bedroom. He stripped to his boxers, pulled the cover down and hit the bed.
Chapter 25
Up early to start his day, he would’ve shoved caffeine into his veins, if possible. Last night he slept better than he had in ages. Sitting on the porch step, he took a drink of coffee looking out at the morn—quiet and surreal with the cactuses silhouetted beneath a bronze sky, the sun low—and hot. Closing his eyes, he pictured his son and daughter sleeping at peace in their beds, home here with him. Again, he asked himself, Will this be the day? “Please,” he whispered, as he opened his eyes and peered at the clouds.
The sounds from the barn—shovel scraping, hay whooshing as it was being thrown, reminded him to move faster. Max’s truck was parked near the barn door and he was in there mucking out the stalls already. Silas pulled up as he set his cup down. He pulled his shirt on and hiked on over there. “Mornin’, guys. Hot coffee in the house, if you want it.”
“Maybe later, boss,” said Max as he used his pitchfork to shift the hay around in one of the stalls.
He went into Warrior’s stall, put his harness on and took him to the field. When he returned, he did the same with Sugar Plum and Shadow, always spending the walk-time to the field talking to them, mentioning his kid’s names so they didn’t forget. In his mind anyway. Sometimes he wondered about his own sanity at the way he talked to those animals. He’d brush Sugar Plum after cleaning the stalls.
On the way back he went inside his house, washed his hands, and grabbed a bowl of cereal—Raisin Bran today. He stood at the window in the kitchen eating, looking out at the horses running around like a bunch of kids after being cooped up all night. Without finishing, he set the bowl in the sink and went back to the barn to get busy on his chores—cleaning the stalls, mixing nutrients into their food, and helping the hands situate the bales of hay in the loft before moving some to the fields.
“Hey, guys, I need you to run those two new horses to an auction for me, if you don’t mind. One overnighter Wednesday, so it’ll be late by time you finish up at the auction.” He removed his hat and shook out his sweat-laden hair. “Over to Las Cruces again. I hate to ask either of ya to spend a night away from your families, so let me know if it’s a problem.”
“I don’t have a problem,” said Max. “I kinda like coming home the next night.” He chuckled. “One night away and my wife seems happy to have me back. I reap all the benefits.”
Silas nudged him in the arm. “I could take a trip over there to New Mexico. I’ll have my brother stop over at the auction for a visit while I’m there. He lives right close.”
“So no problem?” Jase looked back and forth at them.
They both grinned and said they were happy to go.
He continued with cleaning the stall, but stopped and leaned on the rake handle, removed his hat, and pushed his hair out of his face. Sweat beaded on his forehead. He wiped it off with his sleeve and went into another stall. “I’ll be out late tonight, so if you care to come back later and get the horses fed, I’ll make it worth your while. I mixed up their new batch of supplements, so it’s ready to add to their feed buckets.”
“Is it the blonde, boss?” Silas lifted his hands into the air. “Just saying…”
Jase chuckled and pictured her in his trailer last night. “Yeah, it’s the blonde…” He looked back and forth at the two men. “Shit, I don’t know anymore. One day she wasn’t here and the next day she was.”
Max set a water bucket under the spigot. “Well, friend, it’s nice to see you laugh again.”
Jase stomped his boots off and grabbed a broom. “Don’t go getting all wimpy here. It is what it is. I got nothing else to say.”
“Yes, sir, Jase. Ten four on that.” Max cleared his throat. “Nice hot rod she’s got.” He laughed, and said, “Okay, I’m back to work. Have fun tonight.”
Jase caught his wink as he walked away. “Hey, I’m buying furniture today. Stop in sometime and I’ll give you guys a cold beer on the house.” He glanced at his watch. A little more work to do and he’d have to clean up.
***
He knocked on her door at eleven forty-five and she opened it with a gleam in her eye. She wore white jeans and a pretty, red short-sleeved shirt. “Whew, babe! No wonder you bought a red Mustang. It is your color.”
“Thanks.” She gave him a sweet smile. “Look at you. Wow, you look really hot in that black shirt, even if it is buttoned too much.” She made sure to take care of that situation, by unbuttoning the top two. “Better?”
“Absolutely.” He hauled her into his arms, and found her lips to be warm and plump. He wanted more—always wanted more from her. He ran his fingers over the back of her hair. It was so smooth and shiny, worn down and free.
He lifted a brow and did a full body scan of her standing there, looking like a beauty queen ready to go on stage for their casual-wear show. Was that even a category? He only remembered the bikinis. “I’m ready if you are. Where’s the kid?”
“Upstairs. She isn’t coming. Believe it or not, Davy is taking her to your mom’s. I hope she meets some girls.” She took up her purse and lowered her voice. “Tomorrow she wants to go to the marital arts studio we found.” Brenna walked out with him and he held the door, taking full opportunity to check her out as she stepped into his truck. “Oh, baby…you’re such a hottie.”
“What?” she asked.
Speechless. He walked around and got in his side. “You blow me away.” What happened to his man because around her he turned into a teenager?
She peered at him and sighed. “About tomorrow. Chloe might not be able to handle it. I’m not even sure I can.” Lowering her eyes, she continued. “That night… My family picked us up from the studio and…well, you know what I’m saying.”
“The accident. Bren, I’m so sorry. Every time you mention it I can’t wrap my brain around what you two went through.” Jase shoved the console up and took her hand from the seat. “Should either of you go?”
Brenna peered out the window. “Is it far to the store?”
“Thirty minute drive. Worth the trip.” She remained looking out the window. What does she really see? “They’re known for speedy delivery and maybe I’ll have something to sit on by the weekend.” She didn’t want to answer his question so he simply let it go. “Later, I’ll head back home, finish some chores, and we’ll head to the valley for dinner.”
No matter how anybody looked at her situation, it was difficult. A reminder constantly there. At night he went to sleep with a prayer, hoping to find his kids. She couldn’t do that. He slid his hand around her shoulder. “You know I love you, girl.”
She tilted her face against his hand and he was ready to pull over and wrap her up in his security. “What’s your furniture style?”
Brenna hesitated, apparently still lost in her thoughts.
“I like leather,” he blurted out.
Looking at him, she said, “So do I. Black or white.”
“We’re getting manly black.” Jase wanted to be as far away from the former style—early American, and he never liked it. But it burned damn good. “About our trip in two days.”
“Oh, I forgot it was coming up. I planned on getting into my classroom. I’m sorry, I’ll have to work around it.”
“I’m sending my ranch hands instead. It’s already arranged. I’m not in the mood this week.”
“Will it be all right?”
“Yep—I mean—yes, ma’am. I’m the boss. I’m not committed to anything and my guys do a great job…as much of a good job as I’d do.” He nodded ahead. “We’re going up there on
the left. Yep, leather furniture, the whole deal. Enough to fill up that living room.” Jase flipped on his blinker and moved to the left lane.
***
That evening, he picked her up at six-thirty. Unable to keep his eyes off her in a black dress, a deep ‘V’ showing more cleavage than he ever saw her show. He about made a fool of himself. “Girl, I thought you looked hot earlier. Men will be stumbling over their own feet. You’re sexy.” He twirled a silky tendril around his finger. “I’ve never seen your hair up like this. Nice.” He did another once over, gulping before he even finished his perusal of her magnificent body. She looks so good. And tanner?
Brenna hugged him and gave a kiss on the cheek. “Your hands are the only ones allowed on me.” She diverted her eyes from his and whispered, “Everywhere.”
Chloe came downstairs at that moment. “Wow, Brenna. I haven’t seen you in a dress since forever. The spray tan turned out great! You look good. Take care of her, Jase.”
“No problem,” he said, winking at Brenna. “We need to go, but, honey, could I make a suggestion?”
Chloe stopped at the bottom of the stairway and she waited with her sister to hear what he had to say. “What is it?” Brenna asked.
He ran his fingers through his hair and tried to smooth out the crease in the back. We’re going to one of the top romantic restaurants in the area, but you might want to wear comfortable shoes.”
“That doesn’t make sense. Do I have to walk there?” She headed to her closet. “How come?”
So many questions. He was trying to show her a good time. “It’s a rule. Leave it at that.”
“Humph.” Brenna slipped into flats and peered at her sister.
Chloe rolled her eyes and took a seat on the sofa and she opened a box. “I can’t believe I’m about to wear cowboy boots. These guys are trying to turn me into a cowgirl, big sis. At least he’s not making you wear them.”
Jase glanced at Chloe and took a seat across from her in the chair. “Oh, don’t bet on that. I’ve been after her to get a pair since the first night I…shared an ice cream cone with her.” He turned to Brenna. “Remember that night, doll?” Was that a pink coloring he saw on her cheeks? He never noticed her blush before, but he liked it.
Heartbreak's Reward (Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight Book 2) Page 26