Present day…
Kade was coming home.
Jen couldn’t believe the wait was finally over. As she stood next to her brother in the crowded armory parking lot in early November, waiting for the soldier-loaded bus to arrive, she counted her blessings. This was her cousin’s third deployment. Thank God he was okay, and hadn’t lost anyone in the company.
Her gaze bounced from one happy face to another in a sea of American flags, excitement permeating from the anxious families. It was truly a day of celebration.
And lately, she’d felt like celebrating. Things were good with Brock. It’d been three and a half weeks since she’d helped him paint his gram’s laundry room, and he’d helped her remove the paint from her skin. Thoroughly, and with special care.
“You look happy, sis.” Kevin studied her with a sideways glance. “And I get the impression it has nothing to do with Kade.”
She elbowed him. “Shut up, you. Of course it does. I feel like I can breathe again now that he’ll be home.”
God, it’d be so good to breathe without the invisible tank sitting on her chest, restricting her air.
“This means we can finally stop watching the news so much,” he said with a grimace. “All that death and politics was sucking the joy from my soul.”
Slipping her arm through his, she hugged tight and grinned. “Aw, poor baby. I’m sure you can find a willing female to kiss it and make it better.” She nodded to several pretty women who kept glancing his way. “As a matter of fact, there are a few volunteers right now.”
He patted her hand. “Behave. I’d never encroach on a soldier’s woman.”
“Maybe they’re a sister, cousin, or daughter.”
“That’s still bad.”
She glanced up at him. “Why?”
“Because their brothers, cousins, fathers know how to shoot a gun and blow shit up,” he replied. “And I like my body parts exactly where they are, thank you very much.”
Snickering, she was about to reply when the bus pulled into the lot and the crowd went nuts. With her heart beating hard in her chest, Jen remained next to Kevin in front of Kade’s truck that they’d driven, making sure to have the Johnny Cash CD ready to play on the way home. Having experienced two other homecomings, they’d learned it was safer to stay out of the way of the families rushing forward.
But, it wasn’t easy, especially when she caught sight of her cousin exiting the bus, placing his hat on his high and tight military cut before he glanced around. Exhaustion tightened his features, but otherwise, he looked wonderful. She lifted a hand and waved, along with Kevin, and a few seconds later, Kade spotted them and waved back.
Jen would’ve rushed to him then, but her brother held her arm tight.
“Easy there, darlin’,” he said. “The crowd’s vicious. Besides, what have I always told you? Let the man come to you.”
She did remember, and was pleased when Brock had done just that the past few weeks. He was adamant about the guys talking, so after the night of the meeting about Kade’s party, he never set foot inside the ranch. When they spent time together, it was always at his grandmother’s. If she was at Shadow Rock, he’d knock on the door, she’d come out, and he’d drive her to his gram’s, and if her afternoon class was running late, he’d pick her up at her apartment, since it wasn’t far from his grandmother’s house.
She enjoyed visiting the home he grew up in. Gram was a sweetheart, and Brock wasn’t as guarded. He even showed her photos of his dad and mom and Cody. She was touched that he’d wanted to share those memories with her. Each visit, the cowboy opened up more. She hated to see them end, but it was now November. The end of the month would find him gone. He was moving on to another job.
But today, it wasn’t about her and Brock. It was about her cousin.
The crowd started to depart. Kade shared a few back-slaps with the guys, then slung a duffle bag over his shoulder and ambled toward them. Jen was done. She pulled away from Kevin and rushed to her cousin, letting go of the tears stinging her eyes when two strong arms wrapped her in a hug she’d missed for months.
“Welcome home, Kade.” She hiccupped, holding him tight. “I missed you.”
“Missed you too, sweetheart,” he said, a smile evident in his tone. He held her close for a minute, then drew back. “Has Kevin stayed out of trouble?”
She laughed. “Yes, surprisingly.” Slipping her arm around his waist, she walked with him to her brother.
“Welcome back to the U.S. of A,” Kevin said, thrusting a can of Coke at Kade.
“Thanks.” Her cousin nodded, tossed his duffle in the back of the truck, then drank the soda. When he finished, he smiled. “Ah…it’s good to be back.”
They piled into the truck and began their short ride home. Sitting between her cousin and brother with a Johnny Cash tune on low, she leaned back and sighed. All felt right with the world. So right, she nearly fell asleep. She hadn’t been this content in a long time. It kind of scared her. Something usually gave when contentment set in.
“So, what’s new that I should know about?” Kade asked as he pulled out of the parking lot.
“Not much,” Kevin answered. “Cole and Bess are good. Connor is actually going steady with a blonde who has enough silicone in her chest that, if she fell over and they busted, she’d stick to the pavement.”
“Kevin,” she admonished, fighting a grin. “Tiffany is kind of nice, despite her…ah…enhancements.”
Kade grimaced. “Thanks for the warning.”
“No problem.” Her brother nodded.
“How’s everything at the ranch?”
“Good. And things are going great with Brock, at the ranch and otherwise, right, Jen?” Kevin sent her a sly smile.
“Oh?” Kade glanced sideways at her, too. “You’re seeing a ranch hand?”
Jen elbowed her idiot brother.
“Ouch.” He grimaced. “Yeah, she’s seeing him. On his time off, they disappear to his grandmother’s near the college. He’s a good guy. He doesn’t want the men talking shit about Jen.”
Kade’s brows shot up. “Is it serious?”
“No, she knows he’s leaving for Amarillo at the end of the month. Right, Jen?” her brother asked again.
She stared at him and blinked, but didn’t answer.
“What?” He frowned.
“You seemed to enjoy answering for me. You’re the ventriloquist and the dummy. I thought you were going to hold a conversation with yourself.”
Kade’s chuckle filled the cab. “She got you there, Kev.”
Her brother smiled. “Yep, she did. But, hey, I just wanted to bring you up to speed on Brock. You’re going to like him. He’s one hell of a worker. Lenny loves him, even asked him to work a few more weeks, but the guy’s already got a contract with a ranch up in Amarillo. Jen isn’t the only one who wants him to stay.”
“I-I never said that.” But she sure did think it. In fact, she thought about it all the time. A burning ball settled in her stomach whenever she thought about the end of the month.
“You didn’t have to,” Kevin said quietly. “I can see it in your eyes.”
She commended herself for holding his gaze without blinking. “I have one more semester to go, then I’m off to Houston, remember?” After the past few weeks, though, she had to face facts. She wasn’t falling for the cowboy. She’d already fallen.
“I remember, but do you?”
Funny, until she just mentioned it, Jen hadn’t thought about Houston since the summer.
“Well, one thing I’ve learned,” Kade said, turning onto Shadow Rock land. “Is that fate is fickle.”
“True,” Kevin agreed. “Take Cole and Jordan for instance. I would’ve bet all my lunch money back when we were growing up that those two would’ve gotten married.”
“Yeah.” She nodded.
Jordan and her sister Kerri had been neighbors, and wherever Cole was, Jordan wasn’t far behind.
“I hear she’s a cop who marr
ied a cop, and Kerri’s a cook who married a cook.” Kevin laughed, then glanced at her. “I wonder if that means you’ll be a corporate accountant who marries one.”
Her laughter mixed with her brother’s and cousin’s, but for some reason, it wasn’t a handsome man in a business suit his words conjured. No, it was the green-eyed cowboy with light brown hair with streaks of gold who came to mind. He was the one she visualized spending her life with, sharing a home, her bed, her love.
“There’s Brock.” Kevin pointed to the broad-shouldered ranch hand working the horses in the corral as Kade parked near the stable.
With her pulse kicking up at the sight of him, she had no choice but to admit Brock had gotten under her skin a lot farther than she’d ever intended. Very far. All the way in.
She’d fallen in love with Brock Kincaid.
Which was dumb, because he was a ranch hand, and they never stuck.
Her cousin turned off the ignition and stared at the cowboy who’d come to mean a lot more than great sex to her. Just sitting next to him in his truck, on his gram’s couch, the porch swing, or holding his hand as he helped her on her horse made her feel wonderful. Whole. Complete.
She didn’t want to think about how she was going to feel when he wasn’t around.
After a moment, Kade nodded, and a satisfied glint appeared in his gray eyes. “He’s got a good demeanor with the horses.”
“Come on,” Kevin said, opening the door. “We’ll introduce you.”
By the time they got to Brock, Kade had shaken hands with a half dozen people, and touched and stroked just as many horses. Jen could see the tension and negativity melt off her cousin. She fought back a round of tears and nearly lost it when Brock stepped close, brushing arms with her, as if knowing she needed to feel him.
Kade glanced from her to the cowboy, then held out his hand. “You must be Brock. I’ve heard a lot of good things about you.”
“Likewise,” Brock said, shaking her cousin’s hand. “And thank you for your service, sir.”
Kade nodded again, then removed his hand. “You have a nice manner with the animals.”
“I like working with horses.”
“Has anyone shown you the humane barn?”
“I did,” Jen spoke up.
Her cousin nodded, then glanced back to Brock. “I understand you’re leaving at the end of the month.”
“Yes, sir. I have an eight week contract up in Amarillo.”
Was that reluctance she heard in his tone? She studied his face, but his expression was guarded.
“Well, in the meantime, if we get any abuse cases, would you be interested in helping?”
“Yes, absolutely.”
Kade nodded just as Kevin called him from behind.
“Hey, cuz, there’s someone here to see you.”
They all turned to find her brother leading her cousin’s horse out of the stable.
Kade drew in a breath and smiled. “Excuse me.” Gaze still trained on his horse, he slowly approached the massive black stallion that had once been an abuse case.
The horse started pulling on his reins, and when her cousin nodded, Kevin let go. Everyone stopped what they were doing to watch the stallion trot to Kade and nudge his shoulder with his nose. The returning vet slung an arm around the horse and the two stood still, neck to neck, for a few minutes, getting reacquainted.
Jen’s throat heated and eyes burned as tears rolled down her cheeks. God, she was an emotional wreck lately. Strong fingers entwined with hers and squeezed.
“You okay?” Brock asked.
I am now.
She turned to him and smiled. “Yes, thank you.”
He always made her feel better. Next month at this time, she feared her answer would be vastly different.
November was flying by, and Brock was powerless to stop it. His time at Shadow Rock was quickly coming to an end. The month, so far, had been enjoyable. Most of Harland County had turned out for Kade’s homecoming barbeque last week. The weather had cooperated and they’d held the get-together outside. Good food. Good fun. He’d even danced several dances with Jen before they rode off into the sunset to be alone.
Usually once he hit the final two weeks of a job, he was antsy, ready to move on to the next. Not this time. He found himself wishing he could’ve taken the ranch owners up on their request to stay longer.
Out of all the jobs he’d done so far, this one had been his favorite, and it had nothing to do with Jen. He enjoyed the work, the people, even his bosses.
The beautiful owner with the kind heart and soft curves was a bonus. Her smiles and special glances never failed to heat him from within. He was going to miss them. And her. But they still had nine days left, and he wasn’t going to waste one second of their alone time.
Starting today. It was Jen’s birthday, and he’d already cleared it with her brother and cousin to take her to the gulf for the weekend. She’d been excited at the news. This would probably be their last chance to be alone. He wanted to make it special, memorable, so she would always think fondly of their time together.
As he walked to the ranch house, he brushed his hands on his pants. They were empty. He’d ordered flowers for their hotel room, but he wished he’d had money to buy her a proper present. Hopefully, the getaway would be enough.
Pushing away thoughts of debts, and mortgages, and lack of money, he knocked on the door determined to devote the weekend to enjoying the woman’s company.
When the door opened, he sucked in a breath. “You look beautiful,” he said, admiring her gorgeous curves in jeans, navy sweater, and knee-high boots.
“Thank you,” she replied, then turned to call to her brother to tell him she was leaving.
He inhaled and nearly swallowed his tongue at the sight of her mouthwatering ass when she bent to grab her suitcase. Shaking the fuzziness from his head, he stepped forward. “Let me get that.”
Kevin strolled in from the kitchen. “Have fun, you two. See you Sunday night.”
Brock nodded because, hell, he couldn’t talk. It was a miracle he was able to bend down and grab her small suitcase. He even managed to get to the truck and place her stuff with his behind the seat. But when he turned to help her into the pickup, her fresh flowery scent washed over him and blasted his dwindling control.
There, in the late afternoon sunshine, in the driveway of Shadow Rock Ranch, he hauled her close, shoving one hand into her hair and sliding the other around her back as he kissed her sweet lips. She sighed and melted into him, returning his kiss with equal fervor.
The sound of snickering broke through his muddled brain. He drew back and muttered a curse as he watched Kade send the workers a stern look. “I’m sorry, Jen. I didn’t mean to—”
A soft finger touched his lips, silencing his words. “Shh…I don’t care about the men, Brock. Just you. It’s my birthday. If I want to kiss you, then I will. Got it?” Head cocked, determination glittering in her eyes, she stared at him, daring him to protest.
He didn’t. “Yes, ma’am,” he replied, running a finger down her cheek. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”
She reached up to cup his face, a sinful expression deepening the blue of her eyes. “Oh, yes, cowboy. There’s lots you can do for me, once we get to our room.”
Loving where her mind was, he winked. “As you wish.”
Fifteen minutes later, he opened the door to their room, happy to see the flowers he’d ordered sitting front and center on a small table by the window.
“Oh, Brock, they’re beautiful,” she said, dropping her purse on a chair as she bent to sniff the colorful bouquet of roses and daisies, and a few other flowers he didn’t recognize. She straightened and turned around, gifting him with one of her brilliant, pure, wholesome smiles that always found a way to his heart and squeezed.
He shouldn’t be feeling this.
But he did.
He shouldn’t be here with her.
But he was.
Wild hor
ses couldn’t drag him from her side right now. In fact, she was too far away. He set their suitcases down near an oversized chair, then strode to the woman who made him feel too damn much, and heaven help him, that’s exactly what he wanted from her now.
“Happy birthday, Jen,” he said, meeting her in front of the king-sized bed centered on the far wall.
He drew her close, running his palms down her back while she slid her hands over his chest and shoulders to cup his head as he captured her mouth. She tasted of coffee and caramel, and he let her have the lead a few moments, relishing the feel of her lips, dipping and tasting his like she hadn’t seen him in days.
She was hot, and the heat of her body seared into him, setting his temperature to inferno. But he wanted to take his time with her. Savor, worship, commit to memory every beautiful detail about her for when he was cold and alone at his next job.
Bringing his hands around, he cupped her face and drew back until their lips barely touched. “Slow, Jen,” he said against her mouth. “I want to take my time with you.”
When her hands dropped to his shoulders, he kissed the corner of her mouth, dipping his tongue to lightly lick and taste her sweet essence, then repeated over the bow of her top lip before tasting the other corner, lingering until her soft, breathy sigh funneled into his mouth. That was when he finally slanted his lips fully over hers, slipping his tongue inside to sweep and stroke as need and hunger took over.
With a sensual, low sound, she rocked against him, bringing a flash of stars to his closed eyes, and heat, he couldn’t forget the heat. God, no. The heat was one of the things he was going to remember the most about her, that and how much her fierce need matched his own. Their chemistry was special. He already missed it. Releasing her mouth, he trailed kisses down her neck and throat, and had her moaning and clutching his shoulders tight.
“Don’t stop,” she breathed, angling her head to give him better access.
He tugged her neckline and grazed the curve with his teeth before biting down, eliciting the sweet, sexy moan that haunted his dreams. Again and again, he bit and she moaned, pressing her curves into him, reminding him they had on way too many clothes. He drew back, his heart taking a knock at the hunger darkening her gaze to his favorite color.
Harland County Christmas (Harland County Series) Page 6