“He was just asking about you.”
A wash of regret and sadness came over Becca. “Like what?”
“He wanted to know if I’d spoken to you. If you and Brian were still together. He seemed . . . sad, Beck. I think he wishes he could talk to you.”
“Are you with him now?”
“Yeah, well, not this very second. I went into the bathroom. But I’m at Tyler’s. It’s their Guard weekend. I called him crying about Jonas and he told me to come over. But you know we’re just friends. So now I was thinking maybe you should come down, too.”
Becca’s eyes widened. “Come down? It’s nearly six. I live two hours away.”
“I know, but if you left now, you’d be here at a decent time. I miss you, too, Becca. We never get to just . . . hang out anymore. And I need girl talk. You could see us both. I know you’re off Monday since I am, too. Besides, I need to get busy reading those woowoo books you’re going to bring me.”
Becca laughed and then sighed, suddenly considering scrapping her mac and cheese and rosé plans. Did she want to see Jase? God, yes. Clearly those woowoo books had just barely scratched the surface. But should she? The jury was out on that one. Another howl of wind hit her car, making it wobble.
“Hannah, a storm is coming. I’d be driving right into it.”
“I don’t think it’s supposed to start getting bad until like ten.” Hannah moved on the other end. “Hold on, I’ll ask.”
Becca heard a door squeak, then voices again. “Hey, guys?” Hannah said, slightly muffled. “If my sister leaves Kansas City now, think she’ll beat the storm?”
There was a little commotion, then a deep voice spoke into the receiver, sending butterflies flying through Becca’s stomach. “Beck, you there?” Jase said.
“Yes. I’m sorry to bother you, I told her it was silly for me to drive there.”
“It’s not the best night, that’s for sure.” Obviously, he’d rather her not come. No surprise.
“I know, it’s fine. I’ll just come another weekend. This was her idea. You can put her back on if you want,” Becca said.
“I will in a minute. But . . . how are you?”
Her eyebrows rose. “I’m good. How are you?”
“I’m okay. Been busy. It’s breeding season.”
“Oh well, that sounds like fun.” She laughed and loved hearing the sound of his chuckle on the other line.
“Yeah Pitch has been a busy guy. But even better, one of my heifers calved a few weeks ago and I even got to help pull the baby out because it was presenting wrong. You should have seen it, Becca,” he said. “It was one of the most amazing things I’d ever seen in my life.”
She smiled. “I bet. Watching a cow give birth was never high on my bucket list, but the way you get excited talking about it makes me rethink it. Best part is that you should soon have several more knocked up cows.”
“If Pitch is the man I hope he is, yes ma’am.” They were both quiet for a moment, before he finally spoke again. “I’m sorry about Christmas,” he said quietly. “I was pissed at myself later on, for leaving like that.”
“I understand. It wasn’t a good day.”
“It had been a real good night, though.”
She sucked in a breath. “Yes. It had been a good night.” It had been more than a good night. It had been an amazing night.
“Could you leave now, Becca? If you did, I think you’d make it just fine.”
“I . . . I mean, maybe. I’d have to run home and grab a couple of things.”
“How long would that take?” he asked, sounding a little anxious. She could tell by the lack of noise he’d now gone into a separate room to speak with her.
“My apartment is five minutes from here. I could probably be on the road in twenty if I rushed.” Her heart began to hammer in her chest. He sounded as if he wanted her there. And oh how she wanted to be there with him. She started up her engine, realizing she should have done it five minutes ago. It was cold out.
“Make sure you’ve got a full tank of gas, and bring water and something to eat. And call me if anything happens. You understand?”
“You act like this is a bad idea.”
“I think it will be fine. I’m just being cautious.”
“Okay. Tell Hannah I’ll be there soon as I can.”
“Be safe, Beck.”
“Okay, see you soon.”
When she ended the call, she immediately backed out and headed to the main road. Her first stop was the gas station to fill up, then grab a bottle of water and a handful of energy bars. As she made her way through the QuikTrip, she found herself feeling like she was going on an adventure. She was excited. And she was going to see Jase.
She got back into her to hear her phone ping. It was a text from Jase. Just wanted to make sure you had my number. Stay to the right. Get here safe!
THIRTEEN
Jase glanced at his phone once more. It was eight fifteen. He checked the time stamp of his text to Becca earlier: six oh one. She could be here anytime. The sooner the better, considering that the snow had been coming down for nearly an hour and was getting heavier by the minute. Newscasters were already suggesting people stay home. If Hannah wasn’t waiting on her sister, Jase would have talked her into going home by now, but Tyler and Lia had insisted that at this point she just stay and that she and Becca could both spend the night. Considering Tyler had a spare room upstairs and a basement with a huge sofa and another bedroom, there was a place for everyone to sleep.
The other thing—besides the clock and the weather—that Jase had been keeping an eye on this evening was Hannah and Aiden. The two hadn’t spoken a whole lot. Hannah had been quiet, but Jase had noticed her go up to the other guy and give him a big hug in the kitchen after they’d eaten the amazing dinner he and Lia had prepared. She’d thanked him for dinner and then teasingly told him he’d make the most perfect husband. When Aiden’s eyes had immediately met his over the top of her head, Jase had just given him a sly wink and then ducked out of the kitchen. He couldn’t help wondering what the guy’s response to that had been.
Right now, they were all planted in front of the television, Caleb and Hannah on the floor playing a game of checkers—which she was losing. Lia and Tyler were cozied up on the sofa, Aiden in a big reclining chair, and Jase was pacing between the kitchen and the living room.
His phone rang. “Hello?”
“Jase, it’s Tim.”
“Hey, everything okay out there?”
“We’re good. Just wanted you to know I got Pitch into his pen. Most of the others are behind the windbreak.”
Jase sighed with relief. He’d tried unsuccessfully all afternoon to get Pitch into his separate pen so the cows could relax and take shelter. “Thank you, Tim. I owe you.”
The other man laughed. “No problem. Hey, we’re in this together. I’m here for you. But it sure is a challenge to separate a bull from a field full of ladies.”
Jase smiled. “You’re telling me. Can’t hardly blame him. You okay out there? Your generator gassed up?”
“I’m good. Have you spoken to Hannah? I was going to give her a call.”
“She’s fine. Here with us at Tyler’s and uh . . . I don’t want you to worry, but Becca’s on her way also.”
“Is she? I hope she makes it there soon. It’s already building up out here.”
“She should be here any minute.”
“What’s bringing Becca to town?”
“Well, I’m not going to speak for Hannah, but she had a rough day and called her.”
“I hope she broke up with that idiot, Jonas.”
Jase laughed. “You may’ve gotten your wish.”
“You don’t say? Well, she’s too good for him. Between you and me, I expected this eventually.”
Glancing at Hannah across the room, laughing with seventeen-year-old Caleb, Jase smiled. “Yeah, I think it’s for the best, too.”
“All right, I’ll let you go. Have my Becca text m
e when she makes it in, will ya?”
“Sure thing, Tim.”
“And Jase . . .” Tim’s voice grew serious. “Be careful with her. She has her mama’s tender heart.”
Jase hesitated. Should he play dumb? Try to explain? Instead he just nodded and said, “I will, Tim. I promise.”
The minute the call ended, he heard a car door outside. He rushed to the front door and his body sighed in relief at the sight of Becca walking up the driveway.
“Is it her?” Tyler asked from the sofa.
Jase quickly answered and rushed outside to help her. Carefully he made his way down the snow-covered steps and onto the driveway. The minute their eyes met, she smiled. “Hi.”
Without thinking, he stalked toward her, placed one hand on each side of her face, and kissed her on the lips. Thankfully there was no hesitation: She kissed him right back, her lips parting under his as the snow fell on their faces. When he finally broke away, they were both panting.
“I’ve never felt so anxious in my life, Becca. And considering the life I’ve led, that’s really saying something.”
She smiled. “I was fine. A little scary in spots, but not too bad.”
He grabbed her bag, and when he turned to walk back up the driveway, she stopped him. “Wait.”
Staring down at her, he smiled. “What is it?”
“I . . . two hours is a long time to think. And I thought about you the entire way.”
He chuckled. “Thinking about you is almost all I’ve done since that night you wore that black dress.”
“Even since Christmas?”
“Even more since Christmas.” He watched her smile and a snowflake landed on her eyelash. She blinked several times until it dissipated. His lips quirked. “Let’s get you inside.”
The greeting she received once inside was immediate and enthusiastic, everyone asking about the roads and if she was hungry. Hannah introduced her to everyone she hadn’t met, which was basically everybody, and before he knew it he’d sort of lost her to the crowd.
That was okay. She was here. She was safe. And tonight, she was going to be his.
* * *
Just about everyone had gone to bed except for Becca, Hannah, Jase, and Aiden. The four of them were lounging on the L-shaped sofa in Tyler and Lia’s basement, the two men on each end, she and her sister toward the middle. They’d been telling stories of growing up together, which had Aiden smiling and laughing, although he didn’t say a lot.
It was such a relief for Becca to realize how much she liked Jase’s friends. They’d been good to her tonight, and they clearly had been good to Hannah for a while. She seemed comfortable with all of them. Even Lia was sweet and welcoming, making up a bed on the sofa, and ensuring they had enough pillows and blankets.
It was nearly eleven and the wind continued to howl outside when Jase finally looked at Aiden. “We’re going to be worthless tomorrow if we don’t get some sleep.”
“Agreed,” the big bald man said in response. Becca had noticed that in addition to not adding much to the conversation but pleasantries, he’d also stared at Hannah an awful lot, even though her sister seemed a little oblivious to it, which was surprising. Hannah usually never missed a man’s attention.
“I’m gonna go brush,” Hannah said. She turned to Becca as she got up. “Come with?”
Grabbing the bag she’d brought down earlier, Becca followed her sister into the small restroom, but instead of going to the sink, Hannah sat on the side of the tub.
“How are you feeling?” Becca asked, digging out her toothbrush. “We haven’t had much time to talk about what happened.”
“No, but this is what I needed. A distraction. I’m glad you came.”
“Me too. This is fun.” Getting her toothbrush wet, Becca turned to look at Hannah. “I like everybody here. They’re all so nice.”
“Aren’t they? I love these guys. You’ll like Reeve and Emily, too. They were here earlier but headed home before the storm got bad. They used to meet at his house before drill weekends, but his house was destroyed in the tornado this past spring.”
Becca’s eyes went wide. “Oh my gah. That’s howibah,” she said around her toothbrush.
“I know. But now he lives with Emily. She’s the owner of LAM Theaters.”
Becca spit into the sink. “Like, the entire company?”
Hannah nodded. “Yeah, she’s loaded. But you’d never know to talk to her. She’s super cool and easygoing. Not pretentious at all.”
“Wow.” Becca wiped her mouth with a towel. “This is quite a group of friends you’ve made.”
“Because of Jase.”
Here they went. This could get awkward. Becca sat down on the toilet. “Hannah, about Jase.”
“No, no. Me first.” Hannah shifted her legs to face Becca. “I want you to know, that . . . I really like the idea of you and Jase seeing each other.”
Becca lifted an eyebrow.
Hannah tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’ll be honest, at first I was jealous as hell. He and I have always been so close. But . . . nothing has ever happened. I used to think it was because we both feared ruining the friendship. And while I think that’s true, I now know it’s also because we’ve never wanted each other in that way. Not really.”
Becca didn’t know what to say. She believed her sister was sincere, but it was hard to know if this was all true or just wishful thinking.
“Jase said that to me on Christmas and it really upset me because I took it personally,” Hannah went on. “But . . . he’s right. What we’ve had together is about connection and a need for . . . someone. But it hasn’t ever been about romantic love or sex. I want you to know that.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
“And . . . I’m not proud of saying this, but part of my need to be connected to Jase and keep you from him was entirely selfish. I wanted him to myself. I knew you liked him, and I was jealous and fearful of his abandonment.”
“Why?”
“I’ve always been envious of you, Becca. You’re smart, sweet, and so much like Mom. Everybody said it. I was feisty and confident. And yet I always idolized Mom. It hurt to hear everyone talk about how you were her mini. Especially now that she’s gone.”
“Hannah.” Becca’s heart ached at what her sister was saying. She’d had no idea Hannah felt this way. “You completely kept that hidden.”
“Well, yeah. I doubled down on the confidence. Overcompensated. I’m a classic case.” Hannah laughed.
“I’ve always been jealous of your confidence. Always.”
“I’m sorry I lied to you and Mom and Dad about Jase saying he didn’t want to stay in your room. He never ever said that, just like you never said you didn’t want him there, but I made him think you did. I’m ashamed to say that I’d nearly forgotten about it.”
“Let’s just leave that in the past. It doesn’t matter anymore.”
“I still needed to apologize. I never meant it to affect the two of you so badly.”
“I believe you, Han. We were kids.”
When they exited the bathroom a few minutes later, the two guys had each taken a side of the couch.
“You girls can have the bedroom,” Aiden said.
Hannah immediately walked over and swatted at Jase’s arm, urging him to get up as she sent Aiden a pouty face. “But Aiden, I thought you and I would have so much fun telling ghost stories tonight,” Hannah teased.
“Ah, okay. Not sure I really know any,” the big guy said, clearly in shock and looking a little panicked.
Becca watched as Jase chuckled, a big grin on his face. “I bet you have some dirty ghost stories up your sleeve. Don’t you, man?”
“Shut up, dickhead,” Aiden replied.
Jase stood up and met Becca at the edge of the couch. He grabbed her hand and led her to the bedroom, then shut the door.
* * *
Jase turned on the bedside lamp and then looked up to find Becca lingering near the door. “C
ome here,” he said quietly, knowing only a wall separated them from Aiden and Hannah.
She walked toward him, looking so damn beautiful he wanted to die of happiness.
“These jeans you have on have been killing me all night. They’re like magic.”
Grinning, she tilted her head to the side. “Really? I just bought them for myself for Valentine’s Day. They cost a fortune.”
“I’ll buy you some for every day of the week.”
She rolled her eyes but laughed quietly. “Then they won’t be special anymore.”
“Becca, everything about you is special. Every day. Every hour, every minute.”
She almost looked embarrassed at his compliment, so he reached out, grabbed her hand, and pulled her body into his. “I’ve wanted to call you so many times over the past couple of months.”
“I wanted to call you, too. But . . . this time alone has been good for me.”
“How so?” he asked, running his knuckles down her soft cheek.
“I’ve just been enjoying being single.”
He couldn’t help frowning. “Meaning . . .”
She shook her head. “Not how you’re thinking. I’ve forced myself to get out of my comfort zone a little. I’ve made some new friends, spent a lot of time cooking for myself, even went to a metaphysical bookstore and took a class on healing crystals.”
What the . . .
She laughed, obviously reading his expression. “Some people believe that different minerals and stones can alter the energy around you. Like . . . being in tune with the universe.”
He sucked in a breath and shook his head. “Whatever you say, babe. Sounds a little wacked out, but if it makes you happy.”
“I’m just . . . learning about myself and trying to be happy with my life. On my own, not looking to blame someone else for my unhappiness.”
He pushed her hair off her shoulder. “I understand that.”
“I’ve spent a lot of time feeling jealous and angry. Sad that I lost my mother before she could see me get married or have children. Jealous of my sister. But . . . I don’t have to let those emotions control me.”
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