They rolled into the yard, and Jo Jo rushed from the house to greet them. Her face fell when Hank walked over to Jenny’s door and scooped her out of the truck. “She’s okay, Jo Jo,” he said. He walked into the house and placed her on the couch.
Jo Jo tutted to herself as she looked Jenny over. She shook her head. “Sweetheart, what happened?”
“Oh, you know me. I’m clumsy as ever.”
Jo Jo’s lips stretched into a thin smile. “Details, please.”
Jenny told her story, leaving out the reason why she was on the ATV in the first place. Jo Jo wrapped her hands with ointment and gauze while she talked. Jenny glanced over at Hank, who stood back by the wall. His eyes raised toward her when she described hopping all the way to safety, but he didn’t say anything. Jenny was glad. She glossed over the time in the barn with Hank, still feeling heat on her cheeks when she thought about his drenched shirt. Jenny trailed off from speaking.
“And then Hank brought you home,” Jo Jo said. “Thank you, Hank.” She smiled at him, and then turned back to Jenny.
“Yep. Here I am, safe and sound.”
Jo Jo pointed to Jenny’s leg; her brow furrowed. “Maybe not quite so safe?”
Jenny’s knee was visibly swollen, sporting a deep-purple bruise through the gash in her pants.
“Should we get you into something more comfortable?” Jo Jo asked.
“I bought some pants that should fit,” Jenny said. “Hank, can you grab them from my bag on the porch?”
He returned a few minutes later, holding the pair of soft yoga pants and handed them to Jenny.
“Thanks.” Jenny tried to sit up, but Jo Jo pushed her back down.
“Not a chance, dear. You stay there.” She walked into the kitchen, returning a few moments later with a pair of kitchen shears.
Jenny laughed. “I’m pretty sure I don’t need an extraction.”
“Better safe than sorry.” Jo Jo turned to Hank and pointed a finger at him. “You. Out.”
Hank nodded once. Then, with a final look at Jo Jo and Jenny, he left the house, his boots clomping down the steps.
Jenny’s leg was so swollen, pulling the yoga pants over her knee was a two-person task. It was humiliating to have someone dress her, but the pain trumped her pride. Soon, she was tucked onto the couch with a pillow under her head, blankets around her shoulders, and ice packs up and down her leg. She breathed a sigh of relief, feeling truly safe for the first time in hours. With some ibuprofen in her system, Jenny closed her eyes, ready for a nap. She sank into the pillows and let her mind drift away.
Chapter 28
A hand resting on Jenny’s head woke her up. Hank stood over her; his eyes soft. “Jo Jo wants you to eat something.” He helped her sit up and then handed her a plate piled high with steaming slices of warm bread, juicy strips of meat, and baked carrots. Jenny’s stomach growled. She grabbed the fork, trying to ignore the dull throb that accompanied her movements. Hank walked over to his watching chair.
“You’re getting good at that,” Jenny said.
“At what?”
Jenny tried to look serious. “At staring at me while I recover.”
Hank pushed a hand through his hair and sat back in the chair. “What can I say? Your grandma is a taskmaster.”
The door banged open, and Jenny looked up with a start. Louis walked into the room. His face creased into a smile when he saw Jenny with Hank. Jenny glanced at Hank, but he hid his face behind a book.
“How are you feeling?” Louis asked.
“Sore.” She grimaced and pointed to her knee. “Nothing feels broken, though.”
“I’ll be the judge of that,” Jo Jo’s voice chimed in. She came around the corner, carrying another ice pack. She replaced the melted one, and then put her hand on Jenny’s forehead.
“I’m not sick.”
Jo Jo laughed. “You never know. What am I going to do with you this afternoon?”
Jenny shrugged. “My options are rather limited.” She glanced at Hank. What she really wanted to do was snuggle on the couch in his arms, and read a book. Her face flushed at the thought.
Jo Jo looked at Jenny and then at Hank, her mouth puckering into an “oh.” She smiled at Jenny, winked, and then stood up. “Louis, can you help me with something in the barn?”
He patted Jenny’s shoulder and then held his arm out for Jo Jo. “After you, my dear.” They walked out of the room; their heads tilted close together.
“I think they may be on to us.” Jenny said after the door to the house thudded closed.
Hank shifted in his chair, leaning toward Jenny. “I’m not surprised. How do you really feel?”
“My leg is throbbing, but I’ll live.”
“Can I get you anything?”
Jenny studied Hank’s face; her heart torn with a question. She wanted to ask him to sit by her, but she suddenly felt shy.
Hank locked eyes with Jenny. “Tell me.”
Jenny took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “What I really want is for you to hold me. And let me fall asleep in your arms. We never finished our talk from the barn though, so I feel kind of bad asking you for anything.”
The words came out in a rush, and Jenny looked down, unable to meet Hank’s eyes. Her cheeks were on fire, burning with embarrassment. She heard the chair creak, but still, she didn’t look up.
Hank knelt down by the side of the couch and took Jenny’s hands, gently pulling her so she was sitting up. He pushed up from the floor and sat on the couch beside Jenny, leaning her back so she was resting against his chest. “Something like this?”
Jenny’s heart fluttered. She turned her head to look at Hank, his face inches from her own. The eyes watching Jenny were filled with tenderness. Hank reached for a blanket and pulled it over Jenny’s body, wrapping his own arms around her as well.
“That’s a good start.” Jenny wanted to sink into his touch. She wanted to fall asleep in the safe embrace of the man she had fallen hard for, but she couldn’t let her mouth be still. “There’s still the matter of our conversation from the barn.”
Hank’s hand traced circles from Jenny’s forehead to her chin, his face somber. He rubbed his thumb across Jenny’s lips, and her heart soared. She willed her pulse to slow down, but it refused to listen.
“Are you sure you want to talk about that right now?” His hands continued their path, circling back up to the top of Jenny’s head, where he buried them in her hair. He began to massage her scalp, and her insides melted. It was difficult to stay focused on the conversation with Hank’s warm body pressing against hers.
“Yes. I’m sure.”
Jenny leaned against Hank’s chest. She watched him trace circles on the back of her hand with his thumb. Heat followed wherever he touched her, burning a trail of desire. She was finding it difficult to focus.
Jenny reached for his hands, holding them still. “I have an answer.”
Hank’s mouth pulled up into a sideways grin. “Am I going to like it? Because if you’re about to break up with me, I think I’d rather wait.”
Jenny’s heart fluttered. “You asked me how I felt about you.”
“I remember.”
“The truth is, I’m crazy about you, and it terrifies me.” Jenny waited for the heat to fill her cheeks, but it was slow to come.
“Why are you scared?” Hank asked. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
“I didn’t realize how much this ranch would mean to me. How much you would mean to me. I want to be here for Jo Jo, but I don’t want to stay if it is going to be awkward between us.”
Hank ran his hand through Jenny’s hair, brushing it from her face. “Last summer, my heart was in shambles, but this summer, I met you.”
“I remember. I was there.” Jenny’s heart began to race.
“You were the city girl coming to steal my ranch away. And I was the stubborn fool who didn’t want to give you a chance.”
“You certainly didn’t make it easy for me t
o get to know you.”
“I know. I’m sorry for that. I told you it before, and I’ll say it again and again until you believe me. I need you. The ranch needs you. I know you have a job that is important to you, but I don’t care. I’m never going to stop wanting to be with you. I want to cook breakfast with you in the mornings and help you to take care of Bacon during the day. I want to snuggle up with you in the evenings and learn everything there is to know about you.”
“So, you might like me back just a little bit?”
“Maybe just a little bit.” The smile spreading across Hank’s face filled Jenny with joy.
Hank kissed the top of Jenny’s head before wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her close to him. It wasn’t enough. Jenny wrapped her hand in his hair, bringing his lips close to hers. He kissed her softly. Jenny snuggled into Hank’s arms, safe at last. Her leg would heal in time, but her heart was already feeling much stronger. She pulled his face toward hers once again, and the world disappeared. All the healing she needed was here at Rosecrown Ranch.
Epilogue
Five months later
Snow spread across the Rosecrown Field, dotting the tops of the grass with a light dusting. Hank rubbed his hands together, keeping them warm while he looked across the valley. He watched the trail leading up to the field, waiting for the rumble of the ATV to shatter the quiet of the day. She was late. If he waited any longer, the sun would be going down. Hank walked over to the grey gravestone, holding a small bouquet of flowers in his hand.
He was leaning down to place the flowers when the rumbling he had been waiting for grew louder. He turned to the trail, and Jenny appeared, her face bright red from the cold. She spun the ATV to a stop and jumped off, running over to Hank. “I’m so sorry I’m late. Were you waiting long?” Jenny grabbed his hands in hers, and tilted her face up for a kiss. Hank smiled, warmth filling his heart.
“I got here a few minutes ago. Are you ready to do this?”
Jenny nodded. Hank handed the bouquet to Jenny, watching her face closely as she stood by her mother’s grave. “Happy birthday, Mom. I miss you.”
Hank brushed the light snow off of the grave with his gloved hand so Jenny had a clear spot to place the flowers. He stood near her, silently watching while Jenny knelt down on the ground beside the stone. Even with a bright red nose and deep pink cheeks, Jenny was beautiful. Hank loved that she was his.
Jenny straightened up, and Hank wrapped her in a hug, unbuttoning his jacket so he could wrap another layer of warmth around his girl. “Remind me again why we had to come separately?”
Jenny pushed her face against Hank’s chest, making her voice muffled. “I told you. I wasn’t sure if I’d get off work in time, and I didn’t want my mom’s birthday to be forgotten.”
Hank laughed, rubbing the back of the city girl who could talk him into anything. Even a crazy plan to place flowers on a grave when it was freezing outside.
“How was work?” Hank asked. He still couldn’t believe how smoothly things had gone with her transition to Montana. Gunderson Realty had put in an excellent recommendation to a local branch, and Jenny was hired in a matter of days. He wanted her to quit entirely so she wouldn’t have to go to work every day, but that was for selfish reasons. He wanted Jenny all to himself.
“Today was great. I landed two new clients and the office chair I ordered months ago finally came. I also got to sneak away for a lunch break with an incredible cowboy.” Jenny winked at Hank.
He laughed, raising his eyebrows. “He must be something special.”
Jenny smiled up at him, her green eyes bright. “He’s my favorite. Are you ready to go?”
Hank wrapped Jenny’s hand in his, pulling her towards her ATV. “Race you to the bottom of the hill?” He ran to his ride, parked on the side of the trail. As he revved up the engine, a loud whoop filled the air. Jenny took off down the hill, and Hank followed, a safe distance behind.
When they reached the bottom of the hill, Hank pulled into the lead. He drove past the house, pulling his ATV around behind the stables. Jenny followed; parking next to him before she shut off her engine. “Why are we here?”
“I wanted a minute alone with you before I have to share you with Jo Jo. Besides, I promised Bacon a treat when you came home.” He held open the stable door, placing a kiss on Jenny’s cheek when she walked past.
Bacon was waiting at the end of the stable. He whinnied, leaning his head over the pen to watch the couple. “I’m coming, little one,” Jenny said. She stepped into the pen, grabbing the brush off of the peg. Hank handed her a carrot, watching her face light up as she fed the foal.
When Jenny walked out of the stall, Hank grabbed her in his arms. He swung her in a circle, kissing her softly. Then he lowered her to the ground. Hank pulled her around so she was facing him, brushing the hair off of her face and tucking it behind her ear. “Are you ready to go say hi?” Trailing his hand down her cheek, he took in the bright green eyes and Jenny’s eager smile. He kissed the top of her head and then reached for her hand. He had something to ask Jenny, but it would have to wait. Right now, it was time to go see Jo Jo.
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Keep reading for a sneak peek at book two, Longing for Rosecrown Ranch. Familiar faces return as David and Kate find their way to happily ever after.
Sneak Peak at Longing for Rosecrown Ranch
David’s hands hurt. He had been helping Hank stack hay bales for the past couple of days, but he hadn’t built up his ranch callouses yet. Each time the pitchfork pressed against his newly formed blisters, he bit back another complaint. He was grateful for the work, but there had to be a better way to earn a living. The long line of ranchers in his gene pool did little to pass on their love of the land to him. It hadn’t skipped over a generation. It had just skipped over him.
Hank peered down from the hay loft, clearing his throat. “You doing okay down there?”
David nodded and took a large swig of water, swishing it in his mouth to clear away the grit that seemed to coat his lips every time he took a breath. “Yeah. I’m just a little out of shape. I haven’t lifted hay bales like this since last year.” He pushed his blonde hair to the side and put his hat back on, grimacing at the hat head that would be waiting for him at the end of the day. One more reason to dislike working in the hot sun.
Hank laughed. “You’ll get used to it soon. Do you want to trade me spots?” Hank climbed down the stairs from the loft and stabbed his pitchfork into the side of the closest hay bale. He pointed to the loft. “I think it’s a bit cooler up there. I can run the forklift for a bit if you want to stack the bales.”
David flexed his hands open and closed, fighting back the urge to yell. No, he didn’t want to stack the bales. He didn’t want to do anything on the ranch. “That sounds great.” He climbed to the top of the loft, hoping Hank didn’t see through his lie. Hank stacked the hay onto the fork lift and raised it to David. David’s hands were shaking by the time he unloaded the last bale, shoving it to the wall of the barn. He kicked at the bales, trying to make room for another row, but all he succeeded in doing was hurting his foot.
The clanging of the dinner bell was welcome music to David’s ears. “I guess that’s a wrap for the day.” He stomped down the steps of the stable and brushed past Hank, letting the warm sun beat on his arms while he walked quickly towards the house. Each step brought him closer to the mouthwatering smell of Jo Jo’s cooking. It didn’t matter what the sweet lady who ran the ranch was making. The past month had taught him that everything coming out of the kitchen was going to be delicious.
When David rounded the corner of the house, a small blue car was waiting out front. His smile grew wider. The days Jo Jo’s granddaughter came home early from work usually meant dessert was in the mix. Jenny was a great fit for Hank. She mad
e him smile in ways that David had grown to respect. He was trying to be happy that Hank found his perfect match after the disaster of dating David’s little sister, but the betrayal still stung.
He pushed through the door and walked into the house, stopping at the bathroom to scrub the day’s work off his hands. When he came out of the bathroom, the house was abuzz with conversation. Jo Jo looked up from the counter where she was tearing lettuce into a bowl, her face breaking out into a large smile. “How did things go today?”
David waved towards the barn. “We got through stacking about a third of the bales. We’ll probably finish the rest tomorrow.”
Coming from around the counter, Jo Jo reached for David’s hands. “How are your palms holding up today?” She turned them over and tutted at the angry red blisters. “Let’s get those wrapped up after dinner.”
David groaned. “I don’t know what the problem is. They didn’t do this when I worked here last year.”
Hank walked into the room and headed for Jenny, wrapping his arms around her waist. He rested his chin on the top of her head and looked at David. “Are you talking about your hands again?”
David nodded.
“Don’t you remember what you were doing before you came to the ranch last time? It wasn’t exactly the best way to toughen up that skin, but it was effective.”
The memory of the smell wrinkled David’s nose. “Oh yeah. The pig farm. That job was the worst.”
“The pig farm?” Jenny’s laughter filled the kitchen.
“I took a job helping an old farmer with his pigs over the winter. Between mucking out the pens in 30-degree weather and the smell, I think I’m scarred for life. My hands were definitely stronger though.”
“You’ll be back to normal in no time at all.” Jo Jo said.
Hank picked up a simmering pot from the stove and carried it to the table. When Hank lifted the lid off the pot, David’s stomach rumbled. Beef stew with dumplings was his favorite. He dug in, sopping his biscuits in the gravy before taking his first bite.
Love at Rosecrown Ranch Page 16