Jasper (Cloves County Cowboys Book 2)

by Amelia Shea

  Her body shook against his chest when she giggled. “Would you?”

  “For you? I might consider it.”

  She turned her head and her mouth spread wide in a grin. Her hands gripped his thighs, and she pushed up, her lips landing on his for a lingering kiss. She broke away and smiled.

  “This is why I’ve been crushing on you since high school.” She giggled and turned, curling his chest again.

  Her comment had him furrowing his brow. “Crushing since high school, huh?” He knew it, hell, everyone in the town was aware of her crush, but he never did know exactly why.

  She nodded, but she kept her sights on the view of the valley. “Yep, first day of school. Arlson was giving me a hard time, and you stepped in.”

  Jasper leaned back slightly, trying to remember. It was such a long time ago. He must have been a senior in her freshman year. He remembered Arlson and what a jerk he was. So many years had passed. He focused on his senior year, specifically the first day. He picked up Abby and drove in, parked in the senior lot behind the building. They always met up there with their friends. Kellie wouldn’t have been there, though, being a freshman.

  “You don’t remember, do you?” Kellie teased.

  “Give me a minute.” He’d been friends with Nick and Travis, and they had most classes together.

  Her body shook against his chest, and he glanced down. She was laughing. “Jas, I don’t expect you to remember.”

  She may not, but he was determined. If she could hold onto this memory, it must have been pretty important. He wanted it too. She shifted against him and maneuvered her body to face him. Her green eyes almost sparkled in humor.

  “I was late for my last class and completely lost. I knocked into Arlson and fell, my books were everywhere, and he started in with his filthy mouth, making comments about me being on my knees.” Her brow cocked up, and Jasper lost all sense of nostalgia. He was mad as hell.

  Kellie shrugged. “Anyway, you came along.” She cocked her brow. “My knight in denim and flannel. You threatened him if he didn’t leave me alone, he’d have to answer to you. Which to me was awesome, by the way. Then you helped me get my books.” Kellie smiled. “I had a bit of hero worship. I could barely talk. But you looked at my schedule, pointed me in the right direction to class, and from that day on I was smitten, Jasper Fords.” She leaned in and gave him a kiss.

  A small spark of that day had the memory unfolding in his mind. He remembered. Although, he didn’t see it as anything more than doing the right thing. It’s what any man should do when a girl is being teased or picked on. But for Kellie, it had stuck with her. It was special.

  “Now, why do you look like you want to kick someone’s ass?” Kellie smirked, drawing her finger between his brows.

  “I should go give Arlson a beating.”

  Kellie burst out laughing. “It was over ten years ago. Besides, he never bothered me again.”

  “He better not or he’ll answer to me. Again.”

  His anger eased as Kellie threw her arms around his neck and fell forward, knocking him onto his back. He curled his arms around her waist and hugged her close. No one would ever mess with her again, or they would deal with him.

  Chapter Eighteen

  “Why do we even bother to open on Tuesdays, someone please tell me?” Cara fell onto the stool, sliding it closer to Kellie’s. She dipped her French fry in ketchup and giggled. The bar was empty, except for a couple in the corner booth and a few older men sitting at the end of the bar. The place was dead—a usual ritual for Tuesday night.

  “Stop complaining; you get paid to be here.” Garr pinned his glare on Cara, who rolled her eyes.

  “Just barely. My tips aren’t worth it.” She tapped her nails against the bar and surveyed the bar. “How come you don’t have karaoke? I bet that would get people in here. We can call it Tuneless Tones Tuesday.”

  Garr shook his head as Kellie continued eating her dinner. She wasn’t aware anyone had come in until Garr cursed under his breath. She glanced up and noticed his eyes narrow at the door. Unwelcome customer? Cara’s knee bumped her thigh as she swiveled in her seat.

  “Oh hell, what does she want?” The sneer in her tone had the hairs on the back of Kellie’s neck stand on end. She didn’t need to look. She could take one guess who the newest patron of Steers was. She chewed her burger and stared ahead, ignoring the stare she was getting from Garr.

  “We’re closing up,” Cara said.

  A towel flew past Kellie’s face, almost hitting Cara. “Hey.”

  Garr growled. “Go check on your customers.”

  Cara snorted. “All two of them?”

  “Go.” It was an order, not a request. Cara huffed and slid off the stool, leaning into Kellie. “I know where to hide bodies.”

  Kellie coughed, slightly choking on her burger. Cara slapped her on the back, which helped, and she swallowed the lodged piece. Through teary eyes, she jerked her head to Cara, who was smirking, and winked. She walked away, leaving a perfect view of Abby standing five feet away, staring at Kellie.

  Abby looked so out of place in the bar. Her dress and flats looked more like she should be going to church rather than out for a beer. Still beautiful, though. She brushed her hand over her hair, sending it over her shoulder. Kellie looked away, back to her plate.

  Her footsteps lightly padded toward the bar. There was only one reason Abby Cartwright would be coming into Steers by herself tonight. Kellie sighed and popped a fry in her mouth. She was done with all the confrontation about Jasper. He claimed to have made it clear to Abby he was with Kellie, and that’s where he wanted to be. The butterflies in her stomach swirled. God, I love that man.

  The stool vacated by Cara scratched the wood floor, and Kellie glanced over to see Abby taking a seat.

  “What can I get you?”

  “A soda please.”

  Kellie watched Garr pause. Her lips twitched. Tuesday was free soda night at Steers. It was Patty’s idea, and Garr hated it, and at the moment, so did Kellie.

  The silence was thick, and Kellie continued eating her dinner. The quicker she finished, the sooner she could get away from Abby. She took her last bite and wiped her mouth with her napkin. Garr placed the cola on the bar and walked away, leaving Abby and Kellie alone.

  “I’m sorry for coming here, Kellie.” Her voice was meek, unlike her usual confident drawl.

  Kellie smiled, tossed her napkin on her plate, and moved to stand. “The bar is open, and you are welcome here, Abby. No need for apologies.” Now, please get the hell out.

  “Can I talk to you, please?” It was a desperate plea. She considered saying no, but there was something in her tone and the way she slumped on the stool. Regret, maybe? The girl sitting in front of her was not the Abby she knew, the Abby who had been making a play for her man for the past two months. This woman was defeated.

  Kellie settled into her seat. If Abby was here to apologize, she’d listen. Kellie was one who knew mistakes all too well, having made quite a few in her life. Who was she to not allow someone to say she was sorry? Apologizing wasn’t easy, and it wasn’t on Kellie to make it harder for Abby.

  “All right, about what?”

  Abby folded her hands in her lap, glancing around the bar nervously. “Jasper.” She glanced up at Kellie. Abby drew in a breath and sighed. “I’ve loved him forever, Kellie, and I know you can understand why.”

  Kellie stared back, giving nothing away. Of course, she understood. Jasper was an amazing, loyal, incredible man. “I do.”

  Abby smiled sadly and nodded. “I really thought we’d be together, get married, have children together, live on the ranch, and grow old together.”

  So did Jasper at one time. Hell, you probably would have if you had stayed loyal, Abby.

  “When I went off to college, I had every intention of coming back to Cloves County. This was home.”

  Kellie nodded, unsure where the conversation was going. Her expectation of an apology was dwind
ling slightly.

  “I came back,” she whispered.

  Kellie shifted in her seat. “Yes, you did.” Where is she going with this?

  She looked up and tilted her head. “Woman to woman, I’m asking you to do the right thing, Kellie.”

  The right thing? She flinched back. “What do you mean ‘the right thing’?”

  Abby licked her lips and took in a breath. “Jasper and I are supposed to be together. It’s meant to be. We were childhood sweethearts, we made plans, big plans for our life together. Married, children, it was our plan, Kellie.”

  Was this seriously happening? Kellie stared back in uncanny shock. Was it really necessary to point out the failure of their so-called plan? Obviously. Abby was talking as though they were dating last week and had a fight and broke up. This woman was delusional, and Kellie was losing her patience. She had spent all the time she had talking about the Abby and Jasper situation. It was done and over, and he wanted her, not Abby. Why was she even talking about this?

  “Look, Abby, I’m working, so whatever it is you wanna say? Just say it.”

  “I want you to back off Jasper. Give us a chance.”

  What? Kellie’s hands started to shake, and an unwanted heat rushed through her body. Did she really think she could just walk in here and ask Kellie to back away from the love of her life so Abby could have another shot at him? Abby watched her patiently, no longer nervous but almost expectant. That was exactly what she thought.

  If she wasn’t so racked with anger, this scenario might be comical. Oh sure, Abby, let me step aside, away from the only man I ever loved, the one you completely fucked over. Sure, girl, hop right in and give it a go. Fuck, no!

  There were two ways to handle this. She could let her anger lead the way and go half-cocked on Abby. The adrenaline rushing through her was screaming, go with it. Put this bitch in her place. And she would have, had a small voice in her head not chimed in. It wasn’t her voice she was hearing though, it was Jasper’s. I love you, Kellie. You.

  She straightened her shoulders, the corner of her mouth curling. As much as she despised Abby for what she was doing right now, she couldn’t fault her. She wanted Jasper back, and she’d be a fool not to try. But this conversation was over for Kellie, and she was going to make it clear to Abby.

  Kellie chuckled, shaking her head. “There’s a part of me that is raging mad.” Abby gulped and leaned back on the stool. Kellie snorted. “Not enough to hit you, Abby. It’s not my style, never has been. It’s also never been my style to fight over a man.”

  The ease in Abby’s face intensified Kellie’s anger, but she held back. Abby was under the impression Kellie would ‘do the right thing,’ and she would.

  Kellie cocked a brow and smiled. “You and I aren’t so different when it comes to Jasper. Like you, Abby, I have loved him for a very long time. Jasper is probably the most loyal, kind-hearted loving person I’ve ever known. I’m thinking you feel the same way?”

  Abby smiled and nodded.

  “I’m not gonna sit here and downplay what you had with Jasper. I’m sure it was very special. In fact, I know it was.”

  Abby teared up, and Kellie got the feeling what she said next was going to be gut-wrenching. “The difference between you and me is, I won’t let him go.”

  “So, you’re going to fight me for him.”

  Kellie chuckled without humor. She felt pity for Abby. “There’s no reason to fight. Jasper made his choice. He loves me, and I’m not going to do whatever you think may be the right thing. Abby, you had him, all that love he had for you, and you threw it away, thought to find someone better. Little did you know, better doesn’t exist when it comes to Jasper Fords. Or maybe it does, for you. But for me, Jasper is everything, and I will not back down or walk away from what we have, simply because you realized you made a mistake. Even if I did, which is completely not happening, what do you think would happen? You think he’d just take you back and you’d live a happily ever after together?”

  “He loves me.”

  “No.” Kellie shook her head. “He loved you. There’s a difference.”

  Kellie watched Abby’s demeanor change. Her body straightened, and her face pinched with a slight glare. That statement had struck a nerve.

  “You really think when the novelty of being with you wears off, he’ll stay? Even you can’t be that dumb, Kellie.”

  Kellie’s jaw dropped. What did she just say? “Excuse me?”

  “You want me to say it?” Abby’s tone was pure challenge.

  Kellie slammed her hand on the bar and huffed a laugh. “Oh, I’m dying to hear this, please.” Kellie inched forward.

  “Your past is no secret. Do you really think once Jasper has gotten his fill, he won’t be rid of you? He’ll never marry you if that’s the angle you’re working.”

  Kellie’s eyebrows shot up. Was she for real? “The angle I’m working? Oh God, there’s a dumbass sitting at this bar, Abby, but it ain’t me.”

  Her face heated. “Jasper won’t marry the town tramp,” Abby sneered.

  The blood racing through her veins was a fiery hot lava. Her chest rose at rapid speed, but she kept her mouth clamped shut. Abby glared back at her. She probably thought that would shut Kellie down. Little did she know it would only make her stronger.

  “The town tramp, huh?”

  Abby shifted in her seat. She seemed to be gauging if she’d gone too far with the accusation. Kellie had lived the past ten years with her scarlet letter, shed many tears because of it, but it never broke her. She refused to let it. Her mother’s words rang through her head as she kept her gaze planted on Abby. It’s none of your business what others think of you.

  “Get out!” Garr shouted from behind the bar. That got Abby’s faux confidence to completely break down. She scooted off the stool and backed away. Kellie held her hand up.

  “No, don’t go, Abby.” She glanced over her shoulder at Garr. “I got this.” She slowly turned back to Abby, who was visibly shaken from Garr’s tone.

  “You can call me all the names you want, truthfully, I don’t care what you think of me. You don’t even know me, but you are entitled to your opinion, and as such, you just shared it.” Kellie stepped forward, tilting her head. “Now, I’ll share mine. I think you are a fool. I think you had the best thing, Jasper’s heart, and you were careless with it. For that alone, not the venom you just spewed, I’d love nothing more than to take you out back and beat the bitch right out of you.”

  Abby’s face paled, and she stumbled back a step. Kellie laughed.

  “No worries, you aren’t worth it. You know what, Abby, I once thought like you. I thought Jasper deserved to be with you, that the two of you made sense. I didn’t think I was worthy of a man like Jasper. Until someone convinced me I am, and that he’s worthy of being with me. Jasper did that.”

  Kellie paused, but she wasn’t done. Not yet.

  “For all my faults, and there’s a lot, I’ve never been careless with someone else’s heart. You had him, Abby, all of him, you had it and you threw it away. I won’t make that mistake.” Kellie walked toward Abby, who was clearly heartbroken. Her plan hadn’t worked. “I’m going to take your advice, Abby. I’m going to do the right thing. I’m going to hold on tight to the man who loves me, believes in me, and respects me.”

  Abby stood frozen for a brief second. It was finally soaking in, what she had with Jasper was over. He had made it clear, and now Kellie did. She lowered her head, staring at the floor. Kellie held out little hope she’d get an apology. In Abby’s mind, Jasper would always be hers, and Kellie wasn’t worth anything.

  Abby wiped her eyes and turned toward the door. She straightened her back as if she was trying to regain her composure. From the corner of her eye, she saw Cara approach Abby.

  “Hey, Abby.”

  Kellie stepped forward. “Cara,” she warned. Whatever was about to come out of Cara’s mouth was not going to be nice. While she appreciated her friend wanting to take
her back, this was over with Abby.

  Cara glanced over her shoulder and smiled as she continued to meet up with Abby at the door. “What? I’m just saying bye.”

  Kellie cocked her head and held her breath. She knew Cara all too well. There was a little more than a goodbye about to slip out of her mouth. Oh hell.

  Abby had turned and glanced back at Kellie and then to Cara. She appeared confused and very much on guard, with good reason. Kellie loved Cara, but the girl had a sharp tongue.

  “I just wanted to say bye.” Cara smiled. “And a little piece of advice, girl to girl. Town tramp is so friggin’ outdated. Like, seriously, who even says that anymore?” Cara’s tone was pure sarcasm. She chuckled and turned back to Kellie. “Didn’t they retire that shit back in the seventies?”

  Cara turned back to Abby and gripped her arms, giving her a small shake and grin. “Girl, it’s the twenty-first century. Slut, whore, hoe, skank, there’s so many good ones to choose from. But if you insist on old school then spice it up. There’s got to be a better term than tramp.” Cara released Abby’s arms and spun around. “C’mon people, help me out.”

  What the hell was she doing? There were only a few regulars at the bar. Kellie glanced over at the three sitting at the end of the bar who were clearly amused by Cara.

  “Tart.”

  “Harlot.”

  “Floozy.”

  “Hussy.”

  Cara burst out laughing and snapped her fingers. “Yes! We need to bring back hussy.” Kellie pursed her lips. She was seconds away from laughing along with the few customers who were sharing a chuckle at Cara’s antics. Abby was the only person not amused.

  “Are you done?” she snapped at Cara.

  “Just one more thing.” Cara tapped her finger on her lips. “I’m hoping you can help me out before I officially retire the word tramp from Cloves County vocabulary. What do you call a woman who blatantly and tirelessly goes after a man who is obviously in love with and committed to another woman? Would that be considered a tramp?”