by Roma James
I didn’t want this to turn into a full-blown argument with my uncle, but I also knew that he was just being overprotective. He didn’t mind the fact that the guys were here. He just didn’t want me talking to them.
Not that I could really blame him, since I had every intention of doing all the things he’d warned me not to do—like flirt with these guys, for starters. Except I wanted to do a lot more than just flirt.
I wondered for a moment what Uncle Justin would have done if he’d caught me kissing either of them. We wouldn’t all be sitting here together having this conversation, that was for sure. And that was a very good reason why we couldn’t get caught.
“Fine.” Uncle Justin set his fork down and rested his hands on the table. I could tell he was annoyed, but keeping Cade and Boone here would be worth catching a little heat from my uncle. “I guess we’ll leave it up to the guys, then.” He looked over at them. “Do you need to get back home to take care of your own place anytime real soon?”
I nearly laughed at the way he’d worded that question. It wasn’t even a subtle hint. He’d basically told them they should go home and see to their own business.
But Cade just gave a half-shrug. “I think we’re good for a little while longer, at least. I know I’m prepared to stay for as long as the two of you need.”
Everyone turned to Boone. “If Cade stays, I’m staying. Our foreman can keep our place going for a while on his own.”
I tried to hold back a smile, but I could feel my lips twitch a little as I looked over to Uncle Justin. “I guess they don’t mind staying. Are you sure you’re okay with it?”
I knew he really wasn’t okay with it at all, but I still respected him enough to give him the final say. If he said they absolutely had to go, I’d deal with it. I’d be mad, of course, but I’d respect his wishes.
But as long as he didn’t come right out and say it, I figured the topic was still open for discussion and that he could still be persuaded to see things my way. Or to at least give me the benefit of the doubt. That was really all I was asking for.
“For now,” Uncle Justin said, not bothering to hide his frown. “We’ll keep things going like they have been for a little while longer, and then we can reassess the situation if nothing else happens.”
“I think that’s a good idea,” I said, nodding as if he’d just come up with it himself. “No harm in being extra careful for a few more days, at least.”
“Right,” Cade said between taking the last couple of bites left on his plate. “So, what’s the plan for today, then?”
Boone shrugged. Uncle Justin grumbled something about chores and turned his attention to the plate in front of him.
“I was wondering if you guys might want to go riding with me later,” I said, trying to make the idea sound nonchalant and not like something I’d been sort of fantasizing about for a few days. “I still can’t take Rebel out for a run until she’s fully recovered, but the other horses are getting kind of restless. And it would give us a chance to check the fence line, too. Kills two birds with one stone.”
I honestly just threw the last part in because it made the whole thing sound like something we should probably be doing anyway, but I was honestly more interested in spending the afternoon alone with Cade and Boone on horseback.
Just the thought of it made my heart start to beat a little faster.
“That’s not a bad idea.” Boone nodded, looking far too serious for what I had planned. That was okay, though. I’d get him to smile once we were out in the field. “We can meet up around lunchtime. I’ll make some sandwiches and we can head out if that works for everyone?”
“I’ve got a full afternoon of chores already,” Uncle Justin said, just like I knew he would. There was no way he was ever going to agree to a leisurely horseback ride with me, Cade, and Boone. I couldn’t even picture it if I tried. “You all will have to let me know if you find anything out there.”
“We’ll keep our eyes open,” I promised him. “I’m hoping we’ll have time to do a really thorough check, at least in the pastures to the south and west.”
Like, really thorough. If I was lucky, it would take all afternoon.
Cade stood up from the table and shot me a grin. I wondered if he realized what I was up to. He almost always smiled, though, so it was hard to tell. I hoped he was just happy to be staying a little longer.
“I’m gonna take a shower before we go,” Cade said. “I’ll meet you all back down here around noon.”
“And I’m going to make a few phone calls,” Boone said, getting up from the table. “Thanks again for breakfast, Janessa.”
Even super-serious Boone managed a smile before he left the kitchen. It really was shaping up to be a good day—and I wasn’t sure how I was going to keep from looking at the clock every five seconds until it was finally time to meet up for our horseback ride.
“I really wish you hadn’t done that,” Uncle Justin said once we were alone at the table.
“Hadn’t done what?” I asked, trying not to sound too irritated at being called out. The last thing I wanted was to argue with him and ruin my good start to the day.
He gave me a sideways look. “You know what I’m talking about. You really think I believe you’re too scared for them to leave?”
“Well, I do feel safer with them here,” I said. That wasn’t a lie. “But is it so bad if they stay a few more days? I like having them here.”
“I know you do.” He grimaced. “That’s the problem.”
I sighed. I really didn’t want to have this conversation with him—especially when we were both already on edge—but it was bound to happen at some point.
“It doesn’t have to be a problem,” I said, keeping my tone even. “I know you’re just trying to look out for me, and I love you for that. I really do. But you’re going to have to trust me on this one, okay? I know what I’m doing.”
“Do you? Because those guys are a lot older than you, Janessa. They’re not like boys your age. Boone is a widower and Cade is… well, he’s had some pretty wild times, from what I’ve heard. Is that really the kind of company you want to get mixed up in?”
“Yes!” I said, thumping the table with my palm to emphasize my point. “That’s the part you don’t understand—I’m not looking for a boy my age. I’ve been through a lot more than the average twenty-year-old, and I need a man who is more mature than some college frat boy.”
I was starting to get more annoyed by the minute, but at least we were getting this all out in the open. It was finally time for him to hear how I felt—and time for him to stop treating me like I was a child.
“If you have to choose one of them,” he said, slumping back in his chair, "then maybe see how things go with Boone. Of the two, he’s the most stable.”
“I want both of them,” I said, the words slipping out before I could stop myself. “And I’m not going to change my mind about that.”
He inhaled a sharp breath and then slowly exhaled. He was gripping the edge of the table so hard that his knuckles had gone white. I expected him to yell or to tell me I couldn’t have two men—maybe even to storm upstairs and kick them out for good.
He didn’t do any of those things, though.
“Promise me one thing,” he said, sounding so defeated that I felt kind of bad for being so blunt. But it needed to be said.
“Anything,” I said, meaning it.
“Just be careful. Trust your instincts and try to be aware of what you’re getting yourself into.” He shook his head and finally gave me a small, tired smile. “And if you ever need me to kick their asses, don’t hesitate to say so.”
I laughed, then stood up and walked over to his chair to give him a hug. “Have I ever told you how lucky I am to have you looking out for me?”
Now it was his turn to laugh. “Does that mean you’ll stop trying to give me a heart attack sometime soon?”
I nibbled at my bottom lip and then shook my head. “Probably not. But I still love
you.”
“And I still love you, too.” He jerked his thumb toward the stairs. “Now get out of here before I change my mind and tell you how crazy you’re being.”
That was one order I wouldn’t argue with. Because yeah, maybe I was crazy to think I could have both of them.
Maybe.
Or maybe not.
But I was going to find out by following my heart and my instincts. And even though I would have preferred to have Uncle Justin’s approval, I didn’t need it.
Just as long as he gave me the space I needed to either make it work or fail on my own, I would be happy.
That wasn’t too much to ask, was it?
Chapter 11
Janessa
Even though we’d just been riding for about an hour without much talking—and no flirting—the day was still living up to all my best fantasies. Just being out here with Cade and Boone was like a dream come true, and I was already hoping the day wouldn’t end too soon.
They took turns in the lead, with Boone starting out up front and me in the middle, then Cade would ride up from behind and take over while Boone fell back. And, of course, that gave me plenty of time to watch and study both of them while they were preoccupied scanning the fence line.
They were both so different and both so hot in their own way. Boone was a little stockier, but I was pretty sure it was all muscle, while Cade was a little taller. Boone seemed older, but I knew they were around the same age, so I just assumed that losing his wife had taken its toll and given him a few more worry lines across his tanned features.
God, I wanted to reach out and trace those lines with my fingers. Or kiss them. That would be even better.
Cade, on the other hand, never seemed to have a care in the world. I’d only ever seen him frown a couple of times, and even then he was back to all smiles within a few minutes. I loved that about him, but I got the feeling that he used that big, easy smile to hide his true emotions sometimes.
As dumb as it sounded, part of my fantasy was that he would let me in and show me the side of himself that didn’t have to smile all the time. I wanted him to be real with me, but I knew that would probably take some time if it ever even happened at all.
“Why did you get so quiet, Janessa?” Cade’s voice startled me as he brought his horse up next to mine. “Did you see something out here that’s worrying you?”
I shook my head and smiled. I was tempted to tell him that I’d been daydreaming about the two of them, but… that might be pushing things a little too fast. Still, it really was tempting just to see how he might react. Would he just laugh it off? Would he get that heat in his eyes again like he had when we’d been alone on the porch?
Would he kiss me again?
“I was just thinking,” I said, deciding to keep the rest to myself for now.
He quirked an eyebrow and grinned. “Anything you’d like to share with the rest of us?”
I laughed. Was he taunting me now? Could he read my mind? I could feel my cheeks flush with heat as he kept looking at me, his eyes sparkling in that sexy, mischievous way that I couldn’t get enough of.
“I hope you’re both thinking about stopping for lunch,” Boone called back to us over his shoulder. “I don’t know about the two of you, but I’m starving.”
I had almost forgotten that Boone had packed some lunch for the three of us, but my stomach rumbled its approval when he mentioned it.
“Let’s ride over to that little hill,” I said, pointing to the east. “There’s a nice flat spot on top where the ground will be dry. We can eat there.”
The three of us set out in that direction, and this time we were all riding side by side with me in the middle. That familiar heat fanned out through my body as I felt both of them looking at me. God, I would have given anything to know what they were thinking in that moment.
“You’ve got some really good land out here,” Boone said, breaking the silence. “I hate to say that it might even be a little better than ours, but… it might be.”
“It is pretty damn nice,” Cade agreed. “I could happily spend every afternoon riding around like this. It almost feels like a vacation.”
“Yeah, as long as we don’t find anything suspicious,” Boone said, bringing my thoughts back to the actual reason for our ride today.
I didn’t want to think about that, though. I just wanted to enjoy the day and the company of these two hot, sweet men.
And I also wanted some lunch.
“Okay,” I said, sliding off my horse and dropping the reins to give her a little break. “We can let the horses graze around us while we eat. They shouldn’t go too far.”
“I hope you two are ready for a feast,” Boone said, taking a paper bag and a blanket from behind his saddle. “This is guaranteed to be the best lunch you’ll find out here in the pasture today.”
“Way to set the bar high.” Cade smirked. “Seriously, though, I’d probably eat a piece of old shoe leather at this point.”
“I bet it’ll taste better than shoe leather,” I said, tossing Boone a quick wink as I took the blanket from him and spread it out on the ground. “I have some water to share if anyone gets thirsty.”
“No need for that,” Boone said, opening the bag and spreading the contents out in the middle of the blanket. “I’ve got sandwiches, chips, and three cans of soda.” He paused to hand us each our portion of food. “See? Told you it was a feast.”
It was close enough for me. I knew that they were just small gestures in the scheme of things, but the little details—like a can of soda or a blanket to sit on—were reminders of how thoughtful Boone could be. I would have been happy with a dry sandwich and some water, but this felt almost like a picnic for the three of us, and I was loving it so far.
“I’m afraid it doesn’t really compare to the meals you’ve made for us, Janessa,” Boone said, giving me a sheepish grin as I bit into my sandwich. “But I put a little extra deli meat on yours to make up for missing my turn at making breakfast.”
“You didn’t give me any extra?” Cade asked, inspecting his sandwich. “What am I? Chopped liver?”
“Yes.” Boone nodded. “In this scenario, you are chopped liver.”
“Oh, I see how it is,” Cade said. “That’s fine, though. I might not be able to cook worth a damn…” He leaned in closer to me and loudly whispered, “But I promise I have a lot of other good qualities.”
I laughed and tried not to admit that I had already spent plenty of time wondering and daydreaming about those qualities of his. Boone just groaned and kept eating.
I wondered if they were always like this—easygoing and playful but still somehow able to get their work done every day. Their method of doing things was a far cry from the way I was raised. My father and uncle had always been strict taskmasters, convinced that nothing good came from idle talk or idle hands. It was, unfortunately, a belief my uncle still held to this day.
Still, I respected Uncle Justin for all the hard work he’d put in here. He’d devoted his entire life to this ranch and hadn’t hesitated to care for me and look out for me as if I was his own daughter after my parents had passed away.
“I’m really glad you guys decided to stay,” I said between bites. “I know it’s selfish of me, but I just couldn’t stand the thought that you might leave today. I mean, I know you’ll have to go back home and take care of your own ranch at some point, but… I hope you’ll let me keep being selfish for a little while longer.”
Neither of them said anything at first, but I saw the look that passed between them. They had been friends for so long that they often communicated with those secretive, knowing looks—or sometimes just a single raised eyebrow or a gesture that most other people probably wouldn’t have even noticed.
I noticed, though. And it was maddening to me that I hadn’t been able to decipher their coded looks even after spending the better part of a week with them.
As usual, Cade was the first one to break the silence. “You’re not
being selfish. There’s nothing selfish about wanting to feel safe in your own home. I’m just glad we can help.”
He did have a point—I really did feel safer with the two of them around, no doubt about that. But I was being selfish, too, because I would have wanted them here regardless of whether there was some crazy person sneaking around trying to hurt my animals. I just enjoyed spending time with them.
And, of course, I still wanted more. I still wanted both of them to want me.
“You’re both more than welcome to stay as long as you want,” I said, smiling. “But I promise I will understand when you finally have to go back home. Just… not today.”
They both laughed, and Boone shook his head. “No, not today,” he said. “Today, we’re all yours.”
God, if only.
Because the things I’d like to do with them out here where there weren’t any prying eyes or ears had nothing at all to do with my safety or checking the fence line.
“And like we said earlier,” Cade added. “We have our foreman taking care of things back at the ranch. He runs that place like a well-oiled machine after all these years. It’s not like we’ve never taken off on trips before now, so he’ll be fine for a while.”
“Right.” Boone nodded. “Worst case scenario is that we might have to go back and take care of something if an emergency comes up, but I promise we’ll always be here anytime you need us.”
“Anytime,” Cade echoed.
Hearing them say that made my smile grow even wider. They might have reputations for going out and having fun from time to time, but I dared anyone to tell me Cade Winslow and Boone Tate weren’t good men. I would gladly argue with anyone who suggested otherwise.
“You guys are too sweet,” I said, finishing my sandwich and gathering the empty soda cans and napkins to put back into the bag Boone had brought with us. The blanket we were sitting on wasn’t very big, but there was still room to stretch out a little. “I could honestly stay out here in the sun just like this all day,” I said, closing my eyes as I leaned back on my elbows and let my legs stretch out in front of me.