“But he could have told me the truth anytime too.”
“True, but he stayed and each day he stayed, the harder it had to be to tell you the truth. He was probably terrified that you’d hate him and make him leave. Which you did.”
Anna huffed. “I know but I was so hurt by him lying to me. It made me wonder if he’d lied when he told me he loved me too.”
“I doubt it. What did he have to gain by telling you that?”
“He’s eleven years younger than I am. I told him it didn’t bother me but—”
“No buts, Anna. You only have to think about you. It’s no one else’s business. Devin Callahan is married to an older woman and he adores his wife.” Becca grinned. “Besides, I think it’s hot.”
Anna burst out laughing and shook her head. “I just might have to call Jesse. He told me to call him when I wanted to talk. That he would wait for me. That was two months ago though. What if he gave up on me?”
“You won’t know until you call. When do you go back to teaching?”
“The Monday after Thanksgiving. I’m so excited to be going back. I love the kids.”
“I can tell.” Becca stood. “I’d better get going before the snow gets worse. I don’t want Jake to worry. I’ll talk to you soon. Remember you’re welcome to stay here as long as you need to.”
Anna stood and walked to the door with her. They hugged then Becca left, and Anna flopped down onto the sofa. Should she call him? What would she even say?
Getting up, she decided she’d find out where he lived and go to his ranch. She’d rather talk to him in person than over the phone. Smiling, she grabbed her coat, put it on then walked out of the apartment, through the kitchen, and out the back door, locking it behind her. She looked at the snow coming down but decided she could handle it. With a renewed sense of urgency, she then skipped down the steps to head for her SUV. No one was around since the B and B had closed for the winter. She opened the door to her SUV then climbed in, started it, and drove down the driveway. Anna knew exactly who she could ask about where Jesse lived.
As she drove down the main street of Hartland, she thought it looked like a ghost town. No one was on the sidewalks. It seemed when it snowed it shut the town down. Of course, the little stores were open. Snow continued to fall, and it was beginning to coat the street. She pulled into the parking lot of the Sheriff’s Department and parked. Turning the engine off, she opened the door, stepped out, and gasped as the snow slapped her in the face. The wind seemed to be picking up. Pulling her collar up, she ran up the concrete steps and entered the building. A beautiful blonde woman sat at the counter. She smiled at Anna when she looked up.
“Hi, what can I do for you?” she asked.
“Is Grayson in?”
“Yes, ma’am. Let me call him. Who should I tell him is here?”
“Anna Tipton.”
The woman nodded then pushed a button on the phone and spoke into it then hung it up and smiled at her again.
“He’ll be right out.”
Anna nodded. “Thank you.” She turned to find a seat.
“Annie?”
She looked to see Gray walking toward her. He stopped in the doorway leading to the hall.
“Hi, Gray. Can I talk to you a minute?”
“Sure.” He looked at the dispatcher. “Jeanie, hold my calls unless it’s an emergency, please.”
“Of course, Sheriff.”
Gray took Anna’s elbow in his hand and led her down the hall to his office. Once inside, he closed the door and motioned for her to take a seat in one of the wooden chairs in front of his desk. She took a seat, glanced around the office, and nibbled on her lip.
“Annie? What is it?” Gray took a seat, placed his forearms on the desk, and stared at her.
“Uh, can you tell me where Jesse lives?”
Gray sat back and folded his arms across his broad chest. Those ice blue eyes stared at her and she couldn’t understand why she hadn’t seen they were the same as Jesse’s.
“Why?” he asked quietly.
“I need to see him.”
“Why?” he asked again.
“Grayson…”
“Look, Annie, if you’re going to go see him just to break his heart some more, there is no way I’m telling you where he lives. He was wrong in lying to you, but he’s been in a deep slump since you told him to leave.”
“I’m going to see him because I-I love him, Gray.”
Her cheeks warmed up in embarrassment. She didn’t know what Gray would think of her loving his brother, his much younger brother. As she looked at him, a slow smile lifted his lips and she was still in awe of how she didn’t see how much they looked alike. Ash too. Same dimples, hair, smile, and those gorgeous eyes.
“I’m happy to hear that, Annie and I’m sure JD will be happy too.”
“You’ll tell me then?” He nodded. “You won’t call him, will you?”
“No, ma’am. I promise.” He pulled the drawer open and got a piece of paper out, wrote on it then handed it to her. He looked toward the window. “You’d better get going. The snow is really coming down now.”
She stood and took the paper from him. “Thank you, Grayson.”
Gray stood when she did. “You’re welcome.”
She walked out of his office and headed to the lobby. After nodding at the dispatcher, she walked outside and was shocked to see all the snow that had accumulated on the ground. Of course, it happened like that in Montana but the thought of driving in it always made her uncomfortable. Getting into her vehicle, she started it then entered the address into her GPS. Taking a deep breath, Anna drove out of the parking lot and headed to Jesse’s place.
****
Jesse drove his truck down the road then pulled into the driveway. The snow blew by the windshield sideways. He pulled up to the house, shut the engine off, and then stepped out. Shit, it was cold. Blowing out a breath, he watched it form into a puff of air. Tugging his hat down lower and his collar up on his sheepskin jacket, he walked up the steps but stopped when he thought he heard someone call his name. He glanced around then saw Rusty walking toward him. Damn it! He was hoping to avoid him. Clenching his jaw, he walked toward him then stopped to wait for Rusty to get to him.
“What are you doing here, boy?”
“I’m looking for Anna. I need to talk to her.” He turned away from him.
“She’s gone,” Rusty said from behind him.
Jesse spun around. “Gone? What do you mean gone?”
“She sold the ranch and moved out.”
“Why are you still here if she sold the ranch?”
“We have thirty days to move out. Wes and his wife along with me and mine are going to travel. See the states. Enjoy the rest of our lives.” Rusty spit tobacco juice close to Jesse’s boots.
“Where is she?” Jesse clasped his hands into fists.
“Why should I tell you? You did nothing but lie to her.”
“I never lied about loving her. Now, tell me where she is. I need to tell her I want to spend the rest of my life with her. I’ll beg her if I have to.”
Rusty cracked a smile. “She’s staying at the Clifton B and B. About time you came back.”
“What?”
“I knew if you really loved her, you’d be back for her.”
“Damn you, Rusty. You’re enjoying this.”
“I am at that.” He laughed. “Look, JD, I’m sorry about everything. I knew you had feelings for her, and she felt the same about you. I just didn’t like that you lied to her and I didn’t want her hurt again.”
“I hate that I lied to her. I detest liars but yet I became one. My brothers wanted to kick my ass. I’ll never hurt her again. I need her to forgive me, even if she won’t be with me.”
“She will. She’s been miserable without you. Go get her, boy.” Rusty turned and ambled back to the barn.
The snow swirled around Jesse as he watched until Rusty disappeared into the barn. Could he get Anna to forgive
him? He hadn’t seen her in two months, and he hurt so bad without her in his life. It was time to take her home. To his ranch. He just hoped she’d go with him. He wanted to marry her and spend the rest of his life with her. Turning, he ran to his truck, climbed in, started it, and tore out of the driveway. Snow and gravel flew up behind the tires. He pulled out onto the road to head for the B and B. The snow was getting heavier and the wipers were having a hard time keeping up. Damn it to hell! There was no way he was going to make it there. He’d have to turn around and go home and try again tomorrow. He hit the steering wheel with his fist.
“Fucking figures,” he muttered. Finding another driveway, he pulled in, backed out, and headed home.
Snow covered the roads quickly, so he had to drive slowly to get home. His land connected to Gray’s. If he couldn’t make it home, he could stay at the cabin Gray had on his property or at his home. It wouldn’t be the first time. As long as ice didn’t mix in, he’d make it home. His truck had four-wheel drive so there wouldn’t be a problem in snow as long as it stayed only snow. He crawled along the road and was tempted to turn around and go back to Gray’s place but by the time he made it back there, he’d be home.
He blew out a relieved breath when he saw his driveway and slowed down to turn in. As he turned in, he saw a vehicle coming at him. What the hell? He slammed on the brakes making his truck slide in the snow. He watched the other vehicle stop then went slack-jawed when he saw it was Anna’s SUV. Throwing the gear into Park, he opened the door, stepped out and walked to her vehicle. The snow was above his ankles already. It looked like it was going to be the first bad snow of the season.
Jesse made it to the driver’s side of her SUV. She put the window down.
“What are you doing here?” he asked.
“I came to see you. What are you doing out in this?”
“I was at your place looking for you. I didn’t know you’d sold it.” He looked around. “Let’s get to the house and talk. You’re not going anywhere in this. Just back up and turn around. I’ll follow you.”
He stared at her and swore he’d never seen anything so beautiful in his life. She nodded, put the window up, backed into the snow, and then moved forward toward the house.
Jesse trudged through the snow to his truck, climbed in, and followed her. Why had she come here? To see him, she’d said, but why? And in this weather? Was she going to tell him she didn’t want to see him again? That really made no sense. Why come to see him to tell him she didn’t want to see him? Maybe she was leaving town and he’d never have a chance to win her back. His heart hit his stomach just thinking about why she was here. God, he’d missed her so much. He took a deep breath then blew it out. Did he really want to hear what she came here to say?
He put the truck in gear and drove up to the house and stopped behind her SUV, shut the truck off then stepped out and walked to her. Anna stepped from her vehicle and looked around then back at him.
“You have a beautiful home,” she said.
“Thanks, come on, let’s go in.” He took her hand and led her up the steps where at the top, they both stomped snow from their boots.
He opened the door and nodded for her to enter the kitchen then he followed her in and closed the door behind him. Walking up behind her, he took her coat from her and hung it on the back of one of the chairs at the table. He removed his hat and coat and hung them up then stared at her as she looked around. She turned to look at him and his breath hitched.
“Anna? Why are you here?”
“You told me to call you when I wanted to talk.” She shrugged. “I’d rather say what I have to say face to face.”
His heart hit his stomach waiting for the axe to fall. She was going to break his heart even more if that was at all possible.
“All right,” he said then led her to the living room.
“This is gorgeous,” she told him.
“Thanks.”
He looked around the room. The front was a wall of windows. A stone fireplace sat on another wall with wood sitting in the hearth waiting for a match to be set to it. A large screen TV hung above the mantle. An overstuffed sofa faced the fireplace with recliners bracketing it. The hardwood floor was large dark walnut planks and the walls were log, matching the outside. A loft with a set of stairs leading up to it sat to the right. He rarely went up there, but three of the four walls were lined with bookcases filled with all types of books. He loved to read but it had been a while since he’d gone up there, sat down, and read a good book. He nodded for her to take a seat then he walked to the fireplace, opened the flue, and lit the wood. It began to snap and crackle as the flames wrapped around the wood.
Jesse took a seat in a recliner, sat forward, and clasped his hands together to keep them from shaking. He’d ridden the meanest bulls on the circuit and not one of them scared him as much as the idea of this woman breaking his heart.
“Anna?”
“Jesse, you hurt me—”
“I know and I’m so sorry. I wanted to tell you but every day that passed, it got harder to do. When I fell in love with you, I was too scared.” He swallowed hard. “I was afraid of losing you and I was right to be because I did in the end. I was damned if I do, damned if I don’t.”
“I can understand that but why did you tell Rusty you were looking for work?”
Jesse blew out a laugh. “Hell if I know. It was the first thing that popped into my head.” He stared at her. “Then I saw you and I just knew I had to stay and get to know you.”
“Really?”
“Yes. When I saw you, I knew I couldn’t leave. I wanted to stay and I’m so glad I did. Even if you’re here to tell me you never want to see me again, I can honestly say that I’m glad I stayed. Loving you is the best thing I’ve ever done in my life.”
****
Anna blinked her eyes, but a tear slipped down her cheek and she quickly wiped it away. He looked so good to her and she missed him so very much.
“I didn’t mean to make you cry,” he said as he stood up from the chair then squatted down in front of her. “I was just telling you the truth and I promise if you give me another chance, I will never lie to you again.”
He took her hands in his and raised one to kiss the palm.
She pulled her hands from his and cupped his face. “I believe you. I love you, Jesse, and I’ve missed you so much.”
“You have no idea how much I’ve missed you, darlin’. I can’t sleep or eat. All I think about is you.” He leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers. “I want to spend my life with you.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. I just told you I’d never lie to you again and I’m not about this. I want to marry you and if you want to have kids, we will.”
She choked back a sob. He would never know just how much she loved him. She could tell him every day for the rest of her life and he’d still never know. It was incomprehensible to her so how could she ever explain it to him. She kissed him.
“I’d love to have kids, if you’re sure.”
“I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.”
She hugged him as tears rolled down her face. “I do understand about it getting harder as each day passed but I think if you had just left then we never would have met, and I can’t imagine not knowing you, Jesse Beckett.”
“Oh, darlin’, I thought that too, at first, but now I don’t believe that. We were meant to be together. I would have found you some way.”
“What will you do now?”
“Do?”
“Yes. Do you grow feed for Ash for income? I’m going to be teaching, but—” She stopped and frowned when he laughed.
“Anna, I have my own money. I made a lot while bull riding, but have you ever heard of Beckett boots?”
“Yes, the factory is right outside of town.” She gasped. “Does your family own that?”
“Not the family. Gage and I own it.”
“Oh, my God! Seriously?”
“Yes, m
a’am. Sorry, Anna. We started the company years ago. We never thought they’d take off the way they did, but neither of us have to worry about money—plus the family is rich. Mom’s grandparents were loaded and handed the money down. You don’t even have to teach if you don’t want to.”
She laughed. “I do want to teach. At least, until I get pregnant.”
“I think we need to practice on that, don’t you?”
The heat poured into her cheeks, but she nodded and smiled. This man would always manage to make her blush and she looked forward to every day they had together. She stood and stared down at him.
“I think it’s time you showed me the rest of the house. Beginning with your bedroom.”
He grinned then stood and her heart slammed into her ribs. She truly loved this gorgeous man standing in front of her.
“Anything you say, baby. Anything you say,” he said as he leaned down to kiss her then picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder making her laugh as he headed down the hallway.
Later, Anna rested her head on his shoulder and ran her finger up and down his washboard stomach.
“Tell me about your family.”
“What do you want to know?”
“Everything.”
“Well, you know Ash and Gray.”
“I know what they do but I don’t know them very well.”
“Ash used to ride bulls but quit and decided to grow feed. He took a chance on growing organic feed, along with regular, and it took off like wildfire. He can’t grow it fast enough. He has a grower in Clifton. Bonner Gentry owns a thousand acres that Ash leases from him and he also leases about four hundred acres from Cord Maddox, who also lives in Clifton. Ash recently married Cassidy Marlowe.”
Anna sat up. “I knew Beckett feed was good, but I didn’t realize he grew that much of it. Wait. Cassidy Marlowe? The author?”
“Yes, are you familiar with her?”
“Oh yeah. I love her books. Okay, go on.”
“Okay, Gray, as you know, is the Sheriff of Hartland County which is Hartland and Spring City. He was engaged years ago but when he brought her home for Christmas one year to meet us all, she hated it here. When he had the chance to run for sheriff, he came back but she refused so they broke up. She was a snob. He’s better off without her.”
Jesse: A Beckett Brothers Novel Book 3 (The Beckett Brothers) Page 16