“So, dinner?” Martha asked.
“That sounds great,” Blake replied. “One issue though. I can’t really drive.”
“That’s fine,” Martha said. “Just meet me at the Downtown Café at seven.
“Sounds good,” Blake replied, watching Martha walk towards the door. “And Martha, did you forget to buy what you came for?” Blake asked, realizing that the woman was walking out of the door emptyhanded.
“No,” Martha said. “I got everything that I needed.”
Chapter Fifteen
Jane walked through the front door of the house, wondering if Blake was home. It was quiet, and the last time that she had found the house this way, Blake had fallen in the back yard. Jane scanned the house and then went out back, but much to her surprise, she didn’t find Blake in sight. What she did hear was the insistent neighing off Smokey as she approached the barn. Jane didn’t know much about horses, but she did know that the animal was probably hungry, so she went into the barn and walked down to his stall until she found a bail of hay. Jane carefully threw some of the hay into the stall, careful not to touch the animal. She hadn’t had any time to bond with him, so she didn’t want to scare him, and she certainly didn’t want to get bitten by a horse.
Jane slipped in the last bit of hay, checking through the cracks in the stall to make sure that the big guy’s water was filled up. Luckily for her, the horse had an automatic water dispenser, and it was still full. She sighed a sigh of relief, happy that she could help Blake out and looked over at the horse to see if he seemed more content now that he had food. Much to her surprise, the large animal’s head came her way. Jane froze, not knowing what to do, but she was caught off guard when the animal rubbed his cheek against hers. Apparently, he was happy that she had fed him, and Jane was excited that she had made a new friend. She extended her hand, knowing that she needed to keep it flat so as not to trick him into thinking that she was carrying food in her hand and petted the back of his head. Smokey’s eyes sparkled as she did this, and she could tell that he was content. Jane watched the large animal for a couple of more minutes until he walked over and began to eat his food. She was pleased that she had made a new friend, and she knew that by feeding Smokey, she was taking some of the work off of Blake’s hands, making it easier for the other woman to focus on her recovery.
Jane exited the barn, knowing that if she started dinner soon, Blake and she might have a chance to bond again like they had the night before. Jane was more than curious about the other woman at this point, and now that she knew that they had something in common, she wanted to know more. The way that Jane felt about Blake had changed, and now, she found the other woman somewhat attractive and mysterious. It was a strange feeling, and it made her feel alive and energetic. She hadn’t been excited about spending time with another woman for some time. She didn’t like to push relationships, and it was rare for her to fall for anyone as most women wanted more attention than she could provide them with her busy schedule. Nevertheless, Blake was different. Jane wanted to make time for her. She felt relaxed and was able to unwind from a long day just talking to the woman and listening to her. It was an odd comfort that she hadn’t felt with anyone else, and though Jane didn’t want to rush anything between the two of them, she wasn’t able to ignore the feelings that she had.
Jane walked into the house, hearing the front door open as she did. “Hello,” she called, walking from the kitchen to the living room.
“Hello,” Blake beamed as she entered through the door. “How was your day?”
“Good,” Jane said, happy that she had asked. “I was just about to start dinner. Is there anything in particular that you wanted?”
“Actually,” Blake started. “I have dinner plans. You won’t believe this, but Martha came down to the store while I was there with the guys and asked me if I wanted to go out for dinner. I have been waiting for this for so long.”
Jane felt her heart sink, but she didn’t want Blake to see any of her disappointment. “That’s great,” she told the other woman, trying to keep her countenance. She knew that Martha was just asking Blake out due to the fact that she had turned her down at the office, but she wasn’t sure how to address this without making Blake upset.
“It is great,” Blake said. “I spent the last year or so wondering if Martha would ever come back, and now she has. I’m not sure what to think about it. Maybe, she just needed time.”
“Did she say why she reacted the way that she did at the bar last night?” Jane asked, trying to make the other woman remember Martha’s attitude difference the night before.
“Yes,” Blake said. “She was worried about everyone getting in our business,” Blake replied. “She is a woman with a reputation, and she is right. The people in this town do tend to stick their noses in other people’s business.
“Well, I’m happy for you,” Jane told her, trying to sound authentic. “I hope that everything works out.”
“Thank you,” Blake smiled. “I’m going to go upstairs and get ready. I need to make this perfect.”
Jane watched as the other woman hobbled up the stairs and didn’t let her head fall until she was out of the distance. She had gotten ahead of herself, thinking that Blake and she had bonded the night before. She had let her heart lead instead of her head, and for that, Jane was upset and dismayed. Jane walked back to the kitchen, wondering what she was going to do with her night. She had planned to have a warm dinner and an evening full of conversation with Blake, but now that her plans were ruined, she needed to find something to keep her mind off of things. Jane walked outside and sat down on the back steps. She pulled out her cell phone and dialed Cam’s number. Cam’s phone rang and rang, but no one picked up. Jane hung up the phone and leaned her head into her hands. She didn’t realize until that moment how much spending time with Blake had meant to her, and now that she had, it was difficult to think about anything else.
Jane lifted her head and put her phone away, noticing a paper fall out of her pocket as she did. Jane picked up the paper and read it out loud, “Jack Donovan.” Jane smiled as she remembered the handsome woman that had given her, her number and decided to dial it. Jane waited, feeling her breath catch in her chest as the phone rang, and after a couple of rings, she heard Jack’s husky voice answer on the other end.
“Hello,” Jack said. “Is anyone there?”
“Yes,” Jane replied, feeling her face turn red. “Sorry, I wanted to make sure that I got the right number.”
“It all depends on who you are looking for,” the voice on the other end chuckled. “This is Jack Donovan. Were you trying to call me?”
“Yes,” Jane said, not sure what else to say. She knew that she needed to form some sort of conversation, but she was apprehensive, and all of the words in her head suddenly seemed like a large word jumble.
“May I ask who is calling?” Jack questioned, amusement sounding in her voice.
“This is Jane Steibold from the Melville medical clinic,” Jane answered.
“Oh, hi,” Jack responded, her voice taking on a more serious tone. “Is everything okay? Did I have some bad test results come in or something?”
“No,” Jane said. “Actually, I was wondering if you wanted to go to dinner tonight. I don’t know if you remember, but you gave me your number last time that you were in the office, and I have the night off, so I was wondering if you would like to take me out.”
“Oh,” Jack commented.
Jane’s phone call had clearly taken the other woman off guard, and now that she realized this, she was worried that she had made a mistake. “You don’t have to,” Jane replied. “I mean. You might not even remember giving me your number. I’m sorry. This is embarrassing. I didn’t mean to interrupt your night.”
“No, no,” Jack said. “I remember you. You are the gorgeous doctor that just moved to town. I just didn’t think that you would call me back. When I didn’t hear from you right away, I figured that I wasn’t your type.”
“Well, in that case, let me change that for you,” Jack said. “Are you familiar with Downtown Café?”
“I think that I’ve passed it a couple of times on my way to work,” Jane said,
“Why don’t I pick you up at around 6:45, and we can go there,” Jack suggested. “It’s actually one of the best restaurants in the area.”
“That sounds great,” Jane said. “Are you sure that you just don’t want me to meet you there?”
“No,” Jack told her. “I wouldn’t make you walk.”
“I don’t mind,” Jane said, not sure if she was ready to explain her living situation just yet.
“Save your energy,” Jack said. “I want to take you out dancing too, and if I have you walk, not only would that make me impolite, but you would be worn out before we even got to the dance floor.”
“Oh,” Jane responded, not knowing what else to say. “So, I guess it’s a date.”
“It sure is,” Jack said.
“Well, I’m going to start getting ready,” Jane told the other woman. “I will text you my address.”
“Alright, I’ll let you go, but I don’t think that anything that you do to get ready will make you any more beautiful than you already are,” Jack told her. “You are a remarkable woman, Jane Steibold.”
“Thank you,” Jane said into the receiver, feeling her cheeks grow red once again. “I’ll see you later.”
The two said their goodbyes and hung up, and Jane sat there wondering what her night was going to be like. It had been a while since she was out on a date, and a sense of excitement filled her. She was happy that she didn’t have to spend her night at home, wondering what Blake was doing. It would have made her crazy. It was nice to have her own plans and her own adventure, and she wasn’t sure what to expect on a date with the suave Jack Donovan.
Chapter Sixteen
“I’m leaving,” Blake called up the stairs. Jane had been up there for hours doing who knows what, and though Blake was curious to see what was occupying the other woman’s attention, she didn’t want to disturb her.
“Okay,” Jane yelled back. “Is Walter giving you a ride?”
“No, I’m walking,” Blake replied, walking away from the staircase and towards the door before she heard the other woman protest.
“Walking?” Jane asked, the sound of footsteps following.
Blake had made it to the door, but she wasn’t fast enough. She saw Jane standing there in a white robe, her wet hair cascading down her back. Blake couldn’t help but stare at the other woman, and for a moment, she forgot what they were even talking about. She saw Jane give her a look and instantly picked her brain to remember what they were talking about. “Yeah, I’m walking,” Blake said. “It’s really not that big of a deal.”
“I can’t believe that woman,” Jane said, shaking her head. “First she hits on me, then she invites you on a date and makes you walk to the restaurant. What a hoot.”
“I can walk,” Blake argued. “There’s nothing wrong with that. This town isn’t that big, and what do you mean she hit on you?” Blake saw the expression on Jane’s face change and instantly realized that piece of information wasn’t one that Jane had intended on sharing. She looked at the other woman closely, noticing that Jane was choosing her words carefully for some reason.
“Don’t worry about it,” Jane finally told her. “Maybe, I misinterpreted what she was doing. It just seemed like she was hitting on me at the bar, and then, today when she came into my office…”
“She came into your office?” Blake asked, wondering what Martha could possibly be doing. “Why did she do that?”
“I don’t know,” Jane told her. “Maybe, she was jealous. She asked me out. I turned her down, and she said that she was going to get back at me by taking you out.”
“That’s crazy,” Blake said. “Why would she be jealous of you, and why would she ask you out. Maybe you misunderstood what she was doing.”
“I don’t think so,” Jane replied. “It seemed clear as day when she made a move on me in my own office.”
“She was probably just trying to establish her dominance,” Blake replied. “Martha can be very territorial, so imagine if an intelligent doctor with a good reputation came to town. She would be afraid that she was losing her spotlight. She would be worried that she wasn’t the center of attention anymore, and unfortunately, that is one of Martha’s downfalls. She likes to be the center of attention.”
“So, you really don’t think she was hitting on me?” Jane asked, an eyebrow arched.
“No,” Blake laughed.
“Whatever,” Jane said. “You can live in your own delusional world. I tried to tell you the truth, and you didn’t believe me. Martha Wilson is no good.”
“Whatever,” Blake told her, putting her hand on the door knob. “Maybe Martha isn’t the one who is jealous. Maybe it is you.”
“Of what?” Jane asked, her voice rising.
“Well, I am quite a catch,” Blake said, looking at the other woman.
“Blake Young, you are arrogant. That’s what you are,” Jane said, stomping up the stairs.
Blake looked after the other woman, amused by her behavior. She wasn’t quite sure what was going on between Martha and Jane, but she was sure that Jane had misinterpreted the whole situation. Martha was in fact a territorial woman, and she was sure that Jane was competition for her now that she was back in town. Martha was the southern belle of the area, and Jane was indeed not only a beautiful woman but an intelligent, independent woman as well.
Chapter Seventeen
Jane looked in the mirror one last time, hoping that she looked good. She had just spent the last couple of hours getting ready, which was a task that she usually didn’t care to partake in. However, tonight was different. Something about Blake and Martha’s date had upset her, and she really wanted Jack to take her mind off of things. Jane grabbed her purse and walked down the stairs, making sure to turn the lights off as she did. Jane walked to the door and looked out the window, knowing that the other woman was going to be there soon. She was apprehensive about the date, but she knew that going out would help her feel more at home.
Jane saw a pair of headlights shine up the street, and the vehicle pulled into her driveway. She waited, hearing a truck door slam and watched as Jack walked up the driveway and to the door. Jane let the other woman knock before opening the door. She didn’t want to seem too excited. “Hello,” she said, looking the other woman up and down as they came face to face. Jack was dressed in a button-up shirt and a nice pair of jeans, and she smelled incredible.
“Hello,” Jack smiled, her eyes sparkling as she looked at her. “You look fantastic.”
“Thank you,” Jane said, feeling her cheeks turn red.
Jack held out her arm and helped Jane down the front door stoop. Jane felt how strong the woman was as she carefully escorted her down the driveway and opened the truck door for her, helping her in. She was impressed by her chivalry and curious to see what a night out with this woman would be like. Jane was quiet as Jack drove to the restaurant, and Jack didn’t push the conversation. It didn’t take long to get to their destination, and as they pulled into a parking spot in front of the restaurant, Jane opened the door, only to find Jack quickly rushing to her side to let her out.
“You have impeccable manners,” Jane told the other woman.
“I try,” Jack said with a wink. “I made a reservation, so we should be able to just walk in and be seated.”
“That sounds great,” Jane smiled, taking in the night sky. It was a warmer night, and the stars were shining. It was difficult to see stars in the city, but in Melville, the stars were like a million dancing balls in the sky. Jane followed Jack into the restaurant, and Jack talked to the hostess, getting them a table by the windo
w. As they walked through the restaurant, Jane noticed a familiar face. “Blake?” she whispered under her breath. Jane had to take a sudden look, and when she did, it confirmed her suspicions. Blake was sitting right in the middle of the restaurant with Martha Wilson. Jane snuck in a couple of peeks as her and Jack walked by. Blake didn’t notice, but she was sure that Martha winked at her as she walked to her table.
“Is everything okay?” Jack asked, chuckling. “You seem a little distracted.”
“Yes, I’m fine,” Jane said. “I was just taking in the atmosphere. I have never been here.”
“Oh, because it looked like you were staring at that couple across the room,” Jack said. “Are you sure that you don’t know them?”
Jane looked at the other woman, trying to think up some excuse as to why she was paying so much attention to Blake and Martha, but she couldn’t come up with one. “Yeah, I know them,” she finally sighed. “That is the woman that I am living with and her date.”
“The woman that you live with?” Jack asked with an arched eye brow. “I didn’t know that you were in a commitment. I wouldn’t have asked you out if I did.”
“No, no,” Jane said. “She broke her leg in a bull riding accident, and I help her around the house and with physical therapy and stuff like that. It’s not a relationship.”
“Are you sure,” Jack inquired, lightly directing Jane’s attention back to her and away from Blake and Martha. “You sure are staring at her.”
“I just can’t believe that she agreed to go on a date with that woman,” Jane replied. “That woman is such a backhanded person.”
“Martha?” Jack laughed.
“Yeah, you know her?” Jane asked.
“Yeah, everybody knows Martha,” Jack said.
“Did you ever…”
“Once or twice,” Jack told her. “But she’s not the commitment type. She is more concerned with her own reputation and can’t dedicate her attention to someone else.”
The Heart of the Rodeo Page 6