Chapter Twelve

Honey

He’s acting like a scumbag.

“Honey.”

“Hmm.” I turned my focus back on Mitch.

The last thing I wanted to witness was Jacque and Jake kissing … in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g. First comes love, then comes—

What the hell was wrong with me? A nursery rhyme. Seriously? Get yourself together, Honey. He isn’t the first man to disappoint you.

“I was thinking that I could teach you how to ride,” Mitch said.

I blinked a few times to put that thought firmly back into a nonsexual context, because the idea of riding Jake the other day popped into my mind.

“Horses and me,” I shook my head. “We don’t mix.”

My grandfather had tried to teach me to ride. But the horse wasn’t happy to have a big girl on its back. It reared up and I’d fallen on my ass. No, thank you.

“Then maybe we could go out.”

My jaw dropped—I hadn’t expected that. Okay, he’d been showing me more attention than the other guys had, but I’d assumed he was being nice.

“I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”

His face fell. As cute as he was, I wouldn’t do that to Jake, no matter what we did or didn’t have. There had to be another man who would want a woman like me in a fifty-mile radius who didn’t work for the man I really wanted.

“Why? Jake?”

Was it that obvious? I pursed my lips and nodded. Honesty was better.

He tipped back his hat and swiped a hand over his hair before resettling it again.

“I should go,” I said.

I wanted to pat the cheek of his baby-smooth face, but I kept my hands to myself.

“He’s not a bad guy. Maybe he’ll get over Tara. If he doesn’t, I’ll be here.” I gave him a small smile. Was Tara Jamie’s mother? “I’ll still teach you to ride, though.”

He was being sweet. I nodded, though I would never take him up on it, and headed for the house.

What I needed was a girls’ day next weekend. Calling my best friend was my first priority. Nothing like getting your hair freshly cut, nails done, and maybe a little shopping to boost the ego. After seeing Jacque, all statuesque, I needed all the confidence I could get.

The next day, after an awkward breakfast where Jake could barely look at me, Ford offered to show me around the ranch.

“Jamie, you’re coming with us, right?”

Her infectious grin was welcome, especially after Jake scowled at me all morning.

“Y–yes.”

“Great.” I mussed her hair and she giggled.

She needed a trim and an idea formed in my head. During my talk with Ashley, we planned a quick trip this coming weekend. And I had some money. Jake had left papers in my room for me to fill out. I did and left them on his desk in the small office opposite the kitchen. I’d woken up to find an envelope with my first paycheck under my door. The rate was more than what the agency had said. I’d planned to ask him about it, but he hadn’t looked like he was up to talking, at least not to me.

I’d wanted exercise and I got it. The walk around the ranch was turning out to be an all-day experience.

We stood on a low ridge overlooking land unmarred by buildings that went on for days.

“Wow,” I said.

Ford grinned. “We have over four thousand acres. More than most ranches in the area.” He crouched down next to his granddaughter and pointed. “And one day, it’ll all be yours.”

Jamie’s eyes filled with wonder as a small smile played on her face.

“Mine?” she asked in a small voice.

Ford and I smiled at each other. It wasn’t lost on either of us that she’d managed to speak with no problem.

“Yes,” he agreed, getting to his feet.

Ford too was having a good day. Walking had kept his mind clear.

“On the way back, I’ll show you the creek and introduce you to Martha.”

Concern filled me. What had he meant? Did he think Martha was alive?

We walked, and I wished—not for the first time—that I’d taken up Mitch on his horse-riding lessons. My feet were aching. I couldn’t imagine walking the entire ranch.

When we arrived at a shady spot under a huge tree, I understood. A small, fenced-off area held tiny markers and a few understated headstones. It had to be the family burial spot. I hung back by the tree with Jamie as Ford went in and talked to Martha.

Jamie took my hand and pointed to a watering hole shaded by the big tree.

“Oh, that looks nice.”

As hot as it was, the idea of jumping in and cooling off was very appealing.

“Do you know how to swim?”

Jamie nodded. I wanted her to speak more, but I wasn’t trained in speech therapy. Though, like anything else, practice makes things better.

“Who taught you?” I coaxed.

She looked like she wanted to speak, but held off for a second. “Daddy.”

We both grinned as she recognized what she’d done.

Ford called her over, giving me another minute to imagine Jake all wet and naked in that water. I turned away from those stray thoughts when Ford waved me over too. It was unlikely I’d get to see Jake naked ever again.