The remainder of the ride to Compton Pass had been made in relative silence, only the music from the radio and their occasional comments about something they passed on the road interfering.

The morning had brought somewhat clearer, if a bit achy heads, and the memory of why they were making this trip.

For one night, Ivy had put away all the pain of the past week and given herself over to James. If she lived to be a thousand years old, she would never regret last night. She hoped James felt the same, but they’d awoken to her phone ringing, the mechanic saying her truck was ready, so they hadn’t taken the time to talk.

James had been distracted and quiet, and she figured he was upset about returning home to a ranch where Jake wasn’t.

Rather than broach the subject, they’d simply gotten dressed and hit the road.

In truth, she couldn’t decide if there was anything to say or not. They’d both gone into last night knowing the consequences. Nothing had changed. He was still a smokejumper and she was still fucked-up by Jem’s death. There was no way to make those things mesh.

She’d already gotten a couple of responses to the resumes she had sent out. As soon as she returned to West Yellowstone, she would set up interviews. Ivy prayed that distance and time would fill in this big gaping hole in her chest.

“I’m not sure I thanked you for coming with me, Ivy. I know the timing is—”

She reached over and took his hand. “You’re my friend. The rest might be one big fucking mess, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care about you. I can’t turn that off.”

He lifted her hand to his lips, lightly kissing her knuckles. “I hope you never do. I care about you too.” James pointed to a sign. “Next exit is ours.”

She turned on the blinker and took the road that would lead her to Compton Pass, to his family’s ranch.

Butterflies started to flutter in her stomach as she worried about James showing up with a woman in tow. Had he told his parents about her? She knew he’d discussed her with his cousins and brother. He’d admitted to asking the men for relationship help shortly before she’d succumbed to his advances. She had laughed as he’d regaled her with stories about him, Doug, Austin and Bryant as boys. And even some of the wilder things they’d done since reaching adulthood, and ages where they should have known better.

“Are you sure it’s okay that I’m here?”

James reached over and toyed with her hair. It was an innocent touch, but her body didn’t interpret it that way.

Yeah, sleeping with him hadn’t been her brightest move. It only reminded her how perfect they were together in so many ways.

Except that big one.

“My family is going to love you,” he reassured her. “Here. Take a left here. Austin brought a girl home with him on his last run, so I think we’re going to have to stay in the main house with my folks. It’s a big house, plenty of space.”

She was instantly grateful for that plan. Easy to be on her best behavior when she was sleeping under the same roof as his mom and dad.

“Cool. And like I said, the second I’m underfoot, I can take off.”

“You could never be in the way, Ivy.” He turned his head to look out the window as they passed several smaller houses and outbuildings. James had told her about the way the ranch was set up during one of their first lunch dates. He had a large family, but that sounded like a blessing, considering the size of their ranch. It was a massive operation, and so many family members had chiseled out their own little piece of it, building homes and settling there, adding to the operation in valuable ways, so they were close to work and to the others.

“Pull over there,” he said, pointing to a spot by a huge two-story with a wraparound porch. The house was older, but obviously well cared for. It looked a bit like something out of a movie, as the area in front of the house was ablaze with colorful flowerbeds, and there was a porch swing lightly swaying in the breeze.

The ranch was surprisingly quiet, considering the number of people who lived and worked there, but Ivy supposed that was because everyone was inside mourning.

The screen door swung open as Ivy and James climbed out of the truck, and a tall, imposing cowboy stood there. For a second, Ivy wondered if John Wayne had crawled out of the grave, as she recalled the old black-and-white westerns she used to watch with her dad when she was little.

The man nodded at James, a ghost of a smile on his face as he descended the stairs and approached them.

“Good to have you home, son.” She watched as the older cowboy reached out, drawing James into a strong hug that his son returned.

Ivy was somewhat surprised by the greeting. She’d gotten the impression James and his dad weren’t particularly close, but this reunion was filled with genuine affection.

James pulled away after a moment and turned toward her. “Dad, this is Ivy Wagner. Ivy, this is my dad, Seth Compton.”

She reached out, intent on shaking Seth’s hand, so she was taken off guard when he used hers to instead pull her in for a quick hug. “Thank you for getting my son home safely, Ivy.”

Ivy smiled and shook her head. “I’m not sure I did such a great job, considering my truck broke down. He should have been here yesterday.”

Seth dismissed her self-recrimination. “You kept him off that bike.”

“I’m very sorry for your loss,” she said, catching the matching looks of sadness on father and son’s faces. When James said he and his father were alike, she’d thought merely in personality. In truth, the two were also very similar physically. James matched his father in height and build, and while Seth’s hair was liberally salted with gray, there was enough of the pepper to confirm that at one time it had been the same dark shade as his son’s.

They shared matching dark tans that betrayed their time spent working outdoors. If James aged as well as his dad, he was obviously going to be hot for life.

“Been a rough couple of days,” Seth said as the screen door slammed again, distracting them. This time, a woman appeared.

“James,” she called out, rushing down the porch stairs, pulling her son toward her for a big hug.

“Mom.” James lifted the smaller woman off her feet briefly, even as he tucked his face in the crook of her neck, betraying the pain he was feeling over Jake’s death. It was instantly apparent that, as with most little boys, his first love had been his mother.

Ivy recalled Dr. Anderson and Gwen chatting at the clinic one day about finding a good man to settle down with. Dr. Anderson advised Gwen to always see how a man treated his mother, said that was the best indicator in terms of how he would treat a wife.

Ivy hadn’t been sure if that was true, but seeing James now, with his mom, made her a believer.

“And you must be Ivy.” Like her husband, Jody bypassed the handshake and went straight for the hug. Ivy wasn’t raised in a touchy-feely environment, but she thought she could get used to this pretty damn quick. It was warm, welcoming, friendly.

She forced herself to shut down the direction of her thoughts. She was here to support James as a friend. Standing here considering James as an older man, or how he’d treat a wife, or what it would feel like to be a Compton was a very bad thing to do.

“Come on inside and we’ll get you two settled. Everyone is coming over tonight for a big dinner, and I’m planning to recruit y’all for kitchen help.”

Seth grabbed Ivy’s bag from the truck while James carried his own duffel. The four of them climbed the stairs together. “James, I changed your sheets and tidied up your room. Going to be nice to have you and Doug back under our roof again for a bit.” Jody looked at Ivy as she explained, “They fixed up a place for themselves in another building on the ranch, with Austin and Bryant. Last few years they’ve been living there. Can’t recall the last time all four of us have been here together like this.”

Ivy glanced at James again, worried she was definitely going to be a fifth wheel. His mom was obviously excited about taking a walk through the past with her boys back home. He gave her a quick wink in an attempt to reassure her.

“And you’ll be staying here, Ivy. Just across the hall from James in Sienna’s old room.”

James wrapped his arm around Ivy’s shoulders and tugged her into a quick sideways hug. “Sounds like we traded up.”

Jody laughed. “I’m going to tell your sister you said that.”

James pretended to wince, then said, “snitch,” as his dad carried her bag into the room and placed it on the bed.

“James tells us you’re a vet and you work in a pet clinic in West Yellowstone.”

She shook her head. “Actually, I resigned this week.”

“I didn’t know that,” James said.

She didn’t point out that they hadn’t exactly been talking a lot the past few days. “You knew that was never going to be my end game.” She looked at Seth. “I specialized in large animals in school. My hope is to land a job with a practice that works with cattle and horses, on ranches like this one. I’ve gotten a couple of nibbles on my resume and I’m planning to set up some interviews.”

“Is that right? You know, the practice in Compton Pass is actually looking to add another doctor. This area has been blessed with thriving ranches. Not just ours, but quite a few others. It’s been more than old Doc Anderson can keep up with.”

Ivy didn’t admit that she’d seen the Compton Pass job advertised. She had been very, very close to sending her resume there, but common sense had prevailed in the end, and she’d managed to resist. Putting herself anywhere within a two-hundred-mile radius of James was probably a bad idea. She needed to find a way to get over the man. Not closer to him.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” she said.

At the same time, James asked, “Seriously?” He looked at her excitedly. “You’d love Compton Pass.”

She nodded slowly, her hesitant response triggering something he’d clearly forgotten for a moment. His own frown grew as he remembered why that wasn’t such a great idea.

“Why don’t you take a little while to clean up and then I’ll give you a tour of the stables? James said you like horses.”

Ivy wasn’t sure how to respond to Seth, and the knowledge that James had told his family so much about her. She’d half expected to arrive and find they only knew her name, and that she was the boss’s daughter.

“That would be terrific.”

Jody smiled. “Doug’s over at Sienna’s, playing with the kids, James. Maybe after the tour, you could take Ivy over and introduce her to your sister. See is dying to meet her.”

Four hours later, Ivy found herself sitting at a huge dining room table, surrounded by more Comptons than she could count. All of them couldn’t fit at the ginormous table, so the younger kids were relegated to the kitchen, while even more people were sitting in the living room with plates on their laps as they filled the couches and chairs.

She and James had scored a spot at the big table. She’d spent the better part of two hours in the stables with his dad this afternoon, discussing the horses with Seth. James’s dad was one of the most fascinating men she’d ever met, and listening to him and James talk about their horses had been eye-opening. Once again, James’s comments didn’t seem to match reality. He’d mentioned not feeling as if he had a place here amongst the too-many Compton men. That didn’t ring true as she watched him and his dad together. While his dad ran the horse-breeding operation, it was apparent James knew pretty much everything about it, and more than that, his dad conferred with him on various aspects, asking for his opinions and advice in a way that bespoke of a genuine partnership between them.

As far as horseflesh, the Comptons were breeding some of the most beautiful animals she’d ever seen. Seth had asked her about a couple of concerns he had—one about an older mare and another about a foal—and she’d had the opportunity to examine the horses briefly. Being around the large creatures again only solidified that she’d made the right decision in giving up her position at the pet clinic. Working on ranches like this was truly her calling. She’d never felt it more strongly than today, as she did the work.

Seth had mentioned the job in Compton Pass at least three more times during the afternoon, and had promised to introduce her to Doc Reynolds, who would be attending Jake’s memorial service.

She’d demurred and told him that wasn’t necessary, but it was apparent James’s stubbornness was an inherited gene. When a Compton wanted something, they tended to move heaven and earth to get it.

“This is overwhelming, isn’t it?” Jade asked.

Ivy was sitting between James and his cousin, Jade. She glanced at Jade and shrugged. “It is and it isn’t,” she said. “If that makes sense.”

“Makes perfect sense. I’m glad you feel that way. You know, you’re the first woman James has ever brought home.” Jade gave her a look that proved she believed that truly meant something.

Something that Ivy would be smart to nip in the bud. “I’m not sure this counts as bringing me home. I just offered him a ride.”

“Mmm-hmm. A ride doesn’t require staying over.”

“We’re friends, and it was a six-hour drive. He asked me to stay since the next couple of days are going to be rough. That’s all.”

Jade laughed and pointed to a handsome man across the table from her. He was engaged in a conversation with James’s Uncle Sawyer, who was the local sheriff. “See that man there?”

Ivy nodded.

“That’s my best friend, Liam. He’s also my husband. The best relationships always start under that ‘just friends’ umbrella. God knows I tried to fight the idea of falling for Liam, but in the end, it was obvious that just being friends would never be enough. I’ve been watching my cocky-ass cousin all night, and I’ve seen the way he looks at you. He’s always had a wild streak a mile wide, but you seem to be taming it.”

“I don’t want to do that,” Ivy said, uncertain how to reply. She’d told James she would never let him give up the smokejumping for her, and she’d meant it.

“I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. I was a lot like James a decade ago. Reckless, floundering, searching for some sort of meaning in my life. I did a lot of stupid, dangerous shit, all in the name of looking for myself. Liam opened my eyes to a pretty amazing truth.”

“What was that?” Ivy asked.

“Happiness doesn’t have to be out there.” She waved her hand away at the great beyond. “Liam showed me that what made me the happiest in this world was right here.” She held her hands out, gesturing at the room. “When we’re young, we’re too stupid to realize that.”

Ivy laughed. “You’re hardly old, Jade.”

“Damn…” James turned toward them, his arm draped around the back of Ivy’s chair in a way that screamed possession. James hadn’t introduced her as anything more than “my friend, Ivy,” but his body language was doing very little to dispel his family’s suspicions about them. She should probably yell at him for that, but when it came to James Compton, Ivy never did the smart thing. “I turn my back for one second and you pounce. What are you saying to Ivy, Jade?”

“Telling her all the horror stories about you when you were a little kid. Did I mention I used to babysit James?” Jade asked with a shit-eating grin. “I’m hoping there’s been some growth down there since the diaper stage, otherwise—”

“Behave yourself, Jade,” Liam said from across the table. “Ignore my wife, Ivy. Her sense of humor always skirts the line between appropriate and raunchy.”

“I blame Jake,” Sawyer said with a fond smile. “Damn old ranch hand was always telling you kids dirty jokes.”

Jade laughed, and for the next several minutes, Ivy understood why the younger kids had been placed in the kitchen. Quite a few family members took a turn telling their favorite dirty joke, all of them courtesy of Jake.

It was obvious everyone at the table had adored the man, and Ivy was sorry she’d never had the chance to meet him. Every now and then, she’d glance down the table toward Jake’s son, Viho, to make sure he was okay with the conversation. She was surprised to hear him laughing at the jokes and smiling.

The Comptons handled death so much more differently than her family had. Jem’s death had been tragic, a shock to them. So much so, they’d shut down, all happy emotions squashed by their utter devastation.

But Jake’s death had been a surprise too. Sure, the man was older, but it sounded to her like he’d been in pretty good health right up until the end. A strong, crusty cowboy who everyone had always believed would live forever.

However, rather than shutting down and letting their sorrow cripple them, they were celebrating Jake’s life, remembering him with love and humor.

“My brother always used to tell me dirty jokes,” Ivy said when there was a brief lull in the conversation.

Everyone looked at her, clearly hoping she’d share one. James’s face looked different. She had shocked him with the comment. Hell, she’d shocked herself.

“He was seven years older than me, but he never treated me like an annoying little sister, which was sometimes good and sometimes bad.”

“He sounds great,” Jody said, then she paused. Ivy’s wording had apparently sunk in. “Was?”

Suddenly, Ivy recalled why she never talked about her brother, why she wouldn’t let herself remember him.

She cleared her throat, then softly said, “He died.”

James’s arm left the back of her chair as he tucked it around her shoulders. It was comforting as well as stifling. God. It was as if she’d sucked all the air, all the life, from the room.

She didn’t want to do that. She wanted to follow their example. Find a way to remember Jem with joy rather than loss.

“He actually told me my favorite joke,” she started, her voice just a wee bit wobbly, “right after I got my first boyfriend, freshman year of high school. Mom must have mentioned to him that she’d given me ‘the talk’,” Ivy air-quoted the last two words, “which Jem took as open season to embarrass me with sex jokes.”

“What was the joke?” Doug asked.

Ivy felt her face grow hot, which only fed James’s brother’s enthusiasm.

“Oh yeah,” Doug said, “I can tell it’s going to be a good one.”

Ivy looked around. “I’m not sure—”

“You heard mine about Santa Claus and his big sack,” Jade prompted. “You can’t stop now.”

“Fine,” Ivy took a deep breath as she asked, “What’s the difference between a G-spot and a golf ball?”

No one replied.

“A guy will actually search for a golf ball.”

Everyone laughed as Jade guffawed loudly. “Man, your brother sounds like a hoot.”

James ruffled her hair as he laughed, then he leaned closer. “I like your joke. Like hearing about Jem.”

“I shouldn’t have stopped talking about him, shouldn’t have tried to erase the good memories just because the bad ones were too painful.”

“Maybe you can tell me some more about him later.”

Her heart swelled. It honest-to-God grew like the freaking Grinch’s on Christmas Day.

Every second she was with James, she fell deeper and deeper in love. And when they were here on the ranch, away from those damn planes and parachutes and forest fires, she could easily let herself forget her fears and all the reasons why she couldn’t be with him.

“Jamie,” she whispered.

“Can we just take this time away and pretend? Pretend the rest isn’t there?”

She closed her eyes. It felt like he could read her mind. “I…”

“No. Forget it. I’m sorry.”

Ivy glanced up at him, startled by his about-face.

“I understand your reasons, Ivy. I really do. And I’m trying to be the bigger man. To do what’s best for you. You’re a hard woman to resist.”

“I’d say the same thing to you, but your cousins and brother have assured me that you’ve heard those words plenty in the past and they go to your head.”

He winked at her. “Exaggeration.”

“I don’t think so.”

His face sobered. “I’m committed to the squad for the rest of this season.”

“I know that.” Ivy understood that James would never walk away from the squad mid-season. It would leave them short-handed, which would add to the danger for the other guys. She respected that.

Dammit.

“After that—”

It was her time to stop him. “I’m never going to ask you to give up smokejumping, Jamie. Ever. If that’s where you belong, where you need to be, then that’s what I want for you.”

She didn’t have the right to tell him to give up something he loved, something that was a part of him. And she didn’t want to be on the receiving end of his anger when he realized he’d given up too much.

He closed his eyes and sighed. When he opened them again, the sadness was still there, more pronounced.

“Listen,” she began. “The memorial is the day after tomorrow and we head back the following day. When we get to Yellowstone, you’ll go back to work and I’ll start pounding the pavement, looking for a job.”

“Where are your interviews?”

Ivy was hesitant to answer. She hadn’t let herself apply anywhere in Wyoming or near Yellowstone. “Montana, Nebraska, Colorado.”

He grimaced. “So far away.”

“It’s for the best. We just need some time and distance between us. After that…” She couldn’t finish the statement because it felt like a lie.

James realized that too, if his sudden scowl was any indication. “Neither of those things is going to help me.” He rose from the table before she could answer, walking into the living room without looking back.

Ivy considered going upstairs, her emotions wearing her down. She could plead a headache and escape, crawl under the covers and cry herself to sleep.

Jade had other plans.

“I had a brother too. We were twins. He died in childbirth.”

Ivy turned to face James’s cousin. “I’m sorry.”

“I know it sounds silly to say I miss him. We were babies who shared a womb. It’s probably more accurate to say I miss the idea of a brother. I’m so sorry to hear about yours.”

Ivy smiled sadly. “Thanks.”

“Wanna go back to my place and split a pitcher of margaritas? We can put on some music, dance around like idiots and tell all our darkest secrets.”

Ivy hadn’t had many girlfriends in her life. She was always the tomboy who preferred the company of animals and guys. She liked to joke she preferred simple creatures. But Jade’s invitation sounded damn tempting.

“Sure.”

Three hours later, Ivy wasn’t just head over heels in love with James. She was crazy for his family too.

The words glutton for punishment rolled through her tipsy head as she fell asleep. One more day. She’d give herself one more day with James and his family, and then…

God…somehow…she’d find the strength to walk away for good.