Three months had passed, and everything on the ranch was nearly done. She looked around admiring what they’d accomplished in such a short time. Jesse would soon be leaving. An exhausted breath escaped the small parting of her lips. She should have been happy, but rather she was filled with something else, perhaps sadness.

Jesse being there had been nothing short of wonderful. If she’d had someone like him in her life permanently, she might have moved back home long ago. It was Jesse who she wanted, though. Somehow, she’d known it from the first day she’d laid eyes on him, despite the circumstances.

She gazed from a distance at the man who seemed to rather like being her helper. He was handsome and very handy, but rather acquainted with doing things the hard way. But if that was his preference, she wouldn’t interfere.

His body was tanned perfectly as if he’d been working shirtless in the sun all his life. It was natural, though. Not the kind she’d often seen on tanners back in California. His full head of dark hair lay faultlessly under her father’s hat. The jeans he wore rode his waistline, revealing a flawless V-shape cut. He worked with his shirt open in the blazing heat, and if she looked at the right time, she could catch a glimpse of his well-defined abs. The man was gorgeous and everything about him fitted into place flawlessly.

She never had anything against hard work, but she was a little concerned about her appearance in the hot sun. She swiped at a fly circling around her. Her hair clung to her face and, though, the straw hat blocked the sun, it did nothing to cool her. Beads of sweat formed at the nape of her neck and on her forehead. It took serious restraint for her not to jump into the pond as Jesse had done on that first day and only just a few days ago too.

Texas heat was known to be scorching at times, especially on summer days. Her tank top clung to her body. She was grateful to have the thin, long sleeve shirt over it protecting her from the sun but it just made her hotter.

Jesse on the other hand, seemed to not be bothered by the blistering heat, and he didn’t have a problem using the hose to cool himself. He’d even drink water from it. Though, his ways were simple and old-fashioned, there was nothing ordinary about him.

She decided it was time for her to find out more about the mysterious Jesse. Once the work was done and the sun began to settle, she showered and dressed. After concluding she’d spent far too much time looking in the mirror, worried about minor details, she settled on a look she thought was simple, but sweet. A mid-length, multi-colored, floral, summer sundress with brown strappy sandals. And she’d allowed her hair to hang loosely, rather than pushing it off in her usual, messy ponytail or braid.

She did one final check before convincing herself she was ready to see the man she’d spent increasing amounts of time daydreaming about.

After cutting up some fruit, making a few sandwiches, and some fresh lemonade, she strolled across the stockyard to where she’d last seen Jesse. Somewhere along the way, she started to feel embarrassed by the fuss she’d made over her hair and dress. If it wasn’t for the tray she was holding, she’d probably snatch the flower out of her hair and toss it to the ground.

Get it together, Abby. You’re making a big deal out of nothing. Was it too late for her to just turn around and head back to the house? Yes...that’s exactly what she’d do. It was so silly of her to be acting like a love-sick schoolgirl.

“Afternoon, Abby.” Jesse’s deep, alluring voice seemed to have made its way through the open area and was now echoing inside her. He’d come out of the stables, and was using the inside of his shirt to wipe the sweat off his face.

She’d been spotted, standing in the middle of the yard holding a tray. Undoubtedly, he’d have his own questions about her sanity after seeing her lost in a daze.

The only thing left to do was make the most out of the situation. Smiling, she walked toward him.

“I’ll take this for you,” Jesse said, meeting her halfway.

“Thank you.”

After placing the tray down on the guesthouse’s patio table, Jesse washed his hands with the hose, then turned it on himself.

Abby pretended not to notice, although she rather enjoyed his simple approach to life.

Once he was done, he reeled the garden hose back onto its roller and dried himself with a towel. He smiled brilliantly, walking over to the table under the covered area and sitting on one of the outside chairs.

“You look very pretty, Abby.”

“Thank you.” His subtleness always made her wonder if he even noticed her. She suspected he was just a gentleman and because someone had his heart, he’d never cross any lines by displaying any interest. But then sometimes, like when he’d interlocked his fingers with hers when they’d visited the lake or he’d come to her defense, she wondered if she’d missed something. Weren’t those intimate gestures?

“Are you attending an affair?”

An affair? He’d gotten better with his words but still there were moments when his way of speaking seemed to have come right out of a western movie. It was a part of his charm.

“No. Just running to town for a few supplies in a bit, and I was wondering if you wanted to come.”

Jesse looked up, seemingly taken aback.

“Sure, I’ll come. But I must say, it sounds to me like you’re asking me out on a date.”

Abby thought, if only she could be so bold.

“I’m asking you out on a shopping trip, mostly because I don’t want to carry the heavy bags of mulch by myself. I still need to have kids, you know,” she said playfully, raising an eyebrow and smiling.

“Too bad, I was rather hoping you wanted me to come because you enjoyed my company,” he said, placing a hand on hers. “And about those children, I’m certain you won’t have a problem making that happen. Any man would be proud to have you as his lady and the mother of his children. I know I would.”

Abby turned slightly, allowing her hair to fall over her face to hide her blushing, certain her cheeks were just as red as her hair by now.

“Are you blushing?” Jesse asked, placing a finger under her chin and raising it slightly.

His touch sent waves of warmth through her.

Was he flirting with her? Gosh, she hoped he was, but then she remembered that couldn’t have been the case, since his heart belonged to another—the woman he’d been searching for.

Shifting in her seat, she ran her hands across her dress, smoothing it out.

“Now that certainly wouldn’t be right now would it, Jesse, considering your circumstances,” she asked, studying his perplexed expression.

“Anyway, I’m assuming you want to put on some dry clothes. So I’ll just meet you around front in, let’s say, twenty minutes. Will that work for you?”

“If it works for you.”

Why couldn’t she figure this man out? Who was he really and why had he showed up in her life only to walk out a short time later?

Shopping with Jesse was like shopping with a kid at a toy store. He had so many questions about the different gadgets. Based on the way he was dressed when she first saw him, the way he spoke, and his complete amazement at the simplest things, she thought he’d come from somewhere that appreciated a simpler way of living. Perhaps a culture like the Amish.

She’d left him one aisle over, talking to a salesperson who was giving him a lesson on the different types of faucets. If only he’d been around a few months ago, perhaps she wouldn’t have found Jesse bathing in the fish pond. Abby smiled to herself, still amused by the scene.

“You must be doing some really big improvements.” Ugh. So much for pleasant thoughts. The sound of Dave’s voice had ruined it.

“So, you really aren’t going to call me?”

“I never said I was. Anyway, I see you got the job,” she said, noticing his vest.

“Like I said, I needed something just for now.”

“Well, congratulations,” Abby said, moving forward, with him following close behind.

“Stop following me, Dave.”

He moved in front her, blocking the way. “Why are you being so difficult? I mean it’s not like Heartsbridge is overflowing with eligible bachelors.”

She’d always known he thought too much of himself. It wouldn’t have been so aggravating, had he lived up to the part. Considering he didn’t, even if he’d been the last available man on earth, she wouldn’t have given him a chance. There he was, talking to her and eyeing a woman that had passed them.

“Not interested, Dave,” she said, trying to move forward but forced to stop when he blocked her way.

“We need to talk, and I’m not going to accept no for an answer, sweetheart. So, you can either agree to meet with me somewhere or I’ll just show up at your place. But, I’m not letting you leave Heartsbridge without giving me a chance.”

The throat clearing at the back of her, let her know Jesse had come up behind her.

“Everything okay, Abby?”

“Now it is,” she said, watching Dave loosen his grip from the cart. Hissing, he mumbled some words to himself before taking on a sullen look. The only thing missing from his menacing appearance were the horns.

“It all makes sense now. You haven’t called because you found someone else. Well, you should have just said so instead of leading me on,” he said, backing away, bobbing his head up and down. “I guess I’ve got my answer.”

Leading him on…there was no chance of that happening. Abby couldn’t believe he’d just gone there. He was probably trying to get a rise out of her but she had more control than to stoop to his level.

“Thanks for stepping in, Jesse.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way. A man shouldn’t speak to woman like that, ever.” Jesse brushed the side of her cheek with the back of his hand.

Abby looked up into his eyes, and at that moment she knew, Jesse Landers cared for her.