CHAPTER FOUR
Jace paused to take a calming breath and caught a glance of his reflection in the window as he stepped into the administrative building. His hat was low on his forehead and he was clean shaven. The T-shirt seemed a little tight.
Sighing, he found Jennifer, the receptionist, sitting behind the counter tapping away at the computer. He cleared his throat.
She brought her chin up and waved him over, smiling as always. He liked her, but he wasn’t much in the mood for perky. “Hey there, handsome,” she teased. He knew her flirty character was directed toward everyone and she had the patience of a saint.
“Has my guest arrived?”
“She’s not here yet, Jace.”
“Bummer,” he drawled. Maybe if luck was on his side she wouldn’t show up after all.
“Isn’t this exciting? A country singer visiting Nirvana. We’ve had stars before, but none this big.” She spread her hands wide through the air and giggled. “I love her music. Wow, I love her! I have a girl crush.”
Keeping a straight face, he checked his attitude. “Yeah, exciting. We could switch places.”
“You’re funny. You know the guests come here to see you sexy cowboys as much as the scenery. Come on, tell me you don’t have a little itty-bitty crush too?”
“I don’t have a crush, not even a little itty-bitty one.” He wrinkled his nose. Why didn’t he believe his own words?
“Look, Jace.” She held up her left hand and wiggled her fourth finger adorned with a sparkling diamond. “I’m getting married. Me! Married! Sheesh!”
Her cheerfulness made his bad mood tenfold, but he was happy for her. “Hope he’s good man, Jen. You deserve the best.” And he meant it. The staff here were like family.
He didn’t like being pissed. Usually he could handle his mood better—usually he didn’t have a mood to handle. Things had seemed…well…different lately. Maybe it was because he’d been hurt at the rodeo. He couldn’t deny there was an odd sense of void in his life. His nights had gone all wonky too. If he had a nickel for every fantasy and dream he’d had of Jessa recently he’d have enough to buy his own ranch to sweat on.
But Nirvana wasn’t his and he had a job to do. He was expected to be courteous, helpful, and entertaining to all the guests, even the ones that spurred him. He’d have to sink deep and find his gentlemanly side. He’d never let Chase down, but Jace wouldn’t kiss anyone’s ass, even if it was heart-shaped and looked good enough to squeeze.
He took a seat on the chair near the fish tank and peered inside. He had no clue what kind they were, but one stared directly at him, blinking. Did he think Jace was the one living in a tank? Damn. Sometimes it felt that way.
Stretching his legs, the white noise of the filter lulled him and he tugged his hat over his eyes. Maybe he could get in a few winks…
The bell dinging above the door made him push his hat up so he could have the tiny pleasure of watching the newest guest stroll into the lobby rolling her suitcase in behind her. With a mixture of annoyance and humiliation, Jace sat up, his mouth watering. There it went. His body and logic right down the tubes.
She didn’t see him yet. Probably a good thing or she would have caught him adjusting his fly. He didn’t like feeling out of control.
Jessa greeted Jennifer and the two exchanged small talk. Mostly Jennifer who was gushing while Jessa autographed the other woman’s shirt. There was no sign of irritation or aggravation in Jessa’s gaze. He was staring hard enough that he would have noticed any changes in her expression. This was good, the distraction, to give him plenty of time to get his exasperation under control and check her out more while he was at it. He shouldn’t…he didn’t want to, but it happened. Damn, why did she have to be so gorgeous? He’d Googled a few recent pictures of her all dolled up with lots of makeup and fancy designer digs, but now she was more like a woman he’d expect to see on a ranch. She wore a loose fitting, off-the-shoulder, red blouse and dark skinny jeans that hugged her curves—curves she didn’t have back in school. A white Stetson topped her head and her long blonde hair fell in shiny, soft waves down her shoulders and back, the tresses almost reaching her tiny waist. Her cowgirl boots looked new. They’d be dusty soon enough. His gaze lingered in appreciation on her long legs. He didn’t like how his gut twisted in need and his zipper bulged again. Was he crazy?
That was the least of it.
His mind came alive, conjuring a vision of her wearing only the hat, boots, and a passionate expression. Sweat beaded on his forehead.
He was smiling until she turned and spotted him. Her curious gaze raked him from hat to boots before she finally stepped across the room. “I didn’t expect to see you so soon. You are here to greet me, right?”
She brought out the big guns by way of a sweet, innocent smile that showed off a row of even sparkly teeth. He silently growled. He hoped she didn’t think that smile worked like it once did, back when he was led by the parts in is Wranglers and not his thick skull. She could go ahead and use that syrupy attitude, but she worked it in a tow away zone because it wouldn’t get anywhere with him. He knew her kind. Warm one second and cold the next. She used to smile at him in the halls at high school and he’d taken the bait. He had a silent rule these days. Steer clear of ball breakers.
“It’s my job. Just like saddling the horses and cleaning up shit.” He heard Jennifer’s gasp, but he didn’t let it detour him.
“Oh, well, I’m glad I rank right up there in importance.” Jessa’s surprise lasted for all of one second and she was back to perky. “How are you feeling, you know, after your battle with Suicide?”
She looked genuinely interested, which he brushed off. Why the hell would she care? “I’ve had a helluva lot better days, but I’m alive.”
“Yes, you are.” Her lips turned into a sexy grin. Where had the innocence gone? Yup. Cold to hot to hotter.
“Settle up with Jennifer and I’ll meet you out front. Did you drive or did you have one of those sleek limousines bring you here?”
If she caught his sarcasm, she either didn’t allow it to bother her, or she just didn’t care.
“I drove.”
“Car stays here, parked in the guests’ lot. No cars allowed on the resort.”
“Sure. Doesn’t bother me any.”
“See you out front.” He reached for her suitcase that she was still holding, but he didn’t wait for her to move her hand and his fingers wrapped around hers. He jerked back, denying that he’d felt anything but irritation. The buzzing feeling spiraling up his arm was the same reaction he’d get from touching anyone.
She removed her hand. “Take good care of her.” She slipped her guitar case from her shoulder and handed it over too.
“Sure. I’ll do just that.” He realized Jennifer watched the exchange with a curious, staggered expression.
Outside, he dropped Jessa’s designer bag and guitar case in the back of the Gator, slid into the driver’s seat and waited. This bothered him. She probably had a list of men who catered to her needs. He wouldn’t.
When she stepped out he acted casual, examining his nails, pretending he hadn’t been anticipating her arrival like some elementary kid. She took one look at the vehicle and slid into the passenger seat. “Wow, I haven’t ridden in one of these in years.”
“Today’s you’re lucky day. Yoo-hoo.”
She gave him a side-glance and chuckled. “From what I’ve already seen of the ranch, this place is gorgeous. Paradise.”
“Yeah, but not a five-star accommodation. I’m a bit surprised someone of your,” he used his words carefully, “caliber would spend time on a working ranch. Fake nails and dirt don’t mix.”
“Oh, my nails aren’t fake.” She lifted one hand to show off the short, neat, pale pink nails. “Long nails and guitar strings don’t mix either.” She winked.
Her breasts weren’t fake either and he wasn’t sure why it mattered, but they were small, not like he’d expect from a country star that dressed in glitter. “Great,” he said it more to himself, but she heard.
“Yes, great. Chase assured me I wouldn’t have to worry about photographers and media out here. Can’t say I’m disappointed. I’m ready to relax.”
“Relax?” He laughed. “Did he also warn you that the guests work the land too?”
She blinked. “No, he didn’t.” She gave an energetic shrug. “Oh well, you know I’m not afraid of ranch work. I grew up on one.” She smoothed her glance down him. “You do remember me, right?”
He swallowed hard. “Sure.”
“I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw you at the rodeo. High school wasn’t just yesterday, but you’ve changed, a lot.”
He wouldn’t have been more bothered if she’d smacked him in the face. “So, you noticed? I’m surprised I caught your eye.” He tried his best to control the sarcasm.
“I think you spotted me first. Is that how you greet all the girls from the past? With a kiss?”
“I didn’t realize it was you. And why in the hell were you wearing a staff hat? A bit deceiving, isn’t it?”
“No, not deceiving. I was disguised. Seems like you should have considered a disguise too with so many fans practically undressing to get you to touch them.” She shifted so that she was turned toward him. “You gave out a few autographs that day. I think you were the cowboy of the hour.”
Was she teasing him? “Don’t think so.”
“You were the hottest thing out there.”
Their gazes locked for a good three seconds. Yeah, he didn’t have any difficulty getting the ladies, but he wasn’t sure how to take her unfiltered compliments. His guard went up. “Laying it on a bit thick, aren’t you?”
Her chuckle made his heart kick up.
“Very brave of you to ride again after you retired,” she continued. “Not every man would do that, especially if they weren’t lining their own pockets. Pride can certainly be a motivator.”
Although he hadn’t planned to ride any more bulls, he was pretty damn proud of himself. “I guess I just like a challenge too.”
Her long sigh made the hair on the back of his neck stand. “Look, I hope you don’t harbor any bad feelings toward me from the past. We were young, kids do stupid things.”
He didn’t dare look at her. He reminded himself he had a simple job to do here. Make her feel welcome and help her have fun. Honesty might not be the best policy at the moment. “No hard feelings at all. Nope. I won the award of stupidity by asking you to prom.”
“Great. I guess I was worried.” There was a sliver of cynicism.
“You? Worried about a cowboy like me?” He snorted. “Don’t you have enough men to worry about?”
“Yeah, Wade certainly is making gray hairs pop out all over my head. I’m too young for grays.” She laughed.
“Wade?” Did she have a boyfriend? Why did he care?
“My manager.”
“You didn’t bring along an entourage? I thought that’s what all the stars do. Someone to dress you and another to fix your hair.”
“For someone who didn’t recognize me as a country singer at the rodeo you certainly do seem to know a lot about how stars do things. A little misguided, but still…”
“I do have access to Google.”
“Ahh, that explains it. Don’t believe everything you read.”
He shot a glance at her profile. “So, you and Monica Bridge didn’t…?”
“No, we didn’t. I fancy tall, dark and handsome with—” she cleared her throat while smoothing her gaze down his jeans. “Well, I’m sure you get the drift. But Monica is one of my closest friends. We have a lot in common, including rumors.”
“That must stink, you know, people taking one look at you and deciding who you are, whether they’ll be nice or spread harsh rumors.”
“I’m glad you under—oh, wait.” She brought her gaze back on him, all signs of a smile disappearing. “I get your meaning. Look, I’m sorry that I hurt your feelings—”
“You didn’t hurt my feelings.” He scrubbed his jaw.
“Okay, let me rephrase that. I’m sorry that I wasn’t gentle when I turned down your invitation. I—”
“Let’s not rehash this.” He pulled up in front of the cabin where she’d be staying, shut off the engine and climbed out. He didn’t say a word as he took out her bag and placed it next to the door and handed her the guitar case. “I’ll pick you up in the morning. Bright and early. Make sure your dressed for work and not for the stage.”
*****
Jessa looked over the horse’s back and spotted Jace sitting on the fence watching her work. She sure hoped he was having fun. He’d woke her up at the crack of dawn and barked, “We have work to do.” Good thing she’d slept like a baby last night and felt energized. She’d somehow suspected he wouldn’t go lightly on her. She didn’t mind hard work, but she didn’t appreciate that he was sitting back taking it easy. If she had to guess, revenge spurred him to act like a jackass. He hadn’t said more than five words to her since he’d picked her up.
Dropping the brush into the bucket, she rounded the horse and smacked her gloves together, sending up a cloud of dirt. They were a little too big for her, but she couldn’t complain. At least she had them.
“He’s brushed and shiny.” All five horses were finished.
“You missed a spot.” Jace pointed.
She swiveled on boot and examined the mare. “I think you’re wrong.”
He jumped off the fence and strolled across the dirt plot to where she stood, hands on hips, staring at him. “Good thing we don’t need things perfect around here,” he mumbled.
Lifting her jaw, she narrowed her gaze, wondering if he was trying to push her buttons. He picked up the brush and swiped the bristles over a spot on the horse’s flank. “What do we do next?” If he was testing her endurance, she might surprise him. Sure, she hadn’t worked the land in years, but she’d always been willing to get her hands dirty.
Jace settled his gaze on her. “There’s plenty to do so don’t get too excited.”
“I’m here to work, not watch you redo what I’ve already done, Blue-eyes.”
His jaw tightened and he shot her a glare. Irritation danced in his eyes. “We’ll put her back in the stall, then we’ll move on to the sheep.”
“Are we gathering wool?” She chuckled, but it fizzled once she noticed his expression turned hard.
“No. We’re caring for the ewes and lambs. The babies were born a week ago and were moved to lambing jugs. Their accommodations are checked every day for dryness and warmth.”
She followed him into the barn. “Lambing jugs?”
“After the ewe delivers, mother and baby are moved to individual pens to promote bonding and to prevent mis-mothering. It also helps us keep a better eye on them.” He placed the horse back into the stall. As he bent to scoop the oat mixture from a bucket, she took her time examining the way his Wranglers fit his bottom. He stood and she skimmed the breadth of his shoulders and the width of his back to his bottom again. Butterflies flittered inside of her stomach, but she didn’t want to encourage her body to respond. She wasn’t here to bed the cowboy, although the idea didn’t repulse her.
“Is mis-mothering an issue?” She drew her thoughts back on track.
“Some lambs die within ten days of birth. Good baby lamb care is necessary to lower the risk.”
After he was finished in the barn, they walked to the jugging pens housed in another larger, indoor-outdoor barn. There was a total of five individual pens with two ewes in each. “Can you only house two ewes in a pen?” she asked.
“We can fit up to seven in each, but if we have the available pens, we’ll space them out which decreases the incidences of the mothers laying on their lambs.” He waved her over to one pen. “I’ll show you how to check to see if mom is nursing.”
Never having worked with sheep, she had a mixture of excitement and trepidation as she entered the pen behind Jace. The area seemed much smaller as they brushed elbows sending the temperature rising. Stay on track, lady.
“A nursing ewe will have a full stomach.” He tended to one mother. “You check the other.”
Unsure of what exactly she was looking for, she pressed on the sheep’s stomach. “It fills full to me.”
He stepped over and joined her, his fingers touched hers and she caught a strong whiff of leather and spice cologne. “Yeah, she has a full stomach.”
Jess never realized being in a jugging pen could be such an intimate thing.
“Follow me. I’ll show you the difference. We have one ewe who isn’t feeding her youngin’. Not her fault really. Her teats are too large.”
They stepped into another pen and she checked the ewe’s stomach, the difference was obvious. “So, what do you do when the mother isn’t feeding her baby?”
“We feed them milk replacer through a bottle, but keep them together so they still bond. This helps the lamb adjust to the flock quicker.” He motioned for her to follow him again. At the workbench, she watched him pour a thick, white liquid into a bottle, tightened the lid, and held it out for her.
“What?”
“Haven’t you ever fed a baby before?” He lifted a brow.
“No.”
“Well, this is a bit different, but much easier.”
She reluctantly took the bottle. “Okay. I’ll try.”
“You’ll see, the baby knows what to do. You just make sure you hold up the bottle.” He winked and smiled.
He had a nice smile and she wished she saw it more often. She accepted the bottle and held it up in the streaming light from the sun. “Looks just like milk.”
“It’s jam-packed with nutrients.” He pulled off his gloves and tossed them onto the table. “You take care of that while I feed the others. That’ll cut some time.”
Jace was right when he said the baby would know what to do. The lamb was looking up at Jessa with eager, dark eyes. Before she could even kneel to its height, the baby was finding the nipple and sucking hungrily. She smiled at the cute scene, instantly falling in love with the lamb.
She tossed Jace a look as he was busily preparing buckets of food and water. Big blue eyes, dark hair, and crooked smile certainly made him sexy, but she needed to tread carefully. His muscular body was a homing beacon for a woman who hadn’t been with a man in so long that the well had gone dry, so to speak.
Blaming her busy schedule had been her usual ‘go to’ excuse for her celibacy, but in all truth, she wasn’t the type for one night stands and at this point in her career, what more could she offer? Or expect? She’d tried the relationship route once upon a time, back when she’d landed in Nashville, a naïve country kitten in boots. Music star Goliath Brooke had shown her the lay of the land and a few things she didn’t know a man could do with his pants off until she’d walked in on him and his drummer, Terrance, in a compromising position. She’d been in a threesome and hadn’t even realized it. Hell, the truth was, her career had been so demanding that she’d missed all the blaring signs that her so-called man was cheating.
After she’d faced the humiliation of the media’s take on the break-up, she’d sworn she’d steer clear of musicians, and relationships, until she was prepared to make choices—hard, life-altering changes. Couples couldn’t make it if they only saw each other once every few months.
No, she couldn’t get involved with Sexy-In-Wranglers. It would be messy, but why didn’t messy seem so bad when referring to Jace? Thinking back, she couldn’t quite figure out why she’d turned him down to the prom besides the fact that he’d never spoken to her, at least not more than a few words, and he wasn’t popular. Dang, she’d been a snob. Well, she got the feeling he was seeking revenge through a hard day’s work. She’d accept the challenge and believed she deserved it, and hoped she didn’t disappoint him.
One way or another, she’d prove to him that she wasn’t the same person she was in school. She’d grown up and matured, and realized looks only ran skin deep—although Jace Jackson would have all the girls at West Hamilton salivating if they saw him now.
He carried the buckets, causing the muscles in his biceps to coil. Mmm. Her ovaries throbbed. She’d always known she liked cowboys, but never realized how much she liked tall, big all over, until now. He’d be the perfect solution to the problem between her legs.
Nope. Can’t happen. Now or ever.
He brought his chin up her way and she averted her gaze before being busted. The baby had drunk over half of the bottle. “I don’t know much about babies and all, but you think this little fellow might be ready to eat with the big kids? He’s going through this bottle like it ain’t nothing.”
“We usually wean them around a week, but he’s a bit behind because of the prior nursing issues. If he keeps gaining weight and showing no signs of illness, he’ll be eating regular food in no time at all.” His sexy drawl tickled her nipples.
She looked over the top of the fence as he prepared the buckets in the pen next to her. In the T-shirt, she could see the coiled muscles and thick, wide veins running from elbow to wrist and into his large hands. His fingers were long and surprisingly clean.
He’s not for me. He doesn’t even like me.
“How are you doing over there?” He leaned over the fence, propping his arms on the top.
His eyes creased and she swore his attention lingered a little long on her bottom that she supported on her haunches. One corner of his mouth kicked up and he looked adorable—and kissable.
Her face warmed and she wondered if her cheeks were as red as the nipple the lamb sucked on. If Jace could only see straight into her he’d know that she was burning up and her panties were moist with need.
“We’re doing great.” Her voice squeaked.
He blinked, then let his gaze take a lazy stroll from her eyes to her lips and back to her eyes again. Did she see a glimpse of appreciation in his expression? Whatever she saw, it was quickly dismissed for a sour expression. He wasn’t going to give in too easily—of course not.
The baby took the last suck and Jessa pulled the bottle away and stood. “That was one hungry booger.” She shook the empty bottle.
“You got the hang of that quickly.” His drawl was deeper and huskier this time, and doing foreign things to her. The kinetic energy between them sparked and she felt it in all the right places, but she’d have to find a way to push those feelings out.
“Any more babies that need fed?”
“You wish.” He took a step back. “Make yourself useful over there in the empty pen. It needs a good cleaning before we put the ewe and baby back in.”
She nodded, looking around the poop-scattered hay. She could handle this, but it did mellow her overactive libido. Animal poo definitely didn’t encourage sexual thoughts.
In the middle of shoveling the waste into the wheel barrel, Jace joined her in the small pen and started scooping. Instantly her body prickled with attention. Apparently, the stinky work didn’t damper her libido quite as much as she first thought. She had to wonder if he was doing everything he could to make her sweat. Inside and out. Her thin tank stuck to her skin and she wondered if her bra hid the excitement.
“Are you ready to head back to Nashville yet?” There went the corner of his mouth again.
“Don’t you wish.” She used his own words against him. “I’m only getting started.” She went back to shoveling enthusiastically.
“Why are you here anyway? This ain’t the work for a big-time country music singer.”
The way he said it made it impossible for her to take it as a compliment. “I’m not afraid of getting my hands dirty. Just like you climbing onto the back of a bull. As far as I know, most people didn’t think you had it in you, but you showed them, huh?” She met his gaze and he blinked, then turned away.
“A bit different I s’pose.”
Neither of them said another word until they put away the shovels and dumped the old straw. She hated to admit it but her shoulders and hands were aching. “I need a bath.”
“You’ll have to settle for a cowboy’s bath, I’m afraid. We still have more to do.”
There was no way she’d allow him to scare her away, so when they stepped up to the hose attached to the pump, she was grateful when he handed it to her first and she washed off her bare legs exposed in the cut off shorts. Breathing labored and drenched, she enjoyed the cool water rushing over her aching muscles until she caught him staring.
Jace looked into her eyes as he wrapped his long, callused fingers around her wrist that held the hose nozzle. He removed it from her hand, but didn’t let go of her wrist. The warmth of his fingers was a contrast with the cool water droplets on her trembling skin. He used the pad of his thumb, caressing the sensitive skin, and she swallowed a gasp at the sensation similar to an electric shock that traveled up her arm. He kept his gaze connected with hers and she couldn’t turn away.
She felt her body sway, but he pulled her close, that crooked smile appearing with the force of a prod to her most intimate part. She barely registered what he was doing as he cupped his hand, poured some water in it and used it to wipe her cheek. “There you go. Better. The dirt is gone.”
He handed the hose back to her. It took her several tries to get the nozzle back into her shaky hand and five heartbeats longer to breathe again as she concentrated on his ass as he left her quivering in a puddle of water.