Chapter Twelve
Several days had passed since Logan had kissed her in the kitchen. Even though Josephine did her best to keep her mind on other things rather than the sexy cowboy, it turned out her best wasn’t good enough.
She managed to replace the daisy trim on Ella’s wedding dress without pricking her finger or destroying the dress, which surprised her. She couldn’t concentrate on anything else but that kiss.
Brody had been invited to have supper with them tonight so Ella insisted on baking a peach cobbler all by herself and shooed Josephine from the kitchen. The house had been dusted, the laundry folded and put away, so she decided to tackle the weeds in the garden.
After half of the area was cleared, she went inside for a cold glass of lemonade.
Josephine sniffed. “Something smells awfully good.”
“I sure hope it tastes good,” Ella replied. She refused to leave the kitchen before the cobbler was done so Josephine went out on the porch and sat on the swing. Sully came out of the barn with a horse in tow.
“Hi, Sully.”
The older man tipped his worn hat. “Afternoon, ma’am.”
“That’s a pretty horse. Is that the one I stole, er, borrowed my first day here?”
“Borrowed?” He chuckled. “That’s one way of puttin’ it.”
“Are you giving Sully any sass?”
Logan’s voice startled her and her hand jerked. Splotches of lemonade landed on her dress. “Darn it, Logan West, must you sneak up on me like that?”
“Sorry.” Logan stepped onto the porch and pulled a handkerchief from his back pocket. “Here, it’s clean.”
Josephine set the glass down. She took the cloth without looking up and dabbed at the wet spots on her dress.
Finished, she handed it back to him and her mouth dropped open. Dear heavens. He stood there bare to the waist with his shirt tossed over one shoulder. Drops of water dripped from the ends of his hair mingling with the springy hairs on his chest. Her eyes followed one lucky bead as it slid further down.
“How’s the baking lessons coming along?”
Distracted, Josephine blinked. “I’m sorry. What was that again?”
“How’s the baking lessons going?”
“I, um, so far so good. Ella insisted on making a peach cobbler for Brody all by herself.”
Logan arched a questioning brow. “Are you sure that’s wise? We do want him to show up for the wedding.”
Josephine giggled, knowing full well his fondness for teasing his sister. “That was a mean thing to say,” she chided.
“But expected from a loving brother, eh?” He chuckled. “I’m sure going to miss that kid around here once she’s married. It’ll be quiet without her constant chatter, not to mention her begging me to tend an injured animal or welcome a stray into the household.”
“Like me?” Josephine held her breath. Did he consider her a stray that needed tending?
“You’re more of a misguided little girl who needs correction. I’d be doing the world a favor by taking you in hand, Josephine.”
Her tummy fluttered. She so loved the way he said her name. Try as she might, she couldn’t resist teasing him. “Well, you do have a few years on me. Are you sure I’m not too much for you to handle?”
Logan laughed, drawing her attention to the tiny lines that crinkled at the corner of his eyes. “You really are a sassy boots. I should turn you over my knee and teach you to respect your elders.” He shook the excess water from his hair and tossed his shirt on an empty chair.
Before she had a chance to react, he plopped down beside her and pulled her onto his lap. “Would you like that, Josephine Bolton?”
She sure would. “Don’t you dare, Logan West, for heaven’s sake, someone might see.” She palmed his chest and pushed with all her might. He didn’t budge an inch. If he wanted to spank her right here in the open, there was nothing she could do about it.
She resorted to pleading. “Ella might see.”
“Ella’s probably too busy staring at the oven. Besides, I like you right where you are. It feels like you belong here on my lap.” He shifted his hips and Josephine’s eyes grew wide. There was no mistaking the erection that prodded her very core.
Her struggles increased and he clicked his tongue. “The more you move, the bigger it’ll get.” Josephine froze and he chuckled. “You look so cute when you’re angry.”
“You are a wicked man.”
“You told me that before.”
“Let me go, Logan, or I’ll scream.”
“No, you won’t.”
She huffed. “You sound so sure of yourself.”
“I am.” He stroked her cheek. “I like the way you blush. Your face turns a pale shade of pink just like your…”
Josephine dug her nails into his arm.
“Ouch, you little wildcat.” He let her go and she hopped off his lap just as Ella came out the door with a tray of cookies and a pitcher of lemonade. She eyed the both of them with consternation.
“Are you two having words again?”
“Nope,” Logan and Josephine answered in unison.
“Harrumph. Josephine, the cobbler is a nice golden brown and smells heavenly. I left it on the windowsill to cool. Logan, are you finished loading the wagon yet?”
“Yep. I washed up. All I got to do is put on a clean shirt.” He helped himself to a cookie. “Why?”
“Is it okay if I accompany you to town? I want to check and see if the store got a new batch of hair ribbons. Josephine, you’re welcome to tag along.”
Josephine nodded and settled herself on the swing.
“Sure,” Logan replied. “But if you’re not waiting on the porch in about fifteen minutes I’m leaving without you.” He swiped another cookie, winked at Josephine, and went inside the house.
Ella sat next to Josephine. “I think my brother likes you.”
“Sure he does, Ella. Like an itchy rash. I’m certain he can’t wait until my debt is paid and he’ll be rid of me.” Lordy, she hoped Ella hadn’t seen her sitting on Logan’s lap.
Ella took a bite of a cookie. “I’m not too sure about that. He never used to pop in and out of the house like he does now for no apparent reason other than to see what we’re up to. Sully works in the barn so he’s close to the ranch in case I need to go somewhere. I know how to handle a horse and wagon, but Logan doesn’t want me going to town myself.” She shook her head. “I told you how protective he is. Anyway, I think he enjoys your company.”
Josephine nearly laughed out loud.
“What about you? Do you like it when he comes around?”
Like it? She looked forward to it. He was rude, crude, handsome, and made her weak in the knees. She missed him when he wasn’t around. If that was any indication, then yes, she enjoyed his company very much, but she couldn’t admit it. She’d downplay her attraction. Point out the flaws. “He’s not all that gentleman-like and is rough around the edges.”
Ella expelled a long exaggerated sigh. “I suppose you’re right. He’s not so handsome either. I mean, his hair is a bit longer than most men and he can be such a grump at times.”
Josephine shrugged. “I kind of like his long hair.”
“He’s not so charming. He sure isn’t built like my Brody. Brody’s just the right height for me, whereas Logan towers over most people.”
Josephine knitted her brows. Brody wasn’t all that bad-looking with his light brown hair and lean build, but she preferred tall, dark, and handsome. “True, Logan is much taller and lacks charm at times. He does have a sense of humor though. I kind of like that.”
Ella began to whistle a happy tune.
Josephine threw her a scowl. “Okay, smarty pants, you made your point. Logan is handsome and I do like it when he’s around, but that doesn’t mean anything.”
“But it could lead to something.” She popped the rest of the cookie in her mouth and brushed the crumbs from her dress.
“Ella West, you’re impossible.”