Jake sat a respectful distance away from her, but CJ had moved in close, his thigh resting against hers and his shoulder and arm brushing hers when he moved. Cozy. Every so often he caught her gaze and smiled.
Evidently he was in a happy place, too. She wanted that for him, always. If only he could find that happy place with her in Seattle. She wanted it to be possible and yet she couldn’t see it working. He belonged here.
During the discussion about raptors, she contributed what she’d learned from the countless hours she and Naomi had watched the eagle cam. Jake was the expert in the group, though. He’d been researching ever since January, when Zane had proposed creating an arm of Raptors Rise on the Buckskin.
“Thanks to Zane, I’m getting a crash course in birds of prey,” Jake said. “I was never much of a student in school, but I’m devouring the books and videos he recommended.”
She put down her sandwich and picked up her cider. “Looks like you found your calling.”
“Another one, anyway. I still love ranch work and cooking, but these birds are fascinating.” He gestured toward her empty plate. “How about another sandwich? We made plenty.”
“Thanks, but I’ll stop with two, which is twice as much as I used to eat. Great sandwiches, guys. Juicy tomatoes and sliced avocado just make it for me.”
“CJ’s a genius with a knife. Nobody slices a ripe heirloom or a buttery avocado like he does. Takes a deft touch to do it right.”
She turned and gave him a once-over. “It’s a valuable talent you have there, cowboy.”
He winked. “Yes, ma’am.”
Just like that, she was ready to haul him off into the bushes.
“Speaking of food,” CJ cupped her knee in his large hand. “Jake’s making chuck wagon stew tomorrow night at the bunkhouse. Since the weather’s warmed up, we serve it outside by the fire pit. Want to join in?”
“Love to.” The warmth of his hand on her knee traveled up her thigh and settled in a sensitive spot he’d visited several times the night before. “Can’t pass up a chance to taste that famous stew. Will Lucy and Millie be there?”
“Yep. And Kate.” CJ gave her knee a squeeze and moved his hand. “We’ll ask Henri, too, but she may be partied out by then.”
“Because of the shower?”
“No, it’s the doings after the shower. This Thursday is the Babes’ monthly sleepover. The shower fits nicely into their plans because they were already scheduled to be at Henri’s.”
“I’ve heard about this event. Lucy went to her first one last month. She said it was like a high-school slumber party on steroids.” With the sleepover taking place later, the shower likely wouldn’t run late. More time with CJ.
“Those ladies are a kick,” Jake said. “Generous and kind, too. They gave Millie and me a set of dishes as a housewarming present. Once the cabin is in shape, we’ll have them over for a meal.”
“Isn’t your cabin close to this site?”
“Walking distance.”
“Then why can’t I see it from here?”
“Look to your left, through the grove of aspens.”
She peered in that direction. “Nothing but trees over there.”
“Look closer. It has a forest green tin roof.”
“Oh! There it is. I thought it would be like the guest cabins, built with horizontal logs. I’ve never seen one where the logs are vertical.”
“The style is called palisade. Since the logs are upright, they look a little more like trees. And they’re aspen so they really blend in.”
“Neat idea. Henri said you guys were watching construction videos. Are you and Millie doing all the work yourselves?”
“We are.”
CJ grinned. “Tell the lady how that’s going, bro.”
“It’s going…well.”
“Millie calls it a team-building exercise,” CJ said. “It’s been our entertainment for the past six weeks.”
“Glad to oblige.” Jake rolled his eyes.
“What’s the story?”
“Sadly, Isabel, I’m a control freak. I want to do everything myself. I promised Millie the cabin would be a shared project. If I start taking over, she calls me on it.” He sighed and gestured toward CJ. “And these guys back her up. They’re relentless.”
“That’s…wow. Sounds like tough duty. And you say it’s going well?
“Relatively speaking.” He leaned forward to consult with CJ. “How many fights have Millie and I had about the cabin, bro? I’m losing count.”
“I’d have to look at the scoreboard to be sure, but if you add the little spats and the major battles, maybe fifteen or sixteen.”
Isabel gasped. “The Brotherhood keeps a scoreboard? That’s funny and awful at the same time. Wouldn’t it be easier to hire a contractor and reduce the stress on both of you?”
“Easier, sure, but building this cabin with Millie is making me a better man. By the time it’s finished, I might be in good enough shape to marry that wonderful woman.”
“But all that fighting….”
“And all that making up.” Jake smiled. “That’s the fun part. Now when we fight, I don’t worry so much because we always make up.”
“That’s lovely, Jake.” She touched his arm, impressed by his openness. “Thank you for sharing something so personal. Especially since you’ve only known me a short time.”
“That’s true on paper, but you come highly recommended by Lucy and you’re having a baby with CJ. You’re one of us, now.” He met her gaze. “Whether you wanna be or not.”
Her throat tightened. “I wanna be.”
“Good.” Breaking eye contact, he glanced at the angle of the sun. “I guess we’d better check out my pathway.” He chuckled. “And it is mine, damn it. I have complete control.”
She helped pack up the remains of the lunch and CJ put the cooler in the truck.
Reaching in his back pocket, Jake pulled out two crude maps and gave them each one. “It would help me more if you do this one at a time, so you don’t influence each other’s opinion.” He glanced at CJ. “You first, bro. Check out the area, in case…well, just check it out.”
Isabel picked up on the look that passed between the two men. “For snakes?”
CJ shrugged. “We have ’em. It’d be good for me to take a look-see. Do they make you nervous?”
“A little, but I’ll bet I make them nervous, too. I won’t run screaming if I see one. I’ll just avoid it.”
Respect gleamed in his eyes. “Want to go first, then?”
She laughed. “I can do without the adrenalin rush, thanks. I’m happy to let you go first.”
“Glad to.” He glanced at Jake. “What exactly do you want to know?”
“Whether the route makes sense to you,” Jake said. “Do you like the order of the birds, do you think the amount of cover is adequate in the areas where I plan to put the enclosures, stuff like that.”
Isabel stayed by the truck with Jake while CJ headed off, following Jake’s map.
Ah, CJ. Everything about him turned her on—his loose-hipped stride, his wear-softened jeans that hugged his tight buns, his broad shoulders that stretched the plaid fabric of his shirt.
“He’s nuts about you.”
She looked over at Jake. “I really like him, too.”
“Seems like it judging from your expression just now.” He took a breath. “He’s determined to be a full-time dad, and when CJ sets his mind on something….”
“He told me his mom let him do whatever he wanted.”
“He’s a lot better about accepting disappointment these days, especially with small things. But I don’t see him accepting all those miles between him and his baby. Or the distance between you two, for that matter. He really cares for you.”
“I know he does.” Her muscles tensed. “But he wouldn’t adapt to Seattle. He wants what you and Millie have, what Matt and Lucy have, a log cabin in the woods, preferably on Buckskin land.”
“He also wants you
and the baby.” Jake’s voice was kind but firm. “If you refuse to let him move there, you’ll break his heart.”
“If I let him move there, I’ll kill his soul.”
“I’m done!” CJ called out. “Not saying a word until you go along the path, Iz. It’s all yours.” He strode toward them, his color high, his gray eyes lit with excitement. “What a great project, Jake. I can’t wait to see it in operation.”
But would he? The visitor center was only a few stakes in the ground. The path and the enclosures were in the early planning stage. At best, the sanctuary wouldn’t open until fall. If CJ got his way, he’d be in Seattle by then.
“Your turn, Iz.” His smile was relaxed and carefree. The wide-open spaces of Montana had that effect on him. Who would he be in an urban setting? Would he still be CJ?
Chapter Twenty-Three
CJ gave Izzy a quick kiss at her door and promised to be in the cabin waiting for her when she came home from the baby shower. Then he loped back to the truck, climbed in and glanced at Jake, who’d moved up front. “Give it to me straight, bro.”
“She’s in love with you.”
“Yes.” He slapped the steering wheel and gave Jake a big smile. “That’s such good news.” He started the engine and pulled away.
“Not necessarily.”
“What do you mean? If she loves me, I’m in! She’ll want me in her life, both as a father for our baby and as her loving husband. Which I will be, because I’m in—”
“Hold your horses, CJ. That’s not always how love works. That’s something I had to learn the hard way.”
“Hey, I know you and Millie had a rough time, but your issues aren’t my issues. Izzy and I will get along fine living together. I don’t see big obstacles there.”
“I don’t either, if you ever get to that point. But your chances of a happily-ever-after are slim to none. She—”
“How can you say that? She’s in love with me. That’s all I need to know. Full steam a—”
“Listen for a minute, damn it. And slow down. You’re kicking up a rooster tail.”
“Okay.” He eased off the gas pedal. “I’m listening.”
“It’s because she’s in love with you that this relationship will go down in flames.”
He pulled up to the barn and shut off the engine. “That makes no sense.”
“She wants whatever is best for you and she’s firmly convinced that what’s best is working at the Buckskin and living in Apple Grove.”
“I know. She’s said that to me, too. If she’s going to reject me out of love, I just have to overcome that argument with one of my own.”
“Which is?”
“My love for her and our baby is stronger than my love for this place and the folks who live here.” He gazed at Jake. “I don’t mean that to be hurtful, but—”
“No need to explain, bro. That’s the way it should be if you intend to spend your life with her. If I had to choose between the Brotherhood and Millie, I’d take Millie every time. Luckily I don’t have to make that choice.”
“And I don’t, either. Not really. Living in Seattle won’t change how I feel about everybody. It just changes my location.”
“She doesn’t see it that way. She views it as ripping you out by the roots and sticking you in a pot that’s too small.”
“She said that?”
“Not in so many words, but it’s the impression she gave me.”
“I could use that idea. What if I tell her I’m looking forward to transplanting my roots into her fertile soil? That’s poetic, right?”
Jake snorted. “No, that’s a bad pickup line. I wouldn’t try to get fancy. Tell her you can’t imagine life without her and the baby.”
“It’s true. I can’t.”
“Going out to the sanctuary site didn’t help. You were way too enthusiastic about the project.”
“But I am enthusiastic about it. What’s wrong with that?”
“I’ll wager she sees it as one more thing you’d be giving up. Same with chuck wagon stew night. Watching you goof around with us will help convince her that this is where you belong.”
“Are you saying I should take her out for pizza instead? Because I—”
“Not an option. You’ve already set it up that you two are having dinner with the gang.”
“The exact point I was about to make. I can’t start acting like my life at the Buckskin doesn’t matter anymore. She’d see right through that. I just need to show her that the Buckskin and Apple Grove are important, but she and the baby are more important.”
“There you go. Forget roots and fertile soil. Just speak from your heart.” Jake heaved a sigh and opened his door. “We’d better get cracking. Those stalls won’t muck themselves.”
“I predict they will someday.” He climbed down and followed Jake into the barn. “They have self-cleaning litter boxes for cats.”
“And you know this how?”
“My mom and I had a cat. Mom bought this motorized contraption that automatically scooped the box.”
“Did it work?”
“Not with Caesar. He—”
“Of course she named him Caesar. Did you have a dog named Marc Anthony, too?”
“We did.”
“You go, Cleopatra! I wish I’d known your mom, Cornelius, even if she did spoil you rotten. She must have been fun.”
“She was.”
“What happened with the self-cleaning litter box?”
“Caesar heard the motor and turned into the Tasmanian Devil. What a mess.”
Jake nodded. “That’s about what I’d expect. Picture a robotic stall mucker near a high-strung stallion like Thunderbolt. He’d reduce it to rubble. Nice idea but totally impractical.”
“Wait and see. It’ll happen.”
“But not today. Grab a wheelbarrow, bro.”
* * *
Two sweaty hours later, CJ and Jake each snagged a jug of water and headed outside for a ten-minute break. CJ leaned against the hitching post and gulped down at least a third of the gallon jug without pausing. Then he took off his hat and poured a little over his head, letting it dribble over his face and down his bare chest where his shirt hung open.
Jake did the same. Taking a bandana from his back pocket, he wiped his face. “Bet this is the hottest day so far this year.”
“Let’s check the temp.” He pulled out his phone. Yikes, a text from Izzy, about an hour old. He’d missed the little pinging sound. Should have changed it to a trumpet blast.
“What’s the temperature, bro?”
“Tell you after I read this text from Izzy and send a response.”
Roaster stuck in traffic jam caused by a ten-car pileup. Highway patrol set up a detour. Winding roads. I’m nervous. Naomi’s calm. How weird is that?
He quickly texted back. Is it there yet?
Not yet. Hope they anchored it well.
What could he say? I’m sure they did. He wasn’t sure at all.
She sent him an emoji making a face.
Jake straightened and took another swig from his jug. “What’s up with Isabel?”
“Her roaster’s taking a detour instead of the highway. Winding roads. She’s worried.”
“I would be, too. Any glitch like that gets you to thinking the whole plan might fall apart.”
“She said her sister’s calm, though.”
“Yeah, but her sister’s ass isn’t on the line.”
“Maybe not financially, but getting this problem resolved is important to her.”
“Well, sure. Hope it turns out okay, for everyone’s sake.”
“Me, too. Listen, I’m going over to Izzy’s cabin to wait for her tonight. I’d like to make the place look romantic. I could ask Millie what she would suggest, but you’re handy. How would you go about it?”
“Candles, for one thing. Millie greeted me with candles the first night we stayed together. And she had a fire going, but you don’t want to light a fire tonight.”
; CJ laughed. “Yes, I do.”
“In the fireplace, smartass. Do you have time to go into town?”
“Yeah. I’m off at five.”
“Then pick up some apple-scented votives at the Apple Barrel. Buy a bunch, a dozen if they have that many. More is better with candles. Maybe look for a bottle of fake champagne at the market.”
“Non-alcoholic?”
“Yeah, that. Borrow an ice bucket, a stand and a couple of flutes from Kate. Make it look classy even if it is the fake kind.”
“Okay. Keep going.”
“Cue up a romantic playlist on your phone and…hold on, what am I saying? You play guitar, bro. You could serenade her.”
“That might look great in the movies, but I can’t imagine pulling it off. Maybe if I made my living that way I’d have the cojones to perform for her. I damn near asked to join the band on Tuesday night. Glad I didn’t.”
“Then forget that. I see your point. Go with the playlist on your phone, then. You could ask her to dance.”
“I like that idea.”
“Some guys scatter rose petals around. I’m not into roses, but you could see if they have any for sale at the market.”
“Have you noticed those don’t have much smell to ’em?”
“No, because I don’t do roses.”
“Henri’s roses smell way better. I’d rather ask her if I can have two or three off her bushes, and maybe gather up any petals that have fallen on the ground so I have some to scatter.”
“Better handle that before the shower starts.” He grinned. “You don’t want to be spotted lurking around Henri’s bushes and crawling around on the ground picking up rose petals. That’s not manly.”
“I’ll get that part done early. Assuming I end up with a bunch of rose petals, where do I scatter them?”
“I guess you throw ’em anywhere and everywhere. Fling ’em in the air like confetti for all I know.”
“Now that’s not manly.”
“Whatever. The rose petal distribution is up to you.”
“Is that it, then?”
“Chocolate’s a nice touch, but she’ll be sugared up from the treats at the baby shower. I’d skip the chocolate.”
Baby-Daddy Cowboy (The Buckskin Brotherhood Book 3) Page 13
