“I don’t think I’d want you doing something so dangerous. I mean, I wouldn’t stop you if that’s what you loved, but if you said you’d stop, I’d have been thrilled.”
He squeezed her a little closer. “A lot of red flags were there, but I was just blind.”
“Yeah, I understand that.” The wistful way she said it let him know she meant it. What had really happened to her? Maybe she’d trust him enough to tell him soon.
“Thank you for standing up for me so much. I guess I should grow a tongue and stand up for myself, but most of the time, I don’t see the point,” Jackson said.
Grace tiptoed and kissed his cheek. “You’re worth standing up for, Jackson Bellamy.”
He held her gaze, unable to find words, and before he could wrangle any, the song stopped. After that, they were congratulated and offered more drinks than they could handle. Truth be told, it wasn’t a half-bad wedding, if he did say so. Laid back, casual clothing, and someone he liked. Sure beat that stuffy tuxedo and cold catered chicken when he married Hannah.
A little before midnight, the ink on their license was barely dry as they pulled in front of the house. Hannah poured out of the truck. She wasn’t drunk, but she wasn’t walking straight either. Unfortunately, she’d be there another night since it was so late.
Jackson got out, and Grace followed him.
“So, what are you two doing for your honeymoon?” Hannah asked.
Oh man.
“We’re going camping,” Grace said.
Jackson grinned. Leave it to her to have a quick answer.
“Camping? Why?”
“A beautiful night with a sky full of stars, and it’s just me and him. What better way to spend a honeymoon?” Grace tangled her fingers in his.
Jackson smiled. Maybe this pretend marriage was going to be easier than he thought.
Chapter 19
“I guess you two will be sharing a room now,” Hannah said as they reached the second-floor landing. “Seeing as how you're married now.”
Once again, Grace’s big mouth and inability to think before she spoke was biting her in the rear. Sleeping in the same room with Jackson? Her face flushed with just the thought. If she’d have taken a moment, maybe she would’ve been less bullheaded.
She looked at Jackson, not knowing how to respond.
“Yeah, I guess we will,” he said, squeezing her hand.
Hannah paused at her door with her hand on the knob.
“What are you doing?” asked Jackson.
She cocked an eyebrow. “Making sure you actually stay in the same room.”
“You still don’t believe me, do you?”
“Nope. You might have been a wild man in the arena, but you were cautious outside of it. It took you almost a year to tell me you loved me and then another before you proposed.”
It was Grace’s fault they were in this awkward predicament. “I’ll get my things and move them over, okay?”
Jackson nodded. “You want some help.”
“Sure.”
He followed Grace into her room, and they stopped just inside. She turned to him and whispered. “I’m so sorry.”
With just a simple smile, he put her at ease. “I’ve had worse things happen, trust me.”
They packed up her few belongings and carried them across the hall to Jackson’s room. When they were finished, they shut the door just as Hannah entered her room. Grace leaned back against it. “I never even thought about sharing a room.” She’d been exhausted while walking up the stairs, and now she was wide awake.
“It’s okay. I’ll take the floor. Can’t be much different than pretending to be engaged, right?”
“No, I guess not.” She pushed off the door. “And you don’t have to sleep on the floor. We’re adults. We’ll be fine.”
Jackson nodded. “All right.”
“I feel like I can’t say sorry enough. Every time, it seems I do something even crazier. What’s wrong with me?”
Jackson strolled over to her, put his hands on his hips, and held her gaze. “I don’t want to hear any more of that. There’s nothing wrong with you. Do you get a little too mad? Maybe. Do you rush in? A little, but because you care about people. That’s not a bad thing. I like you just as you are. Okay?”
Grace was dumbfounded. He’d told her that with so much conviction that she couldn’t help but believe him. “You mean that, don’t you?”
“I certainly do. Now, the next time you say you’re sorry, I’m going to stop you from talking. You hear me?”
She grinned. “How?”
He shot her a devilish grin. “I’ll think of somethin’, trust me.”
“I’ll make sure to remember that.”
“You better. Now, make yourself at home. I’ve got nothing in here that’s secret or that I don’t mind sharing.”
“Okay.” Grace looked around the room and found a large box sitting in the corner. “What’s in that?” She nodded to it.
“Oh, just stuff.”
She should have asked if it was okay, but her curiosity propelled her forward, and she was looking through it before she even thought about asking. The box was filled with memorabilia, belt buckles, articles, pictures, and all sorts of things. One was dated six years ago, and Jackson looked so baby-faced. Not like the chiseled man he was now.
“These are awards and pictures of you in the rodeo.” She twisted to look at him. “These are great.” She was so proud of him, and she hadn’t even been around then. What would it have been like to have been there?
“They’re just trinkets. They don’t mean much.”
Turning back around, she pulled a picture out that showed him in the middle of a bronc ride. It was incredible. The way he was holding on, the arch in the horses back, the way it looked like they were both working together to win, even though the horse just wanted Jackson off. “I think they’re wonderful.”
“They’re all right.”
She put the picture down and walked to him. “They’re more than all right.” She took one of his hands and held it between hers. “I know we’re not really married, but I’m so proud of you. Well, I always have been. You’re such a good man.”
A blush spread across his cheeks, and he grinned. “Nah, it’s just stuff, and I’m just me.”
Part of her wanted to press it, but she felt sticky and gross from all the dancing at the tavern. Maybe it’d help her relax too. “I’m letting that go long enough to take a shower. When I get back, I’m going to tell you how wrong you are.”
He answered with a small smile.
Grace dug through her luggage and pulled out a pair of pajamas. “I won’t take long.”
Without waiting for a response, she walked out of the bedroom and into the bathroom. She turned the water on, and while the water heated, she peeled her clothes off.
Her mind drifted as she stepped into the tub and let the water pour over her. If it wasn’t so late, she’d have taken a bath. It’d give her more time to prepare herself for staying in Jackson’s room.
The thought made her heart race. It was sweet of him to offer to sleep on the floor, but that was silly. It was his room, and she was the reason they were in this mess in the first place. If she’d just slowed down and thought a little bit. But Hannah had made her furious. It felt to Grace like if she’d said she didn’t want to marry him, it’d be proving to Hannah that he wasn’t good enough. And he was more than good enough.
Bret always said she was a hard woman to love and that it took effort to have patience with someone like her. Over time, being with him fashioned her own opinion of herself. Why had she let him do that? And it wasn’t just him. It was her mom, sisters...all her family. They weren’t overt, but there were little things they’d do to hurt her feelings.
Everyone had flaws, but why had Bret thought to make such a big deal of hers? Bret wasn’t perfect. Neither was anyone else, but she didn’t find it necessary to bring up their faults all the time. Was it really so bad to rush in
when you were wanting to help? Maybe it didn’t always work out like you wanted, but wasn’t it the thought behind the action that mattered too?
Since she’d met Jackson, he’d challenged what she thought about herself. Jackson liked her quirks. He enjoyed her company, or it seemed he did. It sure was fun being with him. And just like her, he enjoyed the simple things. He didn’t need anything fancy to be happy and satisfied.
What if he was just saying those things to be nice? They were pretending to be engaged and now married. Only kissed in front of people. What if all the things he said were just to keep things easy? That didn’t fit the kind of person she thought he was, but he was kind. Was it out of the realm of possibility that he was just putting up with her to get the house fixed? He’d said how important it was to him.
Her head hurt. She was tired, and it was too late to be thinking all of this stuff. Finished with her shower, Grace turned the water off, quickly toweled herself dry, and dressed. With one last deep breath, she went straight from the bathroom back to Jackson’s room. As she opened the door, Jackson sat up on the bed. He’d changed into his pajamas too.
“Feel better?” he asked and stood.
“Yeah,” she said. “Do you want me to get the lights?”
“Just a second.”
Grace tilted her head. “Is something wrong?” she asked as she walked to the foot of the bed.
“No, I just...I don’t feel right with you wearing that ring.”
She touched the ring with her fingers and slipped it off. “I guess you wouldn’t.”
Jackson pulled open the top drawer of his nightstand, dug around in it, and then walked to her. “This was my grandma’s.” He held out his hand, and a wedding band sat in the middle of his palm. “I know it’s nothing fancy, but she wore it forty-six years. It seemed to do the job for her.”
“It’s beautiful.”
A tiny smile played on his lips as he stared at the ring. “I asked my grandma one time why she didn’t want something nicer, and I’ll never forget the look in her eyes or her words,” he said, his voice low. “She told me it was just a piece of metal until my grandpa put it on her finger. Fancy rings didn’t make a marriage.” He lifted his gaze to hers. “It was the commitment behind the ring that made it special, and it was a reminder of their devotion to each other when times were hard.”
Grace dipped her gaze to the ring. “I guess that’s why it’s pretty, then. You can feel that commitment and devotion wrapped around it.”
“You think you could wear it?”
Could she? There was significance in that ring. It had meant something to two people who’d worn them for almost five decades. That was a long time by any standard. “Are you sure you want me to?”
“I think my grandma would have liked you, and I don’t think she’d mind you wearing it.”
She chewed her lips and held her hand out. “Okay.”
Jackson slipped it on her finger, and it didn’t feel near as heavy as she thought it would. He tugged her to him and wrapped his arms around her. For a second, she didn’t know what to do, but then her body decided for her.
She leaned into him and soaked up his warmth as she slid her arms around his waist. Minutes ticked by as they stood there, embracing each other. He kissed the top of her head and released her. His absence was so profound, she nearly pulled him back.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to sleep on the floor? I really don’t mind,” he said.
Grace walked to her side of the bed and crawled on top. “You are not sleeping on the floor. If anyone is sleeping on the floor, it’ll be me. I’m the one who got you into this mess. I’m the one who gets so mad that I don’t think for a second. I’m the one who—”
“Grace, I’m a grown man. If I had a problem with anything, I’d have said so,” he said as he went to his side of the bed and sat on the edge.
“But it’s all my fault,” she whispered. Then she remembered his threat. She wasn’t sure what he’d do if she told him she was sorry, but with them this close and alone, she wasn’t going to risk whatever it was.
After turning off the lights, Jackson lay down, scooted closer, and pulled her to him. “Why are you so set on taking all of this on yourself? I wasn’t an unwitting accomplice. I actively participated.”
With his arms around her, she almost sighed. Man, she liked it when he held her. There was safety and comfort in his arms. She could quickly get used to this feeling. “You wouldn’t have had to if I hadn’t butted in. I should’ve known you wouldn’t sell the house.”
“Aw, it hasn’t been so bad. To tell you the truth, it was pretty lonely before you got here. I haven’t laughed so much in a long time. I’ve kinda liked having you around.”
“Yeah, but you don’t have to be engaged or married to me for that. I’ve made things so tangled. And now, I’m invading your room too.”
Jackson kissed her forehead, and the soft touch sent a charge through her. “Grace, I don’t know who got you to thinkin’ that your passion is a bad thing or that somehow anyone should be put out with your presence. I don’t feel invaded.”
She pulled back. “Are you sure?”
“I’m positive.” He paused. “I do have an idea.”
“What’s that?”
“Tomorrow, just you and me, we get up early and go to that town with the hardware store and get you a sleeping bag and pick up a few things. Maybe we’ll even have lunch while we’re there. And, hopefully, Hannah won’t be up when we leave and will be gone by the time we get back.”
“That sounds great. I’m so excited about camping. I hope it’s as great as I’m picturing it. Maybe I’ll even learn how to ride a horse better.” Not only would they finally have a day without Hannah, but Grace would get to see some of the property.
“You did pretty good that day we went out there.”
Grace shrugged. “Yeah, but I’d like to get a little more confident.”
With the moonlight streaming in, she could see his eyes widen. “I can arrange that.”
She chewed her lip. “I’d like that.”
“Once you get comfortable on a horse, you’ll never want to get off. There’s something about being on one that makes you feel like you’ve always got someone in your corner. Horses are magical. Treat one with the love and care they deserve, and you’ll have a companion until one of you passes.” The excitement in his voice made her smile.
“You really love them, huh?”
“It’s more than love. I respect them. They helped shape this country and provided strength when we needed it. We owe them.”
“I’m sure I’ll love it. I’ll do my best to listen too.”
“I know you will on both accounts.”
Without even a second thought, Grace pressed her lips to his and quickly realized what she’d done. She rolled over and put her back to him. “I didn’t mean to do that. I got caught up in the moment.”
After a few moments of silence, he said, “I know.” His voice was soft, and it made her wonder if she’d hurt him somehow. He moved to his side of the bed and didn’t say anything else.
She wanted to face him, to see if she was wrong, but if she did, she knew she’d kiss him again. and she couldn’t do that. Having feelings for him was hard enough. If she fell in love with him, she’d never be able to go back to Houston.
Sure, he was sweet, but that’s who Jackson was, a sweet man with a good heart. A heart she wanted to hold and protect like nothing ever before. It was as though someone thumped her heart, and suddenly, she realized why she couldn’t push all her thoughts down. She had feelings for him. Now she needed to figure out how to keep a handle on them until the house was done.
Chapter 20
Silence, like the road before him, stretched out. Jackson ran his knuckles along his jaw with one hand while keeping the other on the wheel. Grace had picked up an eight-foot pole and put it between them since she’d mistakenly kissed him the night before.
It’d hurt him when she
said she didn’t mean it. Which didn’t make any sense. All of it was pretend. Caught up in the moment, is what she’d said, and it’d played in his head until he went to sleep and then started again the minute he woke up. Why did it make his heart ache that she felt that way?
Whatever the reason, he couldn’t stand the quiet any longer. “Grace.”
She turned to him. “I’m—”
He glanced at her and lifted an eyebrow.
Her eyes widened like she understood exactly why he was giving her the look. “We’re in a truck? What can you do?”
Jackson cocked an eyebrow. “Try me.”
“Fine. I’m sorry.”
He took a quick look in the rearview mirror. With no traffic around, he pulled off to the side of the road and put the truck in park.
“What are you doing?”
“I told you the first day I met you that I keep my promises.”
Grace pressed her back into the door, wedging herself as far away from him as she could. “You don’t scare me.” The words rushed out.
“See, the way you said that tells me that you are.”
Her eyes widened. “I’m not.”
“Okay, then, we’ll test that theory.” He closed the short distance and ran his fingers along her ribcage.
For a breath, she held strong, grinding her teeth together. “See, I’m not.”
He didn’t believe her for a second, and with a second pass, she giggled.
“Okay! No.” She held her hands out, trying to block him.
Taking her hands in one of his, he pulled her away from the door and ran his fingers around her midsection until she was gasping for breath from laughing.
“Jackson, stop,” she choked out. “Stop!”
He paused a moment. “And what have we learned?”
“That you’re easy.”
“Not the correct answer.” Again, he tickled her.
She squealed, and her laughter filled the truck even more. “Okay, okay!”
“Got a better answer?”
It took a second to catch her breath. When she did, she said, “Yes, I won’t say...you know.”
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