“You may have been drunk, but it’s true. What have you ever gotten from our friendship? All this time it’s been a one way street, with me hogging the road.”
“So I hopped in with you.”
“You’re not making sense, Jase.”
“That’s something you’ll have to figure out for yourself.” He should just tell her now that he loved her. That her happiness was his sunlight. But it wasn’t time- not until she could fully trust him. “Are we good now?” he asked.
“Yeah, I guess. And for what it’s worth, I really am sorry for not trusting you yesterday. I don’t know what got into me.”
“It’s in the past; let’s just leave it there.”
Allie opened her mouth about to speak then closed it again. He watched her struggle to think of the right words she wanted to say until she seemed to discard them and moved to something else. “Do you realize that’s the first major argument we’ve ever had?” she asked him.
“One argument in twenty some years is a pretty good record, don’t you think?”
“You’re right.” Allie became pensive again, and Jase wished he could read her like he used to be able to.
“Talk to me, Allie Cat. Tell me what is going on in that overthinking head of yours.”
She bit her lip, fear crossing her expression. “I used to think there was nothing that could shake our friendship. Every memory of my life’s important events, includes you. Last night, after we got home, I couldn’t shake the feeling that we wouldn’t come out of this unscathed.”
“There is nothing that can tear our friendship apart. That, I can promise you.”
“I’m scared, Jase. Yesterday was a wake-up call. I can’t lose what we have. Our friendship means everything to me.”
“You’re not going to.”
“What about when you go to the Triple M?”
“Two decades of friendship can’t be defeated by five hundred miles.” What else could he say, when he wasn’t sure himself? He’d had the same doubts. Leaving for the Triple M would inevitably change the dynamic of their friendship. And if she couldn’t open her eyes to his love, then he had no choice but to leave. He wanted to believe their friendship could withstand anything; he just had to hold firmly onto that faith.
“By the way, you pretty much announced our nuptials to the whole town last night,” Allie informed him with a twinkle in her eye.
A groan rumbled from him. At least Allie had her spark back. “Do I want to know?” he asked.
“Probably not. Let’s just say the Jase I saw last night could disappear forever and I wouldn’t miss him.”
“That bad, huh?”
“Yeah. If I didn’t know you better, I’d hate you right now.”
A knock at the door ended their conversation. Rarely did anyone come out to his cabin. He’d chosen this spot for its seclusion; a natural clearing nestled behind a line of cozy white bark pines. On any given day, he could open his windows, and let the spicy scents of nature in. After a long day of work, this was his refuge. Reluctantly he stood and went to the door. His dad stood on the porch, looking impatient and worried.
“Everything okay, dad?”
“I tried calling both your phones. There’s been an accident.”
“What’s happened?” he asked, his stomach clenching. By this time, Allie had come to him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
“Everything’s fine. Well sort of, but I’m going to need your help.”
“Jeremy’s car was hit by someone running a stoplight this morning. Cody was in the car with him and they’re at the hospital.”
Allie’s nails dug into his shoulders. Everyone at Whispering Winds loved his nephew. The little guy was bursting with energy and an incredible sense of humor. “How’s are they?” Allie asked.
“From what the doctor said, they’re pretty beat up, but should fully recover. Cody has a broken leg and some scratches. Jeremy and his latest girlfriend, Tara, both have broken legs and Tara has a concussion. The doctor said they were very fortunate to still be alive.”
“Oh my goodness,” Allie exclaimed. “What can we do to help?”
“Diana and I are leaving in a few minutes to drive Lanie to Rawlins. She’s pretty shaken and we don’t want her making the trip alone. Plus, we’d rather see our grandson for ourselves to know he’s okay.”
“Give me a minute, and I’ll go with you guys,” Jase said.
“No, Son. I need you to stay here and take over Lanie’s ride today. They are some rather difficult guests and, other than your sister, you’re the best at handling them.”
Conflict clawed at him. Sometimes the lines of duty were blurred while working on a ranch. How to make family the top priority wasn’t always a clear path. Like now, when he wanted to be there for his sister and nephew despite being needed here. This was their lifeline, their legacy, though. He’d stay here and take their guests on the trail ride. At least mom and dad will be with Lanie, he reassured himself.
“Keep in touch about Cody,” he told his dad.
“I’ll head right over to the lodge and rearrange schedules so Lanie’s will be cleared for a while,” Allie piped up.
“Your mom’s already on it. I told her I’d send you over, but she said she’s got it under control and there’s no rush.”
“I was going over soon anyway. Please let me know if there’s any update on Cody.”
“Certainly.” Everett looked at his watch, then his son. “Thanks for stepping in. I’ll talk to you soon.” He turned and left in a brisk walk.
Jase turned to Allie. “Looks like I better get myself together. I’m going to need a whole lot more coffee.” Rolling his shoulders, he tried to ease the aches. This morning had already been worse than the time he’d been thrown off a green horse that had been spooked by a mountain lion.
“You made the right decision. Cody’s going to be fine and will be surrounded by people that love him.”
Allie’s thoughts mirrored his, but they meant more coming from her. “I know.” He took a deep breath. “What time’s the ride?” he asked.
“Not until this afternoon. You’re in luck; it’s just the Alpine Trail, so it won’t take up much of your day. But Mr. Jensen will be riding with you and, to be frank, he’s quite difficult. He doesn’t understand that rules are for everyone’s benefit and safety.”
“Great, just what I needed today.” His head was still pounding. He hadn’t had a hangover like this in, well, ever.
“You’re hurting, aren’t you?”
“I haven’t had that much to drink since Eric Lancaster’s going away party eight years ago.”
“With any luck, you’ve learned your lesson.”
“I should have learned it after marrying you,” he quipped.
“Funny.” Allie rolled her eyes. “Go sit down. I’ll massage your shoulders.”
Just like that they were back to their old selves. The easy friendship they’d never had to work at.
“You know this is all your fault, right?” he threw out there, his eyes full of mischief.
“How do you figure?”
“You have it in your head that I’m so perfect and never make mistakes. I had to show you just how big I can screw up.” He grinned at her like the devil.
Allie burst out laughing and elbowed him in his ribs. “Get over yourself, Jase.”
“Mom,” Allie called out. “Have you seen my dress?”
“What dress, sweetheart?” her mom replied.
Allie exhaled in frustration, the breath tingling her nose. The Palmer’s checked out today, but were delayed when Mrs. Palmer couldn’t find her wedding band. After two hours of the entire house staff searching, it was found under the bear skin rug in the game room. Now she was running late for the final dress fitting before tonight’s rehearsal.
“My bridesmaid’s dress. What other dress would I wear?” she retorted with more snap than she meant to.
“Allison Loretta Tyndale, don’t you take that tone with your mother
!” her father bellowed.
“It’s Callahan now, thank you very much.” She winked at her father and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. “And I’m sorry, mom. I’m just running late, and I can’t find the dress in my room upstairs.”
“Look in the hall closet,” her mom said. “Lock up behind you, please. Your father and I have some errands to run in town.”
Allie ran upstairs to find her dress. She found it in the closet and added it to the garment bag holding the casual dress she’d wear for the rehearsal. Running back downstairs, she said bye to her parents, then went to find Jase. Last she’d seen him, he’d been saddling up Lightning to test him on a trail, but that was hours ago. He knew they had to leave by three, but still hadn’t returned to the cabin by the time she left for the main lodge. Maybe Lanie would know where he was; he’d mentioned wanting to stop by the main house and talk to Cody today. She left her bag on the porch and jogged over to the Callahan’s residence side.
“What are you doing, Jase? We’re needed to leave ten minutes ago.” She found him outside the Callahan’s front door, a hammer in hand.
“What time is it?” he asked, wiping his hands on well-worn Wranglers.
“After three,” she replied, trying to curb her irritation.
“I’m sorry. I was building this ramp for Cody and lost track of time. Let me run in the house and clean up real quick. My clothes for tonight are in the cab of the truck. It’s parked out front- would you mind bringing them in for me while I wash up?”
“Sure thing.”
Immediately, she felt bad for being aggravated with him when he was doing something so thoughtful. He’d mentioned this morning that he was planning on building a ramp for Cody, whose leg was so badly broken, his entire leg was in cast, and he was confined to a wheel chair for the next month. There was a handicapped entrance for guests at the main lodge and two of the cabins, but Jase didn’t want his nephew having to cross through the common area to reach his room. Typical Jase, always doing acts of kindness for others. It was one of the many things she loved about him.
After running back to the bench where’d she left her bag, she grabbed the dresses, then went to Jase’s truck. Just as he said, his change of clothes was in the truck, sitting on the passenger side with his dressier boots resting on the floorboard. She grabbed them and hurried back to the Callahan’s residence. Once inside, she went to the first floor bathroom where she assumed he’d be and knocked on the door.
“Are you in there, Jase? I have your clothes,” she hollered out.
The door opened and a naked Jase greeted her. He held the shirt he’d removed in front of him to hide certain areas, but automatically her eyes trailed over his body, drawn to the hard lines of his defined muscles, and rested on the only part of him covered. Did someone turn on the heat? Her breathing quickened into erratic patterns. Memories of that body positioned on top of her, bringing her to heights of pleasure she’d never known flooded her memory. Heaven help her, but she wanted more of him. That one night could never satisfy the need she felt for him.
She swallowed hard, willing herself to tear her gaze away from that. Her eyes met his. Glints of admiration mixed with mirth met her. The scoundrel knew damn well what she’d been remembering. If only he knew how much she’d like a repeat performance; minus the alcohol this time. So much, she was seriously tempted to go in there, lock the door behind them and proposition him.
Her phone rang, breaking the sensual reverie she was lost in. She backed away from the door and answered the call.
“Hello?”
“Allie? Are you okay? You sound out of breath,” Missy asked from the other line.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” she answered, stepping out into fresh air. The cool air smacked her, alleviating the sexual tension that was pooling up in her.
“Okay. Where are you? You were supposed to be here a half hour ago.”
“No, you said three-thirty.”
“Allie!” she wailed. “Remember I told you yesterday we had to move everything up an hour?”
She racked her brain, but for the life of her couldn’t remember that part of the conversation. While they’d been talking, she’d been revamping a part of the Whispering Winds website, not giving Missy her full concentration.
“I’m sorry, Miss. We’re leaving now.”
“I guess that’ll have to do. Ms. Meager can go through everyone else first. Just hurry up,” Missy ordered.
“Here comes Jase. Got to go. See you in a few.”
She turned to Jase and wondered how she could be just as turned on with him fully clothed. A western shirt with pearl snaps clung to those muscles she longed to reach out and caress, and dark denim followed his long legs down to a pair of handcrafted, calfskin boots. A felt hat with a concho-studded, braided leather hatband completed the outfit. He was the cowboy of every girls dream, but for now he was hers.
“We’re late,” she informed him, filling him in on the mix-up.
“Maybe because I’m a man, but I don’t see the point of this final fitting. The wedding’s tomorrow. What adjustments can be made?” he asked.
“You and me both,” she muttered. “I’m a girl and I don’t get it either. Maybe it’s just for peace of mind?”
“”Maybe.” He opened the passenger door for her and she stepped in.
“That’s really nice what you’re doing for Cody. He’s lucky to have you for an uncle,” she told him as they drove along.
“He’s a good kid and deserves good male role models in his life. It’s just too bad the rodeo is more important to his dad than his own son.” Jase shrugged off the praise in his usual fashion.
That was Jase. He’d give the shirt off his back then claim it wasn’t his shirt if anyone asked. “Lanie said Jeremy’s been coming around. If any good comes from this accident, maybe it will knock some sense into him,” she contemplated aloud.
“The only good thing Jeremy ever did well in this life was his half of the contribution to creating Cody,” he gritted out.
Jaws clenched, tension radiated from him at the mention of his former brother-in-law. Obviously he still harbored bad feelings toward him she hadn’t been aware of. Not that she blamed him. Lanie had married a rodeo star, and it wasn’t until Cody came along that she realize he had no affinity for children. To make matters worse, he’d been cheating on Lanie during the entire pregnancy and after.
“Have you ever thought about having kids?” she asked. “You’d be a good dad.”
He didn’t answer right away. They came to a four way stop that rarely saw more than one car at a time. “I’d like to have them one day, presuming I find a wife first.”
Allie raised her eyebrows. “What am I, chopped liver?”
“You know what I mean,” he protested with a smile.
“I still can’t believe Missy is getting married and leaving Whispering Winds. Mom told me the other day that her dad is thinking of moving on as well.”
“He’s been thinking about it for a few years. He’s getting up there in age and wants to retire, and the only reason he stayed was for Missy’s sake.”
“How’d you know that?”
“Alan Raver isn’t just Missy’s dad; he has been a great mentor to us, and we’ve become close over the years. If not for him, who knows if the breeding program would have taken off like it did.”
“Missy’s dad always seems so young at heart that I don’t always remember his true age. I also forget that Missy has two older brothers who have kids her age. When they showed up yesterday with their families, I greeted them as regular guests not realizing who they were.”
“They came to the bunkhouse for a game of poker last night. They both seem like good men, but Chad seems so different from the rest of the family- big-time broker on Wall Street, wound a little too tight. Shorty offered him a beer and he asked for glass of chardonnay.” Jase laughed hard. “You should have seen the looks going around.”
Allie joined him in laughter. She could only imagin
e how that went over. They served wine with meals at the main lodge, but she knew the men had an unspoken rule that if it wasn’t beer or whiskey, it didn’t enter the bunkhouse.
“I’ll be back in an hour to pick you up,” Jase said when they pulled into Seamstress Sara’s parking lot.
“I don’t think so. You’re coming in with me.”
“No offense, but watching a bunch of woman all dressed up, getting measured isn’t my thing. Unless it’s me measuring you.” He wagged his eyebrows, pretending to flirt.
Allie rolled her eyes. “You know what Missy said. All groomsman are to be in attendance also.”
“That girl’s always been a thorn in my side,” he grumbled.
“You love her like a sister and you know it, so stop your griping and come on. We’re already late.”
“Fine, but for the record, I’m not happy about this.”
Together, they walked in the shop but no one was out in front.
Odd, Allie thought. “Hello,” she called out.
“There you are!” Missy exclaimed, running out from the back room in jeans and a button-up blouse. “I thought you’d never get here.”
“Where is everyone?” Allie asked, looking around at the empty room.
“They’re already in the back. We’re just waiting for you and Jase now.” She grabbed her arm and pulled her to the large back stock room, stopping just before the door.
“Hold her hand, Jase, like you’re escorting down the aisle after the wedding tomorrow.”
“I told you she’s a pain,” he whispered for Allie’s ears only.
She giggled, having to agree with him. Even for Missy, this was strange. Not that she would complain about Jase touching her.
Seeing their hands joined, Missy clapped her own. “Okay, now we’re ready,” she announced. “Let’s go.”
Jase looked at her, just as lost and confused as she was. They walked through the door, bombarded with rice and streamers.
His Heart to Have (Cowboys of Whispering Winds) Page 6
