“You’re staying?” Eli’s voice was tight.
“No.” Josie shook her head. Pain laced Eli’s words. Hunter heard it, and Jo heard it, too. There was no doubt how his son felt about Jo, about Jo being a part of their life. “Eli, I’m... I have no plans to stay.” Hunter looked at her, wanting to argue. But she didn’t look at him—she was too busy watching Eli. Her sadness twisted his heart. His son’s rigid jaw, the way he stared at his empty plate, all but ripped Hunter’s heart right out.
A heavy, awkward silence descended.
“Dessert?” Renata asked.
“I’ll help clear.” Jo jumped up, a smile pasted on her face. She made her way around the table, collecting plates, before disappearing into the kitchen with Renata.
A few minutes later, Renata appeared with a pie in one hand and a large platter of cookies in the other. But no Jo. He waited another five minutes before he headed for the kitchen. Jo’s sleeves were pushed up, her hands submerged in a sink full of soap suds and dinner dishes. She scrubbed each dish, attacking it until Hunter knew they didn’t need to be run through the dishwasher. She loaded them in anyway, her movements jerky and stiff. When all the dishes were loaded, she scrubbed down the counter and tidied up. He watched her pull in a deep, shaky breath. Was there anything he could say to her? Any way to convince her that their love was worth the trouble? Her eyes went round when she turned to find him leaning against the doorway.
“Feel better?” he asked, not moving.
She shook her head.
He almost crossed to her, almost took her in his arms. But she held herself so rigidly he was afraid he’d break her. “He’s a kid, Jo.”
“A kid that doesn’t like me much.” She smoothed her black sweater.
She was hurting. And vulnerable. “I like you enough for both of us.” His gaze held hers, willing her to see things his way.
“Dad.” Eli squeezed between his father and the door. “Grandpa Teddy wants you.”
“Okay.” He paused, looking at his son, then Jo. “Help Jo make the coffee. She doesn’t know her way around the kitchen.”
He didn’t know who was angrier, Eli or Jo. But damn it, his son needed to know Jo for the woman she was, not the monster Amy had made her out to be. He gave Jo a wink, leveled a warning at his son and left.
Chapter Thirteen
Eli glanced at her, wary, before opening the kitchen cabinets. No point in ignoring him. She could try to talk to him. Hunter obviously thought it was a good idea. “So, Eli,” she began, speaking to his back. He didn’t turn around or acknowledge her, but she kept going. “The float looks great. You happy with it?”
He shrugged but didn’t turn around.
“You do this every year?” She plugged in the coffeepot, filling it with water. “The club, I mean.”
He nodded, putting mugs on the counter.
She paused, swallowing back her sigh. Well, this was going well. “Can you point me in the direction of the coffee?”
He opened another cabinet and pulled out a large container of coffee. He set it on the counter beside her, without looking at her, or saying a word.
“Thank you.” She added several scoops of coffee, searching for some way to crack his armor. She glanced at the boy, an idea taking shape. She knew she was playing dirty, but she was getting desperate. “How long has Dara lived in Stonewall Crossing? I get the impression she’s new.”
He glanced at her. “She just moved here.”
“I thought so.” She watched the coffee brewing, trying not to react to the fact that he was talking to her. “She’s still learning the town, asking lots of questions. She’s been such a help at the bakery.”
“She’s been working at the bakery?” he asked.
Josie nodded. “I’d been talking to Miss Worley about how much work it is, with Dad’s injury and all, and she volunteered. She’s a solid baker, but she loves the decorating part. I think her cookies are the prettiest in the shop.”
“She’s artsy. Real creative.” He stopped, turning one of the mugs around in his hands. “Still need help?”
Josie couldn’t hide her surprise. “Really?” He must really like Dara, to offer his help to her. “S-sure.” In case he didn’t know, she added, “I... I’ll be there, too, you know?”
“Yeah.” For a split second he wasn’t fuming. His blue-green eyes assessed her carefully before he frowned. He sounded a little sad, a little irritated, when he said, “But my dad won’t be.” He was watching her, as if he was waiting for something.
She didn’t really know what to say, so she murmured, “Oh.”
Renata swept into the kitchen, eyeing them both before asking, “Coffee ready? Eli, where are the trays? We can’t go back and forth with everything.” She paused. “Wow, Josie, did you clean up? It looks great, thanks.”
“Of course,” she said. “It’s the least I can do after the lovely dinner. Your dad’s quite the cook.”
“I guess that’s what single men do—learn to cook.” Renata smiled. “My dad, your dad, all of my brothers. Well, not Ryder. But he’s really good about visiting right at dinnertime so he never goes hungry.” She put the sugar pot on the tray, then pulled out a small pitcher and some milk. “Hunter’s the best cook, after my dad. Guess he’s got more than himself to feed.” Renata nudged her nephew, earning her a smile from Eli.
When she carried the coffee into the living room, conversation was in full swing. Hunter was sitting at one end of a long leather couch, with enough room for her to sit beside him. And as much as she wanted to sit there and sink into his side, she didn’t. Instead, she perched on a small stool in front of the roaring fireplace, taking care not to look at Hunter or the inviting spot beside him.
“I don’t care what the zoo official says.” Archer was shaking his head. “I’m sick and tired of the excuses. Bottom line is they don’t want the cheetah, even if she is rehabilitated.”
“But why?” Lola asked. “I don’t understand, Archer.”
“Money’s tight, funding is hard to come by, and she’s one more mouth to feed and body to vaccinate.”
“What will you do?” Josie asked, doctoring her coffee with extra sugar. “Can you keep her?”
Archer shrugged. “It’s not like the preserve is flush with extra funds. But I’ll figure something out.”
Fisher was talking then, but Josie let her attention wander. The years had been good to the Boone family.
She studied Archer Boone. He’d always been a serious sort, even as a boy. His brothers were tall, thick and broad. But Archer was taller, lean and trim. Her gaze traveled to Fisher, sprawled in an armchair, devouring cookies. He was the thickest, a tree trunk of a man. He’d been the smallest as a boy. But, no matter how much his physique might have changed, he was still the joker she remembered. Now, Ryder... She had to bite back a smile, remembering Annabeth’s undisguised lust for the youngest Boone brother. There was no doubt Ryder was probably the best looking, and he knew it. But there was also no question he was trouble.
When she finally allowed herself to look at Hunter, he cocked an eyebrow at her. She smiled, holding her mug in front of her mouth. The slight tilt of his head, the quirk of his mouth... She loved him. And it felt wonderful and warm and horribly painful. His brow furrowed before she turned away, staring into her mug to collect herself.
What was she doing, sitting here, daydreaming? Never in her wildest dreams had she thought she’d be in Stonewall Crossing having dinner with the Boones, talking animals and family, a week before Christmas.
“We should be getting on home,” her father said. “It’s getting late and tomorrow’s going to be crazy. And we still have to get Miss Lola home.”
Did her dad just wink at Lola? She glanced at Hunter, and he was smiling from ear to ear.
“Everything’s ready, Carl, don’t fret.” Lola patted her father’s hand. “Between Josie, Dara and me, we’ve made an army of cookies, and then some. Unless Fisher’s eaten them all, that is.” Lola shook h
er head as Fisher ate another gingerbread man in two bites.
Fisher grinned. “They’re good.”
“Obviously.” Renata smirked. “Chamber’s ready, too. Of course, everyone’s a little too excited about the reporter coming from the State Tourism Department. We want Stonewall Crossing to shine as a tourist destination. And a safe place to get an exceptional education.” She smiled at her brothers.
“Exciting times,” Lola said.
“Nice for our little piece of heaven to get such positive attention,” Teddy Boone added, sipping his coffee.
Ryder was clearly unimpressed. He shot Josie a look, then rolled his eyes. Maybe the youngest Boone wasn’t as content with life as the rest of them appeared to be.
“You might be just a little bit biased, Daddy.” Renata kissed her father’s cheek.
“What time does everything start up tomorrow?” Josie asked, standing. “Do I need to do anything?”
“I’ll come get you around three. They start lining up for the parade pretty soon after that.” Hunter stood, moving to her side. “Thought maybe we could walk around the square afterward. Carolers. Hot chocolate. That sort of thing.”
It would be all too easy to get lost in his blue-green eyes, to forget Eli and Amy and how terrified she was of commitment. Especially when he was looking at her like that, as if she was the only woman in the world. Not caring that they had a room full of observers, his son included.
“I— You’ll be too busy, won’t you?” Her voice was a little unsteady. “Taking the float apart?”
“It can wait. Times like tomorrow don’t come very often.” He took her hand in his. “It’s important to make every minute count.”
“Damn right,” Teddy Boone said.
Hunter knew exactly what he was doing. No way he was going to let her leave without making it plain to everyone what his intentions were.
The look on her face almost broke his resolve to take things slow. Holding her hand was one thing—wrapping her up in a kiss that claimed her would be something else. But the surprise on her face and the pleasure that creased the corners of her eyes were tempting, very tempting.
“What do you say, Jo?” he asked, squeezing her hand.
Her nod was slow. “I’d love to.”
She looked so pretty he had to fist his hand to keep from reaching for her. “I’ll help you load things up.”
He ignored the expressions of everyone in the room. He knew Carl and his father were tickled pink. Fisher and Lola, too, undoubtedly. Ryder and Archer wouldn’t care. Renata...well, she was worried about him. She’d told him to take things slow, to keep a rein on his heart. As if that was ever a possibility when it came to Jo.
And Eli? He looked at his son and smiled. His boy needed to know that Jo made him happy, that holding her hand meant smiling. Eli was red-faced, angry tears in his accusing eyes.
Hunter walked by, refusing to cave. He helped Josie get everything loaded into Carl’s truck, waiting as everyone said their goodbyes before helping Lola into the cab and dropping a swift kiss on Jo’s cheek.
“Hunter—” The worry in her voice stopped him.
“I’ll talk to him, Jo.” His hand cupped her cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I don’t want to cause problems, Hunter. I—”
“You’re not.” He smiled. “I’ll figure it out.”
She didn’t look convinced as he loaded her into her father’s truck. He watched the taillights until they’d faded into the black night. He stood a little longer, letting the crickets chirp and the wind calm him before heading back into the house.
He loaded Eli into his truck ten minutes later. His son didn’t say a word as they drove, but his hands were clenched in his lap, his head turned away.
Hunter let it go until they were home. He needed the time to think through what he needed to say. He went ’round and ’round, hoping for a way to avoid a fight... But that wasn’t going to happen.
When Eli headed toward his room, Hunter stopped him. “We’re going to talk.”
Eli’s face was rigid. “About?”
Hunter sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Why are you so angry with Jo?”
“Why?” Eli’s voice broke. “She’s the reason you and mom are divorced—”
“Eli.” Hunter shook his head. “That’s not true.”
“You’re only saying that so I’ll like her.”
“I want you to like her, yes, but I’ve never lied to you. I’m not going to start now.” He paused. “Your mom and I had problems that had nothing to do with Jo.”
“You’ve made your mind up. She’s who you want, no matter what I think. She’s the only thing you’ve ever wanted.”
Hunter frowned. “Son, if you weren’t the most important thing in my life, I wouldn’t be here, talking to you, fighting with you. But I am. I didn’t run after Jo—I stayed to raise you. I thought you knew you were my world.” He’d lived every single day with his son’s well-being foremost in his mind. He loved his boy. Every dirty diaper, first step, scrape or tumble, call from the principal, had kept Hunter alive and breathing.
“Because she wasn’t here.” Eli’s voice rose.
“Damn it, Eli. Whether Jo is here or she leaves, you’re always my son. You’ll always be first. Always.”
Eli shook his head. “You said you’d never lie to me, but you are. How can I be first, if you’re with her?”
“There are times we’re not going to agree on things. I imagine it’ll happen more the older you get.” He paused, searching his son’s face. “You don’t like Jo, I get that. I won’t force the two of you together anymore. Tomorrow night, the float, that’s it. But in my spare time, I will see her.”
“Until she leaves you again!” Eli shouted.
Hunter’s nod was tight. He couldn’t guarantee she’d stay, that much was true. But he’d take any time she gave him. “Until she leaves.”
“Dad.” Eli shook his head, seething. “You’re an idiot.”
“I’ll tolerate you being angry, Eli. But I will not accept your disrespect. Whether you’re talking to me or Miss Stephens, you will watch your tone. You hear me?”
Eli’s face crumpled, his chin quivering. “Yes, sir.”
“It’s late.” His eyes stung, hot and sharp, but Hunter stood his ground. “Go on to bed now.”
Eli turned, stomped down the hall and slammed the door behind him.
He didn’t know what was worse, the fact that his son was hurting so much or that he had no way to make it easier. Not seeing Jo, giving her up and going back to the way it was— He couldn’t do it. He loved his son, he always would. And he loved Jo, too. He’d be damned if he couldn’t figure out how to have them both.
Chapter Fourteen
“Shit,” Annabeth muttered. She sipped her coffee. “This is bad. Lola’s probably got half the town talking about me dating this mystery man.” She shook her head, then spoke up, “Cody, honey, try to chew with your mouth closed.”
Cody nodded, his face covered in frosting and gingerbread crumbs.
“Why is it bad?” Josie asked. “It’s not true.”
Annabeth glanced at the small group of regulars who frequented the bakery each morning. “Maybe.”
Josie laughed. “Maybe? So you’re keeping secrets from me?”
“Pot, meet kettle,” Annabeth said pointedly.
Josie glanced at Cody, who was smearing his frosting across the tabletop. “Maybe we should have this conversation later?”
Annabeth sat back, a huge smile on her face. “Um, definitely now.” She saw Cody’s creation. “Cody, sweetie, that’s gorgeous, but please keep it on the plate for Mommy.”
Cody nodded.
“He’s quite the talker.” Josie smiled.
Annabeth shrugged. “He’s pretty quiet, but the counselor says it can be normal, after losing someone.”
Josie looked at the little boy. He was precious. And fatherless.
“I just hope Miss Worley will
stop the gossip before it gets carried away.” Annabeth finished wiping up Cody’s art with a mass of napkins. “Small towns like to talk. Which is fine as long as it’s not about the elementary school principal, you know?”
Josie nodded, looking up as the little bell over the bakery door rang.
Amy stood there, her hair back in a ponytail. She wore a burgundy scrub top with the UET Vet logo on the left shoulder. She walked forward, her brown eyes fixing on Josie. “I’m here to pick up an order for the vet school.” She pulled out a credit card and slapped it on the counter. “And I’m in a hurry.”
Josie took the card, running it through the machine. “Was it called in?”
“Y-yes.”
“Dad?” Josie called out. “Did we get an order from the vet school?”
Her father came out, carrying a large box. “Got it right here.” His entire expression changed when he saw Amy, and his eyes widened as he looked at her shirt. “What—”
“I got it, Dad,” Josie said, patting his arm. “Thanks.”
“You sure you don’t need help?” he asked.
“You have the sweetest daddy.” Amy waved her fingertips at him. “Carl, you get cuter every time I see you.”
He didn’t say anything as he disappeared back into the kitchen.
“So, Amy.” Annabeth shot Josie a look. “I didn’t know you were back in town.”
“For good, since Hunter got me a job at the vet school,” Amy added.
Josie was very proud of the way she didn’t react. She didn’t burst into tears. Or scream in frustration. Or throw the box of pastries at Amy. Nope, she didn’t even twitch. She stood there, staring at the credit card machine, praying it would hurry up.
“Well, isn’t that something?” Annabeth pulled Cody into her lap.
“Guess the gossips haven’t got wind of it yet. But when they do, tongues will be wagging.” Amy laughed. “I love to give ’em something to talk about.”
“And you were always so good at it.” Annabeth smiled sweetly.
Amy ignored Annabeth, tapping her nails on the counter as she asked Josie, “What’s the holdup?”
A Cowboy's Christmas Reunion (Mills & Boon Cherish) (The Boones of Texas, Book 1) Page 14
