As Jarred squeezed her hand in reassurance, Cal spoke. “What exactly was his problem, anyway?”
Serena figured since they had witnessed Pete try to feel her butt, she had nothing to hide. “I don’t know. It all started when he called to tell me that my bank account was overdrawn. Then he volunteered to lend me some money. It was so nice of him to offer, I felt obligated to go out to dinner with him.”
“And then he decided to press his luck.” Jarred scowled. “You should have told him no to it all, Serena.”
“I didn’t have much of a choice. He offered to help. And he always has been a nice guy.”
Still holding her hand, he squeezed it again. “Maybe he’s not that nice. You know what I mean?”
Jarred’s voice was full of brotherly concern. And his hand felt warm in between her own. Friendly. Oh, but she wished it could have been something more. “I know. It’s just too bad, though. I was kind of hoping there might have been something between us.”
His voice lowered. “Seri, honey, how much do you need?”
“I don’t want to talk about it.” Not while he was holding her hand. Not with Cal sitting there, too.
“Come now. We’re all friends here.”
Cal chimed in. “Serena, I know for a fact everyone in our house would be just sick if you were going without.”
If she hedged any more, if would just get awkward. “About ninety dollars,” she mumbled.
“How much, really?”
Knowing she wasn’t going to get a paycheck for a bit made her double the amount. “More like two hundred. Give or take.”
He rolled his eyes. “Serena, does that let you eat and fill up that car of yours, too?”
“Okay. Maybe three hundred. I’m in a little financial mess. My library pay was cut and the interest on my student loans went up. It’s just about killing me,” she admitted.
“Why didn’t you just come over and ask for help?”
“We’re friends, Jarred.”
“And friends help each other out.”
“I couldn’t let you do that.” It was one thing to give him lessons for too much money—but a whole other thing to accept a loan like that.
“I know I look like a dumb cowboy, but me and Junior have been doing all right, managing my dad’s money.”
“If you don’t trust Jarred, come talk to me,” Cal said. “I’ll be happy to help get you organized.”
“All right. Maybe. If you really don’t mind, Cal.”
“It would be my pleasure.”
Jarred exhaled. “I’m glad that’s settled. Tonight, we’ll work on my manners. Then as soon as the auction is over, you can come over and Cal will help you out.”
“Y’all will have time for that? You’ll be busy with Veronica. And your father’s sick, you know.”
“I’ll make time. It’s what friends do, right?”
Friends. That’s what they were. That’s all they were ever going to be. “Right.”
He looked pleased as he pulled into the carport and turned off the ignition. “Great. Now, let me go check on my dad and then we’ll have my lesson.”
As they climbed out of the car, Serena realized all she could think about was Jarred. And not a bit of it had anything to do with his manners.
SERENA WAS STANDING IN the dining room, trying to decide what to teach Jarred about place settings and dining with ladies when Jarred’s little sister wandered in. “Hi.”
“Hi, to you, too, Ginny. Do you remember me? I’m Serena.”
“I remember. One time you went riding with Jarred.”
“That’s right.”
“And now you’re helping my brother act more polite for Miss Veronica.”
“I am. Well, I’m trying to. How do you think I’m doing so far?”
“I don’t know. Okay, I guess.” She walked around the table, dragging two fingers along the top as she talked. “My daddy’s home sick today.”
“I sure am sorry about that.”
Virginia paused. “His heart’s sick.”
“I hope it feels better soon.”
Her two thick pigtails bobbed as she nodded. “Me, too.”
Eager to bring up a happier topic, Serena said, “Did you know I’m a librarian?”
“What’s that?”
“I work in the library. We lend books to people. We have story time every Monday morning. You ought to come by one time.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Story time’s for little kids. I’m five.”
“Even big kids like to read books. Do you like to read?”
“Uh-huh. I have a couple of books. Do you want to see?”
Serena looked down the hall. There was still no sign of Jarred. Most likely it would be a while, too. “Sure.”
Virginia held out a hand and then led Serena up the winding staircase and down a hall. “That’s Trent’s room. And that one there is Junior’s.”
“Where’s Jarred’s room?” she asked before she could stop herself.
“Down that hallway. I’m over here by Gwen, when she spends the night. She’s not my grandma, but I still love her.”
“I’m glad about that.”
They walked into a room that was full of everything horsey. As cute horseshoe border decorated pale pink walls. A spiffy bookshelf filled with Breyer horses stood in a corner. “Oh, these are pretty.”
“That’s my stable. I love horses.” Still holding on to Serena’s hand, Virginia guided her over to another bookshelf. This one was far smaller, but had a collection of hardcover picture books and seven Penny Lane Horse Farm books.
Serena bent down and pulled the first of the series out. “Oh, Virginia, I love these books.”
“I’ve never read them. My mommy’s mommy gave them to me.”
“You ought to get someone to read you one until you learn to read.”
“Maybe. The boys are real busy, though.”
Serena looked out the doorway. There still wasn’t a footstep to be heard. “If you want, I could read to you now.”
Eagerness filled the little girl’s eyes. “Really?”
“Really. I can honestly say I’d love to do nothing more.”
Virginia scrambled up onto the bed. “We can sit here together.”
“We sure can.” With all the pomp and circumstance a new book and the beginning of a series called for, Serena opened Penelope’s Big Day and said, “‘Chapter One. Penelope Gets a New Home.’”
Chapter Fifteen
“Trent, have you seen Serena?” Jarred asked as he threw out the remains of his father’s dinner. His dad had been appreciative of Jean Claude’s efforts, but hadn’t eaten much. After a period of unsuccessful coaxing, Jarred had given up and let him go back to sleep.
“I think she’s with Virginia,” Trent said, gamely taking the dirty dishes from Jarred and carrying them to the sink. “I overheard her chattering to Serena about her room. You know how that little thing loves to show off her horses.”
Ever since their dad had plopped her on the back of a pony at three, Virginia loved nothing more than horses. Her toy horse collection with its own little stables and barn was her pride and joy. “I’ll go check there. Thanks.”
He heard Serena before he saw her cuddled up next to Virginia. The picture they made together was priceless. Serena looked completely content, lying back against layer after layer of white and pink lace. And Ginny’s face showed pure bliss as she sat motionless, soaking up every word of the story.
Warmth seeped through him. For a moment, he couldn’t help but imagine being with Serena. She’d bring peace and ease into his life—he knew it without a doubt. She’d read to their children and greet him with a knowing smile in their bedroom every night. Then he’d settle close to her and show her how desirable he thought she was.
Instinctively, he knew that life with Veronica wouldn’t quite be like that. But surely living with her had other benefits?
When she noticed he was there, Serena stopped midsentence. “Jarred. Hi
.”
One blink brought him back to the present. To his goal. To what he should be hoping for. “Hey. I’ve been looking for y’all.”
“I’m sorry. I got to talking with Virginia about her horses, and then we had to go look at them. Next thing you know, we discovered her collection of books.”
“This is a really good book, Jarred,” Virginia added.
Serena smiled at her fondly. “I agree, but it’s time for me to go visit with your brother.”
When she made a move to get up, he stopped her with a hand. “Don’t. I like seeing the two of you here together.” He leaned against the door frame. “And I don’t think Ginny would ever forgive me if you stopped the story midsentence. I can wait a few.”
Virginia clapped her hands. “Hooray! Jarred, come listen! Penelope’s a horse. And she’s been an orphan. She just got her own girl—but the girl’s allergic to horses!”
Serena chuckled. “All that happened in the first seven pages.”
“Well, now, being allergic to a horse hardly seems fair. We better see what happens next.” Jarred bypassed the bed. He wasn’t comfortable sitting on a bed with Serena—even with a little girl between them—and gingerly sat on Virginia’s desk chair instead.
“I hope Penelope won’t have to move.”
“I hope so, too. But I’m only going to read these last two pages of the chapter. Then we’ll have to find out about Penelope and the girl another day.”
“But, Serena, you’re not gonna go, are you?”
“I have to. I’ve got to go help your brother. I promised I’d help him.”
“Oh. Okay.”
Jarred knew he shouldn’t be feeling guilty. After what he learned about Serena’s finances, she needed all the lessons he could dream up.
Plus, there were plenty of other adults in the house. One of them could read to Virginia. When they had time.
But something about that didn’t set real well with him. His conscience started pressing him about how easily they all pushed Ginny’s needs to the side when there was something else to do.
All the more reason he needed a woman in the house.
“You know, we have time. Serena, if you don’t mind, maybe you could read a little bit more? Now I’m a mite worried about old Penelope, too.”
Virginia rose up on her knobby knees. “Oh, she’s not old, Jarred. She’s young and pretty.”
He winked Serena’s way. “Just the way I like ’em. Read a little bit more, would you, Seri, honey? I mean, if it’s not too much trouble?”
Amusement entered her gaze. “I’m a librarian. It’s never too much trouble to read a book.”
They settled in. Before Jarred knew it, he, too, was feeling sorry for the pretty little mare who needed a good home and someone to feed her apples and carrots.
As Serena’s voice floated over them, an unusual feeling of calm settled in. He liked her pretty voice. He liked how she could make all the animals in poor Penelope’s makeshift barn come alive.
He especially loved the way she curved an arm around Ginny as she read. His sister surely did need as many of those feminine touches as possible.
Then, all too soon, she closed the book. “That’s it for now.”
“Just a little more, please, Serena?” Virginia begged around a yawn.
“Nope.” Looking apologetically in his direction, her cheeks colored. “I’ve already interfered enough with your brother’s evening. And you, my dear, are looking sleepy.”
“Am not.”
As Serena slid off the bed, Jarred organized the sheets around Virginia. “Even if you’re not sleepy at all, I want you to try to get some sleep. We’ve got another riding lesson tomorrow.”
“Promise.”
“Uh-huh.” Pressing his lips to her brow, he murmured good-night, then led Serena back downstairs and into the dining room. “From the fancy table setting, I figured this is where you want us?”
“Yes.” To his amusement, Serena looked all business. “Sit here. I took the liberty of raiding your china cabinet while you were with your dad. Now we’re going to pretend you’re eating a four-course meal.”
“My table manners are pretty good.”
“Then this should be easy.” She slipped an empty bowl in front of him. “Pretend that’s soup. Which spoon will you use?”
Even he knew it was the big one. But perversely, he picked up the teaspoon just to rile her up. “This?”
“No. That’s the teaspoon for coffee,” she patiently corrected. Leaning close, she pointed to the soup spoon. “This is the one you should be using. See how the bowl of the spoon is a little bigger? More round? That’s how you can tell it’s for soup.”
Her hair smelled like the honeysuckle vines in his mother’s old rose arbor. Feminine and sweet.
Blindly, he picked up the spoon.
“Very good.” Picking up the bowl, she scurried to the server at the end of the dining room and pulled out a salad plate.
Though he certainly enjoyed her jeans, seeing Serena in a royal-blue wraparound dress was something to see. That shiny knit fabric hugged every single delicious curve and practically invited him to hug her, too.
“Now you’re having salad. Which fork?”
There were three in front of him. This time, he really had no clue. Taking a chance, he picked up the one the farthest out.
She beamed. “Good job!”
“Thanks.”
And so it continued.
It should have been boring. He should have been starving—he never did get a chance to eat anything. Or she should have been irritating with her prissy ways and advice.
Instead, he found himself listening and trying. Just to see her smile with delight.
Now that there were no little girls between them or brothers sitting nearby, it became hard to think about anything but Serena. He was very aware of her scent. Of the nape of her neck. Of the way she tilted her head when she was thinking hard.
And of how her eyes sparkled when he teased her.
For a few minutes at a time, he even found himself forgetting to concentrate on the reason he was doing everything. About Veronica and her fashion-model body and high-class ways.
He forgot about the thrill he was expecting to have when she chose him for the auction. The pride he knew he’d feel when he squired her around town—never mind that he was bought and paid for and the whole thing was simply for a good cause.
Suddenly, he was only thinking about Serena and those lips of hers.
And how she’d react if he pulled her onto his lap and kissed her like crazy next time she leaned over and tossed him with a glimpse of generous cleavage.
All too soon, she looked at her watch. “Oh! Our time is up.”
But he wasn’t ready for her to go. “Want to hang around for a bit? I could pour you a glass of wine.”
“Thanks, but it’s getting late, and I’ve got to open up the library at nine tomorrow morning.”
“Then let me at least give you this.” After putting a couple of folded bills in her hand, he said, “Please let me help you out, Serena. We are friends, you know. And I promised…”
“I know. You don’t go back on your promises.”
“You’ll let me?”
“Let’s see how you feel about it on Monday.”
“Why Monday?”
“Because it will be your first day with whoever buys you, remember? The auction is tomorrow night.”
The auction. Veronica. The perfect, blue-blooded society gal he wanted to have as part of the family. “Oh, yeah. Well, I won’t change my mind.”
“I’ll talk to you then.” She touched his arm. “And, uh, Jarred?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks for today. Thanks for hitting Pete and offering to help me out. I really appreciate it.” Leaning up on her tiptoes, she raised her head to kiss his cheek.
Instinctively, he bent down to let her do that. But then before he knew it, he moved his head and met her lips with his.
&n
bsp; And kissed her again.
Just like in the library, her lips were soft. But this time, there was no shock between them, only the silent knowledge that what they were doing was inevitable.
Gently he brushed his lips over hers, familiarizing himself again, coaxing them open. And then deepening that kiss.
Oh, but she tasted like vanilla and sweetness. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer. To his delight, she moved in, pressing against him.
He splayed a hand at her waist. Tried to be a gentleman. But when she wiggled a little closer, stretching her arms and pressing close, his right hand slid a little lower and cupped her bottom.
He nibbled her bottom lip, then teased her mouth open again. With a moan, she raised her hands to his hair. His other hand wandered to her hip. And still they kissed.
His brain became fuzzy as age-old instincts took over and he got to know her jawline. The nape of her neck. When she placed a palm on his chest, he moved one of his to her rib cage.
Her breath hitched.
He stepped back to get some more room…then realized he was in the dining room. With Serena. His buddy.
Who’d just been manhandled by the banker.
Shocked, he pulled away.
Wide-eyed, she stared at him. “I’m so sorry.”
Unable to help himself, he moved a thumb along the outline of her lips. Noticed that his five-o’clock shadow had abraded the skin a bit. “Why are you sorry? Sweetheart, I’m the one who kissed you.”
“I know but…”
He reached for her hand. Threaded her fingers with his own. “Maybe we should talk about this?” He was no Dr. Phil, but it did feel as though they were in for a relationship train wreck.
“No. There’s nothing to talk about. I better go.”
Because he wasn’t exactly sure how he was feeling about everything, he let her.
Chapter Sixteen
My Favorite Cowboy Page 12
