He smiled at the irony of the situation. When his daddy was alive, all Brett had wanted to do was prove to the old man that he was capable of running Murdock Oil successfully. Now, all he wanted was to keep it from going under.
* * *
It was too hot to cook, Jessie thought as she pulled a large ham out of the refrigerator and began slicing it. She’d made potato salad early that morning when the weatherman had predicted the temperature would reach the mid-nineties.
Besides, she had to supervise the painters so her roses and bedding plants wouldn’t get destroyed while the old house was getting a whitewash. Jessie smiled to herself. She was starting to get used to the changes around here. She especially liked the beautiful job they were doing on the house. They had already finished painting the front, and were now replacing the flooring and railings on the porch. The old Burke place didn’t look the same.
Her thoughts turned to Brett. Marcus had told her that Brett had been working a lot. Secretly she was glad it was his job that kept him away, and not her. It had been nearly a week since the accident and she had only caught glimpses of him during that time. Between her working the vegetable stand and her chores around the house, she hadn’t seen much of the man who had taken over her thoughts, who had even managed to get into her dreams. And when he was around, she had no resistance. But she knew she had to resist. She recalled her still-painful memories from years ago.
She and Brett were too different for this attraction to lead to anything but a summer fling. The problem was she was already halfway in love with the man. Jessie closed her eyes as a warm shiver ran down her spine. The last thing she could ever do was let Brett find out.
She carried the ham to the kitchen table and glanced up to find Brett standing in the doorway. Her pulse raced as her eyes took in his powerful presence. He was wearing a sinful pair of faded jeans and a blue T-shirt that hugged his broad shoulders and muscular chest.
“I know I’m early for supper but it’s been so long since I’ve seen you,” he said as if he was embarrassed.
He looked as though he’d been working two shifts. “I hear you’ve been busy.” She managed to act collected while her palms were sweating. She suddenly wished she could excuse herself and run upstairs to change clothes.
Brett moved across the room in long, sure strides. “My, Jessie, you sure look pretty.” He gave her a slow, lingering look that took in her red sleeveless blouse, her matching shorts and white sandals.
“Thank you. Katie picked them out. She has this thing for red.”
“So do I,” he said as he moved so close she could see the tiny green flecks in his eyes, and feel his warm breath against her face. Then, as easy as if he did it every day, he leaned forward and pressed his mouth to hers.
The kiss was surprisingly gentle, and without touching anywhere else, he managed to send sparks of desire exploding inside her. Jessie clenched her fists at her sides as his lips continued their slow, masterful caress. Finally, he drew back and she had to swallow her cry of disappointment.
“I’ve missed you,” he whispered huskily.
“You shouldn’t kiss me,” she murmured, trying to regain her calm.
“I can’t seem to help it.” He grinned as his gaze wandered over her body once again. “If I’d have known you were running around like this and showing off your gorgeous legs, I’d have been up here every chance I could get.”
She felt a tingle race through her, glad now she had worn the shorts. “From what I hear, you haven’t had time with all the problems at the well.”
“We’re just shorthanded since the accident. But I hired a new guy today. So now I’ll be around more.”
Jessie folded her arms across her chest. “Around here for what?” She also liked to tease. “Supper?”
“Only if I’m invited.” His voice turned husky again, “But I’d come mainly to see you.” He tossed her one of those smiles that made her knees weak. “Would you mind terribly if I came by in the evenings? We could sit on your swing and enjoy the cool breeze.” He grew serious. “I’d really like to spend more time with you.”
This man was oozing charm all over the place but she fought to stay strong. “I doubt you spent your evenings in Dallas sitting on squeaky porch swings.”
Brett loved to look at Jessie. She was a beautiful woman. His glance wandered over her shapely body. The whole package was delightful. “I’m learning to enjoy the simpler things in life these days.”
Before she could reply, they heard the kids tromping onto the porch, followed closely by Marcus and Hatty carrying dishes of food—cold fried chicken, coleslaw and some of Hatty’s apple pie.
Josh suggested that they eat outside, and pretty soon everyone was sitting around the old picnic table in the backyard. The women supervised the food, making sure the hungry men had plenty.
An hour later, stuffed with fried chicken and pie, they all wandered down to the corral to see the horses. Katie had decided the colt was going to be hers, just as soon as she could convince the mare to give him up.
“What are their names?” Marcus asked.
“The mare’s name is Sadie and the colt is Prince,” Katie answered. “But I’m going to call him Sir Lancelot.” She nodded her head. “Don’t you like that name better?”
“Oh, brother,” Josh said, rolling his eyes.
Brett ducked inside the corral and walked slowly toward the mare and her colt. He spoke softly, careful not to spook either one of them. Soon he had the mare’s trust and began stroking her muzzle. “Have you ridden her, Josh?”
“Just in the corral.”
Mac climbed on the bottom railing. “I told you that you can ride her when you finish repairing the saddle, Josh. And after that, we go over the rules.”
“But that saddle is old.”
“It’s all we have, so take it or leave it.”
“Let me see it,” Brett said sympathetically, remembering that no one had seemed to be on his side when he’d argue with his older brother.
Josh took him inside the barn to the tack room. The saddle was resting on a sawhorse. Some of the seat had been cleaned.
“See, it’s falling apart. Look at the rigging and the straps.”
Brett examined the saddle closely. It was definitely old, but at one time had been a beautiful, hand-tooled piece of work. “Look at the detail.” He picked up a stirrup. “My brother’s the horseman in our family, but I bet he’d love to have a saddle like this.”
Josh couldn’t hide his surprise. “He would?”
“Right now it isn’t worth much, but if you do a little work on it and replace some of the straps, it will look a lot better. In fact, you might just change your mind about wanting it.”
“But it will take me all summer to get that done. And I want to go riding now.”
An idea flashed in Brett’s head. “Why don’t I loan you a saddle while you’re working on this one? Then you can do some riding and still work on your project.”
“Wow!” Josh’s eyes widened. “That would be great. But I didn’t know you’d brought a saddle here with you.”
“I didn’t,” he confessed. “But I’m going home next weekend, so I’ll bring one back for you to use.”
Jessie had just walked into the tack room, and heard Brett’s news. He was leaving again? “How long will you be gone?”
“Just for the weekend. It’s our family’s annual Fourth of July barbecue. With my dad gone, my mother needs me at home to help.”
“Do little kids get to go?” Katie asked as she, too, squeezed into the room.
“Lot’s of kids, and we have games, swimming and fireworks,” Brett began, then his face brightened. “Hey, why don’t you all come?”
* * *
Brett leaned against the porch railing, waiting for Jessie. He watched as the last of the sunlight faded over the horizon and wondered how angry she was going to be when she finally came out. Waiting had also given him some time to examine his reasons for extending an invit
ation for the barbecue. And the only thing he’d come up with was that he wanted to spend time with her. It was crazy for him to get involved with any woman when all his concentration should be on drilling the well. But the past two months, he had discovered that Jessie Burke wasn’t just any woman. And he needed to find out why she intrigued him so.
When the screen door squeaked, Brett turned around to see Jessie, her eyes narrowed and her spine straight. He tried one of his smiles, hoping to lighten the mood. It didn’t.
“First,” he began, “I apologize. I never should have invited the kids to the ranch without asking you if I could.” There, he’d said it. Now she couldn’t stay mad at him.
Jessie shrugged. “Katie set the trap, and you walked into it. She’s an expert at getting what she wants. I guess we’ve all spoiled her over the years.”
“You also did a great job raising her,” he added. “She just knows how to turn on the charm.” Brett grinned. “Of course, I’m very susceptible to young ladies. My niece has had me wrapped around her finger for as long as I can remember.”
“Tyler and Maggie’s child?”
Brett shook his head. “Becky is Tyler’s daughter from his first marriage. His wife, Danielle, was killed in a car accident that nearly took Becky’s life, too. My niece ended up in a coma for over a month. Maggie didn’t come into their lives until Becky was five. It was the best thing that ever happened to my brother and his daughter. Now they’re married and until their son came along, Maggie taught school in Aubrey.” He smiled. “Now, Zach, he’s a handful.”
Brett watched Jessie’s expression soften. “Maggie sounds like a special person.”
“She reminds me of you.”
“Me?”
“Yeah, Maggie has a temper and doesn’t take any guff from anyone, especially Tyler. She loves her family and will protect them in every way possible. Yeah, I always thought Maggie was one of a kind...until I met you.”
Jessie moved to the newly painted porch railing and stared into the near darkness. Brett’s words affected her more than she wanted him to know. She couldn’t be anything like Maggie, especially with his sister-in-law’s being a teacher. “I’m nothing special,” she said.
“Don’t sell yourself short, Jessie.” He came up behind her, without even touching her she felt his heat. “You accomplished a lot. Running the farm since your daddy got sick, raising your brothers and sister. You literally kept a roof over their heads. I’d say that was doing a lot.” He touched her shoulder and guided her around to face him.
“Now it’s time for you, Jessie. Come to the ranch.”
“I can’t.”
“Why? I talked to Mac. He told me that he could handle things with Josh’s help. You could bring Katie and stay for the weekend. There are only a couple years’ difference between her and my niece, Becky. They’d have so much fun.”
Brett’s enthusiasm was contagious. Maybe it would be all right, Jessie thought. Hatty could stop by and make sure the boys didn’t starve. She couldn’t believe it, she was actually considering going to Texas. Jessie Burke, who’d never been any farther than fifty miles from home.
She looked up at Brett. “Won’t your family mind us coming, with the barbecue and all?”
“My mother would love it, there’s plenty of room at the house, and Becky will be excited about the idea of making a new friend.” His eyes raked boldly over her. “There’s something happening between us, Jessie, and I want to explore the possibilities.”
Oh, my. Jessie felt a tingling in her stomach. Possibilities? She didn’t want to try to understand what he meant, but she was crazy about the man and wanted to be with him.
“Well, you’re going to have to explain to Josh why he has to stay here and help Mac.”
Chapter Eight
Jessie was in Texas.
She had been a little nervous when they crossed the state line, knowing she was going to a place she knew nothing about, and to people she had never met. It had taken some coaxing from Hatty and Mac, but they’d assured her that the farm would still be there when she returned, and pushed her out the door.
Smiling, Jessie leaned back against the headrest and watched the car swallow the miles along the highway. Katie sat in the back seat and talked nonstop during the hour-and-a-half drive to the Murdock ranch.
Finally, Brett turned off the interstate and followed a sign to Aubrey. She was surprised to find the town was much smaller than Durant. Brett pointed out some of the things of interest, including the school where his sister-in-law, Maggie, taught. Once through town, it wasn’t long until he pulled off the main road and they crossed under a white arch.
“It says Murdock Quarter Horse Ranch,” Katie announced. “We’re here.”
“Yeah, we’re here,” Brett answered, then reached over and patted Jessie’s hand. “Relax, you’re here to have fun.”
She drew in a deep breath, trying to slow her racing heart. Easier said than done, she thought as they drove along the tree-lined road and a white frame house came into view. It was two stories and had colorful flowers all around the big porch. There was a child’s swing set in the backyard. She was surprised when they didn’t stop.
“That’s Ty and Maggie’s place,” Brett said. “Mom lives up ahead.”
Jessie looked out the front window as they came through the trees to find a beautiful two-story brick house with four white pillars adorning the porch. The lawn was a rich green and well kept, as were the shrubs that bordered the circular driveway. Brett stopped in front and opened his door, hurrying around the car.
“It’s a mansion,” Katie breathed.
Jessie’s mouth dropped. She had never expected the Murdock home to be so...huge. Her door opened just as several women appeared on the porch. Brett helped Jessie and Katie out of the car, then ran up to greet his family.
“Katie, Jessie,” he began, bringing the group closer. “Meet the Murdock women. This is my mother, Caroline, my sister-in-law, Maggie, my sister, Jenny, and this little one is Becky. Everyone, this is Jessie and Katie Burke.”
Becky came down the steps and walked up to Katie. Despite the two years’ difference in their ages, they were almost the same size. “Hi, Katie, welcome to Texas,” she said shyly.
“Thank you for inviting me,” Katie answered politely. “Do you get to live in this big house?”
Becky shook her head, making her blond ponytail swish over her shoulders. “It’s my grandma’s house, but I used to live in it when I was little. My house is the one down there,” she said as she pointed to the first house they’d passed. “And you get to stay with me in my room. C’mon, I’ll show you.”
Katie’s questioning gaze met her sister’s. “Can I go?”
Before Jessie could answer, Caroline Murdock came down the steps. She was wearing a lovely sleeveless dress. The silky material was a cinnamon color, matching her hair and eyes. Jessie felt self-conscious dressed in jeans and a blouse.
Mrs. Murdock smiled at the girls. “Becky, you may show Katie your room, but come back in time for lunch.” She watched as the two girls ran off, then looked at Jessie. “I’m so glad you could make the weekend.” She shook Jessie’s hand.
“Thank you so much for having us.”
“J.T. and I always loved having the children’s friends here, especially over the Fourth of July.”
Jessie exchanged a smile with Caroline, and wondered how many friends Brett had brought to the ranch.
“Why don’t we go inside and get out of this heat?” Caroline said.
They started up the porch steps, when Brett’s sister, Jenny, greeted her. “Hi, Jessie, welcome to the Murdock ranch.”
“Thank you,” Jessie answered, studying the pretty brunette. She knew Jenny was twenty-six, but the woman could easily pass for eighteen, with her makeup-free face and her hair pulled into a ponytail.
“We’re not as scary as we look,” Jenny said. She smiled, and Jessie quickly saw the family resemblance. “And if you have any questions a
bout my brother, just ask me. I have all the dope on him.” Jenny made a face at Brett. “Sit by me at lunch and I’ll fill you in.”
“Whoa, sis.” Brett grabbed Jessie’s arm. “She’s sitting next to me.”
“Afraid of all the bad things I’ll tell her?”
“No,” he denied. “I’m afraid of all the lies you’ll tell her. C’mon, Jessie.”
Brett took Jessie’s hand and led her into the cool house. Maybe the change of temperature would help her nervousness, she thought. It had been a bit unnerving seeing his family lined up on the porch for their inspection of her. Once inside, Maggie greeted them.
“Where’s Ty?” Brett asked.
“He had to pick up the Bensens’ mare,” Maggie answered. “He said to tell you he’ll see you at supper tonight. By the way, it’s going to be at our house.” Maggie rested her hand on Jessie’s. “Don’t let this group frighten you. They’re harmless, really. But, if you need to talk, come to the back door of the white house down the road, I’m usually in the kitchen. See ya tonight.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” The pretty blonde walked off.
Jessie had a strong urge to call her back. There had been an instant understanding between them, as if Maggie Murdock truly knew how Jessie felt.
Instead, Jessie followed Brett farther into the house. She had trouble taking everything in. The hardwood floors gleamed with polish. In the large living room a beautiful oriental rug was placed in front of a brick fireplace that took up an entire wall. The furniture was in tan and brown tones and looked expensive. There were high ceilings and a beautiful carved oak banister with carpeted steps leading to the second floor.
“Would you like to freshen up?” Caroline asked.
“Yes, if you don’t mind.”
“Brett, why don’t you show Jessie her room? I’ll have one of the hands bring up her things.” Mrs. Murdock raised an eyebrow. “Then we’ll have lunch. Say, in twenty minutes?”
Wildcat Wedding (Wranglers & Lace #2) Page 11
