Not Over You (Prosperity Ranch Book 3)

by Heather B. Moore

  “Hey, you up for Racoons tonight?”

  “Can’t,” Jana said. “Knox is coming into town.” They both knew that Knox refused to enter the bar scene any longer. This was just one thing that Jana was proud of him for. He knew his limits, and he also knew not to even test himself.

  “Ooo,” Barb said. “Things getting serious, hon?”

  “I don’t know,” Jana said, reluctant to spill everything. “We’re, uh, going to his parents’ for dinner.” Might as well tell her now, because Barb would likely find out from Knox’s mom, Heidi, or even Macie. The three were all friends. Which was kind of funny, since Holt Prosper was one of the many men Barb had had a crush on. Come to think of it, that number likely included Knox, too.

  “Shut the front door,” Barb exclaimed. “Knox Prosper is taking you to a family dinner?”

  “That’s right.” Jana headed down the hallway to her bedroom.

  “Jana!”

  “What?” she said, a smile sneaking onto her face.

  “You little vixen,” Barb said. “You’ve been holding back, hon, and I want all the details.”

  Jana laughed. “Sorry, I’ll never give you all the details.”

  Barb groaned. “Fair enough. But tell me as much as you can. I’m dying with curiosity here.”

  “Tell you what,” Jana said. “Help me choose an outfit, and I’ll tell you some details. But you have to swear to keep them private. Don’t even tell Patsy.”

  “Cross my beating heart,” Barb said in an eager tone.

  Jana switched the phone call to Facetime and showed Barb some outfit options.

  “I’m assuming Macie and Holt will be there?” Barb said through the phone.

  “Yep.”

  “And Ruby?”

  “Yep.”

  “Wow.” Barb shook her head, making her dangling earrings swing. “Knox has it bad for you.”

  Jana bit her lip… Hearing Barb say that made it all a little surreal.

  “Go with the polka dot summer dress,” Barb said. “Pretty, yet casual. And Knox won’t be able to keep his eyes off you.”

  Jana felt her neck warm. “I don’t want too much attention. His parents will be there, you know. And Macie.” She sighed. “I mean, I know who Macie is, but we’ve never talked. What if there is tension? Like, that weird kind of tension?”

  “Listen to me, hon,” Barb said as Jana pulled the dress out of the closet and inspected it to see if it needed ironing. “You walk in there, head held high. You aren’t responsible for Macie or Knox’s choices in the past. Their marriage is long over, and you are Knox’s woman now, so be proud of that.”

  Jana sighed. “Sounds like something you could pull off, not me.”

  “Oh, honey, Knox has never been interested in me,” Barb said with a laugh. “You need to know he wouldn’t be taking you to his family dinner if he wasn’t serious.”

  Jana went quiet.

  “Jana… ? Has he said something else about this?”

  She met Barb’s gaze in the phone. “He says he’s serious about us.”

  Barb hooted. “It’s about time! I saw this coming a mile away. Remember what I said that night we knew he’d arrived in town for the rodeo? And how you were so feisty, then left Racoons early?”

  Barb didn’t forget a thing. And Jana wasn’t going to remind her friend that she’d also said that Knox was still in love with his ex-wife. Which was something Jana didn’t want to ever wonder about. “Well, I don’t know what any of that has to do with tonight.”

  “It’s because somehow, you subconsciously knew that Knox was about to walk into your life again.”

  Jana puffed out some air. Barb and her theories and conjectures. “I don’t know about that. And I also wonder if I should just wear jeans.”

  “No way, hon, the dress is a must.”

  “All right.”

  Barb beamed. “See, that was easy. I wish I could get an invite to the dinner, too. What I wouldn’t give to be a fly on that wall tonight.”

  Jana laughed.

  “Can you promise to call me after?” Barb asked. “I won’t be able to sleep unless I hear all the dirt. Both good and bad.”

  “All right,” Jana said. “I’ll call you, or text, or something.”

  By the time Jana was off the phone with Barb, had ironed the summer dress, and zipped it on, she only had ten minutes left. She’d have to rush through her hair and makeup routine and hope that Knox wasn’t early.

  Which he usually was. Something that Jana found charming.

  The familiar rumble of a truck sounded outside, and Jana hurried to the kitchen window. Knox was here. She’d have to make him wait, she decided. But she didn’t leave the window just yet, because Knox had just climbed out of his truck, a bouquet of red roses in his hand.

  Jana’s heart wobbled.

  Knox strode up the walkway, wearing a black cowboy hat, black jeans, boots. He was dressed about as formal as she’d ever seen him. Oh boy.

  Her breathing felt erratic as she moved to the front door. She opened it a crack to see Knox’s green eyes shift to her. His gaze perused her, and his slow smile started to grow.

  “I’m not ready,” she said, keeping the door a crack. “Can you give me a few minutes?”

  “Sure thing, sweetheart,” he said, “but you look perfect.”

  She drew the door open another inch. “Thank you, but I’m still not ready.”

  He set his palm against the door and pushed it slowly open, his gaze never leaving hers. She didn’t move as he stepped closer and leaned down. His lips pressed warm against hers, and her pulse went wild. One arm slipped about her, drawing her hips against his. She should keep this greeting brief, or it would take even longer to get ready.

  But Knox smelled amazing, and he’d shaved, and his mouth was slowly exploring hers, making her change her mind about all kinds of things. “Knox,” she breathed. “You’re gonna wrinkle my dress.”

  His chuckle was low, and he whispered, “Then wear jeans.”

  Jana pushed against his chest. “I’m not spending more time trying to decide what to wear.”

  Knox met her gaze, amusement in his eyes. “Is that why you’re behind in getting ready?”

  “No, well, yes,” she said. “But you’re early, too.”

  “Didn’t want these to dry out.” He lifted the bouquet he was holding in his other hand.

  “They’re beautiful,” Jana said. “What’s the occasion?”

  Knox’s green eyes narrowed. “You’re kidding, right?”

  She lifted her brows. “Dinner at your parents’?”

  He chuckled. “This had nothing to do with dinner or my parents.” He pressed a kiss on her forehead, lingering. “I wanted to get my woman flowers because she just finished writing a book. That’s reason enough.”

  “Hmm.” Jana took the flowers and breathed them in. “I love them.”

  Knox grasped her hand. “I can put them in water if you still need to get ready.”

  “Okay.” She handed the roses back to him, then she led him inside the house. “There’s a vase in the cupboard above the refrigerator,” she said over her shoulder as she headed down the hall.

  Jana realized she was quite nervous when she couldn’t figure out how to do her hair. Finally, she pulled it back into a ponytail with some wavy hair hanging by her ears. Then she added a layer of mascara and decided that was good enough. She didn’t want to be too dolled up, since she didn’t want to look like she was trying too hard.

  She took a couple of deep breaths before heading down the hall. She stopped as soon as she reached the kitchen. Knox hadn’t put the roses into a single vase, but instead had filled a dozen mason jars with water. Each jar held a rose, and he’d put the jars all about the kitchen.

  “Wow.” She didn’t know whether to laugh or swoon.

  Knox was leaning against the counter, his arms folded, eyes on her. “Couldn’t find that vase.”

  She frowned and turned toward the fridge, then o
pened the cupboard above it. The vase was in plain sight. “It’s right here.” She looked over her shoulder to see him smiling.

  “I think I like my way better,” he said with a wink.

  She shut the cupboard and turned. “I do, too.”

  He chuckled. “We’d better get a move on, or I’m not going to be able to share you with anyone tonight.”

  The intensity in his green eyes was doing funny things to her stomach.

  “Good idea,” she said.

  Knox straightened and walked toward her, slowly, then stopped right in front of her. “You look beautiful.”

  “You do, too,” she whispered. Then she stepped away. “We’re going to be late.”

  Knox snatched her hand, then linked their fingers. “Come on.”

  The drive to Prosperity Ranch was much too short, and Jana’s heart rate still hadn’t slowed down by the time they walked up the porch steps. But Knox’s hand holding hers should help. She just had to keep her head held high like Barb had told her.

  “Don’t worry so much,” Knox whispered. He kissed her cheek, then opened the door.

  They walked into the front room of the quaint country-style house. Mayor Prosper greeted them first. He wore his usual starched button-down shirt and giant belt buckle. Jana shook his hand, but then was surprised when he pulled her into a hug.

  “Welcome, Jana,” he said in a gruff voice.

  “Daddy!” Ruby squealed, barreling out of the kitchen. She ran full tilt into Knox’s legs, and he barely kept his balance.

  “Hey there, little lady. Where are you going so fast?”

  “To see you!”

  Knox chuckled and scooped her up into his arms.

  “You look pretty,” Ruby said in a frank voice, looking at Jana.

  “Why, thank you, Ruby,” she said, the tension in her chest easing just a bit. That was a kid’s doing, she supposed. “You look very pretty, too. I love your sparkly headband.”

  Ruby beamed and touched her headband. “Grandma bought it for me because I was good in the store.”

  Jana smiled, but she saw the shift in Knox’s gaze.

  She looked toward the kitchen. Macie was standing there, her dark hair waved about her shoulders. She wore jeans and a white and red top, and honestly could have been a model for a home and country magazine.

  Holt appeared right behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder. Jana didn’t miss the natural way that Macie leaned into her husband.

  “Hi, Jana, welcome to the ranch,” Holt said.

  “Yes, welcome,” Macie said with a smile.

  “Thanks, everyone,” Jana said, although she was starting to feel nervous again.

  “Well, things are ready,” Heidi Prosper said, coming into the room. She was an elegant blonde woman, dressed in a pink blouse and tan slacks. Jana had heard plenty about her legendary cooking skills. “Hello there, Jana.”

  “Hi, Mrs. Prosper,” Jana said. “Thank you for inviting me to your home.”

  “Call me Heidi,” she said with a soft smile, her gaze flitting to Knox. “And you’re welcome anytime, Jana. We’re happy to have you.”

  Heidi ushered them all to the table. Jana was glad to be sitting next to Knox. And after grace was said, Jana fielded several questions from Heidi and Rex. Macie remained quiet for the most part, except when she interacted with Ruby.

  Things weren’t so bad, Jana told herself.

  Knox kept his arm slung around the back of her chair and didn’t seem to have a problem sticking close to her. And Jana didn’t notice any shared glances between Knox and his ex. Their interactions all seemed polite, or careful, if that was a better way to describe it. But their shared adoration of Ruby was obvious.

  Speaking of Ruby, she was both precocious and cute at the same time. Jana found herself laughing more than once.

  “Can I tell them about your book, sweetheart?” Knox whispered close to her ear.

  Surprise jolted through her. “Uh, I guess.”

  Knox grinned, then he said, “Jana and I have an announcement to make.”

  Heidi’s fork clattered to her plate, and everyone went absolutely silent.

  Knox chuckled. “It’s not what you’re thinking… Jana finished her book today. So I’d like to make a toast to her publishing future.”

  Jana was positive she’d turned fire-engine red. Everyone in the family picked up their glass and congratulated her.

  “Thank you.” She felt both embarrassed and proud in the same moment.

  Knox clinked their glasses, then drank water from his. He leaned close and whispered, “You’re amazing, did I tell you that?” Then he kissed her on the cheek, in front of his entire family. It was a completely friendly, innocent kiss, but Jana still felt like she was burning up inside.

  Somehow, she made it through the rest of the meal without blushing again, and everyone congratulated her once more as she and Knox prepared to leave.

  “Come over anytime,” Heidi told Jana. “We know Knox’s traveling schedule is intense right now, but that doesn’t mean you need to be a stranger.”

  Jana was truly touched, but there was no way she was hanging out at Prosperity Ranch without Knox. Not that she’d tell that to Heidi.

  Rex gave her another hug. Holt shook her hand. Macie waved goodbye. But Ruby stole the show by wrapping her tiny arms about Jana’s legs and not wanting to let go. Everyone laughed, and Jana left the ranch feeling like maybe things would be okay at these family gatherings. She’d find her place, and not be the odd woman out.

  On the drive back to her place, Jana’s mind raced with all the conversations she’d had, and she wondered if she could have done things better or differently. There was no going back now, and Knox seemed content with everything.

  The sun had set, but splashes of gold across the sky bathed the small ranch house in warm orange. Knox parked and climbed out, then motioned for Jana to come out on the driver’s side. He helped her out of the truck, then walked her to the front door, keeping ahold of her hand. They walked up the porch steps in silence, and at the top, Knox paused and looked down at her, his green eyes unreadable. “My family loves you, and I’m not surprised.”

  “Well, at least Ruby does.”

  Knox’s smile was soft as he drew her close. “Not just Ruby.” He kissed the top of her head. “You know, my mom was serious about you being welcome there anytime.”

  Jana met his gaze. “Yeah, and that was sweet of her. But going over there randomly feels too… I don’t know… family-like? It’s not like we’re engaged or married.”

  Knox’s gaze seemed to intensify. “About that…”

  Jana’s breath stalled as he released her hand and knelt on one knee before her. She could only stare as he reached into his pocket and pulled out something small and round and sparkly.

  “Knox,” she whispered.

  He smiled, but as he held up the ring, his hand trembled. “Jana Harris… you are the love of my life.” He exhaled. “Will you marry me, sweetheart?”

  Jana already knew her answer, but standing here, with Knox kneeling in front of her holding up a beautiful ring, made her wonder if she had even breath left to speak a simple word.

  She leaned down and rested a hand on Knox’s cheek, then kissed him. He rose to meet her kiss, pulling her close. She pressed into him, loving how his arms around her had become her true home.

  “Is this an answer?” Knox whispered, drawing away to meet her gaze, “or is that still coming?”

  She gave a half-laugh. “It’s a yes.”

  He grinned. “Then you better see if this fits.”

  “Okay.” She was the one trembling now as he slid the ring onto her left ring finger. The diamond and platinum setting were gorgeous. “When did you pick this out?”

  “A couple of weeks ago.”

  “What? Are you serious?”

  “I’m serious about you.” Knox moved in close again, his lips brushing her jaw. “And I love you, sweetheart.”

  “I love
you, too.” Jana slid her hands up his chest and behind his neck.

  “That’s good to hear,” he kissed the edge of her mouth, “because it looks like you’re gonna be my wife.”

  Jana laughed.

  “And I’m hoping that my fiancée will read the rest of her book to me tonight.”

  “Oh?” She smiled. “Is that your way of getting an invite into the house?”

  “Whatever it takes.”

  Jana smirked. “Then come on in, Mr. Prosper.” She led him by the hand inside. They settled on the couch together, and she nestled against Knox’s side. She opened her laptop to read the last couple of chapters.

  Knox rested his chin on top of her head, and randomly stole kisses.

  “The end,” she said softly.

  Knox’s fingers skimmed down her arm. “I loved it.”

  Jana tilted her head so she could meet his gaze. “You’re just being sweet.”

  “I am being sweet,” he said, his green eyes focused on her, “but I also loved the story. You have a gift with words, Jana.”

  Her eyes stung with tears she hadn’t expected. “Thanks, that means a lot.”

  “Pretty soon, I’m going to be known as author Jana Prosper’s husband.”

  She laughed. “Hardly. I’ll always be Knox Prosper’s wife.”

  “I’m counting on it, sweetheart.”

  She slipped her arms about his neck and drew him close. She decided that whatever happened in any book she ever wrote, it would never compare to the real-life relationship with the man by her side. They may not have had the best beginning, but she was counting on the best ending.

  SNEAK PEEK!

  Want to know more about Holt and Macie?

  Read the first two chapters of One Summer Day now:

  CHAPTER ONE

  “Two-thousand is all I’m asking.”

  Holt Prosper shook his head even though his older brother Knox couldn’t see him on the other end of the phone call. “That’s what you said last month,” Holt said. “If I lend you another two-thousand dollars, you’ll be in deep four thousand.”

  “But they put me on Granger,” Knox said. “You know that bull throws everyone. The rodeo judging was rigged in Montana.”