“Still, the day starts at sun up.”
“I think after last night you need some rest.”
Jared watched a blush spread over her face as she avoided his gaze. Did she regret last night? He cursed himself. No matter how much he’d wanted her—still wanted her—he should have been the one to walk away from the temptation.
“Look, Dana. About last night…I don’t want you to think that I expect…or take for granted that…”
Suddenly Dana’s back straightened as anger flashed in her emerald eyes. “I told you before, Jared. The last thing a woman wants is to hear a man apologize, especially after they made love. And I sure as hell don’t need your pity.” She tried to push past him, when he stopped her.
“You think that’s what I’m doing?” he asked. “You think I made love to you three times last night because I felt sorry for you?” He bit back a curse. “I’m fighting everything in me not to pick you up and carry you back to that bed right now.”
With a gasp, her eyes rounded.
“Yeah, I want you, all right,” he said. “Just like I wanted you this morning. It was hell leaving that warm bed, leaving your sexy, naked body.” His voice lowered. “When all I wanted to do was to make love to you again.”
“But I thought… I didn’t want you to think that you had to—”
Jared pulled her against him, his hands cupping her face. “I think it’s time I shut you up before you get yourself into any more trouble.” His mouth captured hers in a hungry kiss. He parted her lips and drove his tongue inside to taste her intoxicating sweetness. She whimpered as her body sank against him.
He broke off the kiss, knowing he had to keep his head. “Woman, you’re going to get us into trouble.”
She smiled. “I’ve been told that before.” She wrapped her arms around his waist. “So what are you going to do with me?”
He groaned, then moved her back. “I think the only safe thing is to keep you at a safe distance.”
She pouted. “That’s no fun.” She started to go to him again when Evan came racing down the aisle.
“Mom, you woke up.”
“Yes, I did.” Dana bent down and hugged her son. Her fingers combed Evan’s unruly hair. It had a crooked part in the front and his curls were slicked down with hair gel. No doubt Evan’s handiwork.
“Uncle Jared said you were tired from cooking yesterday.”
She glanced at the man who had caused her fatigue. He gave her a wicked grin, stealing her heart all over again. “I guess I was. What have you been doing all morning?”
“I’ve been taking care of Bert. His knee hurts. So I’ve been reading him my books.”
Dana knew that Evan had memorized his favorite stories. “That’s nice of you.” Dana shot a look at Jared. “What’s wrong with Bert?”
“He fell last night. I guess his knee has been giving him trouble for a while now. I told him to stay off it until I get him to the doctor.”
“Why didn’t you tell me last night?”
Jared looked down at the boy. “Evan, why don’t you go get Goldie’s halter from the tack room? Then we’ll see if Owen can exercise her.”
“Oh, boy.” Evan cheered and scurried off.
Jared’s attention turned back to Dana. “I didn’t tell you because Bert asked me not to. He knew you would worry.”
“Of course I’d worry. He’s family.”
“I was going to tell you this morning, but I had enough to deal with trying to get Bert to agree to go to the doctor. I’m taking him in to see an orthopedic specialist tomorrow.”
Dana couldn’t believe that Bert had agreed to this. She had been trying for months. “He’s letting you take him in,” she said. She started off toward the bunkhouse, but Jared caught up with her.
“Let him be, Dana. Bert doesn’t want a woman feeling sorry for him.”
“But it’s my job….”
“And I’m your husband,” he said, then stepped closer. “Unless you don’t want my help.”
Dana felt the familiar heat of his body and she wanted to melt into him. She’d had to handle things for so long on her own. It would be so easy to give in, but how long would he be around for her? “I guess I don’t have a problem with you helping out.”
Jared smiled. “Now, did that hurt so much?” His mouth brushed over hers and she moaned, rising up on her toes for more. He pulled back, his gaze never leaving her. “You want more?”
“Yes…”
“You’re a greedy woman.” He leaned down and took another nibble, causing more incredible sensations. “I guess I’ll just have to work harder tonight at satisfying you.”
She blinked, unable to hide her reaction.
He stared at her. “Will you have a problem with sharing my bed?”
A shiver went through her. “No,” she breathed.
“Good,” he said, then lowered his head again and captured her mouth in a bone-melting kiss.
The next day, Dana went outside to greet Jared and Bert as they returned from the doctor. The older man didn’t look happy.
“Well, isn’t anyone going to tell me what happened?” she asked, staring at the two sullen men.
Jared let Bert talk. “They want to do surgery and replace my knee with a plastic one.” He looked at Jared. “I told you before we went that’s what they wanted to do. Do you know how much that costs? Too much.” He turned around and limped off.
Dana couldn’t hide her concern. “There’s nothing else they can do?”
“It’s the best option. There’s medication, but Bert says it makes him drowsy. Says he’ll handle the pain.”
“How much is the operation?”
“Medicare will take care of most of it, but you know there are always costs.” He paced. “I have money for the surgery. All I need to do is figure a way to get him to take it.”
Her love for Jared was growing in leaps and bounds. “Bert’s a proud man and I love him like a father. He was the only one who helped me after my own father died. Oh, Jared, we’ve got to help him.”
He drew her into his arms. “Somehow I’ll convince him to have the surgery.”
“Thank you,” she whispered. “I don’t know how I can ever repay you.”
“There’s no need. Like you said, Bert is family.”
Just then Dana saw a familiar truck pull into the drive. Chance Randell. “I didn’t know Chance was coming by today.”
“I called him. He’s going to help me with some ideas on designing the new horse corral. If you’re going to teach riding I thought you might like some special features.”
When did these plans come about? she wondered. “And where is this corral going to be?”
“Just on the other side of the barn. It’ll be out of the way, but close enough to where the horses are stabled. If you want, you can talk with Chance.”
Dana watched as Jared’s half brother got out of the truck. She was glad that the two were getting along so well. Deep down she’d hoped that their growing relationship would be another tie to keep Jared in Texas. Secretly she wished she could be enough to make him stay.
“You two can talk now,” Dana said, “but invite Chance for lunch and we’ll discuss things in detail then.”
Jared leaned down and placed a quick kiss on her mouth. “See you later.” With a sexy wink, he walked off.
Feeling giddy, Dana went back into the house and busied herself preparing lunch. Since she had the time, she put together a green salad and made egg salad for sandwiches. For an extra treat, she put a peach cobbler into the oven. After setting the table, she started to go get the men when the phone rang.
“Lazy S Ranch,” she said into the receiver.
“Hello. I’m looking for Jared Trager,” an unfamiliar voice said.
“He’s here, but outside,” Dana said. “May I take a message or have him call you back?”
“Yes, please. I’m Nate Peterson from Burke Construction. It’s urgent that I speak to him.”
Dana copied d
own the phone number Mr. Peterson gave her, then headed out to the corral. She walked through the barn, worried that the “urgent” message would take Jared away from her and Evan. But she had to give it to him. If he was going to stay, he had to make that decision on his own.
She found Jared and Chance standing in the newly mowed area that Jared had cleared just days ago. Coming up behind them, she was about to speak when something Chance was saying stopped her.
“Dana owns a real sweet section in Mustang Valley. You could add some cabins and Dana could move her stable of riding horses over, too. It would make money for all of us.”
Jared was surprised at Chance’s offer. So, Chance wanted to include him in the Randell business, the Mustang Valley Guest Ranch. Jared knew that it could possibly be the best investment to help supplement the Lazy S. Before he could respond, he caught movement out of the corner of his eyes. He turned to find Dana standing behind him. By the look on her face, she had already heard Chance’s ideas.
“Dana, I didn’t think you were going to come out.”
“It’s a good thing I did, or you might have decided to give away all the Shayne land.” She shoved a piece of paper at him. “There’s an urgent call from Las Vegas, a Nate Peterson.” She turned and marched off.
Jared glanced at Chance. “I think you need to explain things to her.”
Chance raised his hands in surrender. “I doubt she’s ready to listen. She still thinks I want her land.”
“Then you’re going to have to convince her otherwise.”
“You deal with Dana,” Chance said. “I’ve been around long enough to know that whatever I say to her now isn’t going to matter.” He strolled off toward his truck.
Jared didn’t want to argue with Dana, but he had to confront her and he had a feeling she wouldn’t make it easy for him. He hurried inside to find her in the kitchen. “Whatever you’re thinking, stop. I’m not hooked up with the Randells to get you to sell.”
“You couldn’t anyway. I own the Lazy S.”
“I know that,” he said, trying to control his anger. “Believe me, I was as surprised as you were when Chance offered me—offered us—the opportunity to be a part of the Randell corporation. He said his brothers only asked us to come in because I’m family. And there is no selling of any land. Just a chance to be a part of the Mustang Valley Guest Ranch. And since everyone contributes with their own unique skills, Chance was hoping you would want to bring in the riding stables.”
Jared watched a speechless Dana mull over the idea. “Don’t let your stubbornness stop you from making a good investment.” He walked out of the room and into the study, still stinging that Dana didn’t believe him. The past weeks together, they’d shared the work, the meals…and a bed. Everything but the most important: trust.
He picked up the phone and dialed Burke Construction. He’d been checking in twice a week, Mondays and Fridays. Thanks to his sexy wife it was Tuesday and he hadn’t thought a thing about the construction company.
The phone rang twice before it was answered. “Burke Construction,” Nate said.
“Nate. It’s Jared.”
“Hey, man, sorry to have to do this, but I got some bad news. Stan had a heart attack last night.”
Jared closed his eyes. Stan. His mentor and friend. All he could think about was how much the man wanted to retire and spend time with his grandkids. “Is he all right?”
“He survived, but he’s going to need surgery. So I need you here.”
Jared turned to the doorway and found Dana standing there. She didn’t look angry, just beautiful, and he couldn’t help but remember last night in bed with her curled up against him. So trusting. He didn’t deserve that trust because he was going to break her heart.
“I’ll be there as soon as possible.”
Dana could only watch as Jared packed his bag. He’d had very little in the way of clothes, at least until he had bought boots and more jeans. It still hadn’t taken him long to gather it all together. The one thing he didn’t pack was the navy blue suit he’d bought for their wedding. That gave her a glimmer of hope.
Her nervousness grew. “How long will you be gone?”
“Not sure,” he answered. “Stan will be in the hospital until after his open-heart surgery. At least two weeks.”
He turned around and studied her. “I’ll be honest with you, Dana. I doubt he’ll be bouncing back. That leaves me to run Burke Construction. And right now, we have several projects and completion dates to meet.”
So you can leave Evan and me without a thought, she wanted to scream at him. “I understand. And I’m sorry about your friend. Evan and I will manage all right,” she lied, knowing their relationship was over. Worse, she had to explain to Evan that Jared was leaving. “Just do me one favor and don’t leave without talking with Evan.”
Jarred crossed the room. “You really think I’d do that? You think it isn’t killing me to leave that boy…to leave you? I told you from the first, Dana. I’m not cut out to be a family, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t care about you and Evan.”
That was the problem—he cared too damn much. He cared more than he should for the woman whom he’d started to share a bed with.
Her emerald eyes looked pleadingly at him. He couldn’t resist and he pulled her into his arms. “God, Dana. I don’t have a choice. I have to go to Las Vegas.”
“I know.” A tear slid down her cheek and Jared brushed it away. “I just wish—”
He didn’t want to hear her words. He was so torn that he couldn’t weaken his resolve. He let his mouth coax hers into submission, letting her know of his desire for her, his want, but mostly his need. All too soon, he broke off the kiss and grabbed his bag off the bed and walked down the hall to Evan’s room.
The boy was sitting at his desk and coloring. Jared stood there for a while, just trying to absorb the boy, wanting to keep the picture.
“Evan,” he called.
The boy turned and smiled, then climbed off the chair and hurried to him. “Uncle Jared, look what I drew.” He handed him a picture. Jared examined it closely. It looked like a horse and three stick people.
“That’s us,” Evan said. “You, me, Mom and Goldie. We are a family.”
Family. Jared had hated the word when it came to the Hastings. He’d never felt a part; now it was different. “It’s very nice.” He started to hand it back.
“No, I drew it for you,” Evan insisted. “You keep it.”
“I will.” He looked at the boy. “Evan, I came in here because I have to tell you something. You know I have a construction business in Las Vegas.”
The child nodded.
“Well, my boss got sick and I need to go there and help them finish the building.”
He watched Evan’s face drop. “But that’s far away. I don’t want you to go.”
“It can’t be helped, son.”
“I don’t care. I want you to stay here,” he cried, and threw himself into Jared’s arms and sobbed.
Jared hugged the boy to him, feeling like crying himself. “Hey, sport. I’ll be back in a few weeks. By then you’ll be riding Goldie like a champ.”
The boy pulled back, wiping the tears off his face. “Will you come back and build me the fort you promised for my birthday?”
That was only two weeks away, Jared doubted that he could get things straightened out by then. And he didn’t want to make the kid any false promises. “I’ll try, son. If I can’t be here, I’ll call you.”
Evan didn’t like it, but he nodded. “’Kay.”
“And you can call me.” He went to the desk and wrote down the series of numbers to his cell phone. “If you need me, call.”
The boy nodded, then hugged him. “I love you, Jared.”
“I love you, too, Evan.” He turned to find Dana standing in the doorway. Without a word, he moved past her and hurried down the steps.
Dana fought to rush after Jared and beg him to stay. What good would it do? He was determ
ined to go. The pain was worse than anything she’d ever felt before.
She knew he had to go. After hearing the back door slam, she hurried downstairs.
Outside, Jared loaded his tools in the bed of his truck. After he finished the task, he went to the bunkhouse. Probably to say goodbye to Bert. A few minutes later, he came out and stood on the stoop and gazed out toward the pasture. It was as if he was taking a final look at the Lazy S. He turned toward the porch and paused. Dana’s heart pounded, praying he’d come to her and promise that he would return. That he cared and wanted their marriage to be a real one.
Instead, he waved and climbed into his truck and drove off down the road, kicking up dust in his wake. Dana felt a tear run down her face and she brushed it off as he disappeared from view.
She knew in her heart that Jared Trager wasn’t coming back.
Chapter Eleven
Jared had been gone five miserable days and six long, lonely nights. Worse, there hadn’t been a word from him. Not even a quick phone call to tell her he’d made it to Las Vegas. Nothing.
Dana wasn’t surprised. Jared had been honest with her. From the first, he’d told her that he didn’t want anything permanent, that their so-called marriage was only temporary. Well, dammit, why did he have to treat her so special—be so loving? Why did he promise Evan that he’d always be there for him when he knew it was a lie? Wanting to protect her son, she’d made every excuse possible so Evan wouldn’t know his uncle Jared had deserted him, that another man had walked away. Another man who didn’t love her enough to stay.
From the kitchen, Dana heard a vehicle pull into the drive. She tried to hold back hope that it might be Jared as she went to the back door, but was disappointed to find it was Chance Randell coming up the walk.
“Afternoon, Dana.” Her neighbor tipped his hat as he climbed the steps. “You think I could have a word with you?”
Dana didn’t feel like discussing business today or any day, but her solitude was worse.
“Come inside, it’s cooler.” She held open the wooden screen door, then led the way into the kitchen. She poured them both some iced tea as Chance pulled out a chair and straddled it.
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