“Good for you, son. Will you be ready for the Halloween party on Friday? Got your monster costume ready?”
Before Toby could answer, B.J. whispered, “Jake, let me by.”
She was a little surprised when he readily stepped aside, but he immediately looped an arm around her shoulders and walked with her to the porch.
“Yeah. I’m gonna be real scary!”
“All right! And you’re going to stay with Red and Mildred again tonight?”
Jake ignored B.J.’s attempts to shrug off his arm, but she saw Toby staring at them. She’d explained so carefully that she and Jake wouldn’t be kissing again. How would Toby interpret Jake’s behavior?
“Mommy said she wasn’t going to go places with you anymore,” Toby said slowly, continuing to stare at them.
Jake looked down at her, one eyebrow sliding up before he turned his attention back to her son. “Well, Toby, it’s like this. Your mom was unhappy with me. But ladies change their minds all the time. I told her I was sorry.”
“Oh. Like when I’ve been bad and I say I’m sorry?”
Jake nodded, still smiling.
Toby really grinned. “Oh, good. ’Cause Mommy always kisses me and forgives me.”
“Exactly.” He came to a stop, pulling B.J. around to face him. Leaning closer, he whispered, “We’ll figure out what to do later. But you’ll have to come tonight if you’re not going to upset Lucy.” Then he brushed his lips across hers, lightly this time. “I’ll be back in an hour.”
He waved to Toby and strode across the yard, leaving B.J. standing like a statue, her mind seething with ways to punish the man. He was driving her crazy!
AFTER DINNER that evening at the Turnbulls’, B.J. followed the rest of the women into the kitchen. Though Lucy protested she didn’t need any help, they ignored her.
B.J. wasn’t reluctant to help, but she was hesitant to be alone with her friends. She’d felt all of them watching her and Jake all evening. If he so much as touched her hand, everyone’s eyes had been trained on them.
To be alone with the women now meant she would have to answer questions. And she had no answers. None at all.
She’d tried to come up with a reason for refusing to attend, but Jake was right She couldn’t refuse without appearing terribly rude. And she couldn’t be angry with Mildred. After all, she had been told about the morning’s events. It was B.J.’s fault, hers and Jake’s, that everyone thought they were dating again.
That stupid kiss.
The one in front of everyone.
She’d told Mildred again this evening, before she left, that the kiss was a mistake, that she and Jake weren’t—whatever. Mildred had apologized for accepting the invitation for her, but there had been a look in her aunt’s eyes that told B.J. she hadn’t convinced her.
“What a lovely dinner, Lucy,” Megan said as she carried dirty dishes to the sink. “I’d love the recipe for that casserole. Did you see the way Chad ate it? I don’t dare tell Red.”
“I’d be glad to give you a copy of it. It’s one of my mother’s.” Lucy began organizing the dishes and rinsing them.
“This has been so much fun,” Janie said.
“We don’t socialize enough,” Lucy agreed. “But we have the party at your house in two days. Are you all ready ?”
“Almost,” Janie said. “Of course, we have Red and Mildred to handle a lot of the work.” She looked at B.J. out of the corner of her eye. “Mildred is a godsend.”
“Yes, she’s wonderful, isn’t she?” B.J. agreed, hoping the conversation would stay on the party.
“Yeah. Will you miss her when she and Red marry?” Anna asked.
Uh-oh. B.J. got nervous whenever the subject turned to marriage. “Of course we’ll miss her, but we’ll manage. We want Mildred to be happy.”
“It’s so nice, the way things have worked out,” Anna said with a happy sigh. “No one’s alone while the rest of us are happy.”
Stark silence followed her words. B.J. was careful not to look at anyone.
Finally Megan said, “Anna didn’t mean to leap to conclusions, B.J., but you know we’re all hopeful that you and Jake—”
“Jake and I are friends, that’s all. It’s awkward around here not to be a couple.” B.J. hoped they believed her.
“Then you’re not—” Lucy began, and then halted, blushing. “I mean, the other night we got the impression that the two of you—That is, you seem to make such a nice couple.”
“No! No, we’re not a couple. There’s nothing between us. In fact, I would describe our relationship as a, uh, professional one. I work as Jake’s vet, and that’s all.”
B.J. was standing with her back to the door to the dining room and didn’t realize anyone was entering until strong arms wrapped around her and Jake kissed her cheek.
“Hi, honey. You got dishpan hands yet?”
Closing her eyes, B.J. fought to hold back a groan. Had he heard her words? Or was he still role-playing? She’d noticed during the dinner he had treated her much as his brothers treated their wives, but he hadn’t caressed her in any way. There had been a gentle playfulness, but no actual flirtation. Until now. How could she explain this?
“Jake!” she protested even as the others chuckled.
“What?” he asked, turning her around to face him.
“I just explained to the others that we’re not—not a couple! Now what are they going to think?” Better to face him than the knowing smiles on her friends’ faces.
“Probably that I can’t keep my hands off you. That’s what the guys are saying.” He grinned as if he were happy about their conclusion.
“Stop acting!” She spun around to the women. “Really, Jake’s just teasing. We’re not a couple.”
Instead of backing her up, Jake drawled, “Well, honey, we’re a couple in the sense that there’s two of us. But we’re not a couple who’s going to get married. We’ve both tried marriage, and I, for one, can do without that complication in my life.”
B.J. should’ve been pleased as she watched the happiness fade from her friends’ expressions. After all, Jake had done a good job of explaining their situation. But her heart felt heavy. Probably because Jake had kind of left it hanging that they might have a relationship, just not a legal one.
“Sometimes it’s awkward to be alone when everyone else is a couple. Jake and I are helping each other out,” she added, stepping away from him before her body gave her away.
She sat down at the kitchen table and looked at Jake. His eyes narrowed, as if in challenge to her words. She couldn’t imagine what he had to complain about. She’d only echoed his sentiments.
“But, Jake, surely you don’t compare B.J. to Chloe? Can’t you see that B.J. is our kind? That she’d make a wonderful wife?” Janie insisted.
“Janie!” B.J. protested.
“Janie,” Jake joined her in saying, but he continued, “I told the boys to warn you about matchmaking. I’m happy the way I am. There are enough happy couples and babies at our house. Leave well enough alone.” By the time he finished, his voice was stern.
Turning to Lucy, he said, “I apologize for letting family things intrude, Lucy. You fixed a wonderful meal, and we all enjoyed ourselves. I came in here to ask if you ladies weren’t going to join us. We’re lonesome.”
His dramatic complaint raised laughter that eased an awkward moment, and there was a general movement toward the door.
“We’ve finished,” Lucy said. “We wouldn’t want you men to be lonesome.”
B.J. moved faster than the others. Right now she didn’t care if Jake was lonesome or not. In fact, she would like him to be lonesome! But she also didn’t want to be alone with him.
An hour later, she couldn’t avoid him, since he’d driven the two of them to Ben and Lucy’s. She’d tried to catch a ride with one of his brothers, but Jake made sure she didn’t succeed.
Once they were alone in the truck, he turned to her. “What are you trying to do? Embarrass me in
front of my brothers?” he demanded, anger in his voice.
“Why not? You embarrassed me in front of my friends.” She refused to look at him.
“What are you talking about? I didn’t do any such thing.” He gunned the engine and roared down the driveway to the road.
“You implied that we were going to have an affair, or were already. I don’t appreciate my reputation being smeared.”
“Maybe your reputation wouldn’t be smeared. Maybe it would be boosted if everyone thought you were having an affair with me.”
There was a challenge in his voice, but B.J. wasn’t intimidated. “How arrogant! Do you think you’re that wonderful?”
“Nope. But I think you’ve gotten a reputation for being a cold fish.”
She was stunned by his words. “What are you talking about?”
“A lot of the guys have asked you out, flirted with you, but you haven’t responded.”
“How can you—?” She turned bright red as she thought about her response to this man.
“Hey, I’m not complaining, lady. If you responded any more to my kisses, we would know each other a lot better than we do. But you’ll have to admit you don’t usually let anyone get that close.”
Now her cheeks were flame red, and she stared straight ahead of her into the darkness. “I didn’t think it would be a good idea to mix business with—with pleasure. I don’t like to date my customers.”
“I think maybe you’re just afraid to get close to anyone. I’m wondering if maybe your marriage wasn’t as good as you’d like people to believe.” His voice cut through the shadows, making her angrier.
She wasn’t interested in discussing her marriage with Jake Randall. It was none of his business. Going on the attack, she said, “I don’t think you have any room to talk, Jake. Your marriage wasn’t a blueribbon winner.”
“Nope. But I never pretended it was. That’s why I don’t intend to marry again.”
“I think you’ve made that abundantly clear. And I’d appreciate it if you’d keep your distance. That flirting routine you pulled in the kitchen has to stop!”
“Hey, I thought you wanted people to think we were dating. I was only playing the game.”
“The game is over. I told you!”
He turned off the road onto Randall property without responding to her curt words. She didn’t care. Too many times she’d let him touch her, even encouraged him, but now the touching had to stop.
Everything had to stop. No more pretense.
No more Jake.
“Just like that?”
“Yes, just like that. If anyone has the audacity to ask what happened, just tell them you dumped me.” She didn’t care if people thought Jake didn’t want her. It was the truth. He didn’t want her forever, and that was the only way she could consider—She shook her head to dismiss such silly hopes.
“I’m not sure they’ll believe me, since I haven’t been able to keep my hands off of you,” he growled.
“They will if you’ll keep your distance.”
“Hey, I’m not the only one who needs this lecture. You didn’t exactly fight me off, honey. Maybe I wouldn’t keep coming back if you ever said no.” He pulled his truck to a stop. His brothers and their wives were right behind them in the sedan. When B.J. reached for the door handle, she discovered Jake’s hand over hers. “Wait,” he said in a low voice.
“Why?”
“Because I don’t think we’ve finished this discussion.”
“Yes, we have, Jake. There’s nothing more to discuss, nothing more to do. I’ll keep my distance. You keep your insinuations to yourself. It’s over.”
“Fine!” he snapped, releasing her hand. “And next time don’t involve me in your schemes!”
Her mouth worked as she tried to find the words to lambast him. Finally she sputtered, “You started it!”
“You continued it!” he returned.
In the light from the porch, she could see his eyes snap with anger. She pretended she didn’t care. After all, she was fighting for survival, hopefully with her heart intact. “So we’ll both finish it. Good night, Jake!”
This time he didn’t stop her from opening the truck door. She slid out and ran the short distance to her house and safety.
AS SOON AS the Randall men left the house the next morning, Mildred and Red joined the female side of the family at the breakfast table.
“How did it go last night?” Red asked.
Anna sighed. “It was a nice evening, but…”
“Yes?” Mildred prodded, leaning forward eagerly.
“Jake admitted he’s attracted to B.J., couldn’t keep his hands off her, in fact, but—”
“Good!” Red interjected.
“Nope,” Janie said. “It’s not good. He announced, in front of B.J., that he had no intention of marrying. But he wasn’t averse to anything else she would agree to.”
Mildred gasped. “B.J. is a nice girl!”
Red squared his jaw, clearly intent on defending his own. “B.J. is a woman, Millie, not a girl, and Jake wouldn’t do anything she didn’t agree to.”
“Whatever they do, that’s not the point,” Janie quickly said before an argument could break out. “We want them married We want Jake to have kids, too. We want Toby to have a daddy. We want—”
“But it has to be what they want, too,” Megan said.
“I think it’s what they both want, but they’re afraid,” Anna said softly. “Jake’s always touching her and watching her. And B.J. blushes every time he gets near.”
“That’s sex, not love,” Red said.
“Well, then, you and Mildred must not love each other,” Janie argued, “because those words describe the two of you.” She stared at his arm on the back of Mildred’s chair, his hand touching her shoulder.
Red jerked his hand away, and Mildred blushed.
“We’re different! We care about each other. We’re not just out for what we can get,” Red assured them.
“Isn’t that what Jake was doing yesterday morning when he didn’t want B.J. working on Pete’s horse? Caring for her?” Anna asked.
“That’s right,” Mildred seconded. “He was trying to protect her. And he spends a lot of time with Toby.”
“So how do we convince bullheaded Jake that he needs to get married?” Janie asked.
Silence fell as they each contemplated the question.
Finally Anna said, “We’ve invited all the single women we know to pursue Jake, so he’ll turn to B.J.”
Janie shook her head. “I know, but—Of course! Why didn’t I think of it before?”
“What?” Megan demanded. “Don’t keep us in suspense.”
“We need to invite all the single men!”
Red frowned, staring at Janie. “But won’t they just flirt with all the single women? Cancel each other out?”
“Some of them, yes. But B.J. is a beautiful woman. With the right encouragement from interested parties—” she winked at the rest of them “—some of the men will pursue her. I think Jake might not like sharing B.J.”
Recognition dawned on all their faces.
“Good plan, Janie,” Red agreed. “Jealousy always works.”
“At least it can’t hurt,” Mildred agreed. “And if Jake isn’t interested, maybe B.J. will find someone else to plan a future with.”
Loud protests rose from the rest of the conspirators.
“We’ve already claimed B.J. as a Randall,” Janie said, speaking for everyone. “And we’ll convince Jake of that fact, come hell or high water.” She raised her coffee cup. “Here’s to Operation Halloween. May Cupid plant an arrow in Jake’s heart.”
“Here, here!” the others agreed in unison, raising their cups.
Red had the last word, however. “I just hope Cupid can recognize him under his mask.”
Chapter Thirteen
Jake was appalled.
“You’re kidding me, Anna!” When she continued to stare at him innocently, her blue eyes wide, h
e added weakly, “Aren’t you?”
“No, Jake,” Anna replied. “I picked it out especially for you. You’ll look great in it.”
“Anna,” he began in frustration, staring at the costume waiting on his bed, “it’s a dress!”
“No, Jake, it’s a toga. You’re going to be Mark Antony.” When he didn’t show any appreciation for her explanation, she added, “And you get to carry a spear.”
“Anna, I’ll be the only man there in a skirt.” Jake had a terrible time denying Anna anything, but he’d be damned if he’d strut around in a skirt in front of his neighbors.
“No, you won’t. Brett is going as a Scot. We’re wearing matching kilts.”
She beamed at him, and Jake felt his resistance slipping. Desperately he said, “I’m the host. I don’t think I should wear a costume.”
“Jake, you have to!” she pleaded. “We told everyone they had to wear a costume. Your brothers will be furious if you didn’t have one. Besides, I picked this one out special for you.”
He gave up. He should’ve known from the beginning that she would win. “Okay, okay. But the first guy who laughs at me goes home with a broken nose.”
“Thank you, Jake,” Anna said, and reached up to kiss his cheek. Then she slipped from his bedroom, leaving Jake wondering how he’d gotten himself into this situation.
His sisters-in-law had announced last week that they were going to Casper to find costumes for everyone, but he hadn’t paid much attention to their plans. He hadn’t been in the mood to care. Besides, he figured he’d be a ghost, or maybe a pirate.
He stared at the sandals that were supposed to crisscross up his leg to his knee. Sandals in October in Wyoming? His toes might freeze off tonight.
Eyeing the toga, which would stop just above his knees, he realized he might be concerned about more than his toes freezing off.
“LAND’S SAKE, CHILD,” Mildred fussed, pushing B.J. down the hall, “of all nights to be late. We’re supposed to be at the party right now. Toby and I are dressed already.”
B.J. didn’t need her aunt to tell her. Mildred didn’t normally dress as a Gypsy dancer. “What’s Red wearing?”
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