by Erica Penrod
“I get it. It’s been a lot for me too.” He folded his arms and looked out over the fields to the west. “I guess I don’t know what I expected.”
“Probably not a punch to the face,” Janie said with a smile.
“No, I didn’t imagine that.”
“How long were you planning to stay?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. It depends on how things go tomorrow with Brynna, but if Jaxon’s reaction is any indication of hers, it’ll probably be a quick trip.”
Janie bit her lip, wondering how Brynna would take the news. A short fuse ran through the family, and after the initial explosion, she knew Brynna would like Race.
“Well,” she said, “I don’t think you’ll have to worry about a punch to the face, but she is pregnant, and I can’t predict Brynna on hormones. More than likely, you’ll get to experience a verbal showdown between her and Kyle.” She pictured her sister-in-law, with her fiery hair and combustible temperament. “Let’s hope you don’t get caught in the crossfire.”
“Great.” Race stepped down a stair, eye level to Janie. “So, you’re saying I may be better off catching the next flight home?”
“I didn’t say that.” She chuckled while tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I know she’ll love having another brother, but it may take a little while for her to cool down.”
“I guess we’ll find out tomorrow,” Race said. He walked down the remaining stairs and paused. “Thanks, Janie. I’m glad you showed up. Things may have gotten a lot worse if you hadn’t.”
“I figured I needed to get out here. I’ve been around the Davis family long enough to know change is difficult for them, and you definitely shook things up.”
“I guess I should’ve called first,” Race said. He smiled up at her. “But somehow I don’t think that would have made a difference.” He walked to the truck. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Bye,” she said, and waved.
She watched as he backed up and swung around. When she saw his taillights headed up the road, she went back into the house.
Kyle was stretched out in his recliner, his stocking feet hanging over the edge and his hands behind his head. An old episode of Bonanza played on the television. Janie recognized the young Michael Landon; she grew up watching reruns of Little House on the Prairie, her mother’s favorite childhood show. She sat down on the couch and watched for few minutes before she turned and faced Kyle.
“Do you want to talk about it?” she asked her ex-father-in-law.
He glanced over at her but didn’t turn his head. “What’s there to talk about?”
Her jaw dropped.
“I had another child, and now you all know about him. End of discussion.” He zoned in on the television.
This was a futile conversation. What was that old saying her father used to quote? Something about leading a horse to water, but you couldn’t make him drink, and the Davis men were as stubborn as some horses and their mule cousins. Janie had been around the family long enough to know getting them to admit their feelings was like trying to dig a well with a teaspoon. “Okay, then I guess I’ll go.”
She stood up, thinking about Race. She didn’t get the vibe that he kept his feelings to himself, the total opposite of Jaxon. Janie said goodbye to Kyle, who only nodded his head as she opened the door. Besides Race’s physical appearance, were there any other similarities between him and Jaxon? It was too soon to tell, but she hoped he’d stick around long enough for her to find out.
Chapter 4
Janie left the ranch and went back to work to tidy up after her speedy departure. She unlocked the door and stepped into the salon. Her product was on the shelf, the styling tools in the drawer, and the floor had been swept and mopped beneath her chair. Saying a silent thank you to her co-workers, she left. On her way to the car, she saw several texts from Jaxon and Brynna on her screen. Maybe she shouldn’t have offered to give Brynna the news. She was too tired to douse the flames of another Davis fire; she needed time to refill her extinguisher. She couldn’t decide how to handle either situation, so she shoved the phone back into her pocket.
She stopped by the store to pick up a few groceries for dinner tomorrow, her stomach twisting. Janie was known for her tenacity with a bucket of Pine-Sol and a cleaning cloth, but cooking wasn’t her forte. A frozen lasagna was totally acceptable for the Davis clan, but what did you feed a well-to-do southern lawyer?
It’s the right thing to do, she told herself, as she pushed a cart through the frozen food aisle. But she still had to tell Brynna about her new brother before then, just not this minute. Maybe she should invite Brynna and Layne over for dinner and present Race then. Ta da, here’s your new brother. But Brynna would already be suspicious by the invitation alone.
Pulling the phone from her pocket, she pulled up recipes for the culinary challenged. Scrolling through a few of the results assured that she wasn’t alone in her predicament, and she found a couple recipes that looked promising with two weeks’ practice. Perhaps a semi-homemade meal with takeout and her own freshly tossed salad would suffice. Feeling good about that option, she shopped the produce aisle and got a sauce packet to make a bottle of ranch dressing.
Outside in the parking lot, she loaded the groceries into the hatchback of her car. Her phone continued to vibrate as a reminder—she still hadn’t responded to them. She got into the car and laid her forehead on the steering wheel. Why was everything so complicated with Jaxon? How did they end up here?
Janie turned the ignition key and decided she’d call Jaxon once she got home. There were a couple miles for her to change her mind, and if she wanted any sleep tonight, she would. Talking to Jaxon seemed to do more harm than good anymore. Strange to think that there once was a time when she couldn’t wait to tell him everything, and now the thought felt more like indigestion. Maybe it was safe—enough time had passed for his emotions to simmer and maybe stew on his actions. History taught her that trying to reason with an angry Jaxon was like trying to talk Gus into a bath: irrationality trumped common sense.
Pulling into the driveway, she realized she hadn’t thought about asking Jaxon to dinner. The obvious choice would be no, one weekend brawl was enough, but she found herself where she always did: trying to give Jaxon the opportunity to fix whatever he broke.
Janie loved him still; even knowing full well about his temper, his inability to think things through, and the way he lived on full throttle. Within the rough saddle bronc rider was a kind-hearted man who was easily misunderstood, but Janie recognized his intentions. Even now, as his ex-wife, she knew he never meant to hurt her, but she refused to share him with tabloid reporters or partying women, no matter how innocent the situation may be. She wasn’t his whole world anymore, and she couldn’t thrive on an uninhabitable planet.
Janie unloaded the groceries. Her hands were full, and she had the keychain between her teeth. She paused at the front door and set one bag on the porch.
“Can I give you a hand with that?” a voice said behind her.
“What the …” The keys fell to the ground. She whipped around to find Race standing there.
“Sorry I didn’t mean to startle you.” Race tucked his hands in his pockets.
“I thought you were a lawyer, not a stalker.” Janie smiled and leaned over at the same moment as Race did. His long arms reached the keys first, and he handed them to her. She stared in his eyes, still confounded by their appearance on someone other than Jaxon.
Race got up, helping her at the same time. He took the other bag from her hand.
“Thanks,” she said. “I’m not even that far along yet, and already I don’t bend like I used to.”
“I don’t know much about pregnancy, but I think it’s bound to get worse.” Race smiled, and she noticed his teeth were bright white and spaced evenly, probably the result of an orthodontist. That was something to separate him from Jaxon; braces were never an option on the Davis budget.
Janie turned the key in the lock and pushed the door
open. “I didn’t think I’d see you again until Sunday dinner.”
“I know, I’m sorry. There aren’t any rooms available in either hotel. One is booked, and the other has plumbing issues. I wondered if you knew of another place, somewhere close to town.”
“I forgot about tourist season.” She walked in, and he followed her. “We’re on the outskirts of Zion National Park, and there can be a lot of people staying at one time.”
Janie led Race into the kitchen, where he placed the groceries on the counter. She opened the back door, and her dog came running in.
“Meet Gus,” she said, as the dog checked him out. Her instinct was to invite him to stay with her, because it was the polite thing to do, and he needed somewhere to go. After all, he was family, sort of. “Why don’t you stay here?” she said, and filled the dog dish with water.
“No.” Race shook his head as he made friends with Gus. “I didn’t mean that. I wondered if you had any suggestions. I’m never sure whether to trust the travel sites.”
“Nonsense. I’ve got an extra room, and you’re welcome to it.” She pulled the groceries from the sacks and lined them up on the counter, sorting the perishables from the non-perishables.
She looked up to find Race watching her with a bewildered expression on his face. She ignored his questioning eyes. “But I should warn you, the menu is frozen pizza. I haven’t had lunch, and I’m starving.”
“Janie, really. I’ll head to the next town, and you certainly don’t have to feed me.”
“Race, you’re family, and that’s all there is to it.” Opening the fridge, she took the lettuce from the counter. “I mean, that’s how it is. Look at me, I’m the ex-daughter-law and ex-sister-in-law on paper, but nothing’s changed between Brynna, Kyle, and me.”
“I don’t think that applies to me.” He rested his elbows on the counter, with Gus nestled near his feet. Race wasn’t wearing his hat, and he had the same twists and turns in his blond hair as Jaxon, but Race’s hair was trimmed above the ears and better managed.
“Of course it does. Everyone needs a little time to get used to the idea.”
“I don’t know,” Race said. “I’m not sure what I hoped to accomplish by coming out here.” He stood up and folded his arms. “I’ve known about Kyle for a long time, and it’s not like I’m looking for a father figure. I guess I always knew that someday I’d want to meet him, but I didn’t look beyond that.”
Janie peeked around the fridge door. “Curiosity—it makes sense.” She ducked back into the fridge for a moment, then closed the door. “But one thing I don’t think you’ve considered, is that the more people you have in your life to love and to be loved by is a good thing.”
A grin crowded out the concern on his face. “I’m not too worried about that yet.” He rubbed at the purple bruise.
Janie gritted her teeth and flinched at the dark shadow across his jaw. “I’m really sorry about that. Do you want an aspirin or an ice pack?”
“No thanks, but I’ll take a glass of water.”
“You got it. Why don’t you go get your luggage and I’ll start on this delectable frozen pizza?” She pressed the preheat button.
“If you’re sure,” Race said. “I really don’t mean to impose.”
Janie chucked a dish towel at him. “You’re not. Now go get your stuff, and I mean it.”
Walking towards the door, Race looked back over his shoulder. “I am smart enough not to argue with a pregnant woman.”
“Good.” Janie laughed. “We’ll get along fine.”
She heard the door close and pulled out her pizza pan and a glass. Despite her genuine invitation, she felt nervous about serving her house guest a frozen pizza. If she’d known she was going to have company, she would’ve picked up a few more items at the store. Hoping for a grocery fairy, she opened the refrigerator again and was pleasantly surprised when she remembered the tube of cookie dough. Of course, there was ice cream in the freezer; her cravings were constant and had to be satisfied on a regular basis. Pushing a couple condiments to the side, she discovered half a bottle of caramel. Perfect.
The front door opened. “Did you get everything?” Janie asked.
Race had an unsettled look on his face, and the dog growled.
“What’s wrong?” Janie walked around the counter, and Gus ran to the door, barking. “Gus, be quiet,” she said. “Race, what’s going on? Are you alright?”
He nodded, and she saw him swallow. “Maybe you’re used to it by now, but there is a reporter outside with a cameraman.”
Chapter 5
Janie’s stomach felt like a lead weight. “What? I’ve never had one come to the house before.” Her face felt clammy, and tiny beads of perspiration gathered on her forehead. She dabbed at them with her sleeve.
“I can take care of it,” Race said. She didn’t know how he got to her so fast as he pulled a chair from the table. “Here, sit down for a second.” He took her hand and helped her into the seat. “I’ll get rid of them.”
Tears welled in her eyes. “No, no. I don’t need you getting involved or getting hurt again.”
A half smile eased his furrowed brow. “I can take care of myself, despite the incriminating evidence. I can go out there and throw around some legal jargon, enough to persuade them to leave.”
Janie pushed herself up from the table. “No. I’ll handle it.”
She marched over to the door, anger fueling her determination. She held on to the dog’s collar. Race was right behind her, his long strides got him there a half a second after her. Janie yanked the door open, and a bulb flashed in her eyes, blinding her long enough for her courage to hide.
“Mrs. Davis, is it true that you’re pregnant and that your ex-husband, Jaxon Davis, is the father?” The twenty-something reporter propelled the microphone towards her. She shook her head, trying to clear her mind. He seemed to take it as an invalid response. “Have you seen the photos of Jaxon with Miley Rhodes? Does this confirm the allegations that led to your divorce? How far along are you, and does this change anything regarding your relationship with Jaxon?”
Glossy eyed, she stared into the camera. A thousand responses ran through her mind, but none of them were connecting with her mouth. Race put his hand on the small of her back. He leaned in and whispered in her ear. “You’re okay. You can do this.”
Her focus sharpened, and she looked directly into the eyes of the reporter. “I have no comment, and for future reference, whatever Jaxon chooses to do or not do is no longer any of my concern. If you would kindly remove yourself from my property, it would save me a phone call to the police.”
Without waiting to see if her threat worked, she closed the door and stepped past Race into the house, with Gus beside her. Janie could hear him follow. She tried to control her shaking body, but it was no use. Race took her in his arms and held her until the she was steady.
“I’m sorry.” She pulled away and looked up, forgetting for a moment that she wasn’t in Jaxon’s arms. “I’d like to think I’m usually much stronger than this and that it’s all the hormones, but maybe I’m not, and this divorce has taken more out of me than I realize.”
“With all you’ve had to deal with, well, that’s difficult for anyone.”
The timer beeped in the background. “The oven’s ready.” She went into the kitchen and put the pizza in the oven. Imagined pictures of Jaxon with Miley flashed in her mind. She took the glass from the counter and filled it with ice and then added water. Her hand shook as she handed it to Race.
“Sit down. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I think so … it’s …” Against her will, she started to cry. “I was hoping to keep the baby a secret for a while longer.”
“Oh,” Race said. “I didn’t realize the pregnancy wasn’t public knowledge.”
He pulled a chair out, and she took it. “Thanks.”
“No problem. What can I do to help?”
“I wish I knew,” she said with a sniffle. If ther
e was a cure for her heartache, she hadn’t found it yet. The only sure comfort she’d ever known was Jaxon. But turning to him now was like drowning and asking for a drink.
He reached across the counter for a paper towel and handed it to her. Then he joined her at the table. “Let me tell you about my family’ a distraction of sorts.”
She blew her nose. “Yeah, I’d like that.”
“Cool,” he said, nodding his head. “But it’s nothing exciting.”
“I’m into normal, boring kinds of people these days. I’ve had my fill of famous and exciting.”
“Good,” he said. “Where should I start?”
“How about when your mom and dad met?”
“Sure, that’s a good—”
Gus barked, and the front door flew open. Jaxon, all tense jaw and stormy eyes, stood in the doorway. Janie had seen that look before; he was a volcano about to blow.
“Janie, are you okay?” he asked, as he thundered in. She met him halfway while he looked her up and down as if he were searching for wounds. He touched her face with his fingertip, like she was made of porcelain. “Someone said they saw a reporter headed your way. I’m sorry, I—”
His head turned, and Janie knew Race must have come out of the kitchen. She turned and watched as Jaxon locked eyes with Race, dark against dark. “What are you doing here?”
Janie put her head in her hands. Round two—here we go.
* * *
Hot rage rushed through Jaxon’s body, an involuntary response to another man close to Janie, urging him to throw a punch or two. Race was taller but evenly built; it might be a fair fight if Jaxon was blindfolded. But it was exactly this kind of mentality that deepened the divide between them. He hoped to fill in the gap, one shovel full at a time if necessary, but all he managed was to dig a deeper hole.
“Jaxon, calm down,” Janie said like a recording. “Race has been kind enough to help me out. It’s a good thing he was here, or I don’t know what I would’ve done or said.”
