“Why?” he asked, regarding her.
“Because, it’s… not important.” She walked out a few steps.
“That usually means that it is, or at least was important,” he added.
Kessed paused. “If I tell you, will you leave me alone?”
“Nope. But I’ll stop pestering you about this.” He shrugged.
“Fine.” She took a few steps back toward the truck then paused. “I did the whole humming thing a lot when I was younger, and I got teased. Okay? It wasn’t bad. It just made me a little insecure about it, and well, Laken was fine, but Sterling—” She cut off her words. “It’s just that it was something I was—I am sensitive about.”
Jasper set his cup down. “Honey, I’m sure you were just a little bitty thing—”
“I was a sophomore in college, Jasper. Not young.”
Jasper nodded. “I see. Well, then I think I better clear something up.” He took a deep breath. “Because I’m betting there’s a little bit of confusion on your end.” He took another fry, dipped it in his shake, and walked over to Kessed, offering it.
Her chocolate eyes narrowed, but she accepted it.
“Eat it. Enjoy it. The only reason I said it distracted me was because I know that you don’t look at me the way I look at you, and quite honestly, hearing that sweet little moan from your mouth makes whatever self-control I have disappear. So, it’s not that I don’t like it, Kess. It’s that I like it a little too much.”
Holding his breath, he waited for Kessed to move, to react. A slow smile spread across her face. She squinted her almond eyes as she blushed slightly under her tanned skin.
“Too much, hmm?” She glanced away, almost shy.
“Almost embarrassingly so. Now that I’ve fully blown my cover, I think I’m going to start working on that fence.” He nodded once and turned back to the truck. His face burned from his blunt statement, but he was glad he’d set the record straight. His anger burned against Sterling. The guy probably had no clue he’d hurt Kessed’s feelings, but that didn’t stop Jasper’s irritation toward him.
A hand grasped his, and he paused, surprised and slightly startled.
“Thank you.” Kessed glanced up, giving an uncertain smile as she studied him, her brown gaze holding him captive.
He simply nodded, watching in disbelief as she slowly traced her hand up his arm before resting her palm on his still bare shoulder. When he didn’t move, she gave a slight eye-roll of irritation and moved her hand to his neck, pulling him down where she met his lips, kissing him softly.
Jasper leaned into the kiss, but only somewhat, letting Kessed lead. Lord knows, he’d willingly follow. Her lips slowly shifted over his, and he caressed her lower lip with just the slightest tip of his tongue. She tasted like chocolate and salt—of course she’d be his favorite flavor.
As soon as the kiss started, it ended, and Kessed released her hold, stepping back. Her eyes were wary but not guarded like usual, and with a shy smile, she walked by him toward the fence.
“Hurry up, cowboy. We don’t have all day.”
CHAPTER SIX
Kessed wrapped the last wire around the line and took off the fence stretcher. They’d all but finished the repairs and not a moment too soon. The sun’s arc was just above Rattlesnake Mountains, which meant it was at least six in the evening. She gave a covert glance at Jasper, who was loading the barbwire into the back of the pickup. He hadn’t mentioned the kiss, hadn’t even treated her differently. They’d worked all afternoon, talked, mended more fences than she cared to admit, but nothing about the kiss.
And honestly, she didn’t know if that was a good or bad thing. Part of her was thankful that he hadn’t mentioned it; she didn’t quite know what to think of it herself. It was utterly impulsive, but she wouldn’t go back and do anything differently—except kiss him again.
Which was all sorts of crazy. She wasn’t in love with Jasper.
Hell, she wasn’t sure she even liked Jasper.
So maybe she liked him a little.
He was a pretty amazing kisser, even if it was just a short kiss.
Right away, she’d known if she didn’t end the kiss, she’d be in too deep to step back before it turned into something more.
“Waiting on you, sunshine!” Jasper called out, and she gave a rueful grin as she stood, her knees protesting. But her boots never once made her feet ache, in contrast to what Jasper had told her to expect.
“Impatient?” she yelled to Jasper, who’d just started the truck.
“As a general rule, no,” he answered as she paused by the open passenger door.
Kessed quickly placed the fence stretcher in the back then hopped in the front. “But?” she inquired.
“But I just got a phone call from Monson Ranch down the way. There’s a heifer in labor. It’s her first, and well, it’s breech. I gotta head over there and take a look.”
“I thought you were working with the other guy, Vince?” Kessed asked.
“Yeah, but his shoulder got injured this past summer. A bull pinned him against the rail. Dislocated it and broke a few ribs. Calf-pulling isn’t something he can do. Plus, he’s all but retired.” Jasper’s stomach growled loudly, and Kessed giggled.
“Hungry?”
“You have no idea. But I’m not going to get to pick up anything till after I see the calf.” He turned toward the house and slowed to a stop.
Kessed nodded. “Well, have fun?”
“You know it.” He gave a wry grin.
Kessed slid from the pickup. She waved. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Same time, same place!” Jasper called out. “Good work today, sunshine. Be sure you bring your A-game tomorrow too.” His green eyes crinkled up in a grin as she shut the pickup door. Soon, he was leaving a thin trail of dust as he drove away.
Kessed walked to the ranch house, her body protesting from all the manual labor, even if it was only hauling out T-posts and using the fence stretcher, it wasn’t exactly pulling shots at Starbucks. She stomped off the dust on her red boots and wiped them on the old doormat before she walked into the hall. Her stomach rumbled, and as she poured a glass of cool water and drank deeply, the empty ache in her belly only grew more demanding.
She searched the fridge, glaring at a half-eaten cup of instant noodles. The freezer was more promising, but thawing something would take precious time, and she was hungry now.
Glancing down at her dusty clothes, she vacillated between changing or just going out and to hell with her clothes.
Her impatient stomach won, and she dusted herself off as she walked to her hatchback while quickly winding her hair back up into a messy bun. Soon she was heading toward Ellensburg. As she drove down Main Street, she spotted Rodeo City Barbeque. The western storefront always made her roll her eyes, but the food was amazing! She would just order takeout then head back to the ranch. A shower sounded almost as heavenly as a Rodeo Reuben Sandwich. Almost. Food won, always.
Within ten minutes, she had her dinner and was walking to the car. As soon as she sat down, she pulled out her fries and took a bite. The crispy outside and salty flavor was almost better than sex. Almost. She noticed her small hum, as Jasper had referred to it, and her face flushed. She took another bite, guilt settling in her stomach along with the food as she remembered that Jasper wasn’t eating. He was working.
Still.
She glanced from the paper sack to the door of the restaurant then back. “Damn it all,” Kessed muttered and walked back in.
The waiter who had taken her previous order paused, glancing at her with some concern. “Was there a problem with your food?”
Kessed waved him off. “I need another order, for a friend,” she answered.
The college kid nodded, blinking as if in disbelief.
Kessed almost made a sarcastic remark, but she was too ti
red.
Ten minutes later, she was driving back down Main Street and heading east toward Monson Ranch. Roy Monson was a regular at Starbucks, and she’d taken him coffee a few times, so she was familiar with the location. She rolled down the windows, letting the cooling air filter through the car as she took a gravel road, kicking up dust behind her.
The Monsons’ place came into view, and Kessed drove around the house toward the various cattle barns that dotted the landscape. Jasper’s dark green pickup was parked beside a John Deere tractor, and Kessed pulled up behind it. She walked around the front of the barn then peeked into it, not wanting to disrupt Jasper but also not wanting one of Roy Monson’s dogs to snag his dinner.
“Easy, that’s a girl.” Jasper’s tone wasn’t soft as much as it was confident. He’d taken his shirt off once again, only this time tucking it into the back of his Wrangler jeans, blocking the view of his tight ass.
He guided his hands into the back end of the cow, and Kessed scrunched her nose. So that probably wasn’t the best part of his job. His shoulders tensed, and he tilted his head down as if seeing with his hands, rather than his eyes.
“Right there. Got it!”
Roy nodded his approval and took a step back, watching as Jasper started to lean away from the cow, pulling back till two hooves emerged within his grip.
“C’mon, girl, work now. You’ve pushed all afternoon, you’ve got one more in you,” Jasper coached and then leaned back again, his shoulders rock-hard, his teeth biting his lower lip as he pulled back.
The cow lowed, and the calf broke free, sliding out rear end first. A moment later, the head emerged, and Jasper lowered the slimy calf onto the clean straw. He picked up a piece of the golden straw and tickled the calf’s nose and solicited one sneeze, then another.
“Atta boy! Fill up those lungs. Whew, that was a big-ass bull in there,” Roy commented as he stepped around the newborn. The cow had moved around and was beginning to lick her baby, and Jasper stepped back, removing the long latex gloves from his hands when his gaze met hers.
“Kess? What are you doing here?” He wrapped up the plastic gloves within themselves and set them to the side, walking toward her.
“Didn’t want to interrupt. Nice work.” Kessed placed her hands in her jeans’ pockets, feeling slightly awkward.
“Hey, Kessed! What are you doing out here? Not that I’m complaining!” Roy called out, heading their way.
“I’m doing good deeds,” Kessed answered, holding up a paper sack, the scent wafting from it as she shook it slightly.
“If that’s not for me, lie.” Jasper groaned.
“It’s for you.” Kessed chuckled then held it out.
“Yes—no. Hold that thought. I don’t want to—Roy, where’s that damn hose?” Jasper glanced at his blood- and slime-smeared body and then back to the rancher.
“Where it usually is, boy.” Roy arched a brow then pointed to the side of the barn. “Have at it.”
Jasper jogged off to the side and started the water.
“And here I thought you were here for me. You’re killing me, sweetheart. It’s always the young bucks who get the fillies.” Roy pounded his heart teasingly.
“Aw, Roy, you know I only have eyes for you,” Kessed teased.
“Liar. Plus, I have Ethel. She keeps me busy enough. I don’t need more than one woman in my life.” Roy chuckled, shaking his head and causing his gray eyebrows to touch his owl-framed glasses.
“How’s Ethel doing?” Kessed asked, her tone sobering.
“Better. We had a good report from the cardiologist. As long as she takes it easy, and I don’t piss her off too much, she’ll be around a long time to keep my sorry hide in gear.”
“That’s good to know.”
“I’m back, I’m clean, and, woman, I’m starving. What did you bring me? Thank you, by the way.” Jasper took the bag and opened it. He immediately grabbed a fry and devoured it.
“I’ll have you know that this was a sacrifice for me. I still haven’t eaten mine.” Kessed turned toward her car, about to pick up her own bag when she heard a chuckle that turned into a full-blown laugh.
“Roy?” She turned, curious.
“Oh, it’s nothing, darling. Don’t worry about me.” He held his hand in front of his mouth and took a step back. “I’m going to go check on number six-seventy-five.” He motioned to the cow. “Thanks again, Jasper. Enjoy your dinner.” He snickered at the end and then walked off, his small frame shaking with mirth.
“What am I missing?” Kessed narrowed her eyes at Jasper, who was chewing slowly, an overly blank expression on his face.
He shrugged, and Kessed waited.
Jasper placed the sandwich back in the bag and took a fry. “It’s nothing, just Roy being an ass!” He almost shouted the last part, and Roy broke into another fit of giggles. “Let’s get your bag.” He started toward her car. “So, what did you order?” he asked offhandedly.
A little too offhandedly. She might have missed it had she not been looking for something suspicious.
“Reuben. Same as yours.” She paused, regarding him.
“Great choice,” Jasper replied with a wide grin.
“Really?” she asked with heavy sarcasm.
“Really!” Jasper held his hands up. “Thank you for thinking of me. I was starving!” He walked toward her car and opened the door before reaching in then handing her the sack. “You should eat too. Those dainty little hands of yours got more work than they’re used to. Did you break a nail, sweetheart?” he teased, holding up her bag just out of her reach.
“If you were really thankful, you’d hand me my dinner.” She crossed her arms and waited.
“Damn.” He lowered the sack, and she grabbed it with a triumphant grin.
She leaned against her car as she unwrapped the sandwich, Thousand Island dressing dripping off the French roll. “Where have you been all my life?”
“Dramatic much?”
“And no, I didn’t break a nail. I don’t grow them very long anyway, so it’s practically impossible.” She took a bite.
“My apologies.” Jasper picked up another fry.
Then it hit her.
“You don’t like Reubens, do you?” She waited, watching as his chewing stopped then restarted slowly.
“I never said that,” he replied innocently.
“Take a bite.” Kessed bit a big hunk of her own, waiting, daring him.
Jasper swallowed his fry and lifted the sandwich. He took a big bite—
“I hope you have Benadryl on hand.” Roy marched by, a wide grin still on his face.
Jasper’s eyes closed, and his face flushed to an odd shade of red.
“You’re allergic?” Kessed grabbed the bag from him, taking away the sandwich. “Shit! Do you go anaphylactic? I’m allergic to bees, so I have an EpiPen!” She dropped the bags, tossed the sandwich, and threw open the car door, ignoring Jasper’s protests. She took the EpiPen from her glove compartment and pulled off the end.
“Damn it, woman! I’m not going to die on you!” Jasper held Kessed’s arms, forcing her to keep still.
“Better than reality TV,” Roy commented as he leaned against the outside of the barn, watching unashamedly.
“Doesn’t Ethel need you?” Jasper replied.
“Nope.”
One of Roy’s dogs was finishing off the thrown sandwich, and Roy walked over, patting its head encouragingly. “At least someone will appreciate it, Kessed!”
“My throat doesn’t close up. I’m allergic to the seeds in the rye bread. I’m assuming you got this from Rodeo Barbeque, right? They don’t use rye bread, but they add the caraway seeds to the Thousand Island dressing. I just can’t have a lot of it. A little doesn’t bother me much.” Jasper slowly released her then took a step back.
Kessed narrowed her eye
s but placed the cap back on the EpiPen. “So, we don’t need to go to the hospital?”
“No.”
“Why didn’t you just tell me, you dumbass!” Kessed slugged his bare arm, glaring.
“I didn’t want to sound ungrateful! You were kind in bringing me anything. It’s not your fault I’m allergic to something so random as caraway seeds!”
“Then why did you take a bite? If you knew—”
“Because I didn’t want you to feel bad.” Jasper sighed. “I can take the few hives I’ll get from it.”
Kessed’s shoulders slumped. “You’re such an idiot.”
“Why, thank you,” Jasper replied with an exasperated tone as he bent to pick up the bag with the remaining fries.
“Ethel always puts caraway seeds in her marinara sauce. Last year, we had a few rough nights with the heifers dropping calves, and Ethel brought out a few plates of spaghetti. We didn’t know either, darlin’. But I will say that all concern about the cows went out the window when this guy here started growing lumps all over his body. Thankfully, we always have Benadryl on hand. Took care of it right quick.”
“Do you need Benadryl now?” Kessed asked, guarded.
Jasper rubbed the back of his neck, sending an accusing glare to Roy. “Probably wouldn’t hurt. I have some in the pickup.” With a long sigh, he took another fry and strode over to the truck, and Kessed watched as he the pills and washed them down with a bottle of water.
“Happy now?” He opened his mouth like a little kid showing his obedience.
“Better.” Kessed slumped against her car. “I’m heading home.” She walked around to the driver side.
“You have a hard-ass boss who will be all over your case if you’re not up and at ’em by dawn,” Jasper teased, meeting her by her door.
“More like an annoying coworker,” Kessed corrected, her lips lifting into a grin.
“I’m telling you what to do, ergo, boss.” He gave a wicked smile.
“I can take you out with little seeds. I win.” She pushed at his very bare, very alluring chest, noticing, not for the first time, the way his clavicle pointed downward, tempting her gaze lower—and she snapped it up, meeting his green eyes.
The Courage of a Cowboy Page 6
