Kessed watched as Jasper drove away, bittersweet feelings swirling around her. It had been an amazing afternoon that had carried into the night, and now that morning had come, it was like the magic had ended and real life had come knocking.
And she really didn’t want to face the truth.
That maybe it wasn’t just a great night… maybe it was the start of many. And while she hoped for that, she was skeptical, too skeptical. She had meant to take it slow, and well… that had gone to hell in a handbasket. Yet, as she smiled and bit her lip, she wouldn’t change anything.
Damn, it was all so confusing!
She was thankful to have work to occupy her mind. In just a few short hours, she’d be behind the familiar counter and distracted fully, but that left the question: When would she see him again? Should she call? Should she wait? She huffed out a sigh in indecision.
She’d find out soon enough. With reluctant steps, she strode back to the bedroom and swept her wayward hair from her eyes. As she readied herself for the shower, she couldn’t resist the smile that teased her lips at the memory of yesterday’s shower.
As the steam started to fill the bathroom, she replayed each moment. Part of her was still scandalized at her behavior. She wasn’t one who slept around, but there was something so honest about Jasper it dissolved her resistance and was clearly her kryptonite. It also scared the hell out of her, because… what if that honesty wasn’t authentic? While everything about him pointed that it was indeed an elemental part of his character, she still didn’t know how to trust that, to trust him.
It wasn’t something she could control. He wasn’t something she could control, and that didn’t sit right. If I can’t control it, then I can get hurt.
And pain really sucked.
As she washed her hair, her thoughts drifted to Sterling. But not in the usual way; rather, she regarded him differently—maybe honestly—for the first time in forever.
Old dreams died hard, but sometimes the new dreams were stronger than the old. And that certainly seemed the case with Jasper.
Kessed finished with her shower, checked the time, and soon was out the door with her familiar green apron. She twisted her hair up into a bun on her way to the car, and kicked up dust as she sped down the dirt road.
Starbucks was already open, but her shift didn’t start for another fifteen minutes, which gave her the perfect amount of time to sip some coffee and steal a scone.
Or two.
“Cade!” Kessed waved to the barista behind the counter.
“Hey.” He saluted quickly and went back to steaming some milk.
“Slammed?” Kessed asked, nodding toward the drive-through window.
“Every morning,” Cade replied. His blond hair hung over his eyes, blocking them from view. He was a good kid, a freshman at Central, and adorably in love with his high school sweetheart who was finishing up her senior year at Ellensburg High.
“Regan be in tonight?” Kessed asked, even though she knew the answer.
“Yup! Homecoming is next week, and we’re going over plans,” Cade relayed over his shoulder as he finished up the two orders.
“Sweet. I’m taking two scones, so ring me up for one.”
“On it.” Cade paused, frowning slightly. “You on a diet?”
“Boo!” Kessed glared at him. “I ate two pizzas last night, and I’m still full.” Even after all that extra exercise, she thought.
“That sounds more like you. I’ll ring you up after this rush finishes up. Is Devon coming in later?”
“Should be.” Kessed bit her lip as she poured herself a venti cup of Pike Place.
Devon was the current manager, the one who was moving to a different location, leaving the position open—the position Kessed wanted.
“Help a guy out and drink your coffee quickly. I could use a hand,” Cade spoke just before hitting his headset to take the next order.
“Can’t clock in early.” Kessed raised a hand in surrender, and after Cade glared in reply, she took her two blueberry scones and took a seat.
The bitter flavor of the Pike brew was the perfect answer to the sweet tartness of the blueberry, and she sighed in appreciation.
“Clock’s ticking,” Cade singsonged.
She lifted her cup, taking an exaggeratedly slow sip.
He chuckled and took the next order.
Too soon, her time was up, and Kessed was tossing away her trash and walking behind the counter, waiting to take the next person’s order.
The morning bled into the afternoon, the time passing quickly with all the customers who demanded coffee. As the end of her shift approached, Devon arrived, causing Kessed’s chest to tighten with anticipation.
“Hey.” Devon lifted a hand in hello but didn’t single her out, simply started to restock the cold case and make necessary notes.
Each time Kessed would try to inquire, they’d have an influx of customers, and she’d be occupied, and the last thing she wanted to do was slack off on her job, not when she was hoping to get promoted.
Five minutes before her shift ended, the door swung open again, only this time she met the green eyes of Jasper. A slow smile spread across her face and started a tingling heat throughout her body.
He nodded to her then got in line. His gaze was warm on her skin. Even though she was listening to the customer several ahead of him in line, she could feel it.
It was deliciously distracting.
When it was finally Jasper’s turn, he met her gaze with a wink, and a flush spread through her face. “Hey,” she spoke, downplaying her reaction.
“Good afternoon.” He grinned, one side of his lips lifting higher than the other, giving him a slightly lopsided expression. It was flirtatious and devastating all at once.
Damn, she was in trouble.
“What can I get you?”
“From the menu?” he asked.
“Please tell me you didn’t just say that.”
“It was the best I could come up with.”
“It sucked.”
“I’ll work on it.”
“Do that. So, coffee?” Kessed raised an eyebrow.
“Coffee. Lots of it.” Jasper rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m a little sleep-deprived.”
Kessed tilted her head. “Some of us are tougher than others. What kind of coffee, cowboy?”
“Pike Place.”
“Boring,” Kessed quipped, grinning.
“What do you order?” Jasper challenged, holding out his phone to scan his card.
“Pike Place.”
“So, the same thing?” Jasper replied dryly.
“Yeah, but I drink mine with scones. It’s better that way.” She turned around to fill his cup.
“When do you get done with your shift?” Jasper asked.
She placed the lid on the cup and turned. “Almost done.”
“Hungry?” he asked, leaning on the counter slightly.
Kessed eyed him. “What do you think?”
Jasper answered with a chuckle. “That maybe that was a stupid question?”
“Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner. Your door prize is that you get to buy me McDonald’s.” Kessed took off her apron and cast a furtive glance to Devon, checking to see if maybe he was waiting to talk with her.
No such luck.
With an inward growl of frustration, she clocked out then walked around the counter to meet Jasper.
At least she’d be on shift tomorrow as well. Hopefully, she’d find out more information then.
Or maybe she’d just ask rather than wait. She hesitated, glancing back to Devon, and then sighed. She could be patient. Maybe it would pay off. She wasn’t sure how, but it seemed like the right thing to do.
Damn it all.
“Ready?” Jasper inquired, tilting his head slightl
y as she approached.
Kessed’s lips spread into a grin, her frustrations melting away. “Eh, I guess.” She shrugged indifferently, earning a glare from Jasper.
“Playing hard to get?” He teased, opening the door for her.
“Yup.”
She walked out into the warm fall air then jumped when Jasper whispered in her ear. “Secret’s out. You kinda like me. But I’ll play along if you want me to.” His hand squeezed her waist, and she squealed from the tickle. Reaching out, she smacked his shoulder. “Maybe, maybe not.”
“Honey, if last night was you being indifferent, then I can’t wait to see what happens when you’re all in.” He gave her a wink and walked around to the passenger side door of his pickup. He opened it and waited.
Kessed lowered her gaze, caught off guard and slightly embarrassed by his remark. She fumbled for a response.
“Wow, I think I just made you speechless. This is a first. I’m taking note.”
“Are you going to shut up and feed me, or are you going to stand there and pat yourself on the back all night?” Kessed asserted, regaining control of her wits. She didn’t wait for a response and shut the door, crossing her arms in challenge as she tapped her foot.
Jasper shook his head, an amused expression on his face, and walked around the back of the truck to his side.
“I’m assuming you’re planning on taking me to work in the morning if I’m leaving my car here?” Kessed teased, not expecting him to agree.
“Is it that obvious?” Jasper gave her a sheepish grin.
Kessed couldn’t stop the grin that spread across her face. “At least you know what you’re getting into.”
Jasper chuckled, the sound deep and rich. “Yup. So, same thing?” he asked as they made the short trek from Starbucks to McDonald’s.
“You can’t improve on perfection.”
Jasper met her gaze for a moment then glanced away. “Truer words were never spoken.”
And Kessed wondered if he was talking about the food…
Or her.
“So, have you heard about the promotion yet?” Jasper asked after he placed their order.
Kessed twisted her lips. “Nope.”
“Sorry I brought it up.” His brow furrowed as he pulled forward. “You worried?”
She waited as Jasper paid for the food and handed the paper sacks over to her. Silently, she kicked herself for not paying him back for the earlier lunch. She’d have to do that soon. She opened a bag and snuck a fry as they pulled away.
As they were driving down Main Street, Jasper repeated the question.
“Yeah, I’m nervous. I mean, who wants to stay in the same position forever? Life is about growing, moving forward. The next step for me is to make manager, and if I can’t, then… then maybe I need to look at a different job. And honestly, that freaks the hell out of me,” Kessed answered then took another fry—eating her feelings.
“But if you do something you love, then it’s not settling to stay where you’re happy,” Jasper added softly in his low timber that vibrated through the truck.
“I do love coffee.” Kessed arched a brow at him, a smile teasing her lips.
“You do a service to mankind.” Jasper nodded, then turned his attention back to the road. “But it’s also normal to want to grow. The only person who can tell the difference if you’re growing or just being afraid to change is you.” Jasper turned down a dirt road that led toward the wind farm up on the hill.
“I’m not afraid to change,” Kessed muttered, snapping a crispy fry in half before eating one end.
“I didn’t say you were. I said you were the only one who could determine that.” Jasper put the truck in park and sent her a pointed glance before opening the door.
Kessed grumbled slightly but grabbed the bags and followed him outside. “What are we doing here?”
Jasper put the tailgate down and sat down, patting the metal beside him. “Have a seat.”
“Bossy much?”
“You like it,” he responded.
“No, I don’t,” Kessed replied but hopped on to the back of the truck.
The breeze softly teased her skin, cooling it against the afternoon heat. The white wind machines turned lazily in the wind, silently making their circular motion.
“It’s calming, isn’t it?” Jasper asked.
Kessed glanced to him. “Yeah, actually. It’s kinda strange how something so big can be so quiet.”
“Or how something so small can be so loud.” He nudged her side, and she arched a brow in reply.
“You didn’t complain…”
Jasper’s grin widened as he glanced to the sagebrush-covered ground. “Not exactly what I was referring to, but nice to know your mind went there. And for the record, I don’t have any complaints.” His green eyes met hers, his expression amused.
“What were you talking about then?” Kessed asked, taking out another fry.
“It’s not important. More or less teasing you. It’s fun to get a reaction.”
“I react plenty.” She shook her head.
“Yeah, you do, it’s fun. I really like that about you. You keep life from being boring.”
“Heaven forbid life would get boring. Seriously, though, I can see how that might be an issue for some people. I tend to make my own adventure, danger, drama… I can go on forever.” Kessed shook her head. “I don’t really try to, but yet it happens.”
“No,” Jasper replied sarcastically.
“Ass.”
He chuckled. “It’s a good thing. Low-key, kinda boring people like me need people like you.”
“Opposites attract and all?” Kessed questioned.
“Yup. I figure that’s about right.”
Kessed nodded then listened to the grasshoppers make their music. A jackrabbit ran across the brush, his long ears appearing almost comical against the smaller frame of his body.
A now-familiar ringtone echoed in the dry silence, and Kessed watched as Jasper answered his cell.
“Honey, calm down.” Jasper’s back stiffened, his tone gentle yet firm.
Kessed listened closer.
“No, no. I’m sure it’s fine. I’ll be right there just in case.” Jasper nodded, turned to Kessed, then glanced away. “Fifteen minutes, maybe thirty—” He waited while someone interrupted on the other line. “Harper, it’s fine. Lady will be fine, and you’re doing a good job. I’ll see you in a bit.”
He nodded once then ended the call, sighing. Tilting his head, he twisted his lips as he regarded Kessed. “So, what do you have planned the rest of the evening?”
“Why?” Kessed asked, her tone suspicious.
Jasper slid off the back of the tailgate and grabbed his bag of food. “Harper’s horse, Lady, is in labor—she thinks. The horse is special. She’s Harper’s security blanket, if you will. Lady was there when…” Jasper rubbed the back of his neck and paused. “…when it all went to hell last year. Harper’s freaking out, and I need to go and check out the horse. She’s at home, and honestly—I’m not ready to say goodbye to you just yet.” He shrugged his shoulders, spearing her with his green gaze.
Kessed took a breath, a slow smile spreading across her face. “Well, when you put it that way…” She slipped off the truck.
“I was hoping you’d say that.” Jasper gave a half grin, showing off his dimple as he reached out and tugged on her hand, pulling her close.
His lips met hers, and all the memories from the night before acted like sparks that reignited the flame that had simply been smoldering under the surface, but all too quickly, he released her from the kiss, trailing his fingertips down her cheek. “If I don’t get going now, I’m not going to go at all,” Jasper admitted, kissing the top of her head.
“Let’s go save a horse.”
“And maybe later, ride a
cowboy?” Jasper teased as he walked to the cab.
Kessed groaned. “So cliché. I don’t even have words.”
“Admit it, you totally remember that song.”
“Against my will,” Kessed replied dryly as she hopped into the cab and secured her seatbelt.
“It’s a classic.”
“No. Johnny Cash, ‘Ring of Fire.’ That’s a classic.”
“Good song too.”
“Kenny Chesney, ‘There Goes My Life.’” Kessed sighed. “Love that one.”
“‘Cowboys Like Us’ by George Strait,” Jasper added, pulling out onto the road. He started humming the tune then sang the words.
Kessed giggled at the way he furrowed his brows as he sang. His low baritone was sexy, alluring and surprisingly on tune as he continued. She listened, watching as he leaned into the song as he sang, the sound of his diesel engine humming in the background. Who would have ever thought?
But that was the beauty of it.
Sometimes a girl found herself in the last place she’d expect.
And strangely enough, that very place is the one that feels like home.
A green-eyed cowboy vet singing George Strait—that’s what home looked like.
And she couldn’t love it more.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Jasper hummed softly as he turned left onto the dirt road that wound around to his house. It wasn’t much if taken at face value, but to him, and especially to Harper, it was the most beautiful place on earth.
Home.
A place that was safe.
Somewhere to belong.
“Anything by Garth Brooks,” Kessed spoke up, a grin pulling at her full lips, reminding him of just how soft they’d been pressed against his.
“The thunder rolls…” he sang deeply.
“And the lightning strikes,” Kessed finished in an out-of-tune alto voice.
He bit back a small chuckle, enjoying her enthusiasm.
“This is it.” Jasper nodded toward the old white farmhouse. Its navy-blue shutters were faded to more of a gray, and the white paint was peeling at the peaks. The front porch sagged slightly from over fifty years of settling, but the old tire swing was still hanging from the sycamore tree out front.
The Courage of a Cowboy Page 11
