“Come on.”
He helped her in the truck and put her suitcase in back. This time it didn’t take him long to hitch the trailer to the truck. When he climbed in behind the wheel, he leaned over and gave her another kiss. He couldn’t seem to get enough. Neither could she. It went on and on until he found the strength to relinquish her mouth.
“Much as I want to stay here, I’d prefer we get you and Moondrop to the ranch first.”
Color filled her cheeks. She nodded and fastened her seat belt.
He knew what was on her mind. “Eli followed me here and will take care of trouble should there be any.”
“Did you see anyone outside the house on your way in?”
“Not as far as I could tell.” He turned on the engine, and they started down the driveway to the street. There was no sign of his brother. “Eli and I planned the route we’d take home, so he’ll follow to see if we pick up someone on the way out of town.”
“My parents are worried and angry over this situation. Dad says if anything more like this happens, he’s going to talk to the police about it.”
“They don’t usually do anything unless a crime has been committed. If Rob continues on this course, then the best thing to do is beat him at his own game. Eli and I talked about ways to expose him that will prove embarrassing without calling the police.”
“Like what?”
“Like informing him that a leak to the media with a picture of his security men stalking Commissioner Telford’s daughter would finish his career. I don’t believe for a minute he’d be willing to go that far. But he’s intelligent enough to know it could happen if he keeps up this behavior.”
“I’m so sorry, Wymon.”
“This isn’t your fault or mine. Maybe it’s the first time in his life that the rich only child and son of prominent oil tycoon Edward Farnsworth III can’t have what he wants.”
She looked over at him. “Do you think it’s that simple?”
“Maybe. Everyone is entitled to one tantrum. What is he? Thirty?”
“Thirty-two. I’m beginning to wonder if he had a problem when he was in the military that no one knows about. He was an officer in the navy and served five years on active duty, but he never talked about his experiences with me. I understand that as soon he came home, he entered politics.”
“Too bad all the speculation in the world won’t supply the answer. We just have to hope he’ll tire of this.”
While they were talking, Eli called. “So far no one is following you. I think the dude has realized he’d better not push too hard considering this is an election year. Let’s pray that photo he sent to Jasmine is the end of it.”
“Amen to that. I owe you, Eli.”
“Have you forgotten I’m still in your debt for all the long hours you put in running the ranch while I was absent because of dealing with my divorce? I could never catch up enough to pay you back. Enjoy the ride home.”
“You’re the best. Tell Brianna thanks for letting me take you away from her and Libby. Talk to you later.”
He hung up and darted a glance at the woman who took his breath away every time he looked at her. “All is well and Eli has headed back to the ranch. Since we’re almost to Clinton, would you like to stop at the Stagecoach Restaurant for a pioneer dinner? I’m salivating for their German roast beef and potato pancakes.”
“I’m up for anything knowing Rob didn’t pay someone to sit out in front of the house and spy on us this weekend.”
Wymon’s elation had no ceiling as he headed for the turnoff. One whole week with Jasmine to himself... Nothing could have sounded better.
Chapter Nine
Jasmine had only been inside the entrance hall and living room of the Clayton ranch house the time she’d dropped off the blanket. The high vaulted ceilings were awesome. She felt as if she was stepping back in time when Wymon gave her the full tour. The house had been built with an extensive amount of local stone from the Sapphires combined with distressed barn wood that created its unique design.
She walked on one beautiful Nez Perce rug after another. You could spend hours looking at all the family photos along with the Western memorabilia. Some of the furnishings had to be priceless. Her upstairs bedroom with the fireplace looked out at the mountains. Though it was close to midnight, the silhouette against the night sky was a sight that would be imprinted on her mind forever.
Someone had hand-sewn the exquisite quilt on her four-poster bed. After inspecting the perfect stitching, she looked up at Wymon. “I feel like I’ve been transported back to another time.”
He’d brought up her suitcase and put it at the foot of the bed. In his Western shirt and cowboy boots, he appeared to be part of the whole fabric. Through the black fringe of his eyelashes, his gaze wandered over her slowly, missing nothing. “I hope you’ll be happy staying in this room.”
“Who wouldn’t be? Your mother has made me feel so welcome! Somehow I thought she’d have dark hair like you, but she’s a lovely blonde woman.”
“Roce and Toly have her coloring. Eli and I take after our father.”
“Well whatever color, she’s a wonderful, charming person.”
“Mother enjoys having guests.”
“I’m very lucky.”
“That makes two of us. Since it’s late, I’m going to say good-night here. On the way to my house, I’ll look in on Moondrop to make sure she’s settling in all right. Then I’ll come over to have breakfast with you in the morning at seven.”
He was leaving her again. Those few kisses in the truck before they’d unloaded her horse had left her more unfulfilled than ever. Did he have any idea what he was doing to her? But she knew it had to be this way, and it was late if they were going to get an early start tomorrow.
“Good night, Wymon. I’m so excited to be here.”
“If you multiply those feelings by a hundred, you’ll begin to know how I feel.”
The way he stared at her before going out the door left her burning up inside. She reached for the nearest bed post and clung to it. Her mother’s words of a few weeks ago flashed through her mind.
You’re the one who has to live with Rob. If he isn’t your be-all, end-all, then the last thing we’d want is to condemn you to an unhappy marriage. One day the right man will show up when you least expect it.
Jasmine knew in her heart and soul that Wymon was her be-all, end-all. The right man had shown up when she’d least expected it. He’d brought her home to meet his mother. If he didn’t tell her soon that he was in love with her, too, she didn’t know how she was going to function.
Part of her wanted to dash outside to the barn and beg him to stay in there with her for the rest of the night. But he’d brought her here as a guest. If he’d wanted to make love to her all night, he’d have taken them to his house after putting Moondrop to bed.
Would you have gone with him?
The answer was easy.
Yes.
Jasmine was desperately in love. He’d swept her away, heart, mind, soul and body. There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do to be with him. After setting her watch alarm, she climbed under the covers and fell asleep dreaming of him.
She could hardly believe it when her alarm woke her up the next morning. It felt as if she’d just gone to bed, but when she looked at the time, it was six thirty. When she’d packed her suitcase back home, she’d decided that skirts and blouses would be the most appropriate thing to wear when they went door-to-door.
But she’d added something else at the last minute. Yesterday she’d found a store that sold T-shirts with a picture of a grizzly bear mom and her cubs by a stream beneath a snow-capped mountain. She’d bought one for her and another one for Wymon. Maybe he wouldn’t think it was a good idea to wear the shirts while they were canvassing, but if not, it would
simply be a little present for him.
Once she’d taken her shower and brushed her hair, she dressed in an off-white wraparound skirt and the T-shirt. She slipped on running shoes and hurried down the staircase with his T-shirt inside her tote bag.
Wymon, looking fantastic in tan chinos and an open-necked shirt, was waiting for her at the bottom. When he saw what she was wearing, his mouth broke into a broad smile. “Where did you find that so fast?”
“It’s easy if you know where to shop.”
“You look gorgeous in it.”
“So you think it’ll be all right to wear? If not, I’ll run back upstairs and change into one of my blouses.”
“It’s perfect.” He pulled her into his arms. “In fact you look good enough to eat this morning.” He fused his mouth with hers, and they began devouring each other. But no kiss was long enough or deep enough to satisfy her.
This time it was she who eased away from him first, afraid his mother might walk in on them. They were both out of breath.
“I have a gift for you.” She pulled his shirt out of her bag.
Her senses leaped to see the way his silvery eyes darkened with emotion. Without saying a word, he pulled his shirt over his head, revealing a cut chest with a smattering of dark hair. He placed it on the bannister and put the T-shirt on over his broad shoulders. Jasmine’s heart got the workout of its life.
“I don’t look as good in this as you do,” he said.
Oh Wymon. If you only knew. “D-Did you get a good sleep last night?” she stammered.
“No, and you know why.” His voice had a slight growl as he cupped the back of her neck and pulled her to him once more in a fiery kiss. “Right now I’d like to carry you upstairs and forget the world.”
“I wish you would,” she whispered.
She could tell he was trembling. “You shouldn’t have told me that.”
Feeling braver every second with this man who was such a private person, she brushed her mouth against his. “Why not? It’s the truth.”
“I’m not sure if you’re ready for the answer.”
Wymon, Wymon. “What more can I do to let you know I’d rather be with you than anyone else in the world? That day you rescued us after the crash, I knew my whole world had changed. The feeling was terrifying and wonderful all at the same time.”
“Then you have some idea of my state of mind after I carried you away from the plane and smelled your hair.”
Even then he’d had feelings, too?
“When I didn’t see you at the rodeo, I was devastated. It was very forward of me to approach your brother and tell him about the glasses. But I wanted to see you again so badly—I had to do something to get your attention. Then I was afraid you’d think I was a terrible person.”
He sucked in his breath. “If you hadn’t done that, I wouldn’t be here with you now.”
“What made you so hesitant to get in touch with me?”
“At that point I didn’t know how involved you were with Rob Farnsworth.”
“Since you’re the antithesis of a dishonorable man, that’s exactly what I was afraid of. Still, I can’t help but sense there’s something else you’re holding back from me.”
He held her at arm’s length. “When we’re alone in the truck, I’ll tell you. First, let’s eat. Solana’s scones are out of this world. Then we’ll take Moondrop out to the corral.”
* * *
WYMON WAITED FOR Jasmine in the truck with the engine running. It warmed his heart to watch the way the filly kept nudging her so she’d give her another treat. Three other horses were already out in the corral for her to get acquainted with. Ron, one of the stockmen, would be keeping an eye on her today until they got back.
“That’s all there is for now,” he heard Jasmine say through the open window. “Be a good girl while I’m gone.”
Her horse neighed several times in protest as Jasmine hurried to the truck and climbed in.
“She’s worse than a newborn baby,” he teased her.
Jasmine smiled at him as they left the ranch for Stevensville. “I know.”
“So how’s the mother? Would you rather stay here today? I can turn around and drop you off.”
“Don’t you dare! She’ll be fine. It’s you I’m worried about.”
“Why?”
“With all these doors we’re going to knock on, I don’t want some beautiful woman to take a look at you and invite you in for some ‘coffee.’”
Wymon threw his head back and burst out laughing, never knowing what would come out of her mouth next.
“Laugh all you want, Mr. Hunk, but I’m a woman, and I know these things.”
“Mr. Hunk?”
“Hmm. I saw the nurses at the hospital checking you out. My friend Annie saw you on TV. She said you were in a whole other league of handsome. So now that we’re alone with no one to bother us, why don’t you tell me why you needed any encouragement at all to phone me after I left the hospital? You have to know that every woman you meet would like to get to know you better.”
His hands tightened on the steering wheel. “Those are flattering words, Jasmine, but as you know, what you first see isn’t always what you get when you dig a little deeper.”
“That’s true. It’s what the dating experience is all about. You keep trying, sometimes for years, with lots of disappointments.”
“In high school I thought I’d end up with the girl I was crazy about. I never considered another option. I’d always worked on the ranch and didn’t want another life. When we both started college, I assumed that after graduation we’d get married and build us our own home on the property. But I hadn’t counted on Sheila going to Europe on a study-abroad program and falling for someone else.”
“Oh, no—”
“While she was in Italy, she met a guy from Hollywood, acting in a film. They spent day and night together. When she came home, she broke up with me. It turns out ranch life wasn’t what she wanted, even though she’d come from a ranching background near Stevensville. This guy she’d met offered her a life she couldn’t pass up. That was seven years ago. They got married and are still together as far as I know.”
Jasmine turned to him. “I can only imagine how much that must have hurt at the time. You’d known her through high school and had no indication that things would turn out differently after college.”
“I got over it, but it made me distrustful of my own judgment.”
“After the situation with Rob I can relate, but for a different reason. Unlike you, I knew something wasn’t right very early in our relationship, but I didn’t act on it. I kept thinking everything would become clear if I just gave it more time. Instead it gave him hope and made everything worse. You’d think at the age of twenty-six I would have handled things better.”
Wymon shook his head. “Over the years I’ve dated various women and have enjoyed their company, but not to the point that I wanted a permanent relationship.”
“You probably never gave them a real chance to get to know you. Because if you had, you’d be married by now.”
“If I’d fallen in love with one of them, I would have gotten married, but it didn’t happen.”
“How come with me I had to do something overt and then hope you would respond?”
They’d arrived in Stevensville. He drove around the corner of the first residential area he wanted to canvass and pulled to a stop at the curb. After shutting off the engine, he turned to her.
“My reason for holding back with you in the beginning was because I’d learned my lesson with Sheila and the actor she married. It bothered me that once again I was attracted to a woman who in the end wanted an exciting life with a well-to-do politician who could fly her around the country in his own plane. Though I didn’t see a ring on your finger, I re
fused to go through that again.”
“But I wasn’t attracted to his lifestyle, Wymon! Not at all. After a few dates, I was ready to stop seeing him, but another part of me said to give him a chance and not judge him because of his career. Do you honestly think I would have gone to lunch with you that day in the hospital if I hadn’t wanted to be with you?”
“I’m not sure I did much thinking that day. What I do know is that I couldn’t get you out of my mind.”
“I had the same problem and felt so guilty about it. While the man I’d gone flying with was recovering in his hospital room, I lay in my bed down the hall thinking about you. I kept hoping you’d come back to talk to me or call me. When my parents came to pick me up the next day, I told them I wanted to buy you a thank-you gift. I needed to see you so badly, I would have done anything.”
“I had no idea,” Wymon confessed.
“How could you? As far as you knew, Rob and I had a commitment.”
“When Toly told me you’d approached him after the rodeo about the glasses, I had to make a decision whether to ask you to mail them to me, or drive to Philipsburg to get them. We both know it was an excuse to see you again. After you showed up at the ranch with that blanket, I couldn’t stay away from you.”
“Thank heaven you couldn’t,” she said softly. “Now that I know your fears, I’m so glad you wanted to see me enough to find out what could be between us. It’s what I wanted, too, but I was so afraid you wouldn’t try to contact me. I went through agony.”
“Agony?” he teased, but deep down her words thrilled him.
“Yes! When I saw your name on the caller ID, I almost had a heart attack I was so happy.”
“How many other men have there been in your life who wanted a relationship with you? If you tell me there weren’t any, I wouldn’t believe you.”
“Of course there were men. I had several crushes on guys in high school, but they burned out fast. In college I had two semi-serious relationships, but my feelings never turned to love. I thought something had to be wrong with me that nothing was working.
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