Heartbreak's Reward (Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight Book 2)

by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

  “I like it. Makes me want to learn to ride.”

  “We can make that happen.” Jase might have grinned bigger than he had in more than six months. “So where are we going for dinner?” He let the rope out when he got to the middle of the ring. “Let her lead ya around in a circle and get the feel of her. She’ll keep to a walk for now. You know, maybe I can help your sister after all.”

  Watching her in a slow walk around the ring made his insides shudder. Her excitement multiplied his. To see her experience something for the first time brought an overwhelming gladness over him. When he had Poppy walk around a couple times he wrapped the rope up and sauntered in closer. “Where are we going for dinner? We both smell like a horse now.”

  “Not a problem. I chose an excellent spot with delicious food. And, the big one…I know how to get there.”

  “Whenever you’re ready to get down, we’ll get Poppy put away, wash our hands, and go.”

  “We can go now, but only if you’ll let me do this again.”

  “Yeah, no doubt. Wanna ride her over to the step stand or fall into my arms?” He opened his arms wide.

  “Do you have to ask?” Brenna’s smile was the kind that smacked a guy right in the face. He dropped the lead rope to the ground and stepped on it. “Come on. Keep your left foot in the stirrup and swing your right one over. I got ya on this end.” When she followed his instructions, he grabbed her by the waist, not minding the view of her cute ass in those light colored jeans as she swung that foot over.

  He lifted her right out of the stirrup. Holding her off the ground, he twirled in a circle, her back against his chest. She laughed and he got a whiff of her perfume when her pretty hair blew in his face. Time to release her to the ground before he hauled her off to the hay loft or…bedroom—if only to do nothing but lie beside her.

  They embraced. “I have so much fun with you. Thanks! You’re so big, I feel like a sack of potatoes in your arms.”

  “Oh, hell, I’m only six-foot-one. I don’t weigh all that much.” Jase had no other words, did nothing but give a smirky grin and took up the lead rope. “Let’s walk in. I’ll untack her and we’ll get outta here.”

  “I meant the muscles.” Brenna clenched his bicep and squeezed.

  “I don’t let just anyone squeeze my muscles.” Wait till she sees my six-pack and not the ones I gave away. He took a sideways glance her way. Removing her hand from his arm, he entwined their fingers. She had some things he’d like to squeeze, too. He tried to keep his bad inside. Each time together made it harder to resist this woman.

  Chapter 12

  Jase opened the door for her, but instead of getting in, she dropped the keys into his hand. “I’m driving?” Hell yeah! So many times he wanted a sports car but not with the kids. Brenna stood in front of him as if it was the most natural thing in the world. He took her hand and walked her around the car, opening the passenger side door. Keeping his gaze on her each minute until she sunk down in the seat. “Looking good in this car. It was made for you.”

  “Let’s say for the next twenty miles or so it was made for you. Enjoy.”

  Her smile was the best thing he ever saw. Shaking it off, he hurried around the car and slid the seat back before trying to get his long legs in. Once sitting, he turned the key, revved the damn thing for the hell of it because he loved the sound. Turning to her, he asked where they were going.

  “My place. You know the way.”

  There went that lifted chin and her wide-eyes staring directly at him. No way could he ever resist that confident persona. “Let’s get out of here.” He put it in reverse then headed down his driveway, hitting the 60.

  “We’re not having fast food. I know I don’t have an oven, but I think you’ll be pleased. Of course, I don’t know what you like so this is risky on your part.”

  “Part of the challenge.” He squeezed her hand and brought it to his lips. “As long as it doesn’t have tomatoes, cheese, or onions.”

  He caught her gasp. “Oh, no. We best go get something else.”

  “You take to teasing so well, honey.” He winked. “I can eat anything. Relax.” Jase chuckled. “That was too much fun.” A couple miles down the road, he looked out the rear view mirror. “Oh, fu…dammit, the sheriff. Tell me again you aren’t a wanted serial killer.”

  “Worry about you, not me.” She twisted around.

  Jase pulled over while she reached for the registration. “He’s not expecting to see me here. All he saw was out of state plates on a hot car. I wasn’t speeding. I call my truck come-get-me-red. A red Mustang can’t be any better.” He rolled the window down. “Hey, Leon.”

  “Jase Carlson? What the heck you doing in a car with out of state plates? Never expected to see you behind the wheel.”

  Jase glanced at Brenna and winked. “This car belongs to the young lady. Meet Brenna Page, Sheriff. She’s new in town and will be working at the elementary school. She’s a teacher—first grade. She might have your little one in her class.”

  “Well, I’ll be darn.” He stuck his hand out, reaching in front of Jase, who leaned as far back in the seat as possible. “Nice to meet you, Miss Page. Welcome to Canyon Junction. I’m Sheriff Leon Thompson.” He pulled himself back out the window. “Just making sure everything’s okay. Keep it at the speed limit.”

  “Yep. Have a good one.” He rolled the window up, watching him through the side mirror walk back to his 4 x 4. “If I was in my truck he might’ve given me a ticket.”

  “Why? You weren’t speeding.”

  “I could’ve been in my truck.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “My truck goes fast.”

  Brenna laid her hand on his arm. “Hey, a news flash. So does my car.”

  Jase held back until the sheriff pulled out and headed down the road. He kicked her fast pony in the ass as if to prove the owner right. “Yep, she’s a fast one.”

  “You take it easy on my Becky. She’s not used to this.”

  “And out of curiosity—why do you have a car like this if you don’t drive it fast?” Jase shook his head. “This needs a name like Wild Thang, not Becky. We’ll have to work on your vehicle names, girl.” He pulled into the parking lot at her hotel. “Did Nora mention when you can move in?” He shifted into park and removed his seatbelt.

  “Nora said the end of the month. This will give me time to get home, and when I get back with Chloe, we should be able to move right in. But we won’t have a bed until my furniture arrives.” She pushed longer strands of hair out of his face. Her fingertips sent him into a spin.

  When they got out, Brenna nudged his arm. “To answer your other question, why do I have this car?” She gave a confident smile. “Because I can.” She shrugged and left it at that.

  He dropped the keys into her hand and they headed toward the door. “So what are we having?”

  “You can count on a little cheese, maybe an onion here and there, definitely tomatoes.” She shoved into his side. “I can guarantee a lot of garlic. I grabbed this from that little Italian restaurant out of town. Yes, I went there all by myself and didn’t get lost…much.”

  “Much?” Shaking his head, he wasn’t surprised. “Tell me,” he asked as she slid the card to unlock the door to her room. “Did you get lost…much coming to my ranch?” He waited but she remained quiet with a glance his way. “So, ya did, huh?”

  Breanna used her forefinger and thumb and said, “Just a wee bit.” She turned away, looked out the window and pressed the button on her key fob to lock her car. Facing him, she half shrugged. “I kind of saw what could’ve been your brother’s house. Bigger than yours, huh?” She snickered, taking a dish out of the fridge and stuck the casserole into the microwave.

  “It depends on which one you saw. The new one or where the ranch office is.” She probably saw his mom’s house since it was easier to get to at the moment. “Only bigger because we built an office for his magazine. And my dad built the dormer. It was my parent’s home until my dad died. Tristan bought it, but m
y mom remained there to lend a hand.” Jase walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “I, on the other hand, built mine on my piece of property.”

  “Touché!”

  “Did you see my brother while you got lost just a wee bit?” Everyone always said they looked alike. They did except for Tristan’s crazy eye color.

  “No, I turned around right away. Why, is he an ogre?”

  Jase gave a hardy laugh. “Oh, quite the opposite. He’s a good-looking guy, or so I’ve heard.” He’d leave it at that. She’d know soon enough, especially if Destiny was in her class.

  The microwave beeped and Brenna stuck something else in there. Jase enjoyed watching her mess around in the small kitchen. Something smelled delicious and he was starving. “Can you cook?” He took a seat at the table behind where she stood at the counter.

  “Excuse me?” She faced him with a salad fork in her hand.

  “Hey, I asked if you cooked. I mean if you had a real kitchen, would you cook?” Sometimes he stuck his big foot into his mouth. “Curious is all, not trying to be nosy.”

  “I’m a great cook. I love doing it, too. Even my bratty sister likes my cooking.”

  “Speaking of her— Chloe, right? Where is she now?” The expression on Brenna’s face changed, a furrowed brow giving her away. Maybe she didn’t want to discuss her sister yet. He’d not push this. Changing the subject, he asked, “What’s your favorite food? I love steak, but as I said, I try to eat leaner.” When she turned and ran a gaze over him, a chill shattered his insides like a piece of glass. Was she aware of the little quirk forming on her lips? He should kiss those lips. She stretched across him to set something on the table and he held back from grabbing a hold of her.

  She took a step back and peered at him with a softness in her eyes. “You smell real good. What is it you’re wearing?”

  He took her hand. She smelled of lemons, a hint of garlic. “Um, it might be…I’m not kidding about this, but it’s called Allure something…maybe Sport.”

  “Hmm. Allure, huh? It works.” Brenna turned back to the counter.

  Jase slid the chair out and laid his hand against her back. “You keeping our dinner a secret?” If it came from the Italian restaurant in The Valley, no matter what it was, it’d be worth the wait. “It smells like lasagna.”

  “You have a nose for Italian. Want to set the table?” Brenna removed a loaf of garlic bread from the microwave. “We’re ready. Will you get bowls for our salad?”

  She turned back to the sink and he stood behind her, reaching into the cabinet. Pressing into her wasn’t an accident. He placed his right hand on her shoulder and removed two plates and then bowls, setting them on the counter beside her. Closing the doors, he lowered his other hand to her shoulder. She leaned against him and he dropped his hands to her waist, savoring the sweet smell of her hair.

  “Mmm, this is better’n food.”

  Jase brushed hair away from one side of her neck, eyeing the rapid throb of her pulse beneath her fair skin. He closed his lips over the area, gingerly touching the tip of his tongue against it. Absorbing the pump against his mouth, not expecting the experience to shoot right to his loins.

  Brenna stood straighter. Turning to face him, she pressed her palms against his chest. “I thought you were hungry?”

  Jase tossed his head back, closing his eyes and releasing a low groan. “Oh, I’m hungry.” He lowered his eyes. “Um, for lasagna. I love Italian food.” He turned around and sauntered to the window, standing there looking down at the parking lot. Shit.

  Hungry.

  Yeah.

  Okay.

  Breathe. After a deep exhale, he walked back to the counter, took the dishes and set the table. “This is nice, Brenna.” Jase winked. “A great idea for dinner. Better’n any restaurant in town.”

  “Thank you.” She looked around the kitchen and began pulling out drawers.

  He placed the plates across from one another, wanting to look into those luscious blue eyes as they had dinner together. “Can I help you find something, darlin’?”

  “Matches. I’d like to light that candle on the table. I forgot to get them.”

  He removed a lighter from his jeans pocket. “Here ya go.” When she took it, she wrapped her hand around his. “I love candlelight.”

  “Me too. Or firelight. Moonlight.” He sounded like a freaking sissy-ass.

  Handing him back the lighter, she said, “I love a man who admires moonlight. It says something.”

  Maybe not a sissy-ass after all. Brenna placed their dinner on the table and asked Jase if he’d like a beer to go with dinner while she had a glass of wine.

  “No beer for me. I’m cutting back. Give me a taste of your wine.”

  A smile formed on her lips. Maybe she feared showing her pleasure. Whatever it was, Jase knew he made the right decision, at the right time. He pulled out a chair and brushed his other hand toward it.

  She took a seat. Brenna was happy, and if he had anything to do with it—it made him happy, too. He took a seat and reached for her hand across the table. “Thank you, Brenna. Enjoy.” He squeezed her hand. “I know I will.”

  ***

  Jase drove back after their evening together. He went about two miles an hour down the long road home to his ranch, not wanting the night to end. After dinner, Brenna packed up leftovers for him to take home. He’d reminded her he could cook, but she insisted, telling him to share with his ranch hands. Reaching across the console, he’d brought her hand to his lips. There were no words, and as he got closer to the ranch, lonesomeness dug at him. Again, he forgot to leave lights on inside his house. Nothing other than the dim lights in the barn and the one off the back.

  When he pulled up to the house, he shut off the motor and stretched out. Turning toward her, it still amazed him that a short time ago—a very short time ago, he was alone. Now, this woman sitting next to him did something to break the whole cycle. “So, when you get back from Iowa you’re moving into the townhouse?”

  “Yes. We’ll be living out of a suitcase until my things get here, but since you’re picking us up, I can bring more items.” She shifted sideways and leaned against the window. “I have a dilemma though. I don’t want to cart my luggage back with me. Do you think Nora might let me keep it at the townhouse?”

  “Doesn’t sound like a problem. Leave it at my house.” Jase turned in the seat to look at her straight on. “I hope your sister doesn’t give you too hard a time. You know, there’s a lot of young girls who hang out at my brother’s ranch.” He almost laughed out loud at the way that sounded. “Some are students and others are boarders…you know, they rent space for their horses in his boarder barn.”

  He rolled the window down. The horses were grunting and one whinnied in the barn. It sounded like Poppy. A good sound in his ears. “Sign her up for lessons with my mom so she can meet them. Mom always has something going on there…parties, horse goings-on stuff. Holly, the girl at the ice cream shop? She used to ride there.”

  “My sister is nothing like these girls. She’s a wild one. One reason for bringing her here. I’m afraid if she isn’t already into drugs, she will be soon. Something I can’t let happen.” Brenna lowered her window, too. She tilted her head back and the breeze blew her hair out the opened window. He liked the way the wind picked up the ends.

  Brenna got out of the car and walked around to his side. “It’s pleasant tonight.” She stared up at the starry sky.

  Jase stepped out, leaned against the door, and drew her into his embrace. Brenna rested against him, taking a minute to glance around. “I love the quiet of the night.” When she peered toward the sky one more time, he brought her head back and placed a kiss on her forehead. Her warmth enticed him—excited him.

  Closing his eyes, he knew this thing happening between them was about to rock his world upside down. He had a choice. Go with it, or fight it off. Her supple body leaning into him, pressing tight against all that needed pressed against, told hi
m there was no way in hell he’d fight it. His heart rate sped up. It beat a steady cadence against her back and he didn’t know what to do about it.

  Brenna sighed. “I want it to work out for Chloe. I’m hoping this move changes her life. She’s…well, she and I have been through hell the last two years.”

  Jase rested his cheek atop her head. “Anything you want to talk about?”

  She shook her head. Closing his eyes, he focused on her breathing, the smell of her hair—the fragrance like a warm, sensual and passionate night, evoking a sense of ease within his soul. God knows he needed a sense of relief, not only in his soul, but…all over.

  He needed fingers caressing his skin, breath across his cheek, and kisses upon his…lips. A woman to fall onto him in the dark of night, make love till the wee hour of the morning. Shuddering, Brenna cuddled in closer, what he didn’t need at the moment—yet wanted. He needed her. His body yearned to make love to her while his psyche longed to know what moved her—made her life what it was.

  He gripped her arms and moved her away from his body. Standing beside her, he clasped her arm. “Let’s take a walk through the barn. I like to at night when the horses are at rest. Their peace helps give me the same.”

  “You’re so lucky to have this. This is something we watch on TV in the city I’m from. I can get used to this lifestyle. If only little sis can.”

  He eased the barn door open and flipped on a light. They did a slow walk-through, and Jase stopped at each stall, peering in at the horses. “I think they expect me,” he said, his voice lowered. “Warrior turns around to look at me as if say, ‘it’s about time’.”

  “I think it’s really cute, the kind of bond you have with them.”

  He thought about what she said. Warrior especially responded to him when he was near. Getting on his back and galloping through the desert was no doubt loved by them both. It was time to do it again. Walking back out, Jase closed the door. “I should get those leftovers out of your car. Did you want to come in?”