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

by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

  “I have a real bed.” Jase took her into his arms when he put the luggage down. “Will I see you tomorrow?”

  “Maybe dinner? We don’t have food here, but I could shop, of course. Next weekend you come here for dinner. A real home-cooked meal.”

  “Sounds like a plan. I’ll call you and we’ll set up a time for tomorrow. Did you mean the three of us for dinner?”

  “Well, unless the kid wants to bring company.” She nodded toward the living room. Brenna still wasn’t sure how she thought about it. Her concentration was cut off when his lips pressed against hers.

  She enjoyed his sensual kiss and wanted more, letting it go on until she heard the kids talking in the front room. Brenna lowered her arms from around his shoulders. They sauntered into the living room. It’d take a while to get used to seeing cowboys in her home.

  Jase said hi to Chloe. “Hey, Davy, I’m ready. Come on.” He tilted his head toward the door.

  Davy took his time about it but stood. “All right.” He picked up his hat and touched the tip, saying to Chloe, “Catch ya next time.”

  Jase opened the door and gave Brenna a hug before stepping out. Davy followed.

  “Good night, Davy. Thanks for keeping my sister company.”

  “My pleasure, ma’am.” He trailed behind Jase on the way out to the parking lot.

  Brenna turned to her sister. “We’re having dinner with Jase tomorrow night. Did you want to bring anyone along?”

  Chloe came toward her, called after Davy, and went out.

  Brenna went into the living room and dropped into the chair, lifted the footrest and lay back, exhausted. This day was nothing at all like she had thought it would be. Bareback on a horse? Me? Five minutes later, Chloe came back in.

  “I guess Davy might go with us.” She sat on the sofa and pulled her legs up to her chest. “Will you let me date?”

  “Date? I’m so tired. Can we talk about this tomorrow? I still feel the effects of my hangover.” She’d forgotten all about it with Jase earlier.

  Chloe lifted her hair off her back and let it fall through her fingers. “We will talk dating.”

  “Of course.” She took the blanket off the arm of the chair and brought it over her. With a sigh, she mumbled, “We’re home.”

  ***

  In the morning, Brenna stood under the hot water and closed her eyes, letting it flow over her achy body. Despite being in the chair, she did sleep. Her last thoughts were of riding through the desert at sunset like in a fairy tale.

  When finished, she put on a short robe and went for coffee. Chloe was awake and had the TV turned on to cartoons. “Want some juice, Chloe?”

  “I’ll take a cup of coffee.”

  Since when had her sister started drinking coffee? “What do you take in it?” There were so many surprises, or maybe she hadn’t noticed these things. Her sister had plenty of reason to grow up fast. “No sugar, but we do have milk.”

  “I have some packets in my backpack from the restaurant.” She got up to get it. “I love the big closet in my bedroom.”

  Brenna held both cups when she sat in the recliner. “The lady here before me didn’t use the upstairs bedroom, only the loft.” She turned around to face Chloe in the dining room. “Did you see the rooftop patio?”

  Chloe straightened and held a handful of sugar packets in her hand. “What are you talking about?”

  “When I get dressed I’ll show it to you. It’s great.” She laughed. “What’s with the sugar?”

  “For my coffee. Creamer, too, but we don’t have any, so milk works.”

  “I didn’t even know you drank coffee, let alone steal sugar packets.”

  “Well, I recently began drinking it.” Chloe came in and took her coffee. “So, Davy wants to show me where the school is, and maybe drive around town some. What do you say about that?”

  The topic would have to be approached. She took another drink of coffee and then another, hoping the caffeine would kick in soon. “Don’t think I’m an old prude, but you do realize his age?”

  “Yeah, of course, but it isn’t that much difference.” Chloe held out two sugar packs and Brenna ripped the tops off. She dumped sugar into her coffee and swished the cup around, crossed her legs, and held the cup with both hands.

  “Chloe, it might not be that many if you were nineteen and he was twenty-one, but you’re sixteen—”

  “Next week I’ll be seventeen. I’m seventeen.”

  “Still too young for someone his age.” Was she making too much out of this? Maybe Jase was right and they’d be friends, or never see each other after…okay, after dinner today. Now she contributed.

  “What do you think we’re going to do?”

  “Oh, that’s not it.” Brenna paused. Yes, that was it. “Please, Chloe, don’t get on me—this is only a scenario. If something did, he’s old enough to go to jail for it. No matter what, if something happened while you were both out together, he could go to jail for contributing to a minor.”

  Chloe frowned at her and drank down her coffee. “So, you’re worried about Davy?”

  Brenna took a deep breath but tried to be nonchalant about it. “In a way, but more for you.” This was all Jase’s fault for bringing him to the airport.

  “You don’t know me.” She got up and walked to the kitchen and poured more coffee. “Obviously you still don’t trust me either.”

  Brenna didn’t want to have this conversation right now, but, they had to. “I trust you with him, but what is it about him?” She got up and went to the kitchen and stood in front of Chloe. “I mean, do you think you like him? Last night you mentioned dating. Do you want to?”

  “I don’t know!” Chloe sat her cup down and leaned against the sink, shrugging. “It could happen, I suppose. He’s really nice, Brenna. What am I supposed to do if I don’t know anyone? Mope around and become a recluse…like you before we moved here?”

  “No, I don’t want that for you. Davy was dating a girl not long ago, but she went off to college. He didn’t go to college.”

  “He’s going to a community college, and he told me about the girl,” Chloe rebutted. “What does that have to do with anything?”

  Brenna glanced at the ceiling. Chloe was getting defensive and she didn’t want this to turn into an argument. “I don’t know. Back to the question…can you date him? I don’t see why…well, it depends on some things.”

  Chloe lifted her hand. “Don’t try to act like my mother. You’re my sister.”

  “And your guardian.” She didn’t want this to turn into a power struggle.

  “Just don’t be a warden.”

  Brenna set her cup on the sink. “I promise not to be. Please, take it slow.”

  “Like you did? With, you know…the cowboy.” Chloe smirked. “He’s a cute guy. Now if I went for him, you could really say he was too old.”

  “That isn’t even funny, you know.”

  “Well, how can you tell me to take it slow when you didn’t?”

  “Because I’m an adult, and it’s not what you think.” Brenna had to break eye contact with her sister. Forgetting for a moment, Chloe was close to being an adult. She had an adult body but a teenage mind, though, for the most part.

  “Don’t pull that on me. I’ve been through more than a lot of adults have.”

  Brenna had to agree. “I’m sorry.” She hated to bring up things she’d rather forget, but it had to be said. Now was as good a time as any. “You still have to earn some of that trust back. The trouble you’ve been in speaks for itself.”

  “You didn’t try to understand most of it.” Chloe paced to the dining room but whirled around and came back.

  “Yes, I did, Chloe. That’s why we’re here.” She spread out her hands. “The reason I’m giving us a new life, a chance to start over with everything.”

  “What’s the worst that can happen to me, Bren?” Chloe cast her gaze aside. “I’m sorry, that was the wrong thing to say.” She touched Brenna’s shoulder. “Are
you afraid I’ll get pregnant? Run away into the sunset with a cowboy?”

  Brenna literally choked on that one and laughed. “You know that’s not so bad, riding off into the sunset with a cowboy. I did yesterday, on a horse, no doubt!”

  Chloe laughed too and patted Brenna on the back as she walked by.

  “Can’t we just chill and find a way to move on with our lives?” She took a seat on the sofa and turned off the TV, shrugging. “Why am I watching cartoons?”

  Brenna said from the kitchen, “Lots of adults watch cartoons, honey.” She turned and went to her bedroom. While in her room she took the clothes out of her suitcases and hung them up in her large walk-in closet.

  She’d have to wash clothes and have some dry-cleaned if the wrinkles didn’t come out. “Hmm, we’ll need a washer and dryer.” She slipped on a pair of denim shorts, a white tank top, gold thongs on her feet, and went back into the living room. “Are you ready to see that rooftop patio?” Brenna teased, “Get your sunglasses.”

  “Before that, what is your answer about going with Davy today? We’ll still do dinner with you and Jase…I suppose.” Chloe cocked her head. “Is his name Jason?”

  “No, and he seems to be adamant about not being called that.”

  “Whatever. Davy just texted.”

  “Doesn’t he work?” Brenna sighed.

  “Yeah, plus he helps both of those brothers. Today is Saturday.”

  Brenna huffed before speaking, not meaning to. “I guess, but you need to be careful.” In truth, she didn’t see a lot of harm in it, but a part of her wanted to keep her sister, safe…and yes, a little girl. She sat beside Chloe and took her hand. “I’m trusting you with this.”

  “I thought of maybe finding a martial arts school.” She stared straight ahead. “Do you think they’d have anything in this little town?”

  “We can look it up. Do you still remember your forms and other moves?”

  “Yeah, but I need a refresher.” Chloe glanced down to her lap. “I’m not sure I can do it though. It’s the last thing…you know, Bren, with Jordann. I don’t know if I can do it without her.”

  Brenna was about to choke up and she held tears back while Chloe’s eyes misted. The girls still had on their uniform when… “I know. Maybe do some practicing on your own and see how it goes. We definitely have enough room until we can fill up this townhouse.”

  “Our furniture comes tomorrow, right?” Chloe wiped tears from her cheeks.

  “Or the next day. I mean these guys get paid to deliver on time. I’m excited to get our stuff.” Brenna went to the kitchen and poured another cup of coffee. She came back in and stood before her sister. “Want to help get my classroom organized? I can use some help when it’s time.”

  “I probably will. Nothing else to do.” Chloe smacked her hands against her thighs. “I hate being the new girl.”

  “How about we go over to the other ranch and see about those riding classes. I hear girls your age ride over there and it sounds like they have a lot of fun.”

  “Maybe Davy can show me how to ride first.”

  Everything was Davy right now. She’d find a way to ease her into the horseback riding. “It was a blast being on the horse yesterday, but Jase was on with me, making it more fun, of course.” She laughed, trying to keep it on the lighter side. “Come on, let’s go up to the rooftop.”

  ***

  Brenna got herself ready while her sister took a shower. She’d go to the office first and get the extra keys and anything else she needed from them. When ready, she made a shopping list, planning on going when Chloe left, but first she wanted to be here when Davy arrived. The sight of her might be enough to threaten or intimidate him. “What time are you leaving?” she asked when her sister entered the room.

  “Two o’clock. Are you hanging around to check on us?”

  “Yes, I am.” Brenna wondered how her sister was always so good at reading her. She got up from the recliner and went to the kitchen. “I need to see what time we’re going to dinner. I’ll text you when I find out. Cell service seems to be choppy around here. We might have to get a new service provider.”

  “Do I have to go to dinner with you?”

  Brenna stared into her sister’s blue eyes with maybe a tad too much mascara. “What would you rather do?”

  Chloe diverted her gaze. “Not sure yet.”

  “You can’t hang out with this boy twelve hours a day.” Brenna didn’t mean to blurt it out so loudly.

  “Forget it. I’ll stay right here all by myself if that makes you happy. Just because you’re going out doesn’t mean I have to.”

  “What did you want to do? Don’t make it difficult,” said Brenna. She blew out a big breath.

  “Davy’s asking Jase if he can take one of his horses out. I’ve never been around horses, Bren.” Chloe lifted her arms out from her side. “I won’t be jumping into bed with him, if that’s what you think. He’s not my boyfriend.”

  “Well, I hope not. You just met him.” Brenna almost slapped herself since she didn’t practice her own rules. Yet, she was happy to hear Chloe say that.

  “If he was a girl you wouldn’t think anything of the age.”

  “You’re probably right,” said Brenna. A text came in from Jase and she took a minute to read it. He asked her permission before giving Davy the okay about the horse. She sent back a message telling him it was being discussed that very moment. Then her phone rang. “Hi, Jase.” She peered at Chloe who pivoted on one heel and left the room, heading to the rooftop.

  “No harm can come of it. You want your sister to get used to the horses, right? If she’s willing to do it this way, let her.”

  “Yes,” she said, her voice lowered. “But, I don’t see why they have to spend so much time together.”

  “Brenna, you sound like a grandmother.”

  She laughed. “I’m so bad when it comes to her. I feel like her grandmother sometimes. She reminded me I’m not her mother.”

  “Let the kids have their fun.”

  “Look, Jase,” said Brenna, pacing back and forth from the kitchen to the living room. “You know him. I don’t. To me, he’s a nineteen-year-old boy after my sister.”

  “You’re right, I do know him. This is why I say what I do. I’ve known him since he was ten for God’s sake.”

  “Oh, I’m so confused on what to do with her. I didn’t expect this so soon. You shouldn’t have brought him with you to the airport.” She didn’t mean to put the blame on him. Jase sighed and a door closed. “Are you outside?”

  “Just came in. The dentist left. Listen, how about we get some Chinese carry-out and come back to my place tonight for dinner. You can keep an eye on your sister, and I’ll keep an eye on you.”

  “Hmm, keep an eye on me?” She tapped her fingernails against the phone.

  “Yeah, you heard me right, babe. Maybe I’ll see about getting some furniture so I can invite you to sit in my living room.”

  “I can agree to carry-out. She’ll be mad as hell, thinking I’m there because of her, but she’ll have to get over it.”

  “Well, I’ll tell her you’re here so I can keep an eye on you. It’s a date then.”

  “Tonight, Jase, I’d enjoy a date with you.” She paused, smiling at his boldness. “Oh, do you know if there’s a martial arts school in the area?”

  “I think in Mesa, probably AJ, ah, Apache Junction, too. Why, you think you can train to kick my ass?”

  “Absolutely. Better watch it. Don’t forget I flipped you…” Brenna smirked, watching Chloe come back downstairs. “Never mind for now, but you know what I mean.” She glanced at her watch. “Well, what time do you want me there?”

  “For the record, honey, no body flips me unless I let them, except maybe Dane. I’ll pick you up about six o’clock. We’ll get the food on the way back.”

  “All right. Thanks.” Smart ass! Her sister rolled her eyes and tossed her long hair over her shoulders.

  “Okay, sweetheart,
I’ll see you later on.” Brenna hung up.

  Chloe plopped down on the sofa. “What time is your dinner?”

  Here it comes. “He’s picking me up at six, but it was his idea to take carry-out to his house. He’s allowing Davy to get a horse out.”

  Chloe held her head with both hands. “So, you’re babysitting me?”

  “It’s more like Jase is babysitting me.” The idea of his eyes all over her kind of turned her on a little.

  “That doesn’t make sense but whatever.” She dabbed her face with her t-shirt hem. “It sure is hot out today. I was on the rooftop, but the sun drove me back inside. I admit, other than not knowing anyone except, Davy, I might like it here.”

  “I hope we can both call it home one day. I mean, really call it home.” Brenna glanced at the scar on Chloe’s wrist. Would she be able to use it in her karate training from this point on? “Are you self-conscious of your scars, Chloe?”

  “Not really. Should I be? Does it look bad?” She held up her hand and turned it over and back. “It’s not that bad. Better than if my hand had been cut off. At least I can still use it.”

  “No, it’s not bad at all.” She took Chloe’s hand and ran her thumb over the biggest scar.

  She shook her hand free. “What about you. Are you still hiding behind your jeans?”

  Chloe got to be damn blunt and outspoken. “I have to admit that I still cover them. The ones on my legs, anyway.” She lifted her arm and ran her hand over the big one on the back of her arm. “I don’t like to have questions asked.”

  “I just say I was in an accident and it usually stops there. Questions are better than the stares from people who don’t ask.” Chloe rubbed her fingers over her wrist.

  “So true.” She stood. “Speaking of jeans, I better change so I can get to the store. Any requests?”

  “You’re leaving before Davy comes by?”

  Sarcasm sounded in Chloe’s words. “I’ve already mentioned my fears. You know where I rest on this. Standing here over you isn’t going to change anything.” She laughed nervously. “Maybe you can show me where the high school is after you find it.”