by Addison Cole
“Ma’am, I’m not a having-fun type of guy.”
She nodded. “I know, Rex. I’ve known you since you were an infant, and I’ve watched you grow into a fine, strong gentleman. All of you Braden boys have kept your noses clean. And Savannah, what a doll she’s grown up to be.”
“I thought—”
“The feud has always been between your father and my husband. Your mother and I never let on that we remained friends. Rex, your mother and I had always hoped our families would remain close. When that fight first started between them, we thought it would just blow over. But when you put two stubborn, competitive men in a cage, someone has to win.” She drew in a deep breath, then blew it out slowly. “It might not be good timing, but I couldn’t have asked for a nicer man for Jade.”
He took her hand in his. “Thank you. That means a lot to me.” He released her hand and thought about what she’d said. “How did you and my mother remain connected? I’m not sure what your husband is like, but my father wouldn’t allow the Johnson name in our home. No offense, of course, and if it helps to know, my siblings are very accepting of Jade.”
“I had no doubt they would be. Your parents raised you right, even Hal. He’s a good man. Earl’s a good man, too. They just got a little lost and they’ve never found their way out of the woods.” She folded her hands in her lap and let out a slow breath. “Your mom and I used to meet for picnics on the property between yours and ours, sometimes down at the ravine, when the men were out, of course. Oh, we were master schedule manipulators. Somehow Earl would have a dental appointment when Hal was picking up feed, or your mom would conveniently be too tired to run an errand at the same time that my kids needed to go to an event somewhere. We found ways.” She wiped her eyes. “As you kids got older, it became more difficult, of course, so mainly we talked on the phone and occasionally met while you kids were at school. Even that became difficult. There were so many of you, and babies eventually learned to talk.” She smiled. “I miss her, more than you can know.”
“And you’ve had to mourn her in silence.” Now he understood where Jade got her strength and courage. The woman before him risked everything for a friendship with his mother, and today she risked it all for her daughter.
“Mrs. Johnson, can you tell me anything that might help us bring this feud to an end? I want nothing more than to be with Jade out in the open. I want to build a life with her, and I want to make her proud. And I’m very sorry about being close to your daughter behind the barn. We got a little carried away.”
“I’d say,” she said with a grin. “You’ll have to speak with your father about what went on between him and Earl. I believe your father was fighting for your mother’s honor, but that’s all I can say about that. Just know, Rex, when all this comes out, I’ll be standing behind you and Jade, and so will your mother.”
Chapter Thirty
JADE DIDN’T CONSIDER herself a jealous person, but watching every woman between the ages of eighteen and forty-five ogle her boyfriend was starting to rouse the green-eyed monster. He was irritatingly nice to them all, too. He smiled that killer smile of his, and when he ran his hand through his hair—just one of his habits Jade had come to love—it made her warm all over. Surely it had the same effect on other women.
The horse show was in full swing. The loudspeaker chimed, announcing the children’s halter classes. Smells of barbeque, popcorn, and hay flittered through the air. Children wearing their cutest Western shirts, boots, and show pants giggled as they ran toward the small petting area, while mothers trailed behind with shouts to stay out of the dirt. Jade loved the feel of community horse shows. Somehow, the dress pants and hats amped up the women’s sexiness, prompting them to swing their hips a little wider and throw their shoulders back, all dolled up and feeling special. The men looked so handsome in their best Western wear. She especially loved the vests that many of the men wore, and the string ties and bandannas were an added flair. But the sexiest thing Jade had seen, and what she couldn’t help but envision Rex in, were leather chaps. She looked at him now, handing a ticket to a heavyset man in a gray Chevy truck, and she imagined his bare chest easing down to that dip below his hips that she loved to touch—the one that drew an instant shiver from him—and soft, worn leather covering his—
A honk pulled her from her fantasy.
“Sorry,” she said quickly, taking the woman’s money and waving her on to Rex.
A little while later, there was a lull in the incoming traffic. Rex looked over and blew her a kiss. She snagged it from the air and slapped it on her cheek with a grin. They sauntered toward each other. She could tell he was taunting her as much as she was him.
“How’s the prettiest girl in all of Weston?” he asked.
“I don’t know, there were some pretty hot women strolling by you.” She hated herself for saying it aloud, but she was powerless to stop it.
“Really? Huh, I didn’t notice. I’ll pay better attention next time.”
She punched his arm, and he started to pull her into a kiss. Her heart roared to life. Then he looked around, and with a disappointing frown, he released her and took a step back, leaving her wanting him even more.
“I have eyes for only one woman. You’re pretty well stuck with me, so get used to it. Women can look all they want, just like the men who have been eyeing you all day. None of it matters. It just makes me proud to be with you.”
“There you go again, Mr. Smooth.”
“I’ll show you Mr. Smooth.” He stepped closer, narrowing his dark eyes and looking as if he might take her right there and then.
She could feel the heat of him; every breath ratcheted up her pulse a little more.
“I need to check on Hope when things slow down more,” he said. “She wasn’t herself this morning.”
She wasn’t sure if he was saying he had to check on Hope to dissipate the rising sexual tension, or because something was really going on with Hope. She erred on the side of caution. “Is there something I can do? Maybe I should check her out?” Jade knew she couldn’t check on Hope. Rex’s father would never allow it. He’d have to call Dr. Baker. Her mind switched to veterinarian mode, and instead of thinking of the pulse of Rex’s heart, her mind was wrapped around Hope’s health.
“Dad thinks she was just a little out of sorts. I’ll check her out and let you know if she’s doing any better.” His face grew serious and he reached for her hand, then drew back again. “Everything okay at home?”
“Yeah, no one said anything, if that’s what you mean.” She hated their inability to touch in public. Rex was a salacious person, comfortable and demonstrative in his love. It was one of the things she loved most about him. Every time he pulled back from her, her anger at their families multiplied.
“Good,” he said.
Jade noticed that he had a sharp edge to him, and she wondered what he wasn’t telling her. Another grouping of cars came through the gate, and Jade took their money while Rex handed out tickets, but she couldn’t stop worrying about Hope. A horse’s health could go downhill fairly quickly if they were dealing with something serious. When the cars slowed, she asked Rex to go check on Hope.
REX HURRIED TOWARD the ring, where he saw his father having a difficult time walking Hope, while Hannah, wearing an adorable pink Western shirt with black and white embellishments and black jeans, her blond curls surrounding her fair cheeks beneath her felt hat, watched on.
“How’re you doing, Hannah?” Rex asked with a smile.
“I’m fine, but I’m not so sure about Hope. She keeps pacing and pawing, like she’s really nervous.” Hannah still had the soft, innocent face of a child, and the makeup she’d worn for the show made her look a little like a Kewpie doll.
Rex saw a strain on his father’s face as Hope arched her neck back, like she was looking for something. His boots thudded against the dirt with each determined step toward his father.
“What are you thinking? Colic?” Rex asked.
“She
’s got plenty of gut sounds, but let’s get the vet over here and have her checked out.” His father looked sadly at Hannah. “Son, tell Hannah we’re gonna have Hope checked out. The poor girl. She’s been looking forward to this for so long.”
“I’ll tell her, and track down Dr. Baker.”
By the time Rex reached Hannah, she’d figured things out on her own.
“She’s not doing well, huh?” she asked in a disappointed tone.
“We don’t really know. She might just be nervous. I’m going to get the vet and have her checked out. Do you think you can hold on a bit? Maybe notify the judges for us and ask her to be called up last?” Rex knew just how difficult it was for kids not to be able to lead a horse after practicing and getting all psyched up to be in front of a crowd. He watched her head toward the judges, and for the first time ever, the thought of having his own children rolled through his mind. He asked himself what he would do if Hannah were his daughter. He didn’t have an answer, but it was another first for him to even have such a thought, and he chalked it up to Jade.
Rex’s stomach rumbled as he passed the concession stands and headed for the house to call Dr. Baker, the town veterinarian. Then he remembered that he had his cell phone hooked to his belt.
Rex broke clear of the crowds and called information. He stole a glance at Jade, leaning down by a car at the gated entrance to his left. As he dialed Dr. Baker’s office number, he wished he could ask Jade to examine Hope. This whole mess with his father was like an octopus, and the deeper he fell for Jade, the more he felt the tentacles of the feud strangling them.
Twenty minutes later, Dr. Baker was examining Hope.
“What’s going on with Hope?” Savannah sidled up next to Rex with a big pink fluff of cotton candy.
“That’s what we’re trying to find out,” Rex answered.
Josh appeared beside Savannah. “Did you guys see how proud Hannah’s little brother was when he won his halter class? Remember that feeling?”
“I remember feeling like a girl in my outfit,” Treat said as he tugged a piece of cotton candy from Savannah, ignoring her smirk.
“You did not. You begged me for a new vest and hat. You thought you were John Wayne,” his father said.
“Dad, really? You wanna kill my image?” Treat teased.
“Your image is still pretty hot, if you ask me,” Max said. “I’m sorry Hope isn’t feeling well. I heard you down at the barn this morning, Hal. You seemed upset. Was she sick then?”
Rex shot a glance at Treat.
“No, she seemed fine, just didn’t eat much. I was just mumbling to myself,” he said, but his children knew the truth. He was no more mumbling to himself than Treat hadn’t loved his cowboy costume.
“Well, her temperature is fine,” Dr. Baker said. “I’m not hearing anything concerning in her gut sounds, but her pulse is slightly elevated, and given her behavior, with the pawing, the way she’s watching her flank, I’m concerned that we might be looking at a mild case of colic.” Dr. Baker had been the Weston veterinarian for the past forty-five years. Rex appreciated his calm demeanor. His careful nature had always led to solid treatment results as far as their horses were concerned. He trusted the pasty-skinned, bald-headed man’s judgment completely. A pang of sorrow passed through him at the realization that Jade couldn’t have looked over Hope instead.
“She’s not showing today, Rex,” his father said. “We need to break the news to Hannah.” Hal took off his hat and held it against his chest as he stroked Hope’s side.
“I’ll do it after Dr. Baker’s through talking,” Rex offered.
“Now, Hal, you’ve been moping about Hope for half a year or more. You’re a bright man. You know she’s got plenty of years left in her, so why are you looking so gloomy?” Dr. Baker had never minced words with Hal before, and Rex was glad to see him asking what everyone was wondering.
“Maybe she does, but maybe she doesn’t.” His father set his hat back on his head with a firm nod, indicating that he was not going to go down that line of questioning with Dr. Baker.
“So what’s the plan, Doc?” Treat asked, taking the attention off of his father.
“Well, given that she’s never been a colicky girl before, I want you to keep a close eye on her.” He scratched his head. “You said she hasn’t been eating well, so I’m going to give her a shot of Banamine to try to alleviate any discomfort she’s feeling. I’d take her home. Let’s keep an eye on her. No food or water. You know the drill.”
“Yes, sir, we’ll keep a close eye on her,” Rex said.
After Dr. Baker left, Hal and Josh headed home with Hope. Max, Treat, and Savannah were going to stick around the show for a while and enjoy the afternoon, and Rex had to remain until four o’clock to tend the gate.
Rex approached Hannah with a heavy heart. He hated to let her down after she’d worked so hard to prepare to show Hope.
“Hannah, Hope isn’t doing very well. We’re going to have to take her home.” Rex watched her swallow hard.
“That’s okay. I hope she feels better.” She tried to smile, but fell short.
Rex watched her walk away with her head hung low, and he ached for her, but he couldn’t get too caught up in that now. He had to get back to the gate.
JADE WATCHED MR. Braden’s truck and trailer drive off of the show grounds, and she knew something was wrong with Hope.
“What happened?” she asked as soon as Rex appeared.
“He thinks she has a mild case of colic. He gave her Banamine, and Dad’s taking her home.”
“Banamine will help, but how mild? What was her temperature? How about her pulse?” Jade had nothing but respect for Dr. Baker, but he didn’t work with, or necessarily believe in, massage the way she did.
Rex filled her in on the particulars and eased Jade’s mind. Dr. Baker had taken the right course of action—but still, she knew how much good a hands-on approach could be for horses.
“I’d love to get my hands on Hope,” Jade said. “I can do massage to ease her discomfort.”
Rex reached out and touched her cheek. “That’s what I love about you. You’re so caring.” He moved in closer, and Jade shot a look to their left, then right.
“Sorry.” Rex took a step back. “I hate this.”
“Have you come up with any ideas on how to handle all of this? I think, given Hope’s health, that we shouldn’t push things right now. If your father’s upset, he’s not going to be receptive to something like us.” She tried to smile, but her heart broke just a little at the thought of waiting even longer to be able to touch him in public. She didn’t really believe that they could do anything to change the situation, but she was more than willing to try.
“Hey there, girlfriend!” Riley came up from behind Jade and hugged her. “Sexy Rexy,” she teased.
Rex arched a brow, and Jade cringed.
“Sorry,” Jade said to Rex. Then she turned back to Riley. “I thought you were coming with that guy from the tack store. Where is he?”
Riley tucked her hair behind her ear and rolled her eyes. “The guy’s a loser. All he wanted to do was get me into the sack.” She smiled at Rex. “Sorry, girls are crude, I know, but it’s true. Why do all men just want one thing?”
“I can listen to you call me silly—and maybe true—names.” Rex looked serious, but Jade could tell he was fighting to hide a smile. “And I can even understand when you have a hard time with the way a guy treats you, but please don’t lump us all together. Not all of us are that way.”
“Yeah, well, you’re already spoken for.” She winked at Jade.
“So you ditched him?” Jade asked.
“Yeah, I didn’t want to waste a day on him. One day, I swear I’m going to meet a nice guy who isn’t so caught up in sex that he can’t see me for the great gal that I am.” Riley put her arm around Jade. “Right? Tell me I’m right, please. Just lie to me.”
Jade laughed, a little embarrassed that Rex was witnessing them at their most
comfortable, and private, interaction.
“You know it, babe,” Jade said, planting a kiss on her friend’s cheek.
“What are you doing these days, Riley? Didn’t you study fashion? What are you doing back here?” Rex asked.
Riley groaned. “Do you have any idea what it’s like to break into the fashion industry? It’s harder than finding a worthy date.”
Jade liked that Rex was taking an interest in her friend, and she imagined what it might be like to have joint friends. They had so much to look forward to—she was afraid to think that far ahead.
“Did you do well in school?” Rex crossed his arms, studying her with a serious gaze.
“Are you kidding? I graduated with a three-eight GPA and won two design awards while I was there,” she said with pride.
“The field is really competitive,” Jade added.
“It’s really more who you know than what you can do, and coming from Weston, Colorado, knowing ranchers and horse breeders didn’t carry much weight in the fashion industry. So, here I am. I’ve been working at Macy’s doing menial work for menial pay, good discounts, you know. In other words, I’m doing all the things I could have done without a college education.” Riley pulled her arm from around Jade’s neck. “I know I’m not destined for greatness,” she said.
“She’s an amazingly talented designer,” Jade added. “Remember the white dress I wore on our date?” She saw the dirty memory pass through Rex’s narrowing, appreciative eyes. “Riley made it. She designed it and made it.”
“That was a killer dress,” Rex said with a mischievous smile.
“Nah,” Riley said with a wave of her hand. “That’s not my best work. I have tons of designs that I haven’t had time to make, but I have them all laid out. They’re not really Weston Western wear, so…” She shrugged.
“I don’t know if it will help or not, but my brother Josh is a designer. Why don’t you give me your portfolio and I’ll get it to him. He might have some suggestions.”
Jade wanted to jump into his arms and thank him, but she didn’t dare.
