"Huh. Is that why we needed such an early start? I mean, really, Jayce, we beat the sun in rising." Tiara pursed her lips to blow on the hot liquid before she sipped and Jayce had to stifle the urge to kiss the puckered lips. Too late, Jayce realized she'd been staring, when Tiara took a step back and asked, "What?"
Shaking her head, Jayce said, "Nothing, just thinking of something, um, I want to do later." Yeah, she wanted to kiss Tiara in a bad way. Jayce's heart beat erratically in her agitation. What had possessed Tiara to agree to this? She put down her mug and went to the stove and set the temperature to preheat the oven. "It's gonna be another scorcher today. Don't want to heat the house too fast, if we can help it."
Tiara nodded, not showing any indication she noticed Jayce's discomposure. Then Jayce pulled out the tray that she'd placed all the perishable items on, so she would have them handy, and put it on the counter beside the others. "Okay, I think we're ready," she said, picking up the piece of paper with the instructions that she'd written down earlier, before turning back to Tiara. "Just one more thing. I knew for a certainty that you were out of your element yesterday with Majestic, so I may over explain each step. I don't want you to think I'm treating you like an idiot, so please," she said while handing the recipe to Tiara, who began to read it, "tell me how you want to go about this. Should I wait until you ask questions? Do you want me to assist, leave the room, what?"
"What's the matter, cowgirl? Afraid I'll attack you with the kitchen utensils?" Tiara asked with a mischievous grin.
Jayce waggled her eyebrows. "Under other circumstances that suggestion could prove fun." She was glad Tiara only blushed, and didn't use the comment as a reason to run.
"I'll remember that for another time."
It was Jayce's turn to flush, as an image of a naked Tiara holding a pastry brush in hand jumped to mind. Does she realize she's torturing me? "Touché."
Tiara chuckled and winked. Jayce concluded Red knew exactly what she had done. Luckily, she let Jayce off the hook, much to Jayce's relief.
"I'd like if you stayed near and watched. If you see me about to make a mistake, let me know. And if I have a question or am unsure about something I'll ask. Deal?"
"Done." Jayce shoved her trembling hands into her pockets, hoping her voice was steady.
Tiara pulled the large mixing bowl closer to her, and set the paper beside it. She read and combined the ingredients as directed. Jayce watched Tiara's lips moving as she read and noticed she bit her bottom lip when she concentrated. Tiara poured the dry ingredients as if they would combust otherwise. Whisking went well, Jayce marveled at the precise movements of Tiara's hands. Lost in the economy of motion Tiara used, Jayce focused on her hands and remembered how they felt against her bare skin. They'd been strengthened with calluses yet gentle and soft when grazing her flesh. Jayce could feel them hot against her skin, her body wanting their touch again. Not until a hand grabbed her shoulder, and she stared into Tiara's grey eyes did Jayce realize where her thoughts had taken her. "What?"
"Are you all right?"
"Yeah, fine, why?" she asked.
With a frown, Tiara released her. "I asked if turn out the dough meant remove from bowl. Your answer was to moan. You didn't appear to be focused on my question, so I won't take it personally. We can do this later if you aren't feeling well."
There was no way Jayce could explain she'd been lost in a flashback of their night at the line shack, or how her body tingled from those recollections. She pulled herself together, and fast. Focus. "Uh-huh. The dough can be messy to work with when rolling out, so I usually lay waxed paper down first, and flour it heavily. That's it. Now let it set for a couple of minutes."
"Is it tired?" Tiara asked, picking up her coffee mug.
Jayce stared at her, confused, until she realized that Tiara hid a grin behind the mug. Her own response took a moment. "I can see daydreaming is a dangerous pastime around you."
"Anything you want to talk about?" Tiara asked, her tone serious.
"No," Jayce squeaked. With herculean effort, Jayce pulled herself together giving attention to the task before them. "Knead the roll for about a minute."
"You'll need to explain," Tiara said, raising an eyebrow.
Jayce worked her fingers in the air as she said, "You manipulate the dough by pressing, folding, and stretching it." When she caught the darkening of Tiara's eyes, Jayce shoved her hands in her pockets, realizing how her visual example must have looked. She couldn't finish this farce. Earlier, Jayce had believed her selection to be a good one, relatively simple for a first cooking project, but it was difficult to concentrate on anything but her attraction to Tiara. Every nerve and muscle screamed for her to flee.
Jayce didn't want Tiara to be this close and to pretend their night together had never happened. Tiara doesn't want to acknowledge her lovemaking, so she can leave without a guilty conscious. That's what she needed to help her through this. Jayce needed to remember Tiara wasn't staying in Silver Waters. Accepting this challenge was just a means for her to pass the time until Slim returned. If Tiara ever returned, it probably wouldn't be for another ten years.
Taking a deep breath to bolster her courage, Jayce pointed to the rolling pin and the flour canister. "Lightly flour that and roll the dough to about half-an-inch thick." Tiara silently did as told and placed the rolling pin on the counter. Jayce pointed to the biscuit cutter. "Use the cutter to section off the biscuits. No, no," Jayce said, staying Tiara's hand with her own. "You want to cut them as close together as possible without over lapping. You want to get the most of each round, before you attempt to reroll the dough. You want to get the maximum production with minimum effort."
Tiara began to cut the pattern closer. "I get it," Tiara said. "Make 'em quick and fling 'em in the oven so there's time slop the hogs, mend the fences, get the children off to their one room schoolhouse."
Despite herself, Jayce laughed. "Yeah, something like that."
"Done." Tiara absently wiped the back of her hand across her forehead, leaving a flour trail, before she wiped her hands on her thighs. "Okay, what next?" Tiara asked.
Impulse nearly had Jayce wiping the mess from Tiara's face, but she recognized that touching her would be the worst move Jayce could make. "We put them on an ungreased cookie sheet, spaced evenly apart, and bake at 425 degrees for about twelve to fifteen minutes." Tiara did as told, picked up the metal sheet and opened the oven door. "Thar you go, woman, fling them thar biscuits into the oven. We got fences to mend."
Slowly, Tiara closed the oven door, and set the timer on the stove for twelve minutes.
Jayce swallowed hard, realizing Tiara's mood had subtly shifted.
"Yes, Jayce," Tiara whispered tenderly. "We have fences to mend. The sooner, the better, too."
Jayce picked up her forgotten mug, took a sip and grimaced at how cold the coffee had become. She tried to buy herself time by dumping the contents into the sink and preparing a fresh cup. "Isn't that what these challenges are about? I learn to view work from your perspective and vice-versa."
Nodding, Tiara sighed. "Yes, ultimately, but I'm the one who agreed for the both of us. This was my idea. You were prepared to distance yourself from me, weren't you?"
"Yes." Jayce couldn't see any point in lying.
"You're still upset with me for my anger over our words at the line shack?"
Jayce shook her head. "I'm not upset any longer with poor word choices, no."
Confusion registered on Tiara's features. "Please, Jayce, I can feel you closing yourself away. I'd hoped we were making progress, even having fun. Aren't we?"
Jayce nodded, aware of the distress in Tiara's tone.
"Then why erect the walls?"
Despite her best efforts, Jayce felt tears pushing for release. She didn't want to answer, but couldn't lie. "Because I can't, nor do I want to, forget our night together, Red." She turned her back on Tiara, put her mug on the counter and grasped the edge to steady herself. "And every time I'm near you
, I want you in my arms again. Want you to want picket fences, too." She spun around, glanced at the timer, saying, "Biscuits are almost done." As quick as she could, Jayce strode to the back door, pushing open the screen. "I'm not strong enough to know you'll leave without ever looking back. I know I'm not enough to make you want to stay."
Before Tiara could respond, more afraid she wouldn't, Jayce stomped out the door, silently berating herself--honesty made her every kind of fool.
Jayce couldn't believe she'd spilled her guts like some damned teenager, and even blubbering over it now. She needed to immerse herself in work. Work was the best medicine for her to feel better. Now, it could only offer a diversion. She went into the barn, grabbed her saddle and carried it to Arabelle's stall. "Morning, gal. Up for a long walk?" Arabelle whinnied.
"Hey, where're you going?" Sarah walked over and rubbed Arabelle's nose.
"Training."
Sarah raised an eyebrow. "Done making biscuits already?"
Gritting her teeth, Jayce tightened the cinch, pulled the bridle from the peg by the door and placed it on Arabelle. "Yeah, we're done." Using the reins to lead the horse outside, Sarah steps behind her, Jayce was about to swing into the saddle when Sarah's hand on her arm stopped her.
"Please, Jayce, talk to me," Sarah said.
Jayce considered telling her, for about a second, but heard Craig's cheerful voice, "Hey, ladies. Awesome morning, isn't it?"
She didn't look at Sarah as she jerked her arm free and climbed into the saddle. "There's nothing to talk about. Gotta go," she said. Jayce kicked Arabelle into a gallop, putting as much distance as she could between her and the heartbreak cooking in her kitchen.
Chapter Twenty-one
SARAH WATCHED AS Jayce disappeared on Arabelle, wondering what had happened to put that much hurt in Jayce's expression. She knew the reason was Tiara related, and promptly wondered if Slim's matchmaking intentions were worth it. So far, all Sarah could see was fun loving and perpetually happy Jayce more often upset and crying.
"Was it something I said?" Craig asked as he stopped beside her. When she shook her head, Craig kissed her on the forehead. "Ready to go?"
She wouldn't be able to enjoy the day until she did something about the current fiasco, before the situation got completely out of hand. She shoved her hands in her jean's pockets. "I've gotta take care of something. I can come get you when I'm done," she told Craig.
"If it's all the same to you, I'd like to follow along," Craig said. "You're clearly worried, and I'd like to offer my support, if you'll allow me."
Sarah considered whether that was a smart idea. She had a notion where Slim had been hiding himself, but couldn't guarantee what type of a greeting they'd get, especially since she suspected Slim had something to do with Elmo and it wasn't related to Majestic. Since Jayce and Tiara were supposed to be happily playing in dough, Sarah figured Edna would be with Slim. At least she prayed that was the case, because she'd need Edna's calming presence and clear head. Hers was already telling her to throttle Slim the second she laid eyes on him. Craig could hold her back if it came to that. "All right, let's go find Slim."
"Tiara's dad?" he asked, easily keeping pace with her angry stride. "He's finally home, huh? Tiara never mentioned it."
"That's because none of us is supposed to know."
"Oh, okay."
With a snort, Sarah snapped, "No, it's not okay. I presume Slim and Edna have hatched this plan to bring Tiara home, for good, and she and Jayce can live happily-ever-after."
"The way those two are at each other's throat?" he asked incredulously. "Besides, Tiara has a business in the city."
"Parents, even parents of adult children, almost always want their children home. And, I don't think Edna's going to tie the knot with Slim until he's patched things up with Tiara."
Craig had put a hand on her arm, halting her. "You know the whole story about Tiara and Jayce? Care to share?"
Sarah considered his request. It really wasn't her place to bare the history. Much as Craig could be a welcomed ally, and as her friend, a family friend, he was still Tiara's employee first. But he would find out all the dynamics once she confronted Slim, and Sarah believed she should make him aware of that fact. "The history isn't mine to reveal," she said, holding up her palm when he opened his mouth to respond. "However, if you pay close attention when I talk to Slim, you should come up to speed quickly."
"I'll be an eager student then." A grin spread across his features, and Sarah was almost taken aback by how nearly angelic he appeared as the amusement sparkled in his eyes. For an instant, Sarah berated herself for falling for him, as certainly as she breathed. He was younger, and she just recently released from a relationship. Maybe she should slow this down, even halt it, before either of them were hurt.
"Oh, no you don't," Craig said, pointing a finger in her direction. "The focus is Tiara and Jayce. Don't start evaluating our relationship," he ordered.
Sarah guffawed. "What makes you think we have a relationship?"
Crossing his arms over his chest, Craig said, "If you want to call this 'friendship', go ahead. I know you care for me. I'd love everything to be about us, but I can wait a bit. We will talk before you return to being Ms. Juarez." The corner of his mouth twitched on his announcement.
"How long have you known?" she asked.
"Since Darla's dinner. I can see a star not wanting to hob-nob with the little folk, but it was just too curious that you two are never together at the same time. Juanita is supposed to be smitten with Jayce, after all." He shrugged. "Besides, you're too similar, even for a stand-in double."
Swallowing her surprise, Sarah said, "Another topic to add to the list of items for our future conversation." This added a gargantuan item for serious examination by her later. "Okay, one problem at a time." She walked toward the bunkhouse.
The structure hadn't been used much since about the 60s, when ranch hands lived on the property. In the last decade, the building housed the men when a snowstorm made it impossible for someone to leave the property, or when the Hollywood representatives stayed over for filming. The bunkhouse had all the amenities and simple comforts for short stays; which is why neither she nor Jayce would have considered it as Slim's hiding place.
They stepped up on the creaking wood slats of the porch, and the main door opened, Edna motioning them in. The room looked much like Jayce's living room with the couch and matching chair in front of a thick wood coffee table. On the coffee table was a silver tray with matching tumblers evenly spaced beside a pitcher of lemonade. A large flat screen television adorned the largest wall. Slim sat in an old wooden rocker, leaning forward with his elbows resting on his knees, concern etched lines in his forehead. Edna said, "I figured we'd be found out, but I thought Jayce would be the first here." Edna indicated the couch, as she moved to the chair. "Sit down and tell me what has brought you out here." Directing her gaze at Sarah, Edna added, "From the expression on your face, it isn't good."
Shaking her head, Sarah said, "No, Aunt Edna, something's made this whole situation worse."
"Is Tiara all right?" she asked.
Sarah snapped, "I wouldn't know. But your niece is a mess, if you're interested."
Injured surprise flashed across Edna's features. "Of course I'm interested. How could you possibly think I wouldn't be? Jayce is resilient, and always pulls through just fine."
"Well, you both," Sarah shot an accusatory glare at Slim, "may have pushed too far this time. Strong, buoyant Jayce is a chaotic mess." She added, curling her lip in disgust. "Tiara is playing her like a xylophone in a kindergarten class, rough and uncaring of the tune. Poor little princess, my ass."
Edna gasped. "You've made your point, Sarah."
"I don't think I have. Everyone is so worried about all that Tiara has gone through. I doubt either of you has considered what a toll this would take on Jayce, the one person who supported both of you the entire time." Sarah noticed Slim squirm in the rocker. "Yeah, more a daughte
r to you than your biological, yet absent, one." Sarah's body trembled as bad as her voice had during her tirade. Craig placed a hand on her back and gently rubbed in a rhythmic circular motion.
"You don't know what you're talking about," Edna said.
"Sarah, honey, this whole setup was with Tiara and Jayce in mind. We didn't intend either to be wronged. We only wanted them happy."
Sarah shook her head. "Then you've failed miserably."
"Stop it, Sarah, please." Sarah, along with the others, turned to see Jayce standing in the bunkhouse doorway. To Sarah, Jayce looked worse than she had moments ago.
"Jayce--"
"It's all right, Sarah," Jayce said. She walked closer, poured a glass of lemonade, took a long drink and sat herself on the corner of the coffee table closest to Sarah. "Tiara hasn't done anything wrong, really. This is my doing." She took another drink. Then, as if she and Jayce were the only two in the room, Jayce lightly tapped her hand on Sarah's knee and said with a grimace, "Tiara was frightened by the storm the night at the line shack. I wanted to take that fear away and..."
Then, the crux of the matter from Jayce's point of view came clear for Sarah. Fresh tears clouded her vision as she drew Jayce into her arms. "Oh, honey, I'm so sorry."
SLIM DIDN'T WANT to acknowledge the anguish swimming in Edna's cornflower blue eyes, it was too raw. How could he not have noticed as Jayce's eyes had held the same ravaged emotion, consuming any hint of her lightheartedness, her normal joviality? Edna apparently understood what the private communication between Jayce and Sarah meant. Much as his curiosity was piqued, he knew better than to ask. However, Slim knew one question did need asking. "How can I fix this, Jayce?"
"Time, Slim," Jayce told him, pulling away from Sarah's embrace. "I just need time," she said. "I hear it heals all wounds. Now, if you'll all excuse me, I've work to do." Jayce laid a hand on Sarah's shoulder, seemed to purposely ignore Edna, strode to the door, where she turned and focused on him again. "Slim, good to see you, as always. But I think it's about time you came out of hiding and let your daughter know you're home." She let the door slam loudly behind her as she exited.
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