by Amelia Shea
She moved forward to stop it, but Travis hooked his arm around her waist. “Not letting you in the middle of this.”
“Stop them, Trav.”
Travis snorted. “Been waiting forever to see John get his ass kicked.”
She tried to get his arm off of her but couldn’t. Her finger dug deep into his forearm, but Travis was locked around her. How could they just stand by and watch? What if Jasper got hurt?
“Grey, please.” Tears spilled down her face. Grey was standing a foot away, his arms folded, just watching the fight. He turned to Kellie, and his face softened slightly. He sighed and slapped Lucas on the arm. They both grabbed Jasper, pulling him off John who was rolling on the pavement.
“Not done,” Jasper growled.
“You’re done, little brother. Any more and we might have a lawsuit on our hands.”
“Get the hell off me, Grey.” Jasper was fighting against the firm hold Grey had on him.
Travis released Kellie, and she rushed over. Jasper jutted forward, and Lucas grabbed him. He looked like a feral animal, he had so much rage. It was a side of Jasper she’d never seen. She inched forward, and his eyes flickered to her. There was no sign of blood on him.
“Jasper, please.” She stood in front of him with Lucas strapped around his arms, holding him in place. She rested her hands on his chest and felt his heart racing. “Calm down.” His eyes were set over her head, and she wasn’t even sure if he was listening.
As much as they hurt sometimes, words were just words. She learned a long time ago they could only hurt her if she let them. And she refused to let someone else’s opinion of her take space in her head. She slowly caressed his chest in hopes of calming him down.
She sighed. “Who cares what he said?”
Jasper jerked his head as if realizing, just now, she was standing in front of him. His jaw clenched, and he scowled. “I care,” he said through gritted teeth.
»»•««
Jasper threw open the door to the mudroom and stormed in with Kellie following closely behind. It had been very quiet and tense for the past thirty minutes.
She had ended her shift early to go home with Jasper. She expected a protest from Garr, but he merely grunted and told her to get her things. She wasn’t even sure Jasper would bother waiting for her, but when she came outside into the lot, he was in his truck with the engine running. By that time, everyone had gone back inside with the exception of John and his group.
She slid into the truck. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.” His tone was curt and his eyes pinned forward through the windshield.
She clamped her lips and sat in silence. The longest thirty minutes of her life.
This wasn’t something that was going to go away. Her reputation had been sealed years ago, and talk wouldn’t just stop because he was dating her now. She knew, but apparently, he didn’t. By the time he pulled up to the ranch, the silence was eating away at her. He turned off the engine, and she shifted in her seat. Jasper didn’t even glance her way. He was out of the truck and walked up to his back door.
Kellie sighed and got out, following behind him. Once they got inside, she stood in the doorway leaning against the frame and watched. He threw his jacket across the table, and it slid to the chair. He ripped open the door. Surprisingly, it didn’t come off the hinges.
To talk or not to talk. She bit her lip with indecision. Maybe he needed time to cool off. Maybe she should have gone back to her own place tonight. Maybe he was rethinking their entire relationship. How could one asshole with a loud mouth really end what they had?
“Jasper, I think…”
“No,” he barked.
Kellie lifted her brows. “No? How can you say no when you don’t even know what I was going to say?”
Jasper grabbed a bottle from the fridge, spun off the cap, and started to down his beer. He wasn’t looking at her which made this so much harder. Why wouldn’t he even look at her?
“I know you’re upset but…”
Jasper lowered the bottle, and his face hardened. She clamped her mouth shut.
“There are no buts. John is lucky the guys stepped in when they did, or I’d a knocked him the fuck out.”
Oh, this was not good. She knew he was upset and angered, but Jasper never cursed, at least not in her presence. His neck was red, leading up to his face. She’d known it was just a matter of time before her past reputation would become an issue.
“Jasper, I had sex with him.”
“So what?”
“So, everything he said was true. Look, I can’t take back what I’ve done in the past, and honestly, I wouldn’t anyway. Changing the past would mean changing who I am today. I’m sorry it upsets you, but you knew who I was when you started this with me. You can’t hold it against me because some asshole decided to throw it in your face.”
“What the hell are you talking about?’
Her eyes widened and she spread out her hands. “I had sex before you, Jasper. A lot.”
He glared, and she threw her hands up in frustration. “You knew this.”
“You think I’m fucking pissed because you’ve been with other men? Is that what you think?”
“Well, it’s pretty obvious from the way you’re acting.”
He slammed his beer down and stalked to her. She stepped back, bumping into the wall.
“I’m enraged right now, Kellie. I wasn’t this fired up when I walked in on Abby and that guy. But it’s got nothing to do with your past. It’s the present. You are my woman, and no one puts their hands on you or talks about you the way he did. You hear me, no one.” The last words came out as a snarl.
“I’ve been with plenty of women, and I would never talk about what happened between us behind closed doors, especially in front of their current men. The asshole got what was coming to him, and he deserved more.” He leaned in and his temple pulsed, the lines in his forehead dug deep. “Did you really think I’d sit by and allow another man to disrespect you? I will take down anyone, and I mean, anyone, who has the balls to say one word about you.” His eyes darkened. “Now, if you got a problem with that, then we have a problem with us.”
“Jasper.” She slowly reached up, cupping his face, feeling the tension in his jaw. “You can’t make someone change their mind just because you don’t like what they think.”
“They can think whatever they like, but they can’t say it, not in front of me, without landing on their ass.”
“You gonna fight everyone?”
“Yes!” He said it with such conviction.
“I’m sorry, I…”
Jasper growled. “Don’t do that. Don’t you dare apologize, you didn’t do anything wrong.”
“I know, but…”
“No buts,” Jasper snapped. “It’s like you said, your past made you who you are today. Nothing I wanna to change about you. No one has the right to judge you, including me. Doesn’t mean, I’ll stand back and let someone disrespect you. What kind of man would I be to allow someone to do that to my woman?” His blue eyes darkened. “’Never gonna happen, Kell.”
My woman. Jasper was accepting her as she was, and she’d do the same with him. No judgment.
She smiled. “I usually just ignore it.”
“If it works for you then you should. It won’t work for me.”
“Well, I’m pretty sure there won’t be many people talking about me anytime soon. I think you might have set a precedent with him.”
His arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her against his chest.
“Good, then problem solved.” He leaned in, taking her lips. This wasn’t over. It would happen again, maybe not soon, but eventually. Small towns and drunk loudmouths didn’t mix well.
»»•««
“Heading over to Britt’s.” Kellie leaned over his shoulder where he was sitting at the table and kissed his cheek.
“What do you put in this?” His words were mumbled. He was chewing on the last piece of his third helpin
g of cornbread.
Her lips puckered with her finger covering them. “Shhhh…it’s a secret.”
Jasper shook his head, got up from the table, and walked to the sink. “Not gonna share? You were willing to tell Travis, hell, you were gonna show him how to make it.” He was teasing, though there was truth to his statement.
“Now, now, don’t get all jealous on me, cowboy.” She sauntered over, sliding her hands up his chest and around his neck. “I wasn’t going to teach him the exact way to make it. I would have left out the secret ingredient.” She lifted onto her toes, dropping a kiss on his lips.
Jasper tilted his head. “Will you tell me?”
She grinned and shook her head slowly. “No. If you knew how to make it, you might not keep me around. I need to remind you, along with my charm and incredible sexual prowess, I’m a damn good cook.” She wiggled her brows. “A total package.”
Jasper growled, taking her lips aggressively. There was no jest or teasing in this kiss. “Yes, you are.”
He reached down again, kissing her. They hadn’t spoken further about what happened last night. There really wasn’t much more to say. He wasn’t a fighter or a hothead by any means, but never would he stand by and let another person disrespect her. He made himself clear. There was no doubt his actions from last night would make their way around town. Let them. He was hoping people would understand that if they spoke about Kellie, they’d deal with him. Unfortunately, he also knew the backlash would most likely fall on Kellie’s shoulders. Somehow, they’d find a way to justify his actions and blame her.
He pulled away and swatted her on the ass. “Get going before I decide to take you upstairs, strip you bare, and keep you hostage for the rest of the day.”
“Can it really be considered a hostage situation if I go willingly?”
Jasper snorted, kissed her again, and clasped her hand, all the while smiling from the sound of her giggling. He had to work in the barn all morning and then the fields in the afternoon. His day would probably go longer than usual, but at least it started out perfect. Anytime she woke up in his arms, his day was set.
They were just past the walkway when he heard his name. He turned to see his brother coming toward them with Britt, who donned a huge grin. He sighed.
“I can’t believe I friggin’ missed it. Please tell me someone got video.”
Grey shook his head and rolled his eyes. “She’s been on my ass because I didn’t record you kicking the shit out of John last night.”
“Britt,” Kellie said in a disapproving tone laced with humor.
“What? John deserved it. Maybe it’ll teach him to run his mouth.”
“Doubtful.” Jasper sighed.
Britt gave a sinister smile. “Does that mean there might be a next time? Promise me that you’ll wait till I get there to throw the first punch. Please, Jasper.”
Jasper would have laughed at her had she not been dead serious. Yeah, this was going to follow him. He pulled Kellie in for a kiss, same as Grey did with Britt. The brothers headed toward the barn.
“Hay and fields today?” Grey asked.
“Yeah. What about you?”
“Damn, paperwork. I’ll be in the office all morning.”
There was a small separate building beyond the main barn. It served as the office. They had built it five years ago. It had heat and air conditioning and a fairly decent set up to meet with customers and keep all their records in one place. It was also the last place he or Grey enjoyed being stuck. They both agreed they would rather be on the open field tending to the crops in the heat for hours than stuck in the office.
“Catch ya later.” Jasper passed the office, making his way to the barn.
“Hey, Jas.”
Jasper glanced over his shoulder.
“Last night, I would have done the same thing.”
Jasper lifted his chin. He knew his brother better than anyone, and Grey would have done the exact same thing. Jasper didn’t doubt his actions were justified. He’d just wished it hadn’t come to an all-out brawl. Putting it out of his mind, he gripped the door and walked inside the barn. A full day on the ranch would keep his mind clear. It always had.
Two hours later, Jasper was moving the hay bales from the second floor down to the loading truck. Sweat beaded at his forehead, and his shirt was drenched. Sleeping in with Kellie had its perks, but now he was doing double time to catch up. It was worth it. The stairs creaked, and he glanced under his arm as he bent down.
“Mornin’.”
“Mornin’.” His father stood tall at the edge of the stairs. “Just got off the phone with Carey Fisker.”
Carey was John’s father. His own father and Carey had been friends and business associates for years. Jasper knew where this was leading. It had been ingrained in his head all his life. The ranch and reputation were his sons’ legacies and were to be treated with respect. His father had made it known if their personal lives affected the ranch, it wouldn’t be tolerated with any tarnish. Tripp had pretty much been given the speech more so than him and Grey, but they, too, had had their share of lectures.
Jasper stood up to face his father. Of all the brothers, Jasper was the most compliant. He respected his father and his knowledge and opinions. Aside from the Abby situation, Jasper had never given his father much to use against him.
“Want to tell me what happened?”
“John was running his mouth, and I set him straight, end of story.”
“According to Carey, there’s a bit more to the story.”
Jasper stared back at his father and then turned around, grabbing a bale and lifting it. “Carey wasn’t there, so my guess is his son gave him a partial story.”
“Fighting over women? Not something I condone. I thought you knew that.”
“It was hardly a fight. He ran his mouth, I swung first, knocked him on his ass. Done.”
“Jasper.”
Jasper tossed down the bale and raised his hands to his hips, glaring at his father. “You think I’d stand by and let another man disrespect Kellie? Whatever you or anyone else in this county thinks of her doesn’t matter, she’s mine, and I’ll protect her, no matter what. Now, you gotta problem with that then it’s yours.”
His father’s eyes narrowed. “So, what you’re telling me is you would risk your own reputation and that of this ranch for her?”
Jasper’s heart was beating so hard his fists clenched, and every muscle in his body tightened. “It’s exactly what I’m saying.”
His father stared at him for a long while before his lips twisted and he glanced around the barn. “All right, good to know.” He turned to the steps and stepped down. “The trailer needs to be loaded by eleven, and then the delivery should be done. Call Tripp and have him do it. We on schedule for the harvest of the wheat?”
Jasper nodded.
“Good, the more we have done the less we’ll have to wait on payment.” His father was halfway down the stairs.
“So that’s it?”
His dad glanced over his shoulder and then stepped up onto the platform again. “Unless there are any issues, I think so.”
“Not the ranch, with me and Kellie, what happened last night? You got nothing else to say?”
His father sighed, taking off his hat and wiping his forehead. “I raised all my boys to work hard and respect their ranch. Makes me proud to know you and Grey do. Tripp?” His dad smirked and shrugged his shoulders. “Well, it was a long time coming, but he’s showing signs he’s heard some of the stuff I’ve taught.” His father walked toward Jasper, stopping only a few feet away. “Never lectured or taught you about the importance of protecting the woman you love, but I’m assuming you learned from watching me with your mom. It’s a lesson I’m proud you learned. Had you not taken up for Kellie last night, I’d think she was just a girl you were spending time with, nothing more. You’re a good man, Jasper, and I expect nothing less than you protecting and honoring what’s yours. It also confirms what your mom has be
en telling me for the past few weeks.”
“What’s that?”
The corner of his mouth curled. “Kellie is special. I knew she must have something special about her seeing the way you’ve been, smiling, laughing, and happier than you’ve been in your whole life. Just didn’t realized she was the one. But your mom knew.”
“You’re not angry about last night?”
His father chuckled. “I’m not exactly happy about a public rumble involving my son. But seeing as how you feel about Kellie, I would have been upset to find out you hadn’t put John in his place.” He lifted a brow. “You think I’d let anyone disrespect your mother?”
“No, sir.”
“Right. And I wouldn’t expect you to let anyone do that to Kellie, not for me or the ranch.”
Jasper watched his father descend the stairs once again. “Is this going to be an issue with Carey?” They had been associates for years.
“The only issue Carey has is his son. He’s a smart man; he’ll deal with it.” He shook his head. “A grown man running to his father when he gets his ass whooped. Pitiful.”
Jasper laughed and continued with the hay. Fighting may not be the right thing, but sometimes it was the only right answer for the situation.
Chapter Thirteen
Jasper had been at Steers for ten minutes waiting to catch a glimpse of his girl. He’d been tempted a few times to make his way to the bar but held back. This was her place of work, and she had customers and her job to do. She’d see him eventually. It had been a week since the bar fight incident, and not much had been mentioned except for the expected ribbing from his friends.
The pub table was surrounded by the usual group. Travis, Lucas, and Nick. The current topic of conversation was barely holding his attention.
“When do you go back on the road?” Nick asked.
Travis scanned the dance floor. “As soon as the doctor signs off on my papers, maybe two weeks, hopefully sooner.” He’d made a few appearances on the circuit but was still waiting on his release to actually ride.
