“She’s come to mean something to you, hasn’t she? Does she know why you’re there?”
“No, sir.”
“And when she finds out, what then?”
“I don’t know,” Jesse muttered.
His father’s sigh came across the phone. “You’re digging yourself a big hole, son. I think you should get out of there. Go home and work your ranch. Let what happens, happen.”
“I’ll think about it, Dad.”
“Let me know when you get home. Since you quit the rodeo, you can spend more time on your ranch and be more involved in your factory.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll call you when I get home. Love you and Mom.”
“We love you too, son.” His father disconnected the call.
He blew out a frustrated breath and stuck his phone back into his pocket. Hanging his head, he just didn’t know what to do. His dad was right, Anna did mean something to him. He was falling in love with her and leaving her made his heart ache. How could he leave her? On the other hand, how could he stay? Once she found out what he was really doing here, she’d be hurt and angry with him.
Jesse sat down on the floor and leaned back against the wall. Leaning his head back, he stared up at the ceiling as if looking for answers. The past week had been amazing just being with her. The only thing that bothered him was he had to leave her late at night so Rusty and Wes wouldn’t see him leaving her home. He didn’t care, but he knew Anna did. She was a grown woman though and shouldn’t care what anyone thought, but Jesse did understand. Rusty and Wes figured he was just here for the summer and they’d think he was just using her. If he could make it happen, he’d never leave Anna. He’d love to be able to take her to his ranch and show it to her and tell her all about his family. His four brothers and his sister. He missed seeing them.
“Damn it,” he swore as he pushed himself up from the floor.
He looked around. This cabin was finished so he wanted to go get some furniture out of the basement and start making it presentable. Walking outside, he climbed into his truck and drove to the house. Parking at the back door, he stepped out and walked up the steps. Knocking on the door, he turned the knob and opened the door.
“Anna?” he called out.
“Hi,” she said as she entered the kitchen.
Jesse grinned. Closing the door behind him, he strolled toward her, stopped in front of her, and looked down into her beautiful eyes.
“I need to get some furniture for one of the cabins. I was thinking you could rent them out as they become available.”
“Good idea.” She smiled up at him then stood on her toes and kissed his lips.
He gripped her hips and pulled her against him. “It could wait.”
Anna laughed. “No, it can’t. I have to work on the books.”
Sighing, he nodded. “All right. Show me where the furniture is.”
“Follow me,” she said, crooking her finger.
“Darlin’, I’d follow you anywhere.” He grinned when he heard her laugh.
She led him to a door in the hallway and opened it. Reaching inside, she turned a light on.
“Watch your head. Some of the beams are low,” she said as they walked down the stairs.
Once at the bottom, she moved toward another door and opened it.
“Nice basement. Was it finished when you bought the house?”
“Yes. The furniture is in here covered in plastic. Do you want to leave it on while you take it up to the cabin?”
“Yeah, since the bed of the truck is dirty. Here, let me get it,” he said and moved toward her.
Anna moved out of the doorway and Jesse stopped beside her and stared down at her. She lifted her face and looked up at him. He couldn’t keep his eyes from looking at her lips.
“Jesse?”
“I can’t seem to stay away from you, Anna.”
He slowly lowered his head and lightly pressed his lips to hers. When she moaned, he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulled her against him, and deepened the kiss. He moved his tongue into her mouth and growled low in his throat when she tangled hers with his.
Anna pulled back from him. “Jesse…”
“I know but I can’t stop kissing you anymore than I can stop breathing.”
“I want you to stay with me tonight.”
“What? Are you serious?”
“Yes, I don’t care what anyone thinks.”
He lowered his head and kissed her long and deep. “I’d love to stay with you.”
Anna smiled up at him. “I’m glad. Now, let’s get the furniture up to the cabin.”
Grinning, he dipped his head and kissed her again quickly then turned to enter the room the furniture was in and slammed his head into the top of the low doorjamb. He squatted down holding his head.
“Son of a bitch!”
“Oh, my God! Jesse, are you all right?” she asked him with real concern in her voice.
He looked up at her and narrowed his eyes. “Hell no, I’m not all right.”
“Come over here and sit on the steps so I can look at your head.” Laughter was evident in her voice.
He stood and stared at her but she turned her back to him, only he could see her shoulders shaking. He walked past her, sat on the steps, and hung his head. Anna stepped in front of him and tilted his head back.
“That looked like it hurt,” she murmured.
“That’s because it did,” he said through clenched teeth making her laugh.
“I told you the beams were low.”
“I hit my head on the fucking doorjamb not the beam.”
He glared at her and watched her bite her lip but she sputtered out a laugh then sat down on the step beside him. When he looked over at her, she burst out laughing.
“I’m sorry—” She started, but laughed again.
“I swear I saw stars—” He stopped when she howled with laughter and he chuckled. “You have no compassion at all. I could have a concussion.”
Anna snorted. “I doubt that but I’ll keep an eye on you tonight.”
“I’m going to have a damn goose egg.”
“First me, now you. We may be too dangerous for each other.”
“We’re too hot in bed to stay away from each other.”
Anna kissed his cheek. “Yes, we are.”
Jesse kissed the top of her head then stood but when he swayed, she stood and put her arm around him. He wrapped his arms around her and sat back down on the step.
“I need to be careful. If I hit my head again, I will be sorely pissed,” he said.
“You’re woozy on your feet. You hit your head hard.”
“Yeah, and I’m going to have one hell of a headache later.”
“I’ll watch over you the rest of today and tonight,” she whispered in his ear.
“I appreciate that, sweetheart. I should probably stay in bed.” He grinned and stood.
“Let me call Rusty to help carry this up.” She pulled her cell phone from her pocket and after talking with Rusty, she placed it back into her pocket then stood and wrapped her arms around Jesse’s neck. “How can we pass the time?”
“Shit, darlin’, as horny as I am, I could undress you, fuck you, and dress you before he gets here.”
“You’re so romantic.” She laughed.
He grinned and gave her a quick kiss. “I try darlin’.”
“Kiss me again.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said then laughed when she punched his arm.
Lowering his head, he pressed his lips to hers then deepened the kiss and moved his tongue into her mouth. When she moaned, he jerked her hips against him.
“Annie?” Rusty’s voice sounded from above the steps.
“Shit,” Jesse muttered as he moved away from her.
“Down here, Rusty,” she called out.
They could hear Rusty and Wes walking down the steps then they appeared beside them. Rusty’s eyes narrowed as he looked at Jesse standing close to Anna. Jesse raised an eyebrow at hi
m.
“What are we getting?” Wes asked unaware of any tension.
“Jesse is taking some of the furniture up to one of the cabins. He’s going to furnish each one as he finishes them,” Anna told Wes.
“Wouldn’t it make sense to just get it all at once? I mean, you ain’t going to be having any guests this late in the year.” Rusty looked at Anna.
“I’m not turning the ranch into a dude ranch. I can’t compete with Bur Oak—”
“Then what the hell is he working on the cabins for?” Rusty pointed at Jesse.
Jesse stepped toward him. “You can ask me, I’m right here.”
“I’m not talking to you, boy,” Rusty yelled.
“I am not a boy,” Jesse growled.
“Stop it,” Anna snapped at them.
Jesse stepped back but didn’t take his eyes off Rusty.
“I’m sorry, Anna,” he said.
“Rusty, please just help with the furniture. I’ve decided to rent the cabins as homes.”
“Homes?”
“Yes. It was Jesse’s idea. If I can rent them to singles or couples, I’ll have income all year and won’t have to worry about competing with Bur Oak.”
Rusty removed his hat and scratched his head. “I suppose that could work. They’re up there far enough not to invade your privacy.” He glanced at Jesse. “Good idea—Jesse.”
“Thank you.” Jesse nodded.
“Are we taking all of this up?” Wes asked.
“No, just one cabin at a time. Jesse’s been putting baseboard heaters in them. The one he’s staying in will be finished once the furniture is put in there.” Anna looked at Jesse and smiled at him. “I’m glad there were a few items of furniture already there for you.”
Jesse grinned. “I’ll be happy to sleep in a nice bed again though.” He watched as her cheeks turned pink.
“Come on, Rusty, let’s carry this upstairs,” Wes said as he walked toward the doorway where the furniture sat.
Anna spun around and glared at Jesse. “I could make you sleep on the couch,” she whispered to him.
Smiling, he walked to her and put his lips next to her ear.
“Only if you’re there with me, darlin’.” He chuckled.
Anna laughed then placed her hand on his forehead. “You’re really going to have a lump.”
“Shit, that hurt,” he muttered as he rubbed his head. He narrowed his eyes at Anna when she laughed.
Jesse shook his head then entered the room to help get furniture, making sure he ducked his head this time. Wes and Rusty didn’t need to duck he noticed as he entered the room. Anna entered behind him and started to pick up a nightstand when Jesse saw her.
“You don’t need to do that, Anna,” he said then lowered his head when she narrowed her eyes at him.
“I am more than capable of lifting this, Jesse.”
“He’s right, Annie. We’ll get it,” Wes said.
She stared at each of them then left the room and the men grinned at each other.
“And wipe the chauvinistic grins off your faces,” she said from outside the door.
Jesse cleared his throat, Wes muttered under his breath, and Rusty continued to grin as he picked up the nightstand. Jesse nodded for Wes to pick one end of the sofa and squatted down to lift his end. The men carried the furniture up the steps and outside to load into the back of Jesse’s truck. When he straightened up, he noticed Wes staring at him and he raised an eyebrow as the older man grinned. Jesse stared down at him as he stood in the truck bed.
“You didn’t duck, did you?”
“Screw you, old man,” Jesse growled but chuckled when Wes burst out laughing.
Jesse shook his head wondering if the goose egg looked as big as it felt. He placed his hand on the side of the truck and vaulted over the side to land on his feet. Straightening up, he saw Rusty looking at him with narrowed eyes. Jesse watched as Rusty set the nightstand in the bed of the truck then walked to him, stopped in front of him, and stared at him. Jesse raised an eyebrow.
“I knew you looked familiar,” Rusty said in a low tone of voice. “You’re JD Beckett, the bull rider.”
Jesse’s stomach clenched as he stared at Rusty then quickly glanced behind him then back to the man.
“What makes you think so?” Jesse asked, stalling for time.
“It just came to me when I saw you land on your feet and stand up.”
“I—”
“What are you doing here…boy?” Rusty growled.
“Helping Anna.”
“Why?” Rusty spit tobacco juice and Jesse had to jump back to avoid it hitting his boots.
“I’ll explain later. Just keep this between us for now, please.”
Rusty stared at him then gave a nod but stepped closer. “If you’re here to hurt that woman, I will personally throw you off this ranch. You got that?”
“Yes, sir, but I’m not here to hurt her. I want to help her.”
The two men continued to stare at each other until Anna walked onto the porch and placed her hands on her hips. Jesse glanced at her then back to Rusty to see Rusty nod then he walked away. Jesse blew out a relieved breath.
“What’s going on with you two?” Anna asked them.
“Nothing. I was telling…Jesse…that I’ll ride up with him and help him unload.”
“No, Rusty. Wes can help him. I need you to get the horses in, please.”
Jesse watched Rusty blow out a breath then look at Anna and nod.
“You’re the boss.” Then he walked off toward the barn.
Jesse was sure Rusty wasn’t going to let it go until he knew what his reasons were for being here. Damn it! Why had he stuck around? He should have hightailed it out of here the first day when he saw that someone was still living on the ranch. His dad should have called him to tell him the status of the property and he didn’t understand why he hadn’t. But Jesse was going to do everything in his power to see that Anna didn’t lose this ranch. He’d help her get the cabins ready for renters. She’d have to have the cabins inspected to make sure they were livable but he had no doubt they’d pass. Once he got them finished, she could arrange for the inspections and place an ad for renters.
“Jesse?”
He turned to face her. “Yeah?”
“Is everything all right?”
“Sure. I’m just thinking about getting to work on the other cabins. The sooner I get them ready, the sooner you can see about getting them rented. You still have to talk to someone at the courthouse to get the cabins inspected.”
“I wish I didn’t have to have them inspected”
“They have to be inspected to see if they’re livable.”
“I know but what happens if they aren’t?”
“I don’t know why they wouldn’t be.” Jesse leaned back against the side of the truck, folded his arms, and stared up at her on the porch.
“I think I should look into a job for some added income. I’m not making enough here by just boarding horses and selling hay. I can sell the cattle, but then what?” She leaned against the post. “I can’t even pay you enough.”
Jesse pushed off the truck and walked up the steps to stop in front of her. He reached out and took a strand of her hair in his fingers.
“I told you, I don’t care about the money.”
Her head tilted. “Why not? You need money to live on.”
“I have money, Anna.” That was true. She just didn’t know how much.
“I’m supposed to be paying you, Jesse and come to think of it, you haven’t cashed one check I’ve given you.”
Damn! “Uh, I really don’t need it. You’re giving me free room and board, so to speak. I’m fine really, Anna.” He stepped closer to her. “Besides, the benefits are amazing,” he whispered then pressed his lips to hers.
She moaned against his lips but then pulled back from him, and he understood why when Wes came from the house and stared at them.
“Am I the only one working here?”
Chapter Five
Anna turned to watch him go then blew out a breath. She should still see about getting a job. At least, for a while, just to help her get back on her feet. If she can rent the cabins, she’ll be fine. Thing was, there weren’t very many available jobs in Hartland, Spring City, or in Clifton.
She took a seat on the top step and tried to figure out what to do. Losing the ranch was not an option. There were always her parents and their persistent offer of financial help, but only if it came down to no other choice. She sure hoped it didn’t but she’d do what she had to do to keep this ranch. Hearing footsteps behind her, she turned to see Wes and Jesse carrying out more furniture. They loaded it into the truck bed then they both climbed into the truck and drove off. She watched as dust billowed up behind the truck as it made its way up through the pasture and disappeared from sight.
Pushing up from the step, she turned and entered the house. She needed to look online for a job then possibly call her parents to help her next month with the mortgage. The hay she’d sold would pay this month but she didn’t see enough income for next month. Sighing, she entered the kitchen then walked down the hall to her bedroom. Picking up her laptop, she took a seat on the bed and opened it to begin her search. There were jobs listed for work at the Beckett Boots factory and Beckett Feed was also hiring, so they were possibilities. A thought tried to take hold of her mind, but it slipped away. Shaking her head, she continued to look until she came upon an ad for a helper/front desk person needed at the Clifton Bed and Breakfast. Since she knew Becca Stone, the owner, she decided to call her directly. She picked up her cell phone and called the Stone residence.
“Hello?” a masculine voice answered.
“Jake?”
“Yes, ma’am. Who’s this?”
“Anna Tipton.”
“Annie, how are you?” he asked with a smile in his voice.
“I’m fine. How are you and your family?”
“We’re great, thanks for asking. What can I do for you?”
“I’d like to speak to Becca, if she’s around.”
“Sure, hold on.”
She smiled when she heard him call out to Becca as Red, his nickname for his wife.
Jesse: A Beckett Brothers Novel Book 3 (The Beckett Brothers) Page 9
