“Hi, Annie, what can I do for you?” Becca asked when she picked up the phone.
“Hello, Becca. I-I’d like to apply for the job you have available at the B and B. I don’t have a lot of experience but—”
“It’s yours, Annie,” Becca said softly, making Anna blink tears away at how fast she was eager to help her.
“Thank you. I promise you won’t regret it.”
“I know I won’t. Can you start Monday?”
“I can start anytime.”
“Monday will be fine. I’ll stop in then and talk with you about hours. If you could be there by seven, I’d appreciate it.”
“I’ll be there, Becca. Thank you.”
“Thank you. I know I can depend on you, Annie. See you Monday”
“Yes,” Anna said then hung up and smiled. She had a job.
Two hours later, she decided to help in the barn. She wondered why she hadn’t seen Jesse after he’d unloaded the furniture. He had to bring Wes back so why hadn’t he come in to see her. She walked out of the house and down the steps then hurried to the barn to get out of the heat of the day. Looking up, all she saw was clear blue sky, a blue almost as gorgeous as Jesse’s eyes. She had it bad for the man and that wasn’t good since he’d be leaving at the end of summer. He hadn’t told her how long he’d stay for sure. He’d only said he’d stay the summer.
Entering the barn, she let her eyes adjust then strode down the center of the aisle. The horses were out in the corral and she knew the stalls needed to be mucked out. She looked around but didn’t see Rusty or Wes. Shaking her head, she found the wheelbarrow then pushed it into a stall only to see it already had clean straw down. She spun around and walked along the other stalls to see them ready for the horses too. Well, hell. Now she’d just have to go back to the house and work on the books. A chore she definitely hated.
Walking out of the barn, she saw Wes and Rusty standing by the doors talking but they stopped when she approached them.
“I came out to help with the stalls, but it looks like you got them all done.”
“I wanted to get the horses in early since it’s calling for rain tonight,” Rusty said.
She frowned when she noticed he wouldn’t look at her. “Is everything all right?”
“Of course. We need to get the horses in, come on, Wes.”
Anna watched them stride away from her and disappear into the darkness of the barn.
****
Jesse had been moving furniture around, and now his shirt was soaked with sweat. He removed it then stretched out on the sofa, and put his hat over his face. Damn it. Would Rusty keep his secret to himself? Jesse knew Anna would be pissed when she found out why he was really here.
It was the beginning of August now, he’d been here for almost a month, and he was getting in deeper each day. He knew he was falling for her and when she found out why he was here, she’d hate him. He heard a vehicle pull up out front, so he pushed himself up from the sofa and walked to the door, swearing under his breath when he saw Rusty walking around his truck to head for the porch. Jesse opened the door and stepped out. Folding his arms, he leaned against the post and stared at the man.
“You and I need to talk, boy,” Rusty said then spit a stream of tobacco juice in the dirt.
Jesse sighed. He knew once the old man recognized him, it had to come to a head. He jerked his chin for Rusty to enter the cabin. After a slight hesitation, Rusty walked up the steps and went inside with Jesse following him.
Jesse closed the door behind him then walked to the small table. He pulled a chair from the table, spun it around, and straddled it while Rusty sat on the edge of the sofa and stared at him.
“Spill it,” Rusty muttered.
Taking a deep breath, Jesse blew it out. “I came here because my dad sent me a text to check out the property. I was under the impression it had already been foreclosed on. It’s what my dad does—he buys up a foreclosed property then flips it—”
“Get to the damn point of why you’re here,” Rusty practically growled.
“I told you, I was here to check out the property.”
“Then why did you ask for work? You could have said you were lost…anything, but you asked for a damn job.”
“Yes, sir. It was off the top of my head. I was shocked to see anyone here. Then I saw Anna.”
“Don’t even go there. Why did you stay?”
“Because of Anna. I wanted to help her after I met her, and I still do. She…well, she means a lot to me and I want to help her. I haven’t cashed one check she’s given me. I don’t want to see her lose this ranch.”
Rusty stood and stared at him. “Once the cabins are finished, I want you off this property and I don’t ever want you to step foot on it again.”
Jesse came to his feet. “You don’t have that right. This is Anna’s—”
“Either you agree or I go to her right now and tell her why you’re here. She won’t be happy with you at all and I can guarantee she will kick you off her property for lying to her. You understand me, boy?”
Jesse gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. “I am not a fucking boy. I’m a grown man.”
“A grown man who for some reason wants to help a woman he doesn’t even know. Like I said before, if you hurt her, I will personally kick your ass.”
“I am not here to hurt her. If I was, would I be working on the cabins for her?”
Rusty removed his hat and scratched his head. “That’s what I don’t get. Why are you helping her? Don’t you have more rodeos to go to?”
“No. I retired while I was ahead. I haven’t competed since late June.”
“So you’re gonna do shit like this for your dad? Swoop in and take people’s properties?”
“He doesn’t do that. He makes sure the property is already foreclosed on when he buys it.”
“Not this time. You showed up here and it’s not in foreclosure.”
Jesse ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. “I didn’t know that at the time. I admit I should have checked in with my father, but I didn’t. Christ, Rusty, give it a rest,” he growled.
“Oh, I’m gonna give it a rest…but only for a while. You get the hell off this ranch once these cabins are finished. I don’t care why you tell her you’re leaving, I don’t care if you slither off into the night like the snake you are—you just go.”
“I care about her, Rusty.”
“I don’t care. That woman has had enough heartache with losing her husband then having to sell off cattle and acres of land just to keep her head above water. She busts her ass to get hay cut for her neighbors. Most of them only buy from her because they know she needs the money. She sure as shit doesn’t need some cocky younger man sweet talking her into a broken heart.”
Jesse clenched his jaw to keep from shouting at the old man. He knew Rusty cared about Anna, but so did he. He was so close to falling in love with her. Rusty moved toward the door then turned back to face him.
“I have no idea why I’m agreeing to keep this a secret. What I should do is call the sheriff and have him escort you off the property.” He pointed his finger at Jesse. “Finish these as quickly as you can…then go.”
Jesse watched as Rusty stormed out of the cabin, climbed into his truck, and then drove off, throwing gravel up behind the tires.
“Shit,” he muttered as he watched the truck driving away then smirked.
Rusty would have a fit if he knew the sheriff he wanted to call was Grayson Beckett, his older brother.
Turning, Jesse walked to the sofa and flopped down on it. As he stared up at the ceiling fan circling around, he wondered what he was going to do now. The last thing he wanted to do was leave here. He had deep feelings for Anna and he wanted to be with her, but he wasn’t sure how she felt about him either.
Pulling his hat down over his eyes, he clasped his hands behind his head then silently swore as he thought about Rusty telling him he’d have to leave once the cabins were finished and
there was no way he could take his time with them. Once they were finished then what? He would have to leave.
Removing his hat, he sat up, rested his elbows on his knees, and stared at the floor. Should he tell Anna before Rusty had a chance? If he could finish the cabins then get them inspected, he could tell her then. Surely, she’d see he didn’t want her to lose the ranch if he finished the cabins for her. His cell phone rang, and he stood to remove it from his pocket then cringed when he saw his dad’s number. Pushing the button, he answered.
“Hey, Dad.”
“JD, please tell me you are not still at the Tipton ranch,” his dad’s voice came across the line.
“Yes, sir, I am.” Silence. “Dad, I don’t want you to take this ranch.”
“Jesse, I am not taking the ranch, as you put it. I’ve already purchased another property so there is no reason for you to stay there and help her with…whatever it is you’re helping her with. Although, why, I don’t know since she’s probably not going to be able to keep that ranch. You have to see that, son.”
“You should have called me and told me not to come here.”
“So, it’s my fault that you’re staying there helping her?”
“No, sir, I’m not saying that. I’m just saying all of this could have been avoided if you would have just told me not to stop here. You had plenty of time, Dad.”
“Jesse, I was out of town and it slipped my mind.” His frustrated breath came across the phone. “Son, you’re wasting your time staying there. If she can’t get those cabins ready in another month, she’ll be in default again.”
“Cam tell you that?” Jesse asked angrily. “Does he keep you up to date on her payments?”
“Jesse, I am not getting into this with you. You know what I do and I have never bought a property until it was already foreclosed on. I am not forcing anyone from their home. They lost it on their own. I’m sorry that it happens to people but it does happen. My suggestion to you is to get the hell out of there and return to your own ranch.”
“I’m finishing the cabins then I’ll leave.” Jesse hit End on his phone and was sure his dad was wondering what the hell had gotten into his youngest son. When his phone rang again, he was about to turn it off when he saw it was Anna.
“Will you come to dinner?” she asked him when he answered.
“Yes.” He couldn’t refuse himself the pleasure of seeing her.
“I’ll see you around six then.”
“Sounds good, darlin’.”
“I’ll make you breakfast too,” she whispered and hung up.
Jesse ran his hand down his face. He was definitely in way too deep and she would hate him when she found out the real reason he had come here. It didn’t matter if he told her or if Rusty did, she’d end up hating him. He’d already put it off too long and the longer he did, the worse it would get but his heart ached when he thought of telling her. Yep, the shit was definitely going to hit the fan.
****
Anna sat at the kitchen table and when she heard a vehicle pull up out front, the butterflies in her stomach took flight. Placing her hand over her belly, she pushed the chair back, stood, and walked to the door to peer out. When she saw Jesse walking around the front of his truck to head for the steps, she smiled and opened the door. He glanced up to look at her and she swore her heart stopped. How had he come to mean so much to her in such a short time? Oh, she knew he’d leave her one day but, in the meantime, she wanted to be with him as much as she could. She’d been lonely far too long, even before Jamie had died.
She watched as Jesse bound up the steps then stopped in front of her.
“Hi,” he said as he lowered his head to kiss her.
“Hi, yourself.” Her lips tingled from his kiss.
Jesse took her hand in his and kissed her palm then led her into the house.
“Damn, something smells good.” He turned to look at her. “Other than you.”
She could feel the heat in her cheeks. She hadn’t blushed in years until this man came into her life. The things he’d whisper to her when they were in bed made her suppress a shiver. He grinned at her as if he knew what she was thinking. Tugging her hand from his, she walked over to the stove and pulled the oven door open.
“How do you like your steak?” she asked.
“Rare,” he said as he walked up behind her and pushed her hair aside then kissed her neck.
“That won’t take long then.” She moaned when he nipped her neck with his teeth.
“Not enough time to take you to bed,” he murmured against her neck.
She chuckled and stepped away from him. “Stop. I won’t get anything cooked if you keep doing that.”
Jesse folded his arms and stared at her. “Yes, ma’am.”
She narrowed her eyes at him but smiled.
As they were eating their steaks, she told Jesse about her job.
“I’m real excited about getting back to work. I know it’s not a teaching job but at least I’ll have some income, and I also think I should see about getting the cabins that are finished inspected. If they pass, then I’ll go ahead and see about renting them.”
“I’m sure they’ll pass. The inspector will just make sure there aren’t any safety hazards. I’m glad you’re excited about your job.”
“The income will help me. I get a monthly payment from Jamie’s pension but it’s not enough to keep the ranch running. With me working again, it should help.”
“Plus, the rentals.”
She smiled. “Yes, plus the rentals. I really don’t want to sell the rest of the cattle but I may not have a choice.”
“Yes—”
The sound of a vehicle pulling up out front kept him from finishing what he was going to say. Pushing his chair back, Jesse stood and walked to the door while she followed. She watched as Grayson Beckett stepped from his SUV cruiser and moved toward the porch. He wore his khaki shirt with his badge pinned to it. The badge flashed when the late afternoon sun hit it. Gray was wearing his usual aviator sunglasses.
Smiling, she opened the door. “Hello, Gray. What are you doing out this way?”
“I wanted to ask if you have any hay, Anna.”
She turned to Jesse. “Jesse, this is Sheriff Grayson Beckett. Gray, this is Jesse Dalton. He’s working on the cabins for me.”
“Jesse?” Gray asked and reached up to remove his glasses but then dropped his hand.
“Yes, sir.” Jesse nodded at him. “There are about ten bales left, I believe.”
Anna noticed how Gray kept looking at Jesse and she knew he had to be wondering why he was in the house with her. But she was a grown woman and she could be with a man if she wanted to be. Too bad, she’d never been interested in Gray. He was one sexy man with his dark hair and blue eyes. A tall drink of water at six foot five. She frowned as she looked back and forth between Gray and Jesse. There was something about them but before she could think about it too much, Gray spoke.
“I’ll take them,” he told Jesse. “I’ll be over tomorrow to get them. You can help me with that, right…Jesse?” At Jesse’s nod, Gray went on. “You two have a nice evening.”
He put his fingers to the brim of his hat and climbed back into his SUV patrol cruiser. Anna saw his K-9, Roxy in the back seat. She and Jesse watched as Gray drove off then reentered the house. They resumed their seats and finished eating. When she stood and began picking up the plates, Jesse quickly rose from his seat, took the dishes from her, and kissed her cheek. She watched as he placed the dishes in the sink then turned and leaned back against the counter with his arms folded and stared at her.
“What’s for dessert, darlin’?”
She grinned and walked to him then wrapped her arms around his neck. She put her lips close to his. “You,” she whispered then pressed her lips to his.
She moaned when Jesse took over the kiss and pulled her tighter against him. His hands ran down her waist to cup her butt in his hands. His tongue slowly entered her mouth and tangled with her
s. He bent down and scooped her up then carried her down the hall to her bedroom. He carried her to the bed and placed her in the center then stood looking down at her. Anna stared up at him then put her arms out for him. He grinned, reached behind his head, pulled his T-shirt up and off over his head then tossed it to the floor. Placing a knee on the bed, he leaned down over her, putting a hand on each side of her head, and pressed his lips to hers.
“Come here,” she whispered.
“I’m here, sweetheart’,” he said against her lips.
Anna pushed at his shoulders and he fell to his back and stared up at her. Oh, Lord! She was in so much trouble. He was just so gorgeous, and he wanted her. Her! She straddled his lap, pulled her T-shirt off over her head, and tossed it to the floor but left her bra on. Scraping her nails along his chest and down his six-pack, it had him hissing in a breath. Taking a deep breath for courage, she leaned down and kissed his pecs then swirled her tongue around his nipple. His hands fisted in her hair. When he reached for the clasp on her bra, she slapped his hands away. This was for him.
“Anna…”
“I told you that you were dessert, so let me enjoy it.” She laughed when he groaned.
“I don’t—”
“I do, so hush,” she told him as she unsnapped his jeans then lowered the zipper.
She scooted to the end of the bed and pulled his boots and socks off then tugged on his jeans until she had them off him and let them fall to the floor. She could see his hard cock straining against his black boxer briefs. Smiling, she crawled up between his legs and kissed his stomach then put her mouth over him through the material and blew a hot breath.
“Son of a bitch,” he muttered making her laugh. “Not funny, sweetheart.”
She sat up, pulled his boxer briefs down and off then smiled when she saw his cock standing at attention. She looked up at him and raised an eyebrow at him. He shrugged then reached for her but she slapped his hands away again.
“I’m not done with dessert yet.”
Jesse groaned. “I’m not sure I can wait for you to be…done with dessert.”
“You don’t have a choice, cowboy,” Anna said then leaned down and ran her tongue along his length.
Jesse: A Beckett Brothers Novel Book 3 (The Beckett Brothers) Page 10
