by Helen Lacey
“I was thinking I’d go for something in between,” she replied and grinned.
“Maybe he’s taking you horseback riding?” Schuyler suggested. “Isn’t that what cowboys do in their spare time? A nice, long, romantic ride on that ranch he works at. You know, if you tell me his last name, I will happily snoop on the internet and find out everything there is to know about him.”
“No,” Val said firmly. “I don’t want to start out that way.”
“Safety first,” Maddie said wryly. “You should be more cautious. What if he takes you to some isolated spot and—”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, he’s not an ax murderer,” Val responded, her irritation rising. “And stop smothering me.”
“Mom and Dad asked me to look out for you while they were away,” Maddie said matter-of-factly. “If they knew you were seeing someone you met off a dating app, they would blow a gasket.”
“Um, wasn’t it your idea?” Val reminded her sister.
Maddie hooked a thumb in Schuyler’s direction. “Her idea. I didn’t think you’d actually go through with it.”
“We can’t all meet the man of our dreams in the workplace,” she said and smiled sweetly. “And leave Mom and Dad out of this. They’re not back from their trip for another couple of weeks.”
“Plenty of time for you to get into trouble.”
“Ha. I’m not interested in trouble.”
“But you are interested in this cowboy,” Maddie said flatly. “Even though he is nothing like the kind of man you said you wanted.”
Val shrugged. “So...maybe I’ve changed my mind about what I want.”
“He could be a player, or some kind of heartless philanderer.”
Val laughed so loud she snorted. “Seriously, have you been reading Brontë and Austen again?” She looked toward Schuyler and raised both hands. “Do something, will you?”
Schuyler grinned. “She doesn’t listen to me.”
“I just think you need to be careful,” Maddie said, still serious. “With everything that has been going on, we can’t be too careful.”
Everything...
Val knew what she meant. Losing contracts at Fortunado Real Estate was one thing, but there had been other signs that things were awry. Like the fact that Robinson Tech had recently been hacked and an attempt had been made to sabotage their operating systems. Or worse—the fire at the Robinson estate and the even more disturbing fact that their cousin Ben Fortune Robinson had almost been killed. Yes, things had been happening. Unexplained things. But Val had no reason to suspect that her meeting Jake was in any way connected to these events. Val stared at one sister, then the other, thinking that neither truly understood how she felt. Of course, she took stock of Maddie’s warnings, but she was also keen to adopt Schuyler’s philosophy about embracing life.
And she figured that hanging out with Jake Brockton was doing exactly that.
* * *
Jake whistled under his breath when he pulled up outside Val’s luxury condo in the River Oaks district. It was a high-end spot, one of the best in the city, and he let the engine run on the Ranger but put it in Park and got out, waiting for her by the security gate. The complex was one of many that had risen in the city in the past decade and was designed to be hurricane-proof. There was a small pond and several bench seats and an abundance of trees and gardens behind the tall fence.
Val appeared a couple of minutes later, in jeans, a bright red shirt, knee-high boots and a fitted dark jacket. Her hair was down and she smiled as she greeted him, allowing the gate to lock automatically behind her. She looked beautiful and vibrant and so enticing he could barely stop himself from staring at her like an enraptured fool.
“Hi there,” she said cheerfully.
“Good morning. Nice spot,” he said and opened the passenger door.
She smiled, and his insides flipped over. “When I moved out, my dad insisted I relocate to a gated community for security reasons. This place came up, and he pitched in so I could afford it.”
Jake’s brows rose. “Pitched in?”
She shrugged. “Okay...so he pitched in the whole amount. But I fully intend to pay him back one day. And he got the place for a song because it was part of an ugly divorce.”
Jake’s back straightened. He knew all about bitter divorces. He’d had the worst breakup of the century. And Val’s flippant reaction to something so emotionally devastating stung a little. But she was young. Probably too young for him. And probably, as he had suspected from their first meeting, more in love with the idea of being in love than wanting a real and messy relationship.
It should have registered on his radar.
But being around her, sharing molecules of space with her, was inexplicably soothing. Which was at odds with the blistering attraction he felt for her. It was a heady mix of lust and like, something he couldn’t remember experiencing before. And for a man who only a few days ago had firmly denied he’d get seriously involved with anyone, he knew he was stupidly backpedaling.
“Let’s go.”
She got in the truck, dropped her tote between her feet and buckled up. “I think this rig is older than me,” she said when he got in.
Jake half smiled. “A second-class drive is better than a first-class walk.”
She laughed loudly and fiddled with the magnetic religious medal attached to the center console. “That’s so true. What’s this?”
“Saint Eligius,” he replied.
“Who?”
“Patron saint of horses.”
She looked impressed. “Are you an expert on the saints?”
“Not all,” he replied and grinned. “I’m not sure I’m an expert on anything. What about you? Do you have a particular talent?”
She looked directly ahead. “Well, I recently learned how to dance cowboy style. And I know how to order a fancy cup of coffee.”
“That’s quite a skill.”
“I know,” she said and laughed. “I am envied in several states.”
God, she was intoxicating. He couldn’t recall ever being as aware of a woman as he was of Valene. The perfume she wore, something flowery and subtle, touched his senses and he inhaled discreetly, allowing the memory of the fragrance to linger in his brain like a rush of endorphins.
Jake pulled away from the sidewalk and turned the vehicle south, heading out of the city.
“Where are we going?” she asked. “I need to let my sister know, otherwise she’s going to worry all morning. Maddie can be overprotective.”
He quickly told her the address. “Understandable. I’d probably demand Cassidy do exactly the same thing. Older siblings tend to think they have to do all of the protecting. But I promise you, Valene, I’m not a threat to you.”
“I know that,” she said and sent a quick text. “Can I ask you something?”
His chest tightened, thinking perhaps she’d discovered he wasn’t exactly who he’d said he was. “Of course.”
She took a sharp breath. “Are you...are you doing this with anyone else?”
“This?” he echoed and then quickly realized her meaning. “I don’t—”
“I know,” she said and waved a dismissive hand. “You don’t have to explain yourself to me. I mean, this is only our third date and I have no claim on your time. I mean, this is just a friends thing for you, right? And it’s not like you’re attracted to me or anything, and so I understand if you want to see other—”
“Valene,” Jake said quietly, cutting off her impassioned speech, his gaze directly on the road ahead. “I’m not seeing anyone else, I assure you. And I am definitely attracted to you.”
He heard her soft sigh. “Oh, okay.”
“Are you always so nervous around men?”
Her chuckle was whisper quiet. “Actually, I think this is the least nervous I’ve ever been.”
He smiled and relaxed a little. Despite her bravado, despite her enthusiasm for life and her delightful sense of humor, there was an earnestness about Valene that he found incredibly alluring. Sure, she was probably a little spoiled and definitely overprotected, but there was nothing deliberately arrogant or condescending about her. Even her trite remark about the truck had been more humorous than insulting. And despite what she knew about him—or rather, didn’t know—she appeared to genuinely want to pursue something between them.
“I won’t ever deliberately hurt you, Valene, not physically or emotionally. I’ve been there, and it’s a dark place.”
Her head turned. “You mean your last relationship?”
He nodded. “Yep. It ended badly.”
“If you ever want to talk about it,” she said softly, “you can.”
Jake shrugged. He’d stopped talking about Patrice because the memories of all she had put him through, and all he had lost, made him ache inside. “I know. And thank you. One day, okay?”
“Sure,” she replied.
Jake turned the truck left and pulled into a parking lot. “We’re here.”
She looked around and then swiveled in her seat. “An animal shelter?”
He shrugged. “Is it okay?”
“Of course,” she replied. “I’m just surprised. My sister was convinced we were going horseback riding.”
He smiled, amused that he’d been the topic of conversation with her sisters. “Maybe next time.”
She nodded, and he noticed that her cheeks were flushed. “So, what are we doing here? Are you looking for a puppy?”
“I volunteer here sometimes,” he said, feeling faintly embarrassed by her sudden and intense scrutiny.
She smiled, nodded and quickly grabbed her tote and got out of the truck.
Jake watched her as she strolled up the path leading to the front door, actually admiring the way she didn’t hang back and wait for him. Valene clearly wasn’t afraid of new things.
He caught up with her and they walked through to the reception desk side by side. He’d been volunteering at the Sweet Pines Shelter since he was a teenager. It was where he’d found his first canine companion, Rudy. The old dog was long gone now, but he had fond memories of the day he’d brought him home, sitting alongside him and his dad in the same old truck that was now parked outside.
“Good morning, sunshine!”
The familiar singsong voice that greeted them belonged to Florence, a volunteer who had been working at the shelter for close to twenty years. The sixtysomething-year-old woman was the heart and soul of the shelter. Jake introduced her to Valene, and Florence was clearly intrigued.
“A girl?” Florence queried and chuckled.
“I brought supplies, too,” he replied and tugged a little at his collar. “I’ll drive the truck around the back and unload.” He looked toward Valene. “Be back in a sec.”
Jake grinned and walked back through the front door, thinking that hanging out with Valene was just about the best way to spend a Sunday morning. Unless he was spending it in her bed.
Which he figured wasn’t too far off in his future, either.
Chapter Five
“He’s such a sweet boy.”
Valene stared at the older woman and smiled. Boy? Jake was about as far from a boy as you could get. But it was quite adorable that Florence thought so.
“I take it you’ve known Jake for a long time?” Valene asked.
She nodded. “Oh, yes, since he was a teenager. When he was young, he used to come and help tend to the animals, particularly the ones that had been abused or neglected. Of course he’s so busy these days he doesn’t have time to do that, but he’s here without fail once a month, donating food and bedding and cat litter. And he always helps out by fixing things around the place when he’s here,” she added, clearly adoring him. “If I’d had a son, I’d want him to be just like Jake. Not that I’d trade my daughters for a son, but you know what I mean. There was a time when I hoped my youngest might be a good match for him,” Florence said and shrugged. “But she married a house painter and moved to New Mexico. I was starting to think Jake would never find someone again after the way he got his heart broke. But,” she said and gently patted Valene’s arm, “I’m glad to see that he has.”
“Oh, we’re not—”
“He’s a special man,” Florence said, cutting her off gently. “But my guess is you already know that.”
Valene didn’t disagree and didn’t try to correct the other woman again. At that moment Jake came striding down the corridor from the rear of the building and rejoined them.
“Do you mind if I whisk Valene away now?”
Florence laughed. “Of course not. And I told Digby that you were going to be here today, so he’s been running around in his pen all morning.”
Jake laughed and gently grasped Valene’s elbow. “Catch you later, Florrie.”
Florrie? Digby? Valene chuckled to herself as they walked down the corridor. The sound of dogs barking hit her ears the moment they reached the rear door. The shelter was obviously well run, clean and tidy. The dog pens were spacious and each one had a bed. And sadly, every single one had a resident locked inside.
“Jake?”
He was a couple of steps ahead, but quickly turned. “Yes?”
“Who’s Digby?”
He pointed to a pen a couple of doors down and she followed him, to come face-to-face with the most adorable little dog. A mixed breed, perhaps spaniel and collie, with white and brown patches and the fluffiest feet she’d ever seen.
“This is Digby.” At the sound of Jake’s voice, the pooch started yelping excitedly, and when Jake opened the pen, the dog raced out and jumped around his legs. “He’s a long-term resident,” he explained and bent down to pick up the dog. “And an old-timer. His owner passed away and there were no relatives or neighbors to take him in. So he ended up here and has called this place home for nine months.”
Valene’s heart lurched. The poor little thing. And he clearly adored Jake.
“You should adopt him.”
“I’d love to,” he replied. “But this little guy likes to run off, and I’m afraid he might end up in all kinds of trouble if he tangled with some of the local wildlife around the ranch. Plus I’m not sure how Sheba would take to sharing the bottom of my bed.” He ushered the dog back into the pen and looked at her. “I gotta unload the truck. Feel like keeping me company?”
She nodded enthusiastically. “I can help.”
They passed a couple of volunteers, a pair of twentysomething women who knew Jake by name and made goo-goo eyes at him when he greeted them. It was enough to straighten Valene’s spine and make her stare daggers. Thankfully, Jake seemed perfectly immune to their flirtation, intent on unloading his truck. Once they were outside, he pulled the tarp off the truck bed and Valene saw a huge pile of supplies.
“You donate this every month?” she queried, both startled and impressed by his generosity.
“More or less. Local funding doesn’t quite cover the costs of the place. And it’s just a small way of helping out.”
“Small way?” she echoed as she stared at the supplies. “This must have cost you hundreds.”
He shrugged, looking acutely embarrassed, and quickly began unloading the large bags of dog food. Valene helped with the smaller bags, stacking them in the shed, and they finished the task within ten minutes.
“What now?” she asked.
“I’ve got a couple of chores to do,” he replied. “A few maintenance things. You can be my apprentice or hang out with Florence.”
“I’d like to hang out with you,” she said and smiled. “If that’s okay.”
“Perfectly,” he said and the warmth in his voice made Valene’s body heat from head to toe.
It was, she decided a couple of hours
later, the most unorthodox date she had ever been on. And yet, it was surprisingly the most fun. Of course she knew that Jake was good company, but away from the standard date scenario, he was even more relaxed and funny and engaging.
And perfect boyfriend material.
It took Valene about two seconds to snap herself out of such thoughts, even if traces of the idea lingered around the edges of her mind for most of the morning.
By midday, while Jake was repairing one of the large dog runs with one of the other volunteers, who she quickly discovered was Florence’s husband, Valene ended up back in the reception area, photocopying flyers for an upcoming fund-raiser.
“You’re welcome to come and help us,” Florence said and grinned. “Jake can bring you. It’s a really fun day, and we get to do so many adoptions.”
Valene was tempted, particularly since she’d witnessed three adoptions that morning—two dogs and a crazy, one-eyed ginger cat. It was delightful to watch the three separate groups choose a new family member. She’d couldn’t help feeling emotional when she watched the small child hug his new puppy, or the elderly couple who were replacing the cat they’d recently lost.
When Jake was finished with the repairs, he returned to the reception area, two coffee cups in his hands. Florence had left Val in charge of meeting and greeting, and she was having a lovely time talking to potential adopters.
Jake came around the counter and perched himself on the edge of the desk. “Everything okay?”
Valene nodded, watching the way the denim stretched over his thighs and his shirt fit across his broad shoulders. She swallowed hard, feeling the intimacy of the space between them, meeting his gaze and noticing everything about his perfectly handsome face. He had slight stubble across his jaw, as though he hadn’t shaved for a day or so, and a tiny scar above his left temple. She wondered how he’d gotten that scar, just like she wondered how she’d managed to capture the attention of such a complex yet stunningly normal man. He was confident and clearly comfortable in his own skin. He didn’t brag, didn’t gloat, didn’t name-drop or go on about his life, his work or any accomplishments. He was funny and self-effacing and had a kind of effortless charm. He was also, she realized, the polar opposite of any other man she had dated.
