Country Lightning

Chapter 4

Sunday morning dawned bright and cheerful. Yesterday”s time with CJ had been so much fun that Jillian woke up smiling the next morning. She’d been disappointed that he hadn’t kissed her when he dropped her off, but she appreciated that he was taking things slow with her.

She paced the living room feeling jittery and impatient, even though CJ still had another couple of minutes to arrive on time.

Not one minute later, he pulled up in his shiny yellow Dodge Ram and climbed out. Jillian nearly bounced on her toes with excitement. She might as well have been a teenager, the way she felt at seeing the tall, sexy cowboy striding up the walkway.

The sound of his boots on the steps leading up to the porch rang out in time with the beats of her heart. The doorbell chimed, and she had to force herself to walk slowly to grab her purse off an end table and her jean jacket from the back of the recliner.

She reached the front door, took a deep breath, and gripped the knob a moment before opening it.

There he stood on the other side of the screen, looking mouthwatering tall and heart-stopping sexy.

“Good morning, CJ.” The screen door squeaked as she pushed it open and smiled up at him.

“Hi, Jillian.” He returned her smile. “Ready?”

“Most definitely.” She tugged her jacket on over her fuchsia button-up blouse and fell into step with him as they trotted down the stairs and headed along the walkway. The cool air brushed her cheeks, but the bright morning sun promised to warm the day as it crept up the sky. “It’s gorgeous out.”

He flashed her a grin. “Not nearly as gorgeous as the woman I’m with.”

Her cheeks heated, and she tried to keep her voice steady. “Keep that up, and it will go to my head.”

He chuckled. “Sayin’ it like I see it.”

Jillian’s mom had taught her to accept compliments graciously, even if she disagreed, which had everything to do with her lack of self-confidence. So, she simply said, “Thank you.”

CJ helped her into the passenger seat, jogged to the driver’s side, and climbed into the cab. In moments, they were well on their way to Carter’s ranch.

“Been a good long while since I’ve seen your brothers.” CJ looked like he was thinking it over as he guided the truck onto the road leading out of her neighborhood. “I saw them a couple of times early on in my military career, but over the years, it seemed that as soon as I got home to visit my mom and dad, it was time to go back to wherever I was stationed at the time.”

“You probably haven’t met Kit or the twins.” She grinned at the thought of the girls. “Everyone fell in love with Kit the moment we ate the dinner she’d made for Carter’s birthday. She’d just started as his new cook, which was crazy since she’d been an L.A. chef at a ritzy restaurant before coming out to his ranch.”

CJ looked impressed. “How old are his kids?”

Jillian scrunched her eyebrows. “I think Olivia and Emily are almost eight.” She shook her head. “I remember the day they adopted the girls. They were so precious.” She smiled at the memory. “Kit has an older son, Noah, who’s not much younger than Haylee. He visits every now and then from San Francisco and is a good guy, and has his own family now. He loves the twins to pieces, like the rest of us.”

CJ came to a stop sign and waited for a car to pass before pulling onto the road leading out of King Creek. “I hope to get a chance to meet Carter’s family.”

“I’m sure you will, sooner or later, if not today.” Jillian looked out the window at the mesquite trees starting to bud after a long winter. She turned back to CJ. “Do you have any extended family?”

He shrugged. “Aunts, uncles, and cousins here and there. I’m closest to my cousin John, but he lives in Florida, so I don’t see him often enough.”

Out of curiosity, she thought about asking CJ if he wanted kids someday, but she didn’t want him to get the wrong idea that she might be thinking of him as husband material. Maybe he was the marrying kind, but it was too soon to have those thoughts in her head.

It was less than twenty minutes to Carter’s place from Jillian and Leeann’s home, so it wasn’t long before they reached the dirt road leading to Superstition Springs Ranch. It was well-graded, so it was an easy mile to the front gate. A Border Collie trotted out to greet the newcomers, barking to alert everyone that someone had arrived.

They drove up to the rustic, sprawling home surrounded by a bunkhouse, a small cottage in the back, corrals, sheds, and a big red barn. Carter also had multiple fields, corrals, and a whole lot of acreage.

CJ whistled as he took in their surroundings. “Carter has a hell of an operation here.”

“It’s the biggest ranch in the valley.” Jillian felt a sense of pride for her brother’s success. “Even bigger than our family ranch.”

They climbed out of the truck, and the Border Collie stopped barking when she spotted Jillian. She wagged her tail madly as she loped over to Jillian who crouched down and hugged the dog.

“CJ, meet Lucy.” Jillian looked up at him as she stroked the dog’s head. “She’s been with Carter since she was a puppy, which has been a while.” She hugged the dog again. “You’re the best cattle dog ever.”

She stood and spotted Carter coming around the corner. She waved, and Carter grinned as he strode their way.

“Hey, sis,” he said as he reached them. He held out his hand to CJ. “Damned good to see you.”

CJ gripped Carter’s hand for a moment. “We’ll have to go out to Mickey’s and get caught up soon.”

“Deal.” He nodded toward the road. “Kit and the girls should be home soon. I’d love to have you meet them.”

“That would be my pleasure.” CJ smiled. “Jillian tells me your daughters are eight now and that your wife is one hell of a cook.”

“True on both accounts.” Carter tipped his head in the direction of the big red barn. “I’ll introduce you to Faith.”

“Been looking forward to it.” CJ joined Carter and they headed toward the barn. CJ looked over his shoulder, waiting for her to catch up, but she motioned him to go on with her brother. He and Carter had things to talk about and Jillian didn’t mind walking behind them.

CJ didn’t want Jillian to feel left out, but she looked content to follow. He listened to Carter as he talked about the young mare.

“Faith has really come along.” Carter gestured toward a corral where a couple of horses ate alfalfa. “She’s sharp as a tack and then some.”

They reached the corral. CJ stood on ground and rested his forearms on the top rail as he studied the chestnut-colored appaloosa with a white mottled rump and a leopard appaloosa.

Carter nodded toward the beautiful leopard appaloosa. “Faith is two years old and knows her way around a ranch. That girl’s got a lot of spirit.”

CJ looked at his old friend. “Mind if I give the girls a couple of treats?”

“Not at all.” Carter stepped back from the railings. “Tell you what. I’ll take Cassie into the barn, and you can spend some time with Faith.”

Carter opened the gate and caught the chestnut appaloosa by her bridle. CJ followed and went up to Faith as Carter walked away with Cassie.

Faith greeted him with a snort. “Well, hello, girl.” CJ fished his hand in his pocket. He brought out a peppermint and held it out on his palm. Faith snuffled his hand, her soft muzzle brushing his skin. She took the peppermint, then bobbed her head up and down.

CJ grasped her bridal and stroked her forehead. “You are a beautiful young lady.” Faith had a white base coat with brown spots all over her hide and striped hooves, an appaloosa characteristic trait. He’d always loved leopard appaloosas.

Faith snuffled his jacket, looking for more treats. He dug out another peppermint, and she took it from his palm. He ran his hand over her shoulder and forearm, feeling the solid muscle.

“She’s gorgeous,” Jillian said, catching his attention.

CJ looked from Faith to where Jillian stood on the second rail, and he smiled. Faith wasn’t the only gorgeous female here.

“She sure is.” CJ raised his head and nodded to Carter as he approached. “How much do you want for this sweetheart?”

Carter stood on the other side of Faith’s head and named a more than reasonable figure.

“I’ll take her.” CJ released Faith’s bridle. “I mentioned on the phone about that foreman selling off all the ranch assets. I’m now in the market for a horse trailer, among other things. “Got one you’re willing to part with?”

Carter shook his head. “I tell you what, there’s going to be an auction next weekend at the rodeo grounds, where you’re likely to find at least some of the things you need.” He cocked his head toward the back of the barn. “In the meantime, I’d be happy to haul this girl out to your place tomorrow if you’ll be home.”

“Thank you.” CJ nodded. “It’ll give me time to run into King Creek to get some alfalfa and wet COB.” Most horses seemed to like the mixture of corn, oats, and barley with molasses.

“Good deal.” Carter moved toward the gate. “I’ll get her to your ranch before noon.”

CJ patted Faith’s neck. “See you tomorrow, beautiful lady.”

The mare snorted, bobbed her head, and knocked off CJ’s Stetson. Jillian laughed as CJ scooped it up and slapped it against his thigh before settling it on his head again.

Carter closed the gate behind them and Lucy plopped her butt down in the dirt at his side. “I’ve got a pitcher of iced tea in the fridge if you’d like to join me.”

“Wish I could.” CJ looked at the sky before meeting Carter’s gaze. “I have a date with some Australian shepherds.”

“Bear gave you some names, I take it,” Carter said as they walked toward CJ’s truck.

CJ nodded. “Figured I’d check out the Aussies, first. I’ve always had a soft spot for them.”

They shook hands again, and Carter slapped CJ on the shoulder. “Give me a call, and we’ll meet up at Mickey’s sometime soon.”

CJ grinned. “You’ve got it.” He helped Jillian into the passenger seat before heading to the driver’s side.

Carter stopped him, a serious look on his features. “Take care of my little sister.”

“Count on it,” CJ said with a smile before opening the door and climbing behind the wheel.

He stuffed the key into the ignition and turned, and the engine came to life. He looked at Jillian. “Ready to see some puppies?”

She gave an enthusiastic nod. “Can’t wait.”

They waved at Carter before taking off down the dirt road back to the highway.

So far, the morning had been perfect. He was spending time with a beautiful woman and he’d found a horse that was the perfect fit.

Now for a puppy.

The breeder was on the other side of King Creek. He had a good time talking with Jillian on the ride there. She was fun with a great personality, and she was sexy as hell.

Carter’s warning wasn’t unexpected—the McLeod boys had always been protective of their little sisters. But it did give him pause. Once he had his ranch back up and running, he planned to sell it and travel, provided the offer he’d been given came through. If things went farther with him and Jillian, would she want to leave King Creek to travel with him?

Too soon to start thinking about that. Maybe he should tell her now of his plans? But he didn’t even know if he would sell the ranch for sure, so he’d take it a day at a time with her. As soon as he knew more, he could talk with her about it—if they were still seeing each other.

If he had anything to do with it, they would be. He liked what he saw in her a whole lot.

Didn’t take long to get to the Anderson’s place. They parked in front of the home that was on a small piece of property. A few head of cattle grazed on the other side of a fence, the field near the weathered barn.

Two Australian shepherds trotted up to them, barking. It looked more like they were greeting them, but they’d no doubt be as protective as hell if need be.

CJ stepped out and greeted the dogs, but they stood back and barked. They weren’t being aggressive, just doing their job, alerting their master.

A man opened the door and hobbled out while instructing the dogs to quiet down. CJ shook the old man’s hand. “I’m CJ Jameson.”

Before he could help Jillian out of the truck, she had climbed out and joined them. The breeze picked up, blowing strands of hair across her face and the scent of her honeysuckle perfume straight to him.

She brushed the hair away and held out her hand. “Hi. I’m Jillian McLeod.”

“A hell of a lot of McLeods around these parts.” The old man took her hand. He released it and nodded in the direction of the yard. “The puppies are in the back.”

He shuffled to the gate and let them through before shutting it. They followed him to the fenced-in backyard, where four puppies played in a pen on the grass near an oak bench. The yard was well-kept, the water in the pen was sparkling clean, and the puppies looked happy and healthy.

“I only have one male and two female breeders and have one litter each a year.” The man reached the pen and smiled at the puppies, who ran up to the barrier and greeted him. He rubbed their heads. “I don’t run a damned puppy mill like some no-good SOBs.”

Jillian knelt beside the fence, reached in, and let the little ones sniff and lick her hand. “They’re so cute.”

The man opened the gate and let in CJ and Jillian. “Usually let them run around the yard, but it’s easier to meet them when I put them in the pen.”

Jillian sat cross-legged in the grass and was immediately tackled by squirming and licking puppies. She giggled as one of them crawled into her lap and licked her nose. It was black and white with patches of red on its face and had one blue eye and one brown.

CJ crouched next to her and chuckled as the other three greeted him with enthusiasm.

“They’re twelve weeks old, and I’ve been working on the basics with them.” Mr.

Anderson sat on the bench near the pen. “I start out training them early with a whistle, and I recommend continuing with that method when you take your puppy home.”

“We had Aussies when I was growing up, and we used a whistle for commands.” CJ smiled at the fond memories that came to mind. “I’ll need a refresher.”

“I can recommend a good trainer if you need extra help. I don’t know much about computers, but Bear tells me you could find good resources there,” the old man said. “Are you looking for one or two?”

“My operation won’t be very big, at least not at the beginning.” CJ stroked the head of the puppy in Jillian’s lap. “One is enough to start with.”

“Every ranch needs a good dog.” Jillian grinned at CJ, which caused a low burn in his belly. Damn, but he loved her smile.

They spent some time with the puppies. All had one blue eye and one brown, a couple with more red patches than the other two.

The one CJ liked best was the same one that hung around Jillian the most.

He looked at Anderson. “Did you name them?”

The old man nodded. “It’s important to start their training. You can keep the name or give them a new one.” He pointed to the one Jillian held in her lap. “That there’s Sadie.” He gestured to each of the others. “Billy, Sally, and Sophie.”

“I’ll take Sadie.” CJ took the puppy in his arms and stood, then held out one hand to Jillian to help her to her feet.

“She’s so perfect.” Jillian smiled and bounced on her toes, looking as excited as he felt.

They followed Anderson into his kitchen, which smelled of roast beef and potatoes cooking in a crockpot on a counter.

He led them to a dining table, and they took seats while he went to get some paperwork.

Jillian held onto the puppy that squirmed in her arms, and she giggled as it licked her face. “You are such a beautiful girl.” She shifted Sadie in her lap.

He returned with Sadie’s AKC registration, microchip information, as well as vet and shot records. He included a bag of the premium dog food he’d raised the puppies on and instructed them on when to worm the puppy.

CJ had brought his checkbook in case the breeder didn’t take credit cards, so he wrote a check for the amount Anderson had given him.

“Get her spayed at six months,” Anderson said. “Call me if you have any questions.”

“Will do.” CJ got to his feet just as the old man did, and Jillian rose with the puppy. She looked so sweet, hugging the little critter. CJ reached out a hand to Anderson. “Thank you much.”

The man showed them to the door, and they headed out to the truck. CJ took the puppy in his arms and helped Jillian into the truck. She put on her seatbelt before taking the wiggly Aussie from him and squeezing her close.

She shifted Sadie in her lap as she looked at CJ. “Do you have everything she’ll need?”

He shook his head. “I need to run to Hannigan’s Feed Store and get what I don’t have. I’ll need a portable crate to put her in when I transport her. She’ll be safer in a vehicle that way. She’ll also need a collar and leash, and I’ll get her tag while I’m there.”

“I can go with you and hang onto Sadie if you’d like.”

He glanced from the road to her and smiled. “I’d much appreciate that.”

He turned his attention back to the road as they chatted and drove into town.

Soon after they arrived at Hannigan’s, they strode inside, and Bill Taylor greeted them. He’d heard the man’s son had gone to prison a year or so ago, and the haggard look on the man’s face might have had something to do with it. He’d moved to town long after CJ left for the military, so he’d never met the man’s son.

Bill was friendly and helpful, and it wasn’t long before CJ was loaded with feed for the horse, everything the puppy would need, and then some. While they shopped, the puppy had wanted down so that she could explore, but Jill held on to her. He could just imagine how she and Sadie could be in his life forever, just the three of them.

He put the Aussie in the crate, secured it on the back seat, and then drove Jillian home.

By the time they reached her place, it was almost five. They said goodbye at the front gate so that Sadie wouldn’t be left alone in the truck.

CJ brushed a loose strand of hair from her cheek, and she shivered. “Thank you for going with me today to see the horse and the puppies. I enjoyed having you with me.”

“I had a good time.” She moved her gaze to the truck and back to him. “You’ll have a couple of great new friends in Faith and Sadie.”

“I think you’re right.” He stared into her beautiful eyes, wanting to kiss her so damn bad he ached with it. But he was taking it slow with her.

She looked like she wanted him to kiss her, too, and it was all he could do to keep his hands off her and step back. She hesitated before saying,” Goodbye,” then headed for the house.

CJ watched Jillian until she stood on the porch, unlocking the door. She turned and looked at him like she didn’t want their day to end. She smiled and waved, disappearing into the house and closing the door behind her.

Several heartbeats later, he climbed into his truck and headed home with Sadie.