Chapter Nine
Jaxon stood in the kitchen, leaning against the counter, and winced when the front door slammed. Clenching his jaw, he flattened his lips. You should have known better than to get involved with her!
“Yeah, we’ve already established I’m an idiot,”
he muttered. “Damn it.”
Pushing away from the counter, he strode angrily down the hallway to the bedroom, stripped, opened the patio doors, and dove into the pool. He started doing laps to take his mind off her. With each lap, she was there in his head. Under him. Above him. Screaming his name when her orgasm hit her. Her legs tightening around him as he could feel her clenching around his dick when she came.
Stopping at one end, he rested his arms on the top of the pool and put his head down on them. Son of a bitch. She didn’t understand how much he had loved Bethany. It didn’t matter that she told him to find someone new, she was the love of his life. How was it possible to want Presley so much ?
“Christ, you’re an idiot.”
Shaking his head to dispel the water, he put his hands on the top of the pool and hoisted himself out and walked back to the patio doors then entered the bedroom. Walking into the bathroom, he turned the shower on, then as the room filled with steam, he stepped into the stall.
After scrubbing the chlorine from his hair and skin, he stepped out of the stall and dried off then headed to bed. Crawling between the sheets, he closed his eyes wishing Presley was still here with him. After tossing and turning, he finally fell asleep…
“Bethany, hang on, baby. They’re coming,”
he said as he pushed her hair out of her face.
“Jaxon? What happened?”
“A car hit us head-on then we slammed into a tree. It’s all right. Don’t talk. Save your strength. Please hold on,”
he begged her.
When she reached her hand out to him, he took it in his and held it to his cheek. Tears rolled down his face.
“I love you, Jaxon,”
she whispered.
“I love you too. Hold on. The ambulance is here.”
“Don’t leave me.”
“I’m not going anywhere, baby.”
He clutched her hand like a lifeline.
“Sir, we need to get you out,”
a paramedic said .
“No! Get her out first,”
Jaxon yelled.
The paramedic moved around the car to the passenger side and Jaxon watched as he worked on Bethany. He checked her over and unbuckled her seatbelt, but her legs were pinned under the seat, and he looked at Jaxon.
“It’s going to take a few of us to get her out, so I’m afraid you’ll have to let go of her hand. We’ll have to get you out now, and we have to use the Jaws of Life for her. She hit her head on the side window pretty hard.”
He waved to the men to come over and help him.
Jaxon sighed and leaned over to kiss Bethany and bit his lip to keep from screaming in pain. She put her hand on his cheek and smiled at him. Blood poured from a cut on her temple.
“Jaxon, I’m not going to make it out of this car alive—”
“Don’t say that. Let them get you out. I’ll be right here.”
He started to move to his side of the car not thinking about the pain he was in, but she stopped him.
“No. I know. Please. Just stay with me until…”
Shaking his head, he refused to believe it. “Bethany, please.”
He watched her take a deep breath. All he could think was, please God, don’t take her .
“Jaxon?”
“I’m here, baby.”
“My head hurts so bad.”
“They’re going to get you out of here. Please hang on.”
“I love you. Forever.”
“I know. I love you too. Forever.”
They said this to each other every night before bed.
“I want you to find someone new, Jaxon.”
Clenching his jaw, he didn’t want to hear this.
“I’m not going to need anyone new, Bethany—”
“Yes, you will. Please…promise me.”
“Bethany, you’ll be fine,”
he said against her lips.
She shook her head, then moaned in pain. Her eyes closed, and Jaxon knew she was gone. He looked up at the paramedic with pleading eyes. The paramedic leaned in and listened to her heart then looked at Jaxon.
“I’m sorry—”
“No!”
Jaxon leaned across to her despite the pain in his hip and leg. “Bethany? Please...”
Sitting in a wheelchair at the grave site, he stared straight ahead. Looking neither right nor left. The pain in his heart was unbearable. He could hear people softly sobbing around him. He hadn't yet shed a tear since the night it happened. It didn't seem like tears would be enough to ease his pain. He wanted to scream and yell. Punch something or even someone. He sighed. It wouldn't do any good.
Nothing was going to ease this pain. It tore at his heart, ripping it from his chest. How can someone live with this much pain? How was he supposed to go on? He felt someone touch his shoulder and looked up at his brother, Devin. The look in his eyes was full of pain. Devin leaned down and hugged him.
“You should stay with me for a while,”
Devin told him.
Right now Jaxon just wanted to be alone, but he hated going to the ranch he’d shared with Bethany. He had too many thoughts going through his head and way too much pain to be around anyone after leaving the cemetery. People were coming up to him and telling him how sorry they were for his loss. He stopped listening after the first few people. He knew they meant well, but he needed to escape. He wanted them to leave him alone, but he’d stay with his brother.
Jaxon made his way through the crowd and headed to his brother’s car. No one followed. He got himself into the pickup truck and watched everyone leave. When Devin climbed in, he didn’t say a word .
“Please don’t leave yet,”
Jaxon whispered as he watched the cemetery workers lower the casket into the ground and the first tear slid down his cheek. Dear God, how was he going to make it? His whole life was being lowered into the ground, never to be seen or touched again…
Jaxon jerked awake. The dream was back. He hadn’t had it in over a year. God, he missed her. Swinging his legs over the bed, he rubbed his eyes then stood and walked to the living room, going straight for the mantle. Staring at the pictures, he smiled and picked up the one of her holding a pink Tiger Lily. Jaxon ran his hand down his face as tears threatened.
“What am I supposed to do, Bethany? I love you so much, and I miss you every day, but I really…like Presley. Why do I feel like I’m cheating on you? I know you told me to find someone new and if it were the other way around, I’d want you to find someone too. I wouldn’t want you to waste your life holding on to me. Shit.”
Placing the picture back on the mantle, he turned and headed back to bed, hoping he’d get some sleep.
****
“That damn man,”
she muttered for what seemed the umpteenth time. She’d slammed the door on her cabin so hard she was surprised that no one came out to see what was going on. Then again, she was surprised that when she’d slammed the front door at Jaxon’s house the glass hadn’t broken.
Never had she’d been so angry and hurt at the same time. He’d practically thrown her out of his home. Again! That damn man! That was twice now, and she just kept going back to him. A glutton for punishment was what she was. Three weeks left, and now they’d argued. She had no clue if he was even going to speak to her again. Heading to the bathroom, she turned the water on in the shower and stripped. The room filled with steam as she stepped into the stall. Reaching for the soap, she wanted to scrub him from her skin. She leaned her head against the wall as more tears slid down her cheeks. The truth was she never wanted to remove his touch because she loved him more than she thought possible and when the time came to leave, she knew it would be one of the hardest things she’d ever do. Only, he didn’t want her, not in the way she wanted him. Jaxon was still clinging to his wife and refused to let anyone else in. Her body shook as she sobbed. As bad as she felt about leaving him, she broke down thinking how he didn’t love her because he was still in love with his dead wife. He must have loved her so much, and she couldn’t imagine the pain he went through in losing her but he was here, and she wasn’t anymore. He needed to let go and live.
“I fell in love in a week with a man who has no desire to fall in love at all,”
she muttered.
Taking a deep breath, she washed then turned off the water and stepped from the shower. Wrapping a towel around her hair, she dried off with another one then wrapped it around her and tucked it in by her breasts. Walking to the living room, she turned on the TV. It was late, but she knew she wouldn’t sleep. Looking at the clock on the mantle, she saw it was almost one. The dance had ended at midnight, but she and Jaxon had met up at eleven. Now here she sat without him. Miserable. She should still be in his bed.
“Damn you, Jaxon Callahan.”
She wanted to shout it but wasn’t sure the other guests wouldn’t hear her. Punching the sofa, she picked up a pillow and threw it across the room then scooched down, raised her legs, and stretched out. Closing her eyes tightly, she prayed for sleep to come soon.
****
Monday morning, Jaxon entered the barn to see the guests waiting on him. He was leading the trail ride again today. Some Mondays, he stayed around the barn but today he wanted to get out. Yesterday had been the longest day of his life. He’d watched TV, or at least tried to, or he swam laps. He’d even tried taking a nap but sleep wouldn’t come, even though the night before had him tossing and turning. He was now running on no sleep but getting out in the fresh air would, he hoped, clear his head.
“Are you all right?”
Devin asked from beside him.
“Yeah. Just tired.”
Devin gave him a sly grin. “Tired, huh?”
Jaxon glared at him. “I didn’t sleep, but not for the reason you’re thinking. We had a fight, and she walked out.”
“Shit. Been there done that.”
Jaxon couldn’t stop the chuckle. “Yeah, I know, but you’re happy now. Willa’s crazy about you.”
“Took her damn long enough to see it,”
Devin muttered as he walked away.
Taking a deep breath, Jaxon listened as Devin welcomed the new guests then he stepped forward and did his usual spiel. The ranch hands brought the horses out, and everyone mounted up. Jaxon kept glancing over his shoulder, but Presley never entered the barn. Disappointment rolled through him, but what had he expected? She’d been pissed Saturday night when she’d stormed out and after the way he’d treated her, he really couldn’t blame her. Grabbing the saddle horn, he hoisted himself onto the saddle and signaled for everyone to follow Chip out.
Jaxon knew he could have had Devin take this one or one of the ranch hands, but he sure as hell wasn’t going to stick around the ranch and risk seeing Presley. She could do whatever she wanted. It wasn’t a requirement to take part in anything while there. Purely optional, but he’d been hoping to see her walk into the barn and wanting to go on the ride.
Settling his hat on his head, he watched each person ride past on their horse. A few of the women smiled at him. Putting his fingers to his hat, he nodded but he sure as hell didn’t want to encourage any of them. He frowned as he looked at the group, then rode back into the barn.
“Dev,”
he called out to his brother who was just about out the other end.
Devin spun around and frowned up at him. “Something wrong?”
“Am I crazy, or are there more women on this trail ride?”
“I know. I checked, and there are more singles this week. Only four married couples. You have one couple with you. If only a few married couples go on the overnight trips, we’ll have to add some ranch hands to go along. ”
“All right. I’ll see you later.”
Jaxon turned Zander and nudged him into a run to catch up.
****
Presley sat on the porch swing staring at the mountains. She had no clue what she would do today. She didn’t go on the trail ride because she was afraid Jaxon would be leading it and she wasn’t sure she wanted to face him yet. She’d been so hurt and angry Saturday night that she hadn’t left the cabin at all yesterday for fear of seeing him. He was so hardheaded about the entire situation. Why couldn’t he let go of the past? Why couldn’t he let go of his wife? Sure, he loved her but she was gone and although Presley hadn’t known her, she couldn’t imagine anyone not wanting who they left behind to find someone new. Thinking back to the night they’d brought him into the ER, he’d been irritable and angry. Continuously shouting and telling everyone to leave him alone. When the doctor told him he needed emergency surgery, Jaxon had yelled he didn’t want any surgery but his family had arrived and talked him into it. Presley had felt so bad for him when she heard his wife had died in the accident.
Sighing, she decided to eat breakfast at the lodge. Stepping off the porch, she walked down the road. Glancing around, she didn’t see anyone else around. Of course, not everyone ate at the lodge, and most may be on the ride or working the ranch. No way was she doing that activity. Looking toward the barn when she got closer to it, she didn’t see anyone so she climbed the steps to the lodge and entered to find a table. She spotted Willa Callahan talking with Josie by the buffet. Presley headed there.
“Hi,”
she said as she picked up a plate.
“Hi, Presley. Good to see you again. Did you enjoy the dance on Saturday night?”
Willa asked her.
Presley could feel the heat pour into her cheeks. “Yes, thank you.”
She glanced around. “I’ve never seen it so empty in here.”
Willa laughed. “Everyone has already been here. They were all early this morning. Devin has twelve people working the ranch, Jaxon took fourteen people on the trail ride, and the rest are hiking or whatever. Four married couples and the rest are singles. We have a total of sixty-five people this week. Including you. A lot of singles this week, and most of them are women.”
“And I missed them all?”
Presley laughed.
“Yep, but if you don’t mind sharing a table, I haven’t eaten yet.”
“I’d love it, Willa.”
Presley filled her plate, walked to a table, and took a seat. Willa sat down next to her .
“The food here is amazing. Rosita is the best cook,”
Willa said.
“Yes, I agree.”
Presley noticed the staff taking the food from the buffet. She’d obviously just made it.
“She also runs housekeeping. I don’t know how she does it all. I get run ragged working up the itinerary. Don’t get me wrong though, I love it.”
“I can tell. You said you and Devin just got married last month?”
“We did. I came here in June with Rocky, and I left with Rocky.”
Willa laughed. “Devin came after me. I had this hang-up about our age difference. I’m nine years older than he is.”
“Nine years? You don’t look it. I mean, I’m not going to try to blow smoke, I thought you were older but I was thinking about four or five years.”
Willa beamed a smile at her. “Thanks. He thought that too, and when I told him I was nine years older, he got this wicked grin on his face and said, ‘sexy’.”
Presley laughed. “He seems like a great guy.”
“They both are. You know they’re twins, right?”
“Yes.”
“Jaxon is always calling Devin his little brother. Jax is older by four minutes.”
Willa tilted her head. “Do you and Jax have something going on?”
Presley choked on her coffee. Setting the cup down, she wiped at the tears in her eyes as she looked at Willa.
“You don’t pull any punches, do you?”
Willa smiled at her. “Devin mentioned it, and I thought I’d ask you myself.”
“Devin mentioned it?”
“Don’t get angry with Jaxon. He didn’t say anything to Devin about it. Devin saw you two talking a little close, and it surprised him. Me too, since Jaxon hasn’t shown an interest in anyone and a lot of beautiful women come through here.”
“Oh, dear God.”
Presley put her hands over her face.
“Hey, don’t be embarrassed. I’m sure Devin teased him about it, and Jaxon told Devin to fuck off.”
She shrugged. “Simple as that.”
“It is in no way simple. He’s not supposed to be fraternizing with the guests.”
Willa snorted. “Oh please, what’s he going to do, fire himself? And for another thing, Devin fraternized with me.”
“That’s true.”
Sucking in a breath, Presley blew it out.
“Nothing you say to me goes past this table. I love Devin, but I also know how tight he is with Jaxon. I’d never tell him anything you’d tell me. Of course, you don’t have to say a thing.”
“I came here to make a decision about a job,”
Presley said. “It’s a great position. I’ve been an ER nurse in Idaho Falls for years and the hours are killers. I have a chance to work in the Recovery Unit. I’ve been offered the job, but something is holding me back. I don’t know why I’m even hesitating. More money, fewer hours. Why am I hesitating?”
She stabbed her fork into her scrambled eggs.
“Have you talked to Jaxon about it?”
“I mentioned it, but he’s also told me he’s not interested in a relationship. So I’d be wasting my time by staying here when he doesn’t want me.”
“You have to make the decision yourself, Presley. You’ve worked long and hard for your career. I loved my job, but I also wanted to settle down. My first marriage was a disaster, but I know this one will last forever.”
She picked up her coffee cup. “Is a job worth leaving the man you love?”
“He doesn’t want me to stay…”
“Give him time. When Devin told me about Jaxon and Bethany, it broke my heart. Not only did he have to leave the career he loved, but he also lost his wife.”
Presley blinked tears away. “I know. ”
“I think you should take each day as it comes. Jaxon loved her, and I’m sure he still does but I think he’s afraid to move on without her.”
Willa placed her hand over Presley’s. “I’m not being a bitch here. I’m just being honest and if you ever need to talk, just call me. I need to get going.”
She pushed her chair back, stood, and handed Presley a card with her number on it then walked off.
Presley glanced at the card then stuck it in the pocket of her jeans, and left the lodge to head back to her cabin.
She’d enjoy the pool later.
As hot as it was outside right now though, it would be sooner than later.
The sweat trickled between her breasts and shoulder blades as she walked to the cabin.
Shading her eyes, she looked up to see a cloudless blue sky.
It was going to be a gorgeous day and she was anxious to just be lazy by the pool.
Looking toward the mountains, she wondered how the trail ride was going. They’d all be returning in about thirty minutes.
How many women were flirting with him on this trip? She couldn’t blame them though.
She’d thought he was so hot when she’d first seen him two years ago, and now seeing him in his element just made him sexier.
Willa was right, she needed to wait and see.
Should she try to wear him down or just step back and see what happens? There were three weeks left on her vacation, but if they flew by as fast as the first week she’d be leaving in no time.
What to do? As she walked along the road, she tried to think about what she needed to do.
The job was important to her.
So you’re saying Jaxon isn’t?
“I’m not saying that at all. He’s especially important, but he also made it clear that it could only be a sexual relationship with him. Would he ever love again and if so, could it be a strong love or would his wife always be there?”
Quickly, she glanced around to see if anyone was close.
She really needed to stop talking to herself when she was out in public.
She snorted.
Like being in the cabin made it better.
Walking up the steps, she unlocked the door, entered her cabin, and took a seat on the plush sofa then decided to head for the pool.
Making her way to the bathroom, she changed into her swimsuit and after grabbing a towel and her suntan lotion, she left the cabin to head for the pool.
Once there, she found a lounge chair and sat down then slathered herself with lotion.
Then she leaned back and relaxed.
She could already feel the sweat beading on her forehead.
“Hi. Do you mind if I sit here?”
Presley opened her eyes to see a young brunette woman standing beside the empty lounge .
“Of course not.”
“Thanks. My husband is taking a nap. What a go-getter he is.”
She laughed.
Presley chuckled as she looked over at the woman. “I’m Presley Reynolds.”
“Christina Newton. My husband is Brad. We worked the ranch this morning and I loved it. Brad said he needed a nap. Men.”
Presley couldn’t stop the laughter from erupting. “It doesn’t take much to make them want to nap, does it?”
“Oh, dear God, no. He naps after he cuts the grass, works on his car, comes home from golf, and all women know they need naps after sex. Excuse me but I do some of that work too, and I never get to nap.”
Chuckling, Presley closed her eyes. “Yeah, men.”
Christina laughed. “I do love him though. At least with him napping, I can relax by this gorgeous pool. Maybe we can have lunch together in a little while?”
“I’d love it,”
Presley said and meant it. Christina seemed like a nice woman, and maybe it would keep her mind off Jaxon.
****
Jaxon led the group of twelve along the trail.
It wasn’t unusual to see single women on the ranch but there was more this time than any other time he could remember, and he wasn’t really sure how to feel about that.
They didn’t want the ranch to be a single’s retreat, but they couldn’t turn people away just because they were single.
But if there were too many single women, the ranch hands needed to be taken away from their work to go along on trail rides and camping trips.
It was safer that way for women.
One man couldn’t protect a lot of women if an animal came around or if they needed help with tents, Jaxon didn’t expect the women to do it unless they wanted to.
Sighing, he glanced over the group and immediately knew which two was the married couple since they couldn’t keep their eyes off each other.
It was their honeymoon and they want to spend it on a trail ride.
Mentally shaking his head, he knew he’d prefer to be spending as much time in bed as possible.
When he and Bethany had been on their honeymoon, they rarely left the bed.
He’d taken her to Niagara Falls, and they didn’t even get to see the Falls until the day before they were scheduled to leave.
Damn it, he missed her so much.
Although lately, she didn’t plague his mind as often and that scared him since he didn’t want to forget her.
Smiling, he remembered the first time he saw her.
He’d been straddling a bull in the chute and glanced up, and his eyes met hers.
Her lips lifted in a smile, and he grinned at her and nodded.
The men thought he was nodding for him to go, so they opened the gate.
Jaxon hit the ground as soon as he cleared the chute.
A champion bull rider should stay on for longer than two seconds.
After picking himself up from the sawdust floor, he looked at her to see her laughing.
Shaking his head, he climbed the rails and made his way to her.
They went to dinner and he’d teased her by telling her he wanted to marry her, and she agreed.
A year later, they married and were together only three years before the accident that took her life.
Jaxon shifted in the saddle, making the leather creak and Zander dance under him.
Patting the horse on his neck, Jaxon murmured to him.
“It’s okay, boy. We’re good.”
“He is a beautiful horse,”
a woman said from beside him. Jaxon glanced over to her and nodded.
“Thank you.”
“I’m Krista Jenkins.”
“Nice to meet you,”
Jaxon put his fingers to the brim of his hat.
“You cowboys are always so polite. Your mamas raised you right.”
Jaxon grinned. “Yes, ma’am.”
Krista laughed. “See? My girlfriends and I are experiencing the great outdoors. It really is gorgeous here. A lot of hot cowboys.”
She grinned at him, letting him know she meant him. She was a stunning redhead but did nothing for him.
“How many of you?”
“Fourteen of us. We’ve been friends since high school.”
“Fourteen women, who are friends?”
Jaxon laughed, shaking his head in wonder.
“I know. We women don’t like each other. It’s a fact, but we’ve always been close. Seven are married and the rest of us are single. We get together every summer and take a vacation together.”
“That’s good to hear. We’re happy you chose Bur Oak this time. How long are you here for?”
“A week, then home to Texas.”
“Well, I hope you have an enjoyable time while you’re here.”
Jaxon reined Zander to a stop when she halted her horse and stared at him.
“I wouldn’t mind having a good time with you, Jaxon.”
Mentally shaking his head, he wondered why some women just came on to a man when he showed her no encouragement at all. Of course, men had been doing the same thing for years. The times they are a changing.
“I’m sorry, but there’s no fraternizing between guests and staff. ”
“Damn. Well, you can’t blame a girl for trying. If you change your mind, I’m in cabin fourteen.”
She nudged her horse to catch up with the others.
Grinning, Jaxon nudged Zander to catch up. They were almost to the point where they turned around. He wasn’t looking forward to returning to the ranch, but he did wonder what Presley was doing. Was she lying around the pool in that tight swimsuit? He shifted in the saddle as his dick tried to rise. Shit. How was he supposed to stay away from her when he wanted her every second of every day? It was because of her that Bethany was fading from him.
Once the group returned to the barn, he told everyone to dismount, and the ranch hands took the horses to cool them down. Jaxon dismounted then remove the tack and after a short walk to do a warm-down, he then led Zander into a stall to cool the horse down. After getting the hose, he entered the stall, and the horse bobbed his head up and down making Jaxon chuckle.
“Yeah, I know you like this part.”
He moved the hose over the horse’s back, so the water flowed over him slowly. Zander turned his head and took Jaxon’s hat in his mouth.
“Damn it, give me my hat, Zander,”
Jaxon muttered as he reached for it. Zander moved his head so Jaxon couldn’t reach his hat .
“He’s such a beautiful horse.”
Jaxon turned to see Presley leaning against the stall door. She looked away from the horse to look at him, and he could see the hurt in her eyes.
“Presley—”
“Jaxon, I’m sorry I stormed out.”
He was shocked that she put it on herself. “I made you angry and for that, I apologize. It’s just that I don’t know what to do as far as we’re concerned.”
Stepping into the stall, she ran her hand along Zander’s back and Jaxon swore he felt it on his dick.
“I don’t either, but I can’t imagine not seeing you or being with you while I’m still here.”
Shutting the hose off, he dropped it to the floor and strode toward her. Stopping in front of her, he cupped her face in his hands.
“I can’t either. But I don’t want to hurt you,”
he whispered.
“I know you don’t, but I can’t seem to stay away from you.”
“I can’t stay away from you either. Do you want to go up to my house and wait for me?”
“Um…I do but I don’t think it’s a good idea. Maybe we need to cool it a bit,”
she said, smiling at him. “Maybe we could just take a walk or go for a ride. ”
Grinning, he leaned down and kissed her. “Well, not exactly what I had in mind,”
he said frowning and wondering if he’d blown it with her. “Okay, I can show you around my property.”
Maybe later she’d be interested in spending some time in other pursuits.
“Let me finish up here and I’ll meet you at my place.”
“Okay. See you in a bit.”
She walked out of the stall and after giving him a little wave, disappeared. This wasn’t a good idea but he needed her too much to deny himself having her, at least while she was here. Once she left, he’d forget her. Liar! Presley Reynolds would be a hard woman to forget, but he wasn’t sure he could give her what she wanted. Shaking his head, he knew it couldn’t go anywhere. He was just too fucking scared. Even if he did want more from her, she was leaving at the end of the month. Idaho Falls was six hours away, and long-distance relationships had never appealed to him. When he’d been in the rodeo, he’d met a lot of women who he had sex with but he never wanted any one in particular for more than one night, until Bethany. Until Presley.
“Shit,”
he muttered as he grabbed his hat from the horse, slapped it on his head then left the stall after giving Zander some extra oats.
****
Presley rode her horse following behind Jaxon on Zander. She glanced around at the beautiful area. Jaxon had told her he was the only one who rode this trail.
“I forged it out two years ago right after I built the house. It takes my mind off…things.”
“It’s beautiful and I’m so glad that you’re sharing it with me.”
He smiled at her and nodded then they continued on in silence. Looking behind her, she smiled as Jinks ran past her at full speed.
“He looks like he’s in a hurry,”
she said with a laugh.
“He knows where we’re going. I’m going to have us cut through the woods here and head for the pond.”
“The one where the guests fish?”
She hoped not since she wanted to be alone with him.
“No. This one is where Dev and I go when we want to do some fishing or just think.”
As they came out of the woods, she gasped at the beauty of the pond. Large boulders sat on the opposite bank with a small hill between them .
“If you ride up that crest, it will lead back to the barns at the ranch.”
“It’s so beautiful here.”
“Yes. Dev and I have come here quite a bit either together or alone. It’s a great thinking spot.”
“I bet it is. It’s just so serene.”
Jaxon nodded and dismounted then turned to look at her.
“We’ll have lunch here and fish if you want.”
He frowned at her. “Do you know how to fish?”
“No, and I refuse to put worms on a hook.”
She shuddered making him laugh.
“I’ll do it.”
He walked to her and held his arms up. “Come on, I’ll help you down.”
“Since when do I need help, Jaxon Callahan?”
“Since I want to hold you in my arms,”
he said in a low tone of voice.
“I’d like that too.”
She put her hands on his shoulders and he pulled her off the horse and let her body slide down his. When she put her feet on the ground, she gazed up into those gorgeous eyes. He lowered his lips to hers and when she moaned, he deepened the kiss.
He raised his lips slowly from hers then kissed her forehead .
“We didn’t come here for that. Right? Let me get the saddles off the horses and we’ll eat then do some fishing. Sound good?”
“Yep.”
She reached up and touched his lightly whiskered cheek and when he took her hand and lifted the palm to his lips, she could have swooned.
****
Later, as Jaxon watched her sitting on the bank with a fishing pole in her hands, he smiled as she reeled the line in…again.
“You’re not very patient, are you?”
he asked her.
She looked at him and laughed.
“I could never do this all day. Don’t you get bored just sitting here waiting?”
“That’s what fishing is all about. You have to give them time to nibble.”
“Well, I haven’t had one nibble—”
She screamed when her line suddenly bobbed.
Jaxon jumped up and moved to where she sat.
“Wait, let him run,” he said.
“Run where?”
He laughed. “Let him take the line a little. Wait.”
“How long?”
“Now. Jerk the pole to hook him.”
He watched as she did what he said. Her pole bent as she reeled the fish in.
“I caught a fish,”
she said, laughing .
Jaxon grabbed the net. Presley stood and kept reeling the fish in.
“Oh my God! He weighs a ton.”
Grinning, Jaxon stood beside her and when she got the fish close enough, he scooped the net under it, lifted it to see a little Blue Gill on the line. He almost burst out laughing at the look on Presley’s face.
“That little fish is it? I was sure it was a big one.”
He could hear the disappointment in her voice.
“It’s a good fish. Here, let me get him off the hook.”
He reached for her pole.
“You’re going to throw him back, right?”
“Yes, ma’am. Catch and release here only.”
He removed the hook from the fish and tossed it back into the pond.
He turned to look at her to see her watching him. She smiled at him and strangely enough, he was glad they were together without hopping into bed. Although, he’d love that too, but he was enjoying just spending time with her and wasn’t going to pressure her.
Soon, it was time to head back and he was surprised that he wanted to do this again with her. Damn it. What the hell was he going to do ?