Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
“Howdy,” Jackson called to Mina. “You doing all right?”
He grinned as he stared up onto the porch, locking eyes with the cutie who was standing against the railing.
Slater stood beside him. They both removed their hats, which was the proper thing to do when in the presence of a lady.
“Yes, sir. The sheriff and my new friends showed me around my new place. I’m so excited to be here!”
That excitement was evident by the hopeful tone of her voice. The sparkle in her eyes revealed it, too.
“That’s good,” Jackson said. “We know it’s not time for our interview. But we wanted to drop by for a minute.”
He looked over to Slater, letting his friend take over the explanation. “We got to talking. Figured we might have been a little rough on you back there.”
Jackson nodded. “That’s right. We didn’t have any call to say what we did about spanking you and all that. We aren’t your Daddies.” He paused for a moment before adding, “I hope you’ll accept our apologies.”
Based on the expression on Mina’s face, the interaction hadn’t bothered her one bit. But Jackson was still thankful when he heard her say, “Oh, don’t mention it.” She giggled, sounding and looking as adorable as could be. “In fact, I kind of liked it. I’ve, uh, never had a Daddy before. So it was kind of nice.” She then blushed hard. “I’m not saying you’re my Daddies. I’m just saying… well, it was a little taste.”
Jackson wanted to give her more than a little taste, that was for sure. He didn’t know Mina, but the more he was in her presence, the more he felt her tugging tight on his heartstrings.
“Well, all the same,” he finally said after soaking in her cuteness for a few moments, “we didn’t mean to overstep.”
“We sure didn’t,” Slater agreed. “We’re glad you’re in Big Cedar and can’t wait until the first paper comes out. You’ve got some loyal customers already right here.”
She giggled again.
It was all Jackson could do not to hop onto that porch and scoop her into his arms. Damn, she was adorable.
“Thank you,” she said. “I hope to have the first edition out by the end of next week. The horse running down Main Street is big news! I need to strike while the iron is hot.”
“We’ll help any way we can,” Slater told her.
“The interview will be plenty of help.”
Both men nodded. The silence between them felt like tension. Of the sexual kind. The conversation was over. They’d said what they came to say, but Jackson didn’t want to leave. He wanted to get to know the inquisitive little reporter.
An idea struck him.
“Do you have dinner plans tonight?”
“No, sir.”
“How about we take you over to the café? Marsha makes some mean dishes, that’s for sure.” He waited a second before adding, “Our treat.”
“Thank you!” Mina exclaimed, her smile a mile wide. “I’d love that!”
“About six work?” Jackson probed.
“Perfect.”
“We’ll see you then.”
He held her gaze for another moment before he and Slater turned away.
The day had gotten very exciting, and it didn’t have a thing to do with the runaway horse.
* * *
Back at their property, about three miles east of Big Cedar city limits, sitting at their kitchen table with glasses of sweet tea before them, Jackson said, “Did I lay it on too thick with Little Miss Cute Stuff back there?”
Slater laughed. “I was worried about the same thing. But I don’t think either of us did.” He took a drink of tea. “I was surprised when you asked her out. Don’t get me wrong, I had the notion. But I lacked the bravery.”
Jackson snorted. “You mean the feller who jumped out of a moving truck and onto a galloping horse isn’t brave?” He shook his head. “Could’ve fooled me. I’d say you’re the bravest man I know.”
Slater took another sip of tea before saying, “Much obliged for the compliment. But jumping onto running horses is my strong suit. I do it for a living. Among other things.”
Jackson nodded. He almost pointed out that Slater used to do it for a living. It had been almost half a year since his last performance, though. He silently hoped those days were behind them. Every time Slater performed at a county fair or rodeo, doing his trick riding and all the related stunts, it drove him crazy with fear. He didn’t know what he’d do if anything ever happened to that man.
It was the same way every time he’d climbed on the back of a bull or a bronc, looking to hit eight seconds, too.
But Jackson couldn’t begrudge him for doing it. He’d spent years in the rodeo, too. Once it was in your blood, it was hard to get out.
Yet it had been a long time since even Slater had done much. Getting older—and some broken bones and nearly dying—understandably caused a person to settle down a bit.
He pulled out of his thoughts and paid attention to Slater as his friend continued speaking.
“I love our life out here. But you know how it is. We’ve talked about so many times before. It would be even better with a little cutie for us to pamper and take care of.”
Jackson nodded. “Don’t I know it.” He took a drink of his own tea and sat the glass back on the table.
“That’s why asking her out had me so scared,” Slater said. “Couldn’t help but think she might be the one. I know that’s a silly notion, but… well, you never know.”
“Not silly at all,” Jackson replied. “Talking to a gal in that situation can be nerve-wracking.”
Across the table, Slater nodded. “Kind of like talking to you about… us… and all that… scares me.”
Now it was Jackson’s turn to nod. They’d danced around the conversation for a while, but neither seemed ready to broach it.
He was certain they would. When the time was right.
But now obviously wasn’t it, because Slater stood quickly and said, “I need to get out there and feed the horses.”
Jackson just nodded once again, picked up his tea, and watched Slater walk out.
They’d talk.
Eventually.