Chapter Twenty Five
Jameson loaded their bags into her car and waited for Caroline to come out of the cabin.
After they returned last night, she seemed exhausted from all the social interaction among the team, their spouses, and the cowboys.
They spent the night cuddled together in bed, and he felt whole for the first time since… forever.
Caroline walked out, carrying two mugs of coffee.
“Why didn’t you tell me you wanted some? We could’ve stopped and picked up a cup on the way,” he said, taking the traveling mug from her.
“We have coffee here. It seems a waste to buy it when it took me less than ten minutes to make,” she said as he helped her into the vehicle.
“Did you need to stop anywhere before we head to your dad’s?” he asked, pulling out of the driveway.
“No. I called Nancy. She said, they’ll have lunch ready by the time we return. I told them we’d join them. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all,” he assured her. “Did you have a good time this weekend?”
Smiling, Caroline nodded. “I did. It seems weird, I’ve only met the women and we’ve become fast friends. I like how they tell it like it is.”
“Especially, Rachel,” he said. “She never holds back.”
“I like her. She has spunk,” Caroline said, sticking up for her friend.
“Don’t get your panties in a twist. I like her, too. She’s good for Matthew, and she provides comical entertainment,” he agreed.
“Hey,” she said, catching his sarcasm. “I think she’s misunderstood. I see her watching Matthew with such longing in her eyes. I know they’re a couple, but it’s like something’s off.”
Jameson remained silent, not wanting to break his brother’s confidence.
“Shall we take another stab at swimming?” Jameson suggested. “The more you practice, the better you’ll feel about it.”
“After lunch,” she said. “I’m normally not a nap person, but I feel in need of one.”
Jameson smirked. “How about lunch, a nap, and then the pool?”
“It sounds like a plan,” she said, taking his hand.
The connection between them seemed to flow between their fingers, filling him with something he never knew he missed.
They turned into the driveway a few minutes later.
“I’ll get the bags and take them to the pool house,” he offered. “Go on in and see your dad.”
Caroline hesitated. “If you don’t mind, I’d rather not tell my dad you’re staying with me,” she said, blushing. “I feel like a teenager sneaking in her boyfriend.”
“As far as he’s concerned, I will take my watch duty seriously. As long as you’re fine with me coming into the bedroom and checking on you personally.”
“Yeah. It might be for the best. Now I’ve discovered your Super SEAL missile, I might not recover,” she said, giggling.
“I want to believe you’re serious, but something tells me you’re determined to tease me about my special skills.”
“Never,” she denied, kissing him. “I happen to like them. Maybe you can show me more of your technique?”
“Hmmm. I’ll have to consider it. You haven’t begun to understand my full skill set. It might take us weeks or months to try them out.”
Sighing, Caroline turned to open her door and gave him a cheeky grin. “I should’ve known you were the slow one.”
“Why you,” he exclaimed as he dropped everything, racing around the truck to get to her.
Seeing his intention, Caroline squealed and took off running for the porch. Before her foot touched the first step, Jameson grabbed her about the waist, lifting her off the ground. His fingers aimed for her tickle spots, and she burst into laughter, trying to get away.
Thomas wheeled himself onto the porch with Nancy at his side.
His face beamed with happiness at seeing the two of them goofing around. Jameson hauled Caroline up on his shoulder and took the steps, setting her down before her father.
“Here you go, sir,” he said, panting. “I delivered her back to you safe and sound.”
“I don’t know, son. It seems she’s given you a bit of trouble.
You’re almost out of breath, and she’s smiling.
It appears she delivered you,” Thomas teased.
“I insisted on coming outside to see what all the racket was in my front yard. It turns out we got a couple of kids running around the yard. Best sight we’ve seen in a while. Don’t you agree, Nancy?”
“Yes, I do,” the older woman said, taking in the couple. “It seems they enjoyed their weekend away.”
“We did,” Caroline told her. “Delaney seemed surprised and burst into tears at her shower. She loved the baby blanket you helped me make. She promised to show me some new patterns. With some of the community women, she and Rachel provide everyone with their own blanket when they come to the ranch. I might join them sometime. Do you want to come with me?”
“Of course, what a great idea,” Nancy said, holding the door open for Thomas to enter.
“Rachel made a handmade Moses basket for Delaney. She took an online weaving class to learn how to do it. They added my blanket, and it fit perfectly,” she said, entering the house.
Jameson excused himself to take their luggage to the pool house.
Caroline took the plates to the dining room and poured drinks as she told her father about the barbecue.
“It sounds like you enjoyed yourself, Honeybee. I haven’t seen you smile this much since you got here. Good friends are hard to find. Keep them close,” he advised.
Jameson entered, holding a roaster filled with a beef roast and roasted carrots, potatoes, and celery.
Caroline’s stomach growled as the aroma tickled her nose. “It smells delicious, Nancy. Thank you for making it.”
“It’s not any trouble,” Nancy assured her. “Your father and I got up at the crack of dawn. It’s good to set him to tasks first thing in the morning. By this afternoon, he’ll be begging for a nap from all his hard work.”
Thomas chuckled. “She’s a hard boss.”
“Somehow, I think you’d refuse to have it any other way,” Caroline said, squeezing his hand.
“Oh shoot. I forgot to pick up your prescription, and you’ll need it for this afternoon,” Nancy exclaimed. “I’ll go after lunch and get it.”
“I’ll do it for you. It’s the least I can do after this meal,” Jameson said, sitting by Caroline.
“I appreciate it, Jameson. I don’t know where my head goes these days. I put it on my list and completely forgot,” Nancy said, berating herself.
Thomas took her hand. “There’s no need to fret. Jameson said he’ll get it. You do too much for me as it is.”
“Because I love you, you old coot. Don’t forget it,” she admonished, patting his arm.
“The feeling’s mutual,” Thomas agreed.
Jameson and Caroline exchanged smiles as they watched the older couple have a moment. For him, he witnessed the same type of love when he watched Kassie and Chase or Victoria and Ivan. It seemed like something he’d never have until he met Caroline. Now he wanted it more than anything.
Caroline carried the plates into the kitchen.
“Do we need anything else?” he asked, helping to carry the remaining dishes.
“No. I think we have everything,” she said. “I’ll help clean up the kitchen. Dad’s feeling tired. I’ll visit with him for a bit, and then we can go to the pool house.”
He leaned in, planting a tender kiss on her lips. “Do you have your knife?” he whispered. “I’m only going a block, but we don’t need to take chances.”
“I’m prepared,” she assured him before he left.
Nancy patted her shoulder. “It does your father good to see you this happy.”
“It makes me feel good,” she admitted. “I never imagined feeling this way again.”
“Keep working at it,” Nancy encouraged. “There’s bound to be rough days but live for the good ones. It’s how your father dealt with you missing. In the hall closet, you’ll find a birthday present from every year you stayed missing.”
Caroline wiped her hands on the dish towel. “I feel bad he worried about me all the time. We can’t make up the time we lost.”
Nancy took the towel from her hands and nudged her toward the living room. “We never know how long we have. Cherish the times we’re gifted. Go spend time with him. I’ll finish up here.”
Caroline entered the living room and sat beside her father.
“You’re lucky to have such a great cook. I’m afraid my skills feel lacking compared to hers,” she said, placing a plate of cookies and a cup of coffee on the table beside him.
“Ah, I remember your mother and you bringing me my treat after dinner,” he said softly, taking one. “I know she’s watching over us and happy you’re healing. It seems you’ve caught the attention of Jameson. He seems different.”
“Does he?” she asked. “We enjoyed each other’s company this weekend.
The ranch feels…different. Everyone has a job and pitches in like a real family.
Even I got swept up in the magic of the place.
Rebecca offered me a position there with the kids.
When I finish my master’s, she promised to bring me on as a therapist.”
“Wow, Honeybee. It’s what you always wanted. Did you accept the position?” he asked, his eyes glowing with pride.
“I told her I’d think about it. It means commuting, and until they have Cain in custody, they’ll want to have someone watching me.
I don’t want them to have to add another guard.
One will have to follow me there and back, and then another for the evening detail.
Plus, I want it on my own merit, not a pity job. ”
“Didn’t you tell me everyone there has a job and they pitch in to help others?” Thomas asked. “It doesn’t sound like they let just anyone into their circle. Rebecca knows your background and gave you an offer. She seems like an intelligent woman.”
“Of course, you’d agree. You’re my dad,” Caroline said, rolling her eyes.
“I agree because I have a box with all your academic papers, letters from professors, and scholarships. How many people do you see these days with no college debt? Yet you earned your way free and clear. You already admitted to liking it there. As much as I enjoy having you here, you can’t always live with me.
You need to start your life and live it to its fullest.”