Chapter 3
One Year Later
Jason
Jason shut his truck door and peered up at the main house at Winding Creek Ranch. It was a newer home. Only a couple of years old, if he had to guess. It was big, too—bigger than what he’d grown up in.
There was a porch that wrapped around the whole building. The structure had two stories and plenty of windows. Painted white with black trim, it looked like it could have been built in the South rather than Colorado.
Mark climbed out and tossed Jason a smirk. “What did I tell you? It’s great, right?”
Jason arched a brow. “Not even you can make me believe we’re staying in that house.”
His friend chuckled. “Nah. We get housing, though. There’s a good-sized cabin around the backside of that barn over there.
” He jutted his chin toward a large structure.
“It got finished a few months ago. Mateo—the guy who runs this place—is sparing no expense for his employees. A summer gig doesn’t get any better than this. ”
Summer gig. That was all this job was worth to Mark. Did Mateo know that Mark didn’t plan on staying longer?
It didn’t matter. Jason had no intention of leaving. Mark had been right about one thing. This job was exactly what he needed. Mateo needed a couple of guys who knew their way around a kitchen to help out the head cook, and when they weren’t helping there, they’d be working with the horses.
Jason knew little to nothing about being a cowboy, but he wasn’t against learning. He’d figure things out before Mateo noticed his lack of skills.
Moving toward the back of the truck, Jason did another sweep of the ranch.
It was larger than it had looked when they’d pulled up to the property.
There were at least three structures that could be barns.
The cabin Mark referred to peeked at them from behind one of them.
Then there was the large house and the expanse of land surrounding it.
Trees dotted the landscape and flowers thrived in the beds close to the main house. Something about this place drew him in. It was like his soul was tethered to it.
Jason reached into the bed of the truck and pulled his oversized duffel from the back.
He’d put most of his belongings into the attic at the house his brother and sister-in-law purchased in town.
The irony that his siblings had chosen to relocate to Copper Creek shortly after he’d announced he was quitting the restaurant wasn’t lost on him.
They were a tight-knit group, and he was glad to have them close.
He fell into step beside Mark and headed for the cabin. “Who are we supposed to be meeting?”
“Daniel something or other,” Mark said, his focus shifting to another building that had been somewhat hidden from view when they’d pulled up.
Jason could tell without entering that it was where everyone would be eating.
There was a large porch off one side with a set of double doors that would lead inside. Two picnic tables sat on the porch.
“And did you tell Mateo your specialty is burnt toast? Is that why he hired you?”
Mark tossed him a flat look. “Don’t you breathe a word about our credentials. You know me. I’m a fly by the seat of my pants kind of guy. Besides, I figured that you’d know enough for the both of us.”
“I don’t think that’s the way this works.” Jason chuckled. They reached the cabin and Mark pushed open the door.
A tall, intimidating man stood near a table that could seat six.
He leaned over, palms resting on the surface.
When he heard them enter, he lifted his head and glanced in their direction.
His piercing blue eyes warned them not to cross him.
And when he folded his arms over his broad chest, he dared them to make one wrong move.
Mark chuckled and held out his hand. “I’m Mark. And this is Jason. We’re new. Are you Daniel?”
Daniel’s eyes flicked from Mark to Jason. “The cooks?”
Mark nodded. “That’d be us.”
He jerked his chin toward a hallway. “I’ll show you your rooms. Then you need to report to the kitchen. Nikki wants to meet you as soon as possible.”
Jason adjusted his duffel on his shoulder and offered Daniel a smile. “Yes, sir.”
They shared a room. It was furnished with two beds, one desk, and two dressers. The bedding was rustic, and it looked like it had been decorated straight from a country living magazine.
Jason dropped his bag on his bed and moved farther into the room to where a vase with yellow daffodils sat. His fingertip grazed the delicate flower and Mark snorted.
“Flowers? Really? Who do they think is staying here?”
“It’s a nice touch,” Jason said.
“Don’t go getting soft on me. Tracy is already planning how we’re going to decorate our place after we’re married.”
Jason gave Mark a knowing smile. He didn’t have to say it. Mark had it bad for his fiancée, and Jason had been right when he’d insisted the two of them would end up together.
“Ready?” Daniel ground out.
They both turned to find him in the doorway. Mark clapped Jason on the shoulder. “As ready as we’ll ever be.”
Jason grunted and about doubled over when Mark elbowed him in the gut. He wheezed and glowered at his friend before catching sight of what Mark was pointing to.
Or rather, who Mark was pointing to.
Jason blinked. He held his hand to his gut and blinked several more times.
“Isn’t that the girl?” Mark hissed.
Meeting Mateo and Nikki had been uneventful. They’d been given a brief rundown of what was expected of them and were released to settle in. They wouldn’t be needed until supper.
Jason’s opinion that this summer was going to be simple was instantly crushed to rubble when he caught sight of Bella.
Her hair was shorter but still hung in waves that went just past her shoulders. She wore a loose, long-sleeved shirt despite the unusually warm day. Her jeans fit her well but hid the curves he knew she had.
Immediately, memories of that night accosted him, and he wanted nothing more than to ring the neck of the guy who had hurt her.
Already, he could tell she was different.
Sure, it had been a year since he’d interacted with her, but this woman lacked the confidence he’d seen in her the first night they’d met.
“Do you think she’ll remember you?” Mark said quietly.
Jason shrugged.
Mark made a move to dig his elbow into his side again, but Jason dodged his attempt with another scowl. Mark chuckled and jerked his chin toward Bella. “You should go talk to her. Find out what she’s doing here.”
The desire to do just that yanked on him. Jason wanted nothing more than to take her hand and ask her how she was doing. He wanted to assure her that even though she might still be dealing with the pain of what happened, she’d get through it.
His sister Penny had.
But then he had to remind himself that she didn’t know he was the one who helped her. Nothing would destroy a budding relationship faster than telling the girl he hadn’t been able to stop thinking about for the last year that he’d saved her from being assaulted.
Yep. It was best to ease into speaking to her.
This time Mark shoved him. “Go talk to her, man. Maybe she’s still single. It’s worth a shot.”
Jason hadn’t told anyone about Bella—well, except his siblings Mathew and Penny. He’d wanted to assure himself he’d done the right thing. Mark didn’t need to know what she’d been through. No one did.
He worked his jaw and glanced over at his friend.
Whatever. Maybe Mark was right. Bella had consumed his thoughts for a full year. Maybe this was the universe’s way of telling him they were meant to be in each other’s lives.
Jason strode toward her. She was standing with another woman who met his eyes first. Hers were the same brilliant blue as Daniel’s and Jason’s, and he had to wonder if they were related. Those blues widened as they shifted to Bella, then she smiled and stepped back.
“Hey,” the blue-eyed woman said. “You starting here?”
Bella fidgeted, taking a step to the side to place the other woman between them. There wasn’t even a glimmer of recognition in her deep blue eyes. He tried not to be disappointed. It had been a year, after all.
Jason nodded, his eyes lingering on Bella. “I am. You?”
She laughed. “Nope. But my brother is. Have you met Daniel?”
Nodding, Jason smiled wider. “You have the same striking eyes.”
Another laugh before she held up her left hand. “Easy hot stuff, I’m taken.” She placed that hand on her hip. “I’m Charlie. And this is Isabelle.”
Jason’s focus darted to Isabelle. So, not Bella. He offered her a broad smile. “And what about you? Are you taken?”
Charlie laughed again and opened her mouth, but Isabelle cut her off.
“Not interested.” Her lips pressed together in a firm line. Or maybe it was more of a sneer.
Her friend gasped and whacked her with the back of her hand. “Izzy!” Her name came out along with her laugh. She turned to Jason. “Sorry about her. But to answer your question—”
“Charlie,” Isabelle snapped.
“She’s one hundred percent available.”
Isabelle wouldn’t meet his gaze. Her cheeks pinked and she pulled at the sleeves around her wrists. The movement caught his attention. She was anxious.
Why?
Because she did recognize him?
Because he was a stranger?
His eyes narrowed on her, but Charlie stole his focus again. “And you are?” She held out her hand.
“Jason.” They shook.
“I’m gonna go,” Isabelle murmured, making her escape.
Charlie sighed as she watched her friend leave. “Don’t worry about her. She’s having a bad day.”
“Oh?”
The woman before him shrugged. “Yeah. But it’s fine. I don’t think she’s happy with all the changes being made. It’s a bit… much.” Charlie smiled. “I’m sure you can understand.”
He nodded absently, his eyes drifting to where Isabelle disappeared into the large house. So this was where she lived. And she had zero interest in him whatsoever.
Jason knew better than to chase after her. Who was he to her, anyway? A nobody.
Or someone who would remind her of a past trauma.
He worked his jaw, only half-listening to Charlie. Apparently, they were friends. They were close. But the fact was that she made no comment to indicate Isabelle would ever warm up to him.
Maybe he needed to cut his losses.
Or maybe he needed to bide his time. He could be patient. His mother had always said he was charming. Eventually, he might wear her down.
Jason parted ways with Charlie and returned to Mark’s side.
And of course he couldn’t hide his amusement—not that he was even trying. “Strike out again?”
“Shut up,” Jason said.
Mark laughed again. “I take that as a yes.” Jason shook his head and headed back to his room.
He needed to get his head on straight. That familiar tugging sensation had him wanting to knock on the door Isabelle disappeared behind and try again.
If not to ask her out, to comfort her, be there for her.
But did he really think friendship would be enough?
It would have to be. He was here for the long haul.
Especially since he’d finally found her. Now, he could keep an eye on her and make sure she was doing okay. Yes, that would have to be enough.