Chapter 31
It was the end of July—summer was in full swing, and with all the activity in her jurisdiction, Becca had no problem keeping busy. Staying on top of the horses and a constantly growing menagerie of farm animals took up most of her time.
A few days had flown by since she’d seen Jamie in person. His schedule was as jam-packed as hers, but this didn’t mean they’d had no contact at all—he texted every morning without fail.
Yesterday, during a group video hook-up facilitated by Ben and Betty, she struggled to maintain an air of casual disregard toward him—what everyone expected. He’d teased her later that evening with a series of themed memes and gifs, all depicting some form or fashion of a woman acting haughty.
“This seems like the right time to tell you I can’t find the damn pump for the basketballs. It’s disappeared. Again.”
Sammy, her right-hand and newly appointed ranch manager, announced this in a scornful, irritated voice.
“The littles took it to blow up the inflatable yard toys and games they wheedled out of Ben last time he went to Walmart. Let’s sidestep the problem and get an electric pump that can stay with the ball cart. People are less likely to help themselves to a plug-in.”
“I know it was a pain in the ass to build and whatnot, but the covered pavilion and basketball half-court you made happen continue to be well-received. Good job, Mrs. T.”
“How’s the solar setup? Is it working like I hoped?” Beneath her desk, she crossed her fingers.
Sammy snickered loudly. “So far, so good, and you scored big points by adding the charging station.”
Pleased to hear that her team building plan of focusing on employee motivators was a hit, she let a half-smile onto her face.
Things were going pretty goddamn good at the moment, and she sure as shit didn’t want to jinx things by getting a big head about her positive streak and how great she felt.
“What else do we need to go over?” She looked up at the ancient wall clock above the door. “I’ve got a meeting at the business center to look at designs for a ranch logo. I’ve got a merch wish list this long,” she drawled, holding her hands up to indicate how long.
“Merch?”
“Merchandise. Get with the times!”
Sammy laughed. “Oh, duh.”
“That reminds me, we’ll need a room cleared out—a storage place for branded gear.”
“I’ve got the perfect spot—tucked behind Desert Thunder’s practice spot. Nobody ventures back there except the band and their peeps.”
“Perfect. You’ll take care of it then?” she asked as Sammy stood and gathered his things.
“Consider it done.” He put on his summer headwear—a well-worn straw cowboy hat—and touched the brim. “You know where I am if you need me,” and with that, he walked away.
She cleared her desk and reached for the printed work schedule Sammy had left for her.
The theme from Mission: Impossible interrupted her thoughts. She automatically reached for her phone to see who was calling.
Fireworks went off inside when she saw Jamie’s name on the screen.
“Hello?”
“Rebecca,” a deep, masculine voice replied. “Have a moment?”
“Um, yes. Yes, I do,” she sighed and then bit her tongue before admitting she missed him fell out of her mouth.
“Are we alone?”
Surprised by the question, she muttered, “Hold on,” and hurriedly shut the office door.
“Okay, yes. We’re alone,” she breathlessly replied when she sat down again. “What’s up?”
“I need a wingman—or, in this case, a wingwoman, for a special assignment I’ve been given.”
“Uh,” she mumbled. “You need what?”
“I need you,” he chuckled warmly and then paused. “To ride shotgun—be my co-pilot on a mission.”
“A mission,” she stated flatly. “Is this a Justice thing?”
“Family Justice, yes.”
She detected humor and delight in his reply. Whatever this turned out to be, Jamie was enjoying himself, and if his laughing was involved, she wanted in.
“Agent Bit Chin reporting for duty, sir!”
The sound of him cracking up lightened her spirit.
“Bit Chin! As in “bitchin’”. Bwah!” He boomed with laughter. “You’re killing me, Mrs. Tate.”
Wearing a wide grin, she drawled, “Seems fitting since you have called me a bitch once or twice.”
“Divine bitch,” he corrected her. “Did I forget to add that part?”
He thought she was divine? Well, hot damn, holy moly, and zowie!
She excitedly peppered him with questions.
“When and where do I report for duty? Are we going undercover? Must I wear black? How about code words? A secret handshake, maybe?”
“I enjoy your enthusiasm! Our mission is simple. Well, maybe not simple. There’s a double-agent element,” he told her with a chuckle.
“Double agent?”
“Yeah—I’ll explain later. This occasion requires us to make nice with Rafe and Domineau. They’re a great couple to be around—I like Rafe.”
“Domineau is my spirit animal,” she confessed.
“She’s a worthy role model. Anyway, you game?”
“I already said yes—sounds fun.”
“Great. So, here’s the plan. We stop by, unannounced. You distract the ladies of the house while I focus on Rafe.”
“Jamie?” she asked softly. “Are we together in this scenario? I mean, why are we together? They’re going to ask.”
There was a moment of silence, and then he replied with a statement that made her gasp.
“Domineau knows I’m attracted to you. She’s encouraged action on my part. I doubt she’d be surprised to see us together.”
Becca wondered what together implied. People have been gossiping about her and the sexy veterinarian for months, so their time together will be noticed. Were they a couple? Reluctant friends? She didn’t know how to ask.
Then he surprised her.
“I’d like this to be our debut. As a couple.”
“Oh, Jamie,” she gasped. “Are you sure? After two dates?”
“Yes. I’m sure. Are you?”
This felt like a big deal moment. Sucking in some air, she held onto her phone with a fierce grip and nodded though he couldn’t see.
“Very.”
“Good. That’s settled. We’re doing this. Cool.” He certainly sounded pleased—and relieved.
She was reassured and deeply touched that he was even a little nervous.
“Does tomorrow work for you? After dinner.”
“Sure.”
“I’ll swing by and pick you up since you’re both on that side of the highway. Wear something I’ll like.”
“Uh, could you be more specific?”
She heard bold lechery in his tone when he chuckled and drawled, “I’m a T-L-A man. Tits, legs, and ass.”
Being in the bull’s eye of this man’s interest made her pulse leap excitedly. He wanted her and wasn’t hiding it. Her once dull, mundane life was suddenly fizzing and bubbly like a flute of champagne.
“If you want to coordinate,” he said in a reasonable-sounding tone, “I’ll be wearing a tank top, plaid Bermuda shorts, and a pair of Crocs—my go-to attire when it’s hot-as-balls outside.
Her mouth opened and closed. She squinted as a vision of Jamie dressed like a total dork paraded in her mind.
He was joking—right?
A solid fifteen seconds of her stunned silence passed before he asked, “You still there?”
Words failed her. Plaid Bermudas? Crocs? A tank top? Seriously?
“Goddammit,” he muttered. “I should have video-called so I could see your face.”
“Uhhh.”
“I was joking, Rebecca. About the tank top and plaid shorts. Not about the Crocs.”
She let out a barking snort of laughter. “Oh, thank God, because I didn’t know what to say.”
“Fetching visual, huh?” he laughed.
“Unforgettable. Once imagined, it cannot be unseen. I’d ask what the deal is with you and the Crocs, but know the question has a perfectly reasonable explanation that’d steal all the fun out of ridiculing you.”
“I like this. Us kidding around. Making each other laugh. It feels good.”
“Hang onto that feeling next month,” she drawled. “My PMS vibe has a take-no-prisoners quality.”
“Yeah, I know. Got the scorch marks to prove it.”
She snorted. “And considering how many of those times you goaded me, I’d say you deserved every single one.”
Jamie’s rich laugh put a smile on her face. He chuckled, “Do I need a safe word? Sounds like maybe I do.”
As if!
Shaking her head, she answered forcefully. “No, but consider yourself forewarned.”
“My eager trainee has a fierce side. Noted.”
Noises outside the door reminded her that the stable and barn complex were hopping.
“I should go. This place is crawling with kids. Will you message me later with the details?”
“Yes, ma’am. Hope the rest of your day is great,” he told her and signed off.
Stashing the phone in the pocket of her loose overalls, she stood and redid the sloppy bun holding her hair up. Surviving summer in Bendover required a sensible plan. Hers included liberal use of sunscreen, clothes that allowed air flow, and hydration.
Grabbing her reusable water bottle with the Justice logo, she took a liberal gulp.
“Ahh, there. Now I’m ready.”
The minute she left her office and moved toward the stable, hearing the children’s laughter and Alex’s booming voice made her walk faster.
* * *
Jamie hada quick text exchange with Drae about Operation Payback. In a surprising turn of events, he was privy to something nobody elsebutCam knew—Drae had mockingly told him Rafe’s mother was secretly on her way to Bendover to ‘lend a hand’ with the wedding and planned to turn up on her son’s doorstep without a heads-up.
This piece of inside information made him an accessory to whatever happened.
It had been a long time since he felt like one of the guys. Anger over how easily friendships broke apart damaged his ability to trust and kept him from opening up. Justice was a fresh start, and he’d be lying if he tried to pretend none of this mattered. It mattered a lot.
Swiveling his desk chair for a view out the window, he contemplated the recent upgrades to his social life.
There was no denying Bendover was good for him.
Justice wasn’t letting him hide away, nursing an old wound.
People he’d come to like wanted to be friends.
And then there was Rebecca. She was by far the most significant element of his upgraded status. Declaring they were a couple would open the floodgates, resulting in a tidal wave of invitations.
Joining in was no longer optional.
Instead of panic or dread, he felt oddly peaceful. In a way, it was as if every second since he first laid eyes on Rebecca Tate had led him to the present. This moment in time was showing him a destiny he had not thought attainable. Rebecca was the key. Without her, a happy life would always be out of reach. She not only accepted his authentic self but was also drawn to that side of him.
How fucking lucky was he—five words he never thought he’d ever say.
He needed to tell someone. Sharing with Nora was easy, so he went back to his phone and opened a text message.
Searching for a specific meme, he found one showing Lucy from the Peanuts comic sitting in a booth and offering advice for five cents.
He typed:
Is the doctor in? I may need female advice.
Nora wasn’t the type to sit on her phone or keep it nearby, so he was surprised when she responded immediately.
Nora: Killing time while the tile guys are here replacing the backsplash. Let me put on my therapist hat.
Still planning to flip your house?
Nora: That’s the plan.
Then what? Where will you live?
Nora: Still trying to figure it out. There’s a potential investor who wants to fund more flips. Dad and Mom think I should expand my design business and see where it leads.
I like that for you.
Nora: Thanks, bro. Now, what’s your deal? Female problems?
Not a problem—at all. I want dating advice.
Nora: Is this the single mom?
Yes.
Nora: So, advice for dating a grown-up, not some twenty-something bimbo. Praise the lord! I suggest going old school. Movies. Bowling. Antiquing on a weekend. Museums are good, too. The best way to impress and score points is to keep it simple. Flowers are lovely, but don’t overdo it. Don’t smell desperate, Jamie. Capisce?
Since his divorce, Nora was the only person he’d let into his head—and his personal life. She knew what others didn’t and never judged his choices. He knew she’d never in a million years bring the subject up, so he did.
How about Eau de Dominant? Can I smell like that?
Nora: For real?
Yeah. Baby steps, though—she’s never, and weirdly, that’s a good thing.
Nora: Starting over—a fresh, blank page. I want that for you with all my heart.
Plain talk?
Nora: Of course. This is us. You can tell me anything.
I’ve covered the Dom angle. It’s the other stuff that’s making me sweat.
Nora: It’s good to know you’re clueless like the rest of your gender. Somehow, it levels the field.
We’re officially dating. I wanted you to know.
Nora: If it’s Bendover official, you better tell Mom and Dad. They should know. Same for Robbie.
I’ll do it in the family chat—don’t let on that you knew before them.
Nora: Soon, Jamie. They need to know you’re happy.
Don’t worry—I got the message. Am on it.
Nora: Love you, Dr. Hunter.
Love you too, squirt.
There. He’d done it—dropped a pin on today for the official coming out of him and Rebecca as a couple.