8
T he predatory gleam in Jared’s eyes sent a thrill rushing through Cat from her head to her feet. She hissed out a breath. Their time was drawing to a close. She tried not to think about it, but there it was. She studied him, trying to memorize everything about him from his white-blond hair to his low-slung jeans.
She wouldn’t cry. She refused to cry. She swallowed her tears and concentrated on the man climbing onto the mattress beside her. His hair brushed her cheek as he kissed a path down her throat. The intimacy of that touch caused her heart to wrench. Oh, goodness, she loved him.
She gripped his broad shoulders for a moment, wanting to hold onto him. She forced herself to relax her grip and stroke his back, mimicking the caress of a lover. What she wanted to do was hang on and never let go, to lose herself in him. But no, she’d done that once before, and it had left her empty and alone, collapsed upon herself like a vine without a trellis. She wouldn’t do that again.
Oh, but this man, he tempted her. To have him forever, to become one with him, it felt right. He was different, special, hers?
She wanted to remember everything about him, his strength, his warmth and his scent. She wanted to remember how she felt at this moment, just before they joined, so that in the future, when she was alone, she would be able to relive this moment. This man.
“Cat.” Jared’s voice was thick with desire, and he leaned over her, cupping her face with his palms. “What are you thinking?”
Cat let herself be trapped by his cerulean gaze, and she knew she couldn’t tell him what was in her mind, her heart, her soul. That she loved him. If she told him, he’d feel obliged to take care of her, and she couldn’t allow that. Instead, she chose an answer guaranteed to coax a response.
“That I want you,” she whispered and arched up against him, capturing his lips with hers.
“You’re killing me, woman,” he growled against her mouth.
“Yeah, well, ask a stupid question,” she murmured, and Jared shut her up with a kiss.
His tongue wooed its way past her lips and into her mouth. It teased the roof of her mouth and tangled with her tongue, causing her heart to hammer triple time and her knees to shake.
“Cat.” Jared ripped his mouth off hers and fought to catch his breath. “I don’t want to steamroll you into bed. If you want me to stop, tell me now. I’ll walk away, probably into incoming traffic, but I’ll walk away.”
She squirmed out from under him and knelt to face him on the bed. Cupping his face with her hands, she pressed light kisses against his lips, his cheeks, his temple. Then she paused to trace the swirls of his ear with her tongue. He shuddered and she smiled.
In a voice as dusky as twilight, she breathed, “I want to be steamrolled. I want to be squashed flat by you.”
With a groan, Jared pushed her back against the pillows. She’d robbed him of all reason, and he was helpless to stop it. He was supposed to be in control. He was supposed to make all the moves. But it seemed Cat had her own agenda, and keeping him distracted appeared to be on the top of her list.
He was rocked when she pulled his head down and kissed him with a thoroughness that left him breathless. Before he could inhale, she had his shirt shoved up under his arms, and her questing hands were tracing the clenched muscles of his chest. Jared attempted to move away, but then her lips found the frantic pulse at the base of his throat and he was lost.
Pulling her hands away from him, Jared held them over her head while he tried to gain control of his rioting hormones. God, she was beautiful. Her fiery hair splayed out on the bedspread, and she gazed at him with half-closed eyes that shimmered a deep emerald green. Her lips were parted in invitation and Jared didn’t have to be asked twice.
Rolling to the side, he jerked and tugged at their clothing, tossing it carelessly aside. When his bare flesh pressed hers deeper into the mattress, he felt her shudder and he smiled.
Jared caressed her soft curves, loving her warmth. He wanted to possess her from the outside in. He was seeking a mating of souls as well as flesh. With that goal in mind, he began working his way toward the core of her.
His lips burned a path down her throat to her breasts. When her nipples were slick and tight in response, he used his tongue to glide by her navel and headed south.
She opened her mouth to protest his complete possession of her, but his tongue flicked across the folds of her flesh, and she moaned instead. Jared chuckled at her response, and the reverberation of his voice against her skin caused Cat to grind her hips against the mattress.
She couldn’t let him dominate her so completely. She had to meet him as an equal. Cat gripped the edge of the mattress and pulled herself out from under him. Always, she had been a passive lover, but with Jared she wanted to be the aggressor. She wanted to shake him down to the soles of his feet. When he looked at her, she wanted him to quake.
He watched her as she rolled up onto her knees and began to stalk him. He swallowed. He looked nervous. Oh, that was good, Cat thought, very good. She placed one hand on his chest and pushed. He fell backward amidst the pillows, his eyes wide.
Cat pressed her lips to the inside of his knee, and gazed at him through her hair. He groaned. She flicked his skin with her tongue, and he began to shake. She smiled and skimmed her mouth up the inside of his thigh.
“Cat.” His voice held a note of warning, but it also held a plea for more. He fisted his hand in her hair, trying to pull her away. She forestalled him by taking him in her mouth. He writhed beneath her attention.
“Cat!” He released her hair and grabbed her about the waist, lifting her away from him.
He rolled until she was flattened beneath him, his chest heaving as he reached for the jeans he had dropped on the floor. Barely lifting off of her, he slid the condom on, cursing when his hands shook.
He pulled away just far enough to meet her gaze. His breath stalled in his throat. A woman shouldn’t look at a man like that, he thought desperately. Like he was everything she’d ever desired, like he was every fantasy she’d ever had. Jared loved that look. That was his look, she looked like that just for him, and for the way he made her feel.
She shouldn’t let him know so much, Jared thought as he eased himself back up across her body and lowered his lips to hers in a kiss designed to make her melt. She shouldn’t let him witness her love or taste her need, not if she wanted him to let her go. Because when she gazed at him like that, with all of her love shining in her eyes, he knew he could never leave her. She was his. That look was his. And he had no intention of losing either.
Parting her flesh with his fingers, he slid into her welcoming warmth. She arched into his first thrust, and Jared wanted to shout. She was as tight as a fist and as hot as fire. It made his entire body throb. Determined to go slowly, he gritted his teeth and forced himself to glide in and out of her. He didn’t want to rush this. He wanted to savor every sweet tortuous second.
Cat wasn’t feeling that cautious, however. She wrapped her long legs around his waist and arched her back as she pulled him more deeply into her. Jared tried not to succumb to her seductive heat, but when her nails raked his back, he couldn’t resist her.
With deep fast thrusts, he pumped into her, chasing her to the pinnacle of satiation. Only after her feminine muscles fisted around him in tight contractions, and she cried out his name as if it were wrung from her soul, did he follow her with his own shuddering climax.
He didn’t want to leave her, but he was afraid his enthusiasm might have bruised her. He glanced at the woman beneath him. Her eyes were closed, her breathing ragged, her lips parted in a serene smile that bespoke bliss.
Jared smoothed a rebellious curl back from her forehead. She was gorgeous in her passion, and he felt a surge of masculine pride in knowing he was the man who had brought her there. She was his. The sooner she realized that the better off they’d be.
Her eyes blinked open and she caught him studying her. “What are you thinking?” she asked.
Jared knew she wasn’t ready to hear it. Her blue-green gaze was watching him with a wariness that told him what he didn’t want to know. She wasn’t ready to admit to any feelings between them. Not yet.
With a sigh, he lied, “I’m thinking you shouldn’t live alone.”
“What?” Her eyes popped open, and she tried to shove him off her.
“It isn’t safe.” Jared frowned, ignoring her efforts to dislodge him.
“Don’t say another word.” She glared at him, her voice growl-deep and furious.
“It was just an observation.” He relented and rolled off her. He cupped her chin and kissed her hard and quick. “Don’t get riled. I just care about you.”
In spite of herself, Cat felt her heart soften toward him. He cared about her. Since when was that a bad thing?
“Well, all right,” she conceded. “But don’t get any ideas about trying to protect me. I can take care of myself, and I intend to prove it.”
“I know, honey,” Jared said as he hauled her off the bed and began to thread her arms back into her shirt. “I’ll give you time.”
Cat wasn’t sure if that was a threat or a promise. Jared ignored her while he finished dressing her sans underwear. He remained naked, and Cat tried not to notice how utterly perfect he was. Her throat tightened, and she had to force herself to leave the room, afraid that if she didn’t, she’d wind up in bed with him again.
She escaped the room with Jared’s chuckle ringing in her ears. She found Lucy in the kitchen chewing on a dish towel. Retrieving the soggy rag from her with a halfhearted reprimand, she let her gaze roam over the kitchen.
White cabinets covered two walls and the floor was done in large square Saltillo tile. A breakfast bar stood like an island in the center of the room, and Cat delighted in the copper cookware that hung from the ceiling over it. A note sat in the center of the table and she scooped it up.
Dear Cat,
Welcome home! I hope you love my place as much as I know I’m going to love yours. There is a pizza in the freezer and a bottle of pop in the fridge. I’ll call you as soon as I get to your place. I can’t believe we really pulled this off.
Enjoy your adventure!
Love, Sally
Cat smiled as she put the note back. If she told Sally how her trip had turned out, Sally would never believe her. She could hardly believe it herself.
A screened porch led off the kitchen, and looking beyond it, Cat was thrilled to see the beautiful kidney-shaped pool and patio in the side yard. Turning back, she followed the steps from the kitchen to the large sunken living room that took up the rest of the house. Like the bedroom, it was decorated in blond woods and rich Southwestern patterns.
Sliding glass doors at the end of the room led to a backyard with a lush lawn surrounded by citrus trees. Lucy sat beside the door, her tail thumping as she gazed at her new yard.
“All right,” Cat muttered and unlatched the door. “But don’t get into any trouble.”
Jared’s hands slipped around her waist and pulled her back against his chest. She wasn’t startled, for even though she hadn’t seen him, she’d sensed he was there.
She shouldn’t let herself feel this way, she thought. She wasn’t ready. She had yet to prove that she could be alone, and she had to do that before she could find contentment anywhere else. Reluctantly, she tried to pull out of his embrace. His arms tightened reflexively about her as if sensing her desire to escape. He placed a soft kiss in her curls and then let her go.
“Do you want me to drive you out to your ranch now?” she asked.
“No, it’s late,” he answered as he followed her through the open glass doors and out into the yard. “We can do that tomorrow.”
“All right,” she agreed, annoyed by the relief that swept through her. The sun was just beginning to set and the air was still scorchingly hot. She walked to the center of the small yard and glanced out across the neighborhood. Over the red tiles roofs, a range of purple-hued mountains were visible in the distance. Cat marveled at their sculpted features. This was certainly different from anything she’d ever known.
Her gaze strayed back to Jared. Wearing only jeans, he was on his knees, wrestling with Lucy. Though his hand was bigger than her head, he was incredibly gentle with the little dog. Cat felt her throat tighten. Oh brother, she was lost again. Lost in love with this wickedly handsome cowboy.
And what would her brother say about that? She knew Cameron considered Jared one of his closest friends, but would he approve of their...whatever this was? Not in this lifetime or any other. Well, too bad. If he didn’t approve, he shouldn’t have thrown them together in the first place. So there!
With new determination, she strode over to the two rascals rolling on the grass. Lucy was standing on Jared’s chest, looking very much like the big conqueror, until Jared grabbed the puppy around the middle and leapt to his feet. Dangling from Jared’s arm, Lucy looked about as chagrined as Cat felt.
Laughing with empathy, she rescued her puppy and led the way back into the house. “I don’t know about you two, but I’m starving.”
Dinner was eaten swiftly and with gusto. When Jared scooped Cat up and hauled her to bed, she put up a half-hearted protest about having to unload the van. He kissed her silent and spent the rest of the night making love to her. It was well into morning before Cat finally got some rest.
Cat awoke to find the other half of the bed empty. The pillow still bore the imprint of his head. Cat placed her hand there, seeking his warmth. It was cold. Loneliness filled her. So this was what it was like to be without him. She felt lost. Alone. Miserable.
She pulled her hand back. She would miss him. The sight of his dimpled grin, the scent of him, the feel of his rough hands on her skin, the sound of his deep reluctant voice, and the taste of his kiss – he filled every one of her senses until she was overflowing with him. How had he captured her heart so swiftly and so thoroughly? And how would she keep it from breaking when they said goodbye?
She started when a thump sounded down the hall. The bedroom door eased open, and she snatched the sheet up to cover herself as Jared strode into the room, carrying her suitcase.
Her heart pounded triple time, and a ridiculous grin lit up her face. Just the sight of him brought her an unequaled rush of joy.
“What are you smiling at, sleepyhead?” He returned her grin.
“You,” she whispered.
Jared felt a knot of heat tighten within him. The power she had over him stunned him. Just the sight of her lying in bed caused him to ache. Her caramel hair curled about her face in wild disarray and her lips looked kissably full, but it was her enormous eyes that were his undoing. They whispered the words that she would not say.
With a fierce growl, he dropped the bag and approached the bed. He hauled her naked body up against him, and his lips flattened hers in a kiss that was hot, wet and utterly possessive. When Cat went limp against him, he released her mouth and smiled in approval.
She was his. She belonged to him as no one else ever had, as no one else ever would. But Jared knew better than to try to rein her in too soon. She was running like a mare feeling freedom for the first time. She needed to tire herself out before he could claim her. Jared was patient. He could give her all the time she needed. But she would come to him, she would marry him, and they would be together.
He let her sink into the mattress, while bracing his hands on each side of her head. The desire to strip and crawl into the bed with her was overwhelming, but he resisted. She had to be tired from the previous night, and he’d be damned if he’d take advantage of her. Besides, he feared if he was with her now, he might never let her go.
In a husky voice that reeked of sexual promise, he crooned, “If you want breakfast, be dressed and in the kitchen in ten minutes.” With another swift kiss, he stalked out of the bedroom, leaving a bemused Cat sighing after him.
Breakfast consisted of pancakes, bacon, juice and coffee. Cat was pleased to discover that Jared was quite a cook. He’d also been a very busy man. Not only had he gone grocery shopping, but he’d also unpacked and cleaned the van. He’d left piles of boxes for her to sort through in the guest room, the den, and the living room.
Cat was disgruntled to have him doing all of her chores for her. The man was too competent by far. She supposed she should tell him just that, but one look at his broad shoulders, strong hands and devilish dimples, and she was rendered speechless.
The man was perfect. There was no other fit description for him. And she was going to miss him terribly.
“I suppose we should turn the van in,” she said, trying not to sound depressed and failing miserably. “And I should take you home.”
She turned from the sink to find Jared grinning at her. Great, all she had to do was mention home, and the man became deliriously happy. He probably couldn’t wait to be rid of her. She turned back to the sink and began to exorcise her temper on the dishes.
“Uh, Cat.” Jared’s deep voice tickled her ear as he leaned his large frame against her back, propping his chin on her shoulder. “I think that’s the plate’s pattern you’re trying to scrub away.”
Cat stared at the sparkling dish in her hand. “I knew that,” she snapped.
“I’m going to miss you, too,” he said, sounding pleased and not bothering to suppress his laughter.
They spent the day returning the van and driving all over Copper Creek in Sally’s SUV. Jared dragged her about town, introducing her to people he knew and pointing out things he thought she should know – the bank, the route she should take to school, the local grocery store, even the garage to take her car to if she had any trouble. And if that wasn’t enough, they stopped at the town hall to pick up information pamphlets about Copper Creek and the surrounding area.
When Cat protested, Jared said, “I just don’t want you to miss anything.”
“In a town with only four main roads, that would be difficult even for me,” she retorted. The dubious look he sent her would have been insulting if it hadn’t been so funny.
It was late afternoon before she finally convinced him it was time to head home. Jared resisted, but when she threatened to pull over and make him walk, he relented.
They returned to the house to pack up Jared’s belongings. After taking Lucy for a long walk, they left for the ranch. West of town, they turned off the main road and traveled down a dirt strip for several miles before it came into sight.
An enormous two-story stucco mansion dominated the view, and Cat found herself gaping at it in wonder. Several large buildings were spread out behind it, but it was the main house that captivated her.
“It’s like something out of a novel,” she said. “It’s beautiful.”
“My father built it for my mother,” Jared told her. “It’s too big for my taste. I want my sister to have it.”
“That’s generous of you,” Cat observed, turning off the dirt road and onto the gravel driveway. Huge cottonwoods lined the drive which swept in a circle in front of the house.
Cat pulled the car to a stop and turned to face Jared. “I want to thank you for traveling with me.”
“Not necessary,” Jared answered as he opened his door and stepped out. No goodbye kiss? Cat frowned when he slammed the door shut.
She watched him walk around the front of the car. He opened the door, giving her no choice but to get out. “I want you to meet my family,” he explained.
“I can’t,” she said, scrambling to straighten her wayward hair.
Jared grabbed her hand and pulled her out of her seat. “Of course you can.”
“But...” She began to protest when the sound of horse hooves pounding the earth brought her attention up short.
The woman galloping toward them was one of the most beautiful women Cat had ever seen. She was lithe and lovely, her hair was a thick raven mane that flowed behind her like a banner. She and the dark brown mare beneath her moved in perfect rhythm, as if they were extensions of each other.
Just scant feet away from them, she brought her horse to a halt with a spray of gravel and gracefully leapt to the ground. She was taller than Cat, and her curves were a nauseatingly perfect hourglass.
“Welcome home!” she cried and threw her arms about Jared’s neck. Cat wanted to kick her. Jared didn’t appear to have any such inclination. He hugged the woman close, and Cat could have sworn she heard him tell her he loved her. Jealousy twisted its way through her gut, and she cursed herself for being such an idiot.
She eyed the chocolate-brown horse beside her dolefully. Did she really think Jared had no women in his life? The man was perfect, for Pete’s sake. She probably had a whole swarm of women after him.
“Now, would you like to tell me why you were galloping top speed down the driveway?” Jared bellowed at the woman, and Cat was suddenly grateful not to be on the receiving end of his attention.
“It’s all right, big brother.” The woman smiled at the giant looming over her. “I have my doctor’s permission.”
Brother? Cat’s ears pricked up like Lucy’s at the word dinner.
“In writing?” Jared scowled as he reached behind him to pull Cat forward.
“Yes.” The beautiful girl laughed.
“All right, but I want to see it,” he threatened. “Cat, this is my sister, Jessica. Jess, this is Cat.”
“Nice to meet you.” Jess turned and clasped Cat’s hand warmly in hers. “I swear I don’t know how you put up with him for eight days. If I’d been you, I’d have dumped him off in Ohio.”
Cat laughed, noting that Jess’s sparkling blue eyes were an exact replica of Jared’s. His sister. She knew she’d like this woman the minute she saw her.
“It’s nice to meet you, too,” she answered.
“You’re just in time for dinner. I heard Rosa ringing the chow bell. That’s why I was in such a rush,” Jess said, patting her horse’s neck. “You’ll have to stay and tell us all of your adventures on the trip.”
“There weren’t really any adventures to speak of,” Cat answered politely.
When Jared began to choke behind his fist, Jess lifted an eyebrow in doubt. Cat gave him a quick jab with her elbow. “Isn’t that right, Jared?”
“Oh, definitely.” He winked at his sister. “It was an awfully dull trip.”
Jess let out a low, deep laugh. Leading her horse toward one of the buildings in back of the house, she said, “Tell Dad I’ll be in as soon as I can. I want to give Trixie a good rubdown.”
“Sure,” Jared agreed and turned to take Cat’s arm. “Are you all right with staying for dinner?”
“Oh, you mean I have a choice?” she asked.
“No.” He shook his head. “I just wanted to know how you felt about it.”
“I guess that depends on what we’re having,” she sassed him, delighting in his grin. She didn’t dwell on the fact that she was feeling unaccountably relieved to spend more time with him.
The interior of the house was sparsely decorated, but with a decided Western flare. It wasn’t like the Santa Fe style that filled her new home, it was somehow more authentic. Just inside the front door a wide staircase swept up to the left while another set of steps led down into an enormous sunken living area.
The colors were vibrant shades of red, blue, green and black. A large leather U-shaped sofa filled the room and faced an enormous stone fireplace that took up most of the left wall. The mantle was covered in trophies and ribbons, and the walls were decorated with photos of what Cat assumed were the ranch’s prize horses.
“You’ve won all of these?” she asked in awe.
“Yes. Every one,” he said with a grin.
“Don’t listen to a word he says,” a deep voice advised.
Cat turned to see an imposing man standing in the doorway. He was almost as large as Jared, his skin was tanned and his midnight-black hair was peppered with silver. His eyes were beautiful. Like Jared’s and Jess’s, they gleamed like blue topaz.
Cat warmed to him immediately. “I’ve noticed that about your son. You can’t believe a word that comes out of his mouth.”
“Ah, so you’ve learned this about him in the short time you’ve spent together.” Mr. McLean shook his head in mock regret as he came to stand beside her. His eyes twinkled as he asked, “What has he said to make you believe this of him?”
“Well, he led me to believe that he was a poor rancher, living in little more than a thatched hut,” she said.
“I did not,” Jared protested. “That was your brother’s idea.”
“See how he refuses to take responsibility.” Cat looked playfully at Jared’s father. “It’s so sad.”
“What else?” Mr. McLean asked, trying to hold back his laughter at his son’s glare.
“Well, he might try to convince you that I have a problem with my sense of direction, but I can assure you, it’s just another one of his outrageous fibs.” Cat patted the man’s arm in teasing conspiracy.
“You couldn’t find the way out of a paper bag if you punched your way out,” Jared retorted in annoyance.
“See?” Cat directed a pointed look at his father.
Booming laughter fell from the man’s lips, and he boisterously threw an arm around Cat’s shoulders. “I take it you’re Catherine Levery?” Turning to Jared, he said, “I like this girl. When are you going to marry her?”
“As soon as she’ll have me,” Jared answered, his temper transforming into a deep dimpled grin.
Mr. McLean released a sputtering Cat to hug Jared. “Welcome home, son.”
Dinner was served on the verandah, which was as long as the house and half as wide. The meal was lively, and Cat was warmed by the affection so obvious between all of the McLeans. It reminded her of her own family, and she was surprised to discover that instead of making her homesick, it made her feel welcome.
“So, Cat,” Jess said, between bites of her fajita, “how long will you be staying in Arizona?”
“Until next summer,” Cat said. “My colleague and I have switched positions for the school year.”
Mr. McLean and Jess exchanged a look that left Cat exasperated and Jared grinning.
“They’re incorrigible,” she muttered to Jared. “Now I know where you get it from.”
“Forgive us.” Mr. McLean smiled at Cat. “It’s just that we’re so pleased to meet you.”
“Jess,” Jared said, changing the subject. “Did I tell you what Cat said when she saw Copper Creek for the first time?”
“What?” Jess and Cat asked in unison.
“She said she half expected to see the local sheriff and his faithful deputy strolling down Main Street looking for a shoot-out.”
Jess blinked and then let out a whoop of laughter. Jared and Mr. McLean joined her. Cat frowned at them in confusion and asked, “And just what’s so funny about that?”
Jess waved a hand at her. “I’m sorry, it’s just that, for all intents and purposes, I’m the faithful deputy.”
“You’re kidding.” Cat bit her lip and felt her cheeks heat in embarrassment. She turned to Jared and scowled. “I can’t believe you told them, you squealer.”
Jared turned his gaze to his sister. “Well, I was kind of hoping she’d change her mind.”
“Not a chance,” she retorted. “As soon as I’m healed, I’m reporting for duty.”
“Healed?” Cat repeated in surprise.
It was Jess’s turn to flush now. “I...it...oh, damn.”
Jared took pity on his sister and explained, “Jess is recovering from a gunshot wound.”
“Oh, no,” Cat gasped. “Are you all right?”
“Fine, thanks,” Jess answered, looking rueful.
“But how...?” Cat dropped her fork onto her plate and fixed her gaze on Jess.
“Did I forget to mention how tenacious Cat is when she wants to know something?” Jared teased, deftly catching the napkin Cat tossed at his head.
“I used to be one of Phoenix’s finest,” Jess began. “But my career was cut short when I got embroiled in a drug bust that went bad. It was supposed to be an easy arrest, but in law enforcement things are seldom as easy as they seem. I took a bullet through my shoulder, and my partner was seriously injured.”
Cat saw the stark pain flicker across Jess’s features. Her black brows drew together and with a deep breath, she seemed to get herself under control. Cat wanted to reach out to her, but she suspected the overture wouldn’t be welcome.
“Anyway, with a little nudging from Dad and Jared, I decided to work in Copper Creek instead,” Jess said. “So, I left Phoenix and came home.”
“A little nudging, eh?” Cat asked.
“Like a pair of bulldozers.” Jess’s eyes brightened, and she laughed.
“I know the feeling,” Cat said. “I have a bulldozer of a brother myself.”
“Hey, Cameron might be a bulldozer, but I have more finesse,” Jared protested.
“Finesse?” Jess gawked. “You have about as much finesse as a wrecking ball. Nag, nag, nag. You’re like a cranky mama hen pecking at her chicks.”
“I am not,” Jared protested.
“Are, too,” Jess said.
“Am not,” he said.
“Are, too,” she said.
“Children,” Mr. McLean interrupted them, and Cat burst out laughing.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “But I’m having a flashback from the trip.”
She and Jared looked at each other and grinned. “The Bickersons,” they said in unison.
“Who?” Jess asked.
“This looney couple we kept running into on the trip,” Cat said. “We first met them in Ohio, where they did nothing but squabble, and then we kept seeing them on the road. We even had to make a getaway in the mountains because we got so paranoid that they were following us.”
“Following you?” Jess asked, frowning with concern.
Cat recounted all of their encounters with the Bickersons.
“What do you make of the different RVs we saw them in?” Jared asked.
“Sounds like grand theft to me,” Jess said. “I’ll look into it and see if anything has been reported. If they have some kind of a stolen RV ring going, you two might be able to help out by giving a description.”
“Let me know what you find out,” Cat said.
“I will,” Jess promised.
A soft breeze cooled the night air, and Cat felt a deep sense of contentment fill her as she sipped her coffee and watched the sun disappear behind the mountainous horizon. As if sensing her mood, Jared reached between their chairs and laced his fingers with hers. Cat made no move to resist. Knowing she would have to leave soon, she squeezed his fingers in return. Just to let him know she cared.
All too soon, it was time for her to go home. She rose reluctantly from her seat. Both Mr. McLean and Jess rose with Jared to walk her out. The conversation continued through the living room until they stopped at the front door.
“Come and visit again soon,” Mr. McLean ordered her as he kissed her cheek.
“I will,” Cat agreed.
“And if ever you need me, you know where to find me.” Jess winked at her.
“Strolling down Main Street,” Cat teased and wished them a good night as Jared took her arm and led her out of the house.
“I like your family,” she told him.
“They like you, too,” he said. “Give me the keys.”
“What?”
“I’m going to drive you to the end of the dirt road and make sure you’re headed in the right direction,” he explained.
“I don’t think so.” She shook her head at him.
“You’ll get lost.”
“I will not,” she argued. “You’ve got to have a little faith in me, Jared McLean.”
“I do,” he said. “That’s why I’m letting you go.”
Cat glanced at him and felt herself go still. He’d meant it. What he’d said to his father about marrying her. It was in his eyes like a silent promise. He loved her. He believed in her. He wanted to marry her!
“All right, how do you get home from here?” Jared asked, interrupting her thoughts. Cat described the route in vivid detail. He made her describe it again before he was satisfied, but he finally relented.
Cat didn’t admit that she’d intentionally memorized the way because she’d wanted to know how to get to him. She didn’t think his ego needed that much of a boost.
“Call me when you get home,” he admonished.
“No,” she argued. “I appreciate your concern, but I’m on my own now, and I want to act like it.”
“Oh, darling, I’m going to miss you,” he said.
“I’m going to miss you, too,” she whispered.
Jared took her hand and pulled her close. She wasn’t ready for a commitment yet, he could accept that, but he was going to make damn sure she knew how he felt about her. And if he couldn’t tell her, he would show her. He cupped her chin in one hand and planted a kiss on her that made her knees buckle. He caught her before she fell.
“It’s not over yet, sweetheart,” he promised. “Not even close.”