Chapter 21
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Today was a big step forward as far as Hallie was concerned. Tate and Jason had offered to take Jacob to his therapy appointment and then afterward Faith, Brent, and Hallie agreed to meet them for some food.
Jacob seemed to be acting more like his old self. Hallie could see the subtle changes as he continued to gain his strength and mobility back.
They’ve been spending a lot more time going for walks around his property and even going out on dates in town. The more time he spent with his friends, the happier he was. She hadn’t realized just how much she missed this side of him until she saw it again.
She just needed to finish putting away some of the photographs she’d been collecting before she could go meet everyone for dinner.
Jacob had mentioned that he thought she might want to create a scrapbook of sorts to put all her pictures in, but that was just his sneaky way of telling her to make a portfolio.
Hallie let it slide.
As much as Jacob wanted to keep their dating life separate from their personal goals, they both knew it was impossible. Caring about each other’s interests was what strengthened their relationship.
Hallie’s hand paused over a picture she’d taken of him while he was still in his neck brace and cast. She picked up the print and traced her finger over Jacob’s forlorn expression.
Her heart had broken for him that day. He’d seemed so lost but she hadn’t expected anything less.
He’d recently started working on his mobility and taking a walk outside had been a trial all its own.
So, despite her trying to point out how much he’d accomplished, he’d only scowled and made an off-hand comment that he didn’t need to be coddled like a toddler.
Maybe she should bring the picture with her to show him just how much things had changed. Back when she’d taken this picture, the future seemed so far away. But now? His physical therapist could sign off on him returning to work.
She shook her head and put the picture into the box where she kept the others. Then she hurried through the house to grab her keys and jacket.
The weather was getting colder. They were only a few months away from the competition and Jacob would need every last bit of extra time to practice if he wanted to be comfortable in the saddle again. Time seemed to have sped up, but wasn’t that how it always went?
Hallie hadn’t gotten a message from Jacob about him ending his workout early, so she headed that direction. She’d surprise him so they could drive to the restaurant together rather than meet there.
When she arrived at the physical therapist’s location, she noticed Tate’s truck in the parking lot and she smiled. In all likelihood, they’d be doing some cool down exercises like stretching or walking.
She entered the building and nodded to the receptionist who was on the phone.
She gestured toward the door leading to the gym and Hallie headed that way.
The second she entered the space, she caught sight of the three men.
They were on the far side of the room and the way they were seated meant she’d be able to sneak up on them. No mirrors reflected her approach.
On quiet feet, she moved toward them. Was it the best idea to jump on Jacob’s back? Probably not. But he was so much stronger than before, and it wasn’t like he hadn’t given her a piggyback or two when they’d gone on their hikes.
Only, the closer she got, the more of their conversation she heard.
And that was what stopped her dead in her tracks.
“I don’t know…” Jacob murmured. “I’m not sure I should go back.”
“Not go back to the rodeo? Why?” Tate demanded with surprise.
Jason stared, stunned as well.
Hallie couldn’t move. She’d known that he wasn’t certain of his future, and he didn’t want her to pressure him, but to not have faith in himself? It didn’t make sense.
“Are you scared you’re going to get hurt again?” Jason asked.
It was a reasonable question, and one Hallie desperately wanted the answer to.
Jacob sighed and shook his head. “It’s not that…”
“Then what is it? I’ve heard you talking to the Doc. He said there isn’t any reason why you can’t perform like you used to. It might take time to get back into the swing of things—”
“It’s not that either.” This time Jacob sounded exasperated.
It reminded her of the way he’d spoken to her when she’d asked him about his plans for the future.
Part of her wanted to storm into their little group and put the guys in their place.
Didn’t they know that Jacob didn’t want to talk about this sort of thing?
But then Jacob’s quiet words knocked the wind out of her.
“I don’t want her getting hurt.”
Jacob’s friends studied him. Based on their demeanors, they knew who he was talking about. His girlfriend. The woman who was eavesdropping on their current conversation. Suddenly, she felt sick to her stomach. She shouldn’t be here.
As quickly as she could, she spun around and hurried toward the door. She was almost there when she heard that familiar timbre call after her. “Hallie? Where are you going?”
She stopped in her tracks then turned slowly, praying her face wasn’t flushed as red as it felt. Offering the men a small wave, she squeaked out a, “Hey guys.” Then she thumbed over her shoulder. “I just realized I forgot to check that the car was locked.”
If she had to describe Jacob, she would have said he looked uneasy. Did he know she had overheard his conversation? If he did, it was likely he’d try to explain what he’d meant by not wanting to hurt her.
And she prayed that didn’t come to fruition.
“I’ll be right back… or you can just meet me out in the car. Whatever you want.”
Jacob took a step toward her, his brows knit together. Then he smiled but it wasn’t one of those big ones she loved so much. If anything, it was the kind he usually gave her when he wanted to reassure her that everything was going to be fine.
It sure didn’t feel like it would be.
“I’ll meet you out there,” he called.
Hallie nodded. Then she scurried away before he could see the unease he’d caused with his own concerns.
Why was he willing to talk to his friends about his job and their relationship, but he was keeping it from her?
Maybe she should just be happy that he was trying to protect her from the worst of it?
Whatever the reason, she needed to remind herself to trust him. Jacob had his reasons for what he was doing and she could give him the freedom to work it through. He’d shown more than once that he was capable of communicating with her.
But then that niggling feeling that this was just the start of the end cracked the fortress they’d been building together. Jacob had always prioritized his career. He’d said himself that the rodeo was everything to him. And if that meant he chose the rodeo over her?
Another splinter of pain cracked through her chest.
Then she’d take what she could get. Spending time with Jacob had been a dream.
He’d helped her to realize things about herself that changed her outlook on what was really important to her.
She wouldn’t regret what they’d built together.
Every last second would be worth the heartache that ending it would create.
By the time Jacob came out of the building, his demeanor had changed. He was laughing and joking around with the Dennison brothers. They bumped knuckles together then he climbed into the front passenger seat.
Without prompting, he leaned over, grasped her chin with his finger and thumb, then kissed her hard.
His display of affection left her breathless and aching for more.
This was the side of Jacob she loved so dearly.
The confident man who knew what he wanted and how he was going to go after it.
How could he think she was going to get hurt? He certainly wouldn’t cause her pain.
Not on purpose.
Understanding flooded her.
That had to be it.
Jacob was planning for the worst when it came to his job. He didn’t want her to get hurt if too much of a strain was put on their relationship.
Well, he’d soon find out that he didn’t have to worry about her. She’d show him that she could support him in whatever capacity he needed. If that meant that they had to deal with a long-distance relationship, she’d be the best girlfriend he could ever hope for.
He studied her and she could see the insecurity return to his eyes. But rather than make him talk about it, she did what he’d asked of her. She let him work through it the way he wanted to.
After dinner, they returned to his place.
“What do you say? Movie? Game? Chess?” Jacob seemed to be grasping for any way to avoid discussing whatever weighed on his mind.
Sighing inwardly, Hallie offered a smile. “Dealer’s choice.”
He jerked his chin toward the chess board. “It’s been a while.”
“It has,” she agreed. And boy, was he going to be surprised. She’d been practicing against the computer to improve her skill. Hopefully she wouldn’t lose in less than ten moves anymore.
She lost in eleven.
Jacob chuckled. “You’re getting better.”
“Clearly not by much,” Hallie scoffed. “How am I supposed to even beat you.”
“You’re never going to beat me at my own game, Hallie.”
“Then maybe it’s time I come up with a game for us to play where I have the upper hand.”
His eyes grew serious and they pierced right into her when he murmured, “You have the upper hand already, Hallie. More than you know.”
She tilted her head. “What is that supposed to mean?”
He shook his head and glanced back at the board. “Best two out of three?”
Snorting, Hallie got to her feet. “No thanks. I’d rather you not make a fool of me. I’m already dealing with plenty of that on my own.”
He frowned. “Hallie…”
Hallie waved a dismissive hand. “I’m exaggerating. I haven’t heard back from the competition. You know… that one where I submitted my picture? I think we were supposed to hear back by today and I haven’t heard a peep.”
“You never did show me what picture you chose to submit,” he reminded her. He’d asked about it a few times, but she’d brushed him off. Until she knew if she even reached the finals, she wasn’t ready for even Jacob to see what she’d considered her best work.
“I think it’s time we get some ice cream and snuggle on the couch. You can read or draw or something. And I’m going to finish that romance I’ve been too distracted to stick with.”
The mischievous curve of his mouth told her he knew exactly why she hadn’t managed to finish reading the book.
Each time she’d gotten into it, he’d been the one to pull her from the story.
One time he’d plucked the book from her fingers and read her the scene where the couple kissed for the first time.
Then another time, he’d pounced and tickled her until it turned into a pretty heavy make out session.
Other times were filled with requests to go for walks or rides on his property.
She held up a finger to warn him off. “I mean it, Jacob. I want to finish this book. No, I need to. Sammie has this book club meeting next week and I’m supposed to bring a book I’ve read from cover to cover that I can recommend.”
“Well, clearly you can’t recommend that one because it’s far too easy to distract you from finishing it.” He smirked triumphantly in her direction.
Hallie rolled her eyes. “If I have to tell the girls that you’re the reason I couldn’t stay focused then I’ll be telling a whole different story from the synopsis of a book they’re expecting.” She pulled out her phone when a notification pinged.
It was an incoming email and she swiped it open without thinking.
Her eyes bulged when she read the first line aloud. “Ms. Bronson, we are thrilled to inform you that your picture titled, Evening Cowboy has been chosen to enter the finalist stage of our photography competition.” Her eyes snapped up and clashed with Jacob’s.
He was grinning ear to ear as he charged toward her. “That’s amazing, baby!”
She squealed and threw herself into his arms. “I’m a finalist!”
Jacob spun her around the kitchen and they both laughed. He allowed her feet to touch the ground before he buried his face in her neck and murmured, “I knew you could do it.”
His warm breath and loving words had goosebumps starting all over her body. She clung to him tightly, not wanting to let go. “I couldn’t have done this without you,” she said, her voice breaking with a mixture of relief and excitement. “You’re the one who believed I could do it.”
“And you’re the one who had the courage to try,” he reminded her. Jacob pulled back and curled her hair behind both ears. “Does this mean you’re going to show me what you submitted now? If it’s good enough to reach the finals stage, that means it’s good enough to show me, right?”
She flushed so hot she knew she resembled a tomato.
Biting down on her lower lip, she inwardly cursed that she chose a picture of him.
The pictures of Jacob were her favorites because they seemed to encapsulate everything she loved about Rocky Ridge and country living. He was her muse. “Yeah, I guess I can.”