Chapter 46
Trey
Jessie looks out the window from the passenger seat, trying to guess where we’re going.
I told her it was a surprise and refused to give her any hints. Even when she threatened me with withholding sex, I refused to budge. I’m too excited; it has to be a surprise.
We’ve officially been in a relationship for one month, and I decided this was the best way to celebrate.
I make her cover her eyes as we pull into the parking lot of the animal rescue center.
I get out and jog around to open her door and help her down.
I wait until I have her facing their sign to uncover her eyes.
It takes her a second to read it and process what we’re doing here, but once she does, she gasps and grabs my arm. “You better not tell me we’re only here to volunteer.”
“I mean, I can sign you up.” I grin and drop to one knee. “Jessie Hawkins, will you do me the honor of adopting a dog with me?”
She laughs at my theatrics, bouncing up and down on her toes. “Yes! Of course!”
I stand up and kiss her, hoping none of the employees are watching out the window thinking we just got engaged.
“You’re sure? A dog is a big commitment. What if it doesn’t work with the job I find?”
“I’m positive. We’re going to be great dog parents. Besides, rodeo people take their dogs everywhere, so either way, we’re covered.”
After initial introductions and filling out paperwork, we’re led back to the kennels. “What kind of dog are you thinking?” I ask Jessie as she smiles at a lab mix through the kennel door.
She taps her chin. “Hm . . . maybe a small or medium sized dog would be easier to travel with?”
“That sounds perfect.” I wrap my arm around her, content to let her pick any dog she wants as long as it makes her happy.
Three weeks later, we stand on opposite ends of the main living space with Pickle—our six-month-old beagle cross puppy—sitting between us.
“He for sure loves me more.” I cross my arms, making eye contact with him.
“Keep telling yourself that,” Jessie says from across the room.
We plan to learn once and for all: Who does Pickle love best?
Counting down from ten, we both start frantically calling his name.
Pickle jumps up, looking back and forth between us.
He seems more frightened by our behavior than enamored.
Ignoring both of us, he goes after his spiky ball, running to it and slapping it with his paws before biting it. He squeaks it twice and tosses it in the air only to pummel it again, almost knocking over the cherry tomato plant Jessie surprised me with.
“Huh. Well, I guess the ball is his true love.” I shrug.
“We feed you, house you, love you, and this is how you repay us?”
“Yeah, I got you a pup cup last week.” I take the ball from him and throw it down the hallway.
“You got him a pup cup without me?” Jessie swats the back of my head.
Oops. I forgot that was our little secret.
I raise my hands in surrender. “I didn’t mean to. I stopped for a coffee, and he looked at me with those big brown eyes. You try saying no to that little puppy face.”
A sly smile crosses her face. “It’s fine, I took him to the doggy bakery while you were at the ranch the other day.”
I gasp in mock horror and lunge for her. Grabbing her by the waist, I pull her to me. “Look at us! It’s only been three weeks, and we’re already fighting dirty. I will win his love. You may as well give up now.”
“Never. But you realize he can love us both, right?” She kisses my neck.
“Seducing me isn’t going to work—I have the will of an ox.”
“Ooh, big, strong man.” She kisses the other side of my neck, unbuckling my belt at the same time.
Be strong, be strong. Her hand dips under my shirt, running up my abs.
“Fuck it, you win.” I pick her up, carry her to the bedroom, and kick the door shut behind me. I lay Jessie on the bed and settle over her as a scratch and whimper sounds at the door.
“Aw, poor Pickle. You shut him out.”
I turn, glaring at the door on the other side of which waits the little cockblock. “Go play with your ball. Mommy and Daddy need some alone time.”
Jessie’s laugh turns to a moan when I kiss her, fisting her hair.
If I get to spend the rest of my life kissing this woman, loving her and building a life together . . . That’s more than enough for me. We may have stumbled into this relationship, but I’m never letting it go.
Jessie Hawkins and I were made for each other.
I am not built for this. It’s mid-November and it’s freezing. “Whatever happened to fall? That’s still a season, right?” I yell coming through the back door. I hear Jessie laugh from the living room.
“Yes, honey, it’s still a season. But this is Colorado. Fall is more like pretty leaves with winter temperatures.”
Honey.
She started calling me that a couple weeks ago, and I’m here for it.
“I’m a Southern boy; I’m not built for this,” I whine and frown at her as I enter the living room.
“You’ll be okay,” she coos mockingly.
“I think we need to strip naked and cuddle for warmth.” I wink at her.
“No. We have made absolutely no progress on this project because someone won’t stop taking my clothes off.” She tries to glare at me, but I see the corner of her lips twitch.
“What can I say? I work best naked.”
“If I walk around this corner and your dick is out, I will never come over to help you again,” Knox yells from the kitchen. Jessie and I burst out laughing as Kacey drags him into the living room.
“Hey guys, thanks for coming,” Jessie greets everyone as Pickle comes hauling ass down the hallway to greet them. This is the first time I’ve seen her fully relaxed and comfortable with someone besides me in her space. She’s overcome so much since I moved in this spring. I’m so happy for her.
“So, what’s the plan?” Kacey asks, looking around the main living space that’s been emptied of furniture. The old trim has been removed, and the walls freshly painted. I even did one accent wall Jessie had pinned on her Pinterest board, and she loves it. All that’s left is putting in the new trim.
“Well, I’m glad you asked,” I start. “I got all the trim stained and sealed earlier this week. Barbra said—”
Knox groans dramatically. “Not Barbra again.”
“Yes, Barbra again. She is the DIY queen, and you will show her your respect.” I continue laying out the plan for the trim in the living and dining space, which includes making Knox watch one of Barbra’s TikToks. Was that completely necessary? Not at all. But it is entertaining.
Several hours later, the dining and living room are finished. Knox and I have moved into the guest bedroom while the girls clean and move furniture back.
“Knock knock!” Cody hollers from the back door. A little red heeler bursts into the room, Rein. Pretty soon I hear her and Pickle wrestling in the living room.
Jessie laughs, encouraging them. Pickle has brought her so much joy. No matter what he chews up or pees on, I’ll never regret adopting him.
Pretty soon, I overhear the voices of Cody, Carson, and Lainey chatting with Jessie and Kacey in the living room.
“She seems good,” Knox observes without looking up from the tape measure he’s running down the wall.
“Yeah, it gets a little better every day. She still misses Gran—she always will—but she’s slowly realizing she still has an entire family here who loves her.”
“Speaking of the L word. You tell her yet?”
I chuckle. Knox has never been one to beat around the bush. “Not exactly.”
“What does that mean? You either have or you haven’t.”
“I haven’t said those exact words, okay? Our relationship hasn’t been official that long . . . What if she doesn’t say it back?”
“Would that change the fact that you love her?” he asks quietly.
“No, of course not.”
“Then there’s your answer. She’ll say it when she’s ready, but don’t let that stop you.” I think about what he says while we finish installing trim in the guest bedroom. After that, we call it quits for the day and join everyone in the dining room.
“We should all go for one last ride up the mountain before the cold weather hits and the pass closes,” Kacey suggests.
Knox and I start to wash up.
“News flash: The cold weather has hit.” I shiver.
“You’re such a baby. You’ll have to toughen up if you’re going to live here,” Carson grumbles.
“There are rodeos down south all winter. If anyone needs me, you can find me there.”
I come up behind Jessie and wrap my arms around her, planting a kiss on her temple.
“Quit bickering and let’s eat. Lainey made dessert, and I’m dying to try it.” Cody grabs a plate, and we all follow suit.
It feels good having everyone here. Jessie went through another rough phase of grief when we got back from Texas, but she’s been doing well the last couple of weeks. We’ll all have good days and bad missing Dot, but we know how she’d want us living, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.
Daryl has been charged with more crimes since his arrest and is still being held without bail in part due to his threats to Jessie’s welfare on the day of his arrest. The police have kept us updated on his case and related court dates since Jessie will need to testify, but he’s behind bars until then at the least, and she’s safe. That’s the important thing.
After quitting her job, Jessie started looking for something different but hasn’t found anything yet. She works a couple of shifts a week at the coffee shop for Lainey, but that’s not her dream job—she just needs some time to find it.
I was relentless when it came to her letting me pay the bills. She’s worked too hard, for too long, and with Gran gone, her bills are next to nothing. I want her to take some time for herself and figure out what’s next in her life—what she’s excited to run toward, not away from.
She plans to join me a couple of times this winter and see me at stock shows. She’ll also go to Las Vegas with me. I can’t wait to have her by my side at the National Finals.
A few days ago, she let me read the letter Gran left her, and I plan to do everything in my power not only to help her live an amazing life, but to love her well. Because I love Jessie Hawkins more than anything in the world.
It’s late when everyone leaves. I find Jessie standing in the middle of the living room with tears in her eyes. “Hey, baby. What’s wrong? Come here.” I hug her tightly.
She pulls back, turning to look around the space. “Nothing is wrong. They’re happy tears.” She gestures to the accent wall, new flooring, and trim. “It looks like my Pinterest board. You made it look like my Pinterest board.”
I smile. “Of course I did. Don’t you know by now I’d do anything for you?” I cup her face and look into her hazel eyes. “I love you, Jessie.”
She sucks in a breath before planting a kiss on me, deep and long. “I love you, too.”
My heart feels so full it might burst. Eight months ago, I never looked any further into my future than the next rodeo, but with Jessie, all I think about is the amazing future we’ll have together.
“We need new rules.”
She shakes her head, laughing. “I think we’re a little past roommate rules.”
“These aren’t roommate rules, baby.” I kiss the tip of her nose and run to grab paper.
I’m ready to start the next chapter of our forever.