Chapter 21
twenty-one
Despite the cool breeze swirling through the cab of the truck from the cracked windows, I can’t seem to slow the beat of my racing heart. And I’m a little sweaty, which just adds to the frustration.
I can’t remember the last time I was this nervous. Jax said no pressure when it comes to us and sex this weekend, but I know it’s going to happen. I want it to. But since this was his idea, I’ll let him be the one to make the first move.
As we head east, leaving Lakeside behind, the landscape gradually changes, shifting from dense forests to rolling hills dotted with farms and ranches.
When we exit the main highway onto a long, winding dirt road, I roll my window down all the way, inhaling the crisp mountain air.
As the truck bounces and jostles through towering pines and sprawling meadows, something tight I hadn’t realized was coiled inside me starts to unwind.
“Almost there,” Jax says. The excitement in his voice makes me smile.
My stomach flutters with anticipation as he turns onto another dirt road, breath catching as we crest the next small hill.
Stretched below us is a picturesque valley framed by majestic mountains rising like sentinels against a clear blue sky.
The ranch itself is nestled at its base, featuring a collection of rustic wooden buildings arranged around a main house that resembles something straight out of an old-timey western.
“Oh, wow,” I breathe, leaning forward in my seat.
A wooden arch branded with the words “J & R Ranch,” rises above us in a graceful curve as my eyes, wide in amazement, take in the expansive property as we rumble down the gravel driveway.
The main house is a large, rustic two-story structure with a wraparound porch. To the left, there’s a massive red barn, with horses grazing in paddocks nestled in the middle of the sun-drenched fields nearby, manes flowing in the gentle breeze.
Scattered across the property are several smaller cabins, and off in the distance, a lake glitters in the afternoon sun.
“Jax, this is incredible,” I say, unable to keep the awe from my voice.
He looks at me, his expression softening in a way that makes my heart lurch, and grins. “Welcome to my home away from home.”
Dust billows around the truck as we pull up to the main house, and Jax cuts the engine.
Still a little nervous, I take a deep breath. This place clearly means a lot to him, and I’m about to meet people who are important to him. “Should we grab our bags?”
He shakes his head. “Nah. We’re not staying here in the main house, and I want you to meet Hollis and Meg first.”
I trail behind him as he marches up the stairs and onto the porch.
Up close, the house is even more impressive. Full of rustic charm, there are a few hanging plants, a wooden bench swing, a couple of well-worn rocking chairs, and what appear to be floor-to-ceiling windows.
Jax opens the door and steps inside. “Anybody home?”
“In the kitchen!” a woman calls from somewhere at the back of the house.
We make our way through a cozy living room with its massive stone fireplace surrounded by comfy-looking couches and chairs, into a large country kitchen.
The house feels warm and inviting, and the smell of something delicious hits my nose just as I see a petite older woman with silver-streaked dark hair pull a tray of cookies from the oven.
“Jax!” Setting the tray down with a clatter, she hurries over, wiping her hands on her apron before pulling him into a tight hug. “It’s so good to see you!”
“Hey, Meg.” He hugs her back with such genuine affection it makes my heart squeeze. “Where’s the old man?”
“Out in the barn, where else?” As she pulls back, her kind eyes shift over to me. “And who’s this lovely young lady?”
“This is my friend Sasha,” Jax explains, resting his hand on the small of my back. “Sasha, this is Meg, the heart and soul of J & R Ranch.”
I hold out my hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“We don’t shake hands around here, honey.” She pulls me into a warm hug, making me laugh.
I think I’m in love.
“Leave the poor girl alone, woman. You’re gonna scare her off before she even gets settled.”
The growly voice coming from behind me makes me turn around in surprise.
A burly man with a sun-weathered face and salt-and-pepper beard is standing in the doorway. Despite his gruffness, there’s a warmth in his eyes that immediately puts me at ease.
“You must be Hollis.”
He nods once, crossing his arms over his chest. “And you must be the girl Jax won’t shut up about.”
Heat rushes to my cheeks as Jax clears his throat. “Hollis,” he warns.
The older man just chuckles, stepping forward to clap Jax on the shoulder. “Good to see you, son.”
“You too, old timer.”
I watch the exchange, taken by the fondness they have for each other. It’s clear there’s history there. Then it hits me when I recall what Jax told me about how Hollis helped him with his recovery.
“Are you two hungry?” Meg asks as she starts moving the freshly baked cookies from the cookie sheet onto a cooling rack. “Lunch is just about ready.”
“Starving,” Jax answers as I nod in agreement.
The long drive has left my stomach growling. I was so nervous when I got up this morning, I was barely able to stomach my cup of coffee and yogurt.
“I’m so hungry I could eat a horse,” I blurt, then immediately clap my hand over my mouth, eyes widening in horror. “I mean—not a real horse!” I cringe. “Obviously.”
Jax bursts out laughing as Hollis’s eyebrows shoot up.
“Don’t worry, darlin’,” Meg says with a giggle. “Horses aren’t part of the menu here. I made beef stew and cornbread instead.”
Ushering us through the kitchen and to the dining room, she gestures for everyone to take a seat at a large, rustic wood table.
“This place is amazing.” My skin tingles with awareness as Jax pulls out my chair before settling into the one next to mine. “How long have you two been running it?”
“Going on thirty years now,” Hollis answers, taking his seat at the head of the table. “Started it with my brother Jack.”
“Jack passed about fifteen years ago,” Meg explains as she sets a steaming bowl of stew in front of me.
The rich aroma of beef, herbs, and vegetables makes my mouth water. I take a bite, letting out a small moan. “So good.”
“Meg’s cooking is legendary,” Jax says, tearing into a piece of cornbread as he waggles his eyebrows at me. “It’s the only reason I keep coming back, really.”
“Oh, hush,” she grins, giving his arm a playful swat.
Jax’s knee brushes against mine. The casual touch sends a little jolt up my spine, and I do my best to ignore it. But his continued subtle touches during the rest of the meal—a brush of an elbow, a flirty wink, his warm hand squeezing my thigh under the table—make it damn near impossible.
Even with all of that, lunch is fun and full of light banter about the ranch and what to expect during the next couple of days.
“So which cabin are we in?” Jax asks, reaching for a cookie as Meg sets the plate on the table after we’re finished with lunch. “I was thinking the Ponderosa would be nice. Sasha would love the view from up there.”
The caretakers exchange a quick glance, and Hollis suddenly finds his clasped hands resting on the tabletop very interesting.
Meg’s cheeks flush. “Well, about that...” she starts, her voice taking on a slightly sheepish tone.
Hollis clears his throat. “The Hamilton family called last minute. Their son’s having a rough time, so we squeezed them in. Had to shuffle some things around.”
Jax’s brow furrows. “So where are we staying?”
Meg hesitates. “The Aspen.”
He nearly chokes on his cookie. “The Aspen? Are you serious?”
“What’s wrong with it?” I ask, eyes bouncing between them.
“Nothing,” Meg hurries to assure me. “It’s actually our nicest cabin. It’s just...”
“It’s the honeymoon cabin,” Hollis finishes bluntly, a hint of amusement in his gruff voice. “Open concept. One king-sized bed. Two person shower.”
My eyes widen as I process this information. “Oh.”
Great. Just what I need. Stuck in a freaking honeymoon cabin with Jax.
Fuck you and your twisted fucking sense of humor, universe.
“It’s a special cabin,” Meg adds. Even though her expression appears apologetic, I swear I can see a hint of sparkle reflecting in her eyes.
I’m about to ask what makes the honeymoon cabin so special beyond the obvious one-bed, two-person shower situation when she claps her hands together.
“Now, don’t you two go worrying about that right now. Best you go and get settled. And don’t forget…” She gives Jax a pointed look. “…we’re having family dinner tonight at six,” she says, tone clear it’s non-negotiable.
“Family dinner?” I ask.
“It’s what we do with anyone who stays here,” Hollis explains. “Gives everyone a chance to get to know each other.”
“The ranch hands, counselors, and visitors all eat together,” Jax chimes in. “You’ll love it. Meg makes the best pot roast.”
“And cherry pie for dessert,” she smiles, eyes twinkling. “Jax’s favorite.”
His face lights up. “You know I’d never miss family dinner.”
“Good,” Hollis nods. “In the meantime, why don’t you show your friend around? The kids won’t be arriving until tomorrow, so you’ve got time.”
“That’s the plan.” Jax turns to me with a smile that makes my core clench. “You up for taking the tour?”
“Absolutely.”
“The Aspen is all set up,” Hollis says to Jax as he tosses him a key with a wink. “Fresh sheets were put on the bed just this morning.”