Chapter Five #2
Jared shrugged. “Hell, I don’t know. I don’t talk to her about personal stuff like that. But she’s never mentioned anyone. She’s got her hands full right now with working and raising a child on her own.”
“She’s beautiful,” Lauren said softly.
“I’ve noticed...”
Lauren grinned. “I was talking about Sienna this time.”
Jared rolled his eyes. His sister-in-law was messing with his head.
“But now that you mention it,” she added, “you haven’t met anyone quite so nice in a long while.”
“I didn’t mention it.”
Cooper chimed in. “Johnna’s been dropping by.”
“Coop, please... I’m not interested in Johnna. I’m not interested in anyone.”
Lauren covered his hand with hers. Now he was in deep trouble. “It’s just that you’re a great guy, Jared. You deserve to be happy.”
“I am happy. Or I will be as soon as I get the okay to drive again.”
Coop sighed. “You can barely walk.”
Jared glared at his brother. “I’m walking just fine.”
“You know what I think?” Lauren squeezed his hand. “I think that Bella may have been sent here, especially for you. Maybe your angel’s not through saving your life.”
“It sure was a blessing you were driving down that road that night,” Cooper said after forking a piece of chicken into his mouth. “Where were you coming from, Bella? I don’t think I’ve ever asked.”
Bella dabbed at Sienna’s mouth. The baby sat beside her in the dining room on a makeshift booster chair she’d concocted from a square pillow covered with a towel.
The juice from the chipotle peach dressing was dripping down the baby’s chin.
Her peach chicken dish was messy, but also very delicious.
All three of the Stones had already praised the meal.
“My friend Amy and I had taken Sienna to the Winter Wonderland festival off Highway 12. We stopped for a late dinner and Sienna had fallen asleep as soon as she got into the car.”
“Your lucky day,” Lauren said to Jared.
“I’m not disagreeing,” he replied, darting a glance at Bella, the gratitude in his eyes making her a bit uncomfortable. Or was it the heat she saw there that flustered her so much?
“How did Sienna like the festival?” Lauren asked. “She’s what? Two years old?”
“A bit younger. She’s twenty-two months and I think she liked all the colors and seeing Santa’s reindeers. She kept calling them horsies.”
“We’ll have to remedy that,” Jared said. “Tomorrow, I’ll show her the stables. She can see our string of horses.”
Bella blinked and bit her lip.
“Are you up for that?” Cooper blurted.
Jared’s lips twisted and blood rushed to his face. Bella was glad she hadn’t said anything. You’d think by the look on Jared’s face his brother had emasculated him with that question. Clearly, Jared didn’t like limitations of any sort.
“Hey, before you two get into a pissing match—Whoops, sorry, Sienna,” Lauren said, turning an apologetic eye to Bella.
She nodded. “It’s okay, she didn’t hear you.”
Lauren went on, “Before you two go at each other, remember that walking is a good form of exercise and if Jared is feeling up to it, he should do it.”
“Thank you, Nurse Lauren,” Jared said, giving his brother the stink-eye. “I’m feeling much better every day.”
“Glad to hear it,” Cooper said.
“Your brother is concerned about you, Jared.” Lauren spoke in a conciliatory tone. “You’re his baby brother. So will you cut him some slack please...for me?”
Jared looked at Lauren and relented. “Yeah, I guess so. I’m just anxious to get back to my life.”
“You will, in time. The Stone men aren’t known to be patient,” Lauren said to Bella. “But they are smart.”
“Got that right,” Cooper and Jared said in unison.
Everyone laughed and that was that. Immediately the tension in the room disappeared.
“So then, Jared, I suppose we’re still on for our annual Christmas party. It’s a week away and coming up fast. We didn’t want to bring it up until we were sure of your recovery. We can host it this year.”
Jared blinked as if he’d forgotten all about Christmas. A few seconds passed, Jared deep in thought. “No, I’ll host it,” he said unequivocally. “It’s my turn.”
“Are you sure? We don’t mind,” Lauren said and then turned to Bella. “The Stones always throw a holiday party for their crew. Family and close friends are invited, too.”
“Yes, I’m sure,” Jared replied. “You’re pregnant and don’t need the added work. I’ll have the house ready, don’t worry.”
“That means a tree, and ornaments and decorations, not to mention food,” Cooper said.
Jared eyed his brother. “I got it covered.”
“I’ll help, too,” Bella chimed in. “Of course. I’d love to help with the party.”
“That’s very kind of you, Bella,” Lauren said. “We’ll all pitch in this year.”
“Fine,” Jared said grudgingly, looking like he’d rather tangle with a ferocious tiger than plan a holiday party.
“Well, if you’re all finished with the meal, I’ll get these dishes out of the way.” Bella rose.
“Let me help,” Lauren said.
“Oh, uh, Lauren, I was hoping you could entertain Sienna for a few minutes while I clean up and serve the dessert. That would be the biggest help. I keep a box of toys for her in the family room.”
“If you’re sure, I’d love to.”
“I’ll help Bella,” Jared said and this time no one dared question him. “You and Cooper have fun with Sienna. She loves playing with her dolls. And jumping on the sofa. But that’s off-limits. It’s too dangerous.”
Suddenly, Jared was an expert on Sienna? It was strange that she didn’t mind the thought. Not at all.
After she got Sienna situated with Cooper and Lauren, she headed back to the dining room. Jared had already cleared the plates from the table. She only had to pick up the glasses and utensils. She met him inside the kitchen. “Thanks for helping.”
“Anytime,” he said.
“I like your family.” She began rinsing off the dishes and arranging them in the dishwasher.
Jared leaned against the counter, next to her. “Even Cooper?”
“Especially Cooper.”
“Why?” Jared’s sincerely puzzled expression almost made her laugh.
“Because—” she turned to him, meeting his eyes “—he cares so much about you.”
Jared’s gaze softened and dipped to her mouth. “You’re sweet to say that,” he whispered.
She was locked in on him, unable to look away, though every bone in her body warned her to step back, to finish her chores and forget about how much she liked this deadly handsome, blue-eyed man standing so close. “You think I’m sweet?”
Jared’s lips twitched. “And talented and smart and so beautiful I can hardly pretend not to notice.”
“Jared.” Was she warning him away or simply sighing his name? She was dizzy from his nearness and unable to figure any of this out.
“Bella, you’re my angel.” He touched a strand of her hair then, the gleam in his eyes filled with admiration and maybe something more.
“I’m no angel,” she whispered.
“To me, you are.” He bent his head and she froze.
But Jared’s kiss landed on her cheek. “Thanks for a wonderful meal,” he said quietly, smiling and then exiting the room.
Disappointed, she touched the spot where he’d just kissed her. She’d been telling herself all along she wasn’t attracted to him. She couldn’t be. So then why on earth was the skin on her cheek flaming so hot right now?
And why was her heart cracking open a bit when she’d believed it was locked good and tight forever?
Later that night, after getting Sienna down to sleep, Bella walked into the second bedroom to call Amy back, and her friend picked up right away.
“Hi, Amy.”
“Hi. How’d it go over there tonight?”
“It went really well. Jared’s got a nice family. Dinner for Cooper and his wife turned out pretty great, but I’m beat and—”
“Sorry to interrupt, Bella. I have something to tell you. I hope it doesn’t ruin your sleep.”
“What sleep? I don’t usually indulge. So what’s up?”
“Today the car valet at my condo building said some guy approached him with a picture of you. I got Travis his job at the parking garage, so out of loyalty he didn’t say a word, even though the guy offered him a hefty bribe for any information regarding your whereabouts.”
“Oh, no.” Bella’s heart pounded hard.
“Yeah, I know. Crazy, isn’t it? Travis is going to get a nice bonus from me, that’s for sure.
But there’s more. Your father has been personally calling my office.
He’s left a few messages today and I finally had the receptionist tell him I’m out of town.
I don’t know how long I can get away with that.
But even if he finds me, I’ll play dumb.
He has no idea that we’ve been in touch.
But I’ll say one thing—it’s a blessing that you’re way out there on the ranch, Bella.
It’s probably the last place your father would ever look for you. ”
“I hope so.” But she wasn’t entirely convinced. Her father didn’t give up on something when he wanted it badly enough. And now she felt the walls closing in on her. She didn’t know if she should leave town or stay put for a while to see if things died down.
She bit her lip hard to keep tears from falling. Except for baby Sienna and her best friend Amy, she didn’t trust a soul in the world, and that was a very lonely place to be. “Thanks for letting me know.”
“Oh, Bella. You’re upset. I’m sorry, honey.”
“No, I’m glad you told me. I’ll have to be very careful from now on.”
“Honestly, I think it’s going to be okay. There’s no way he can trace you to Stone Ridge Ranch. And I’m certainly not going to tell him what I know. But just to be extra careful, I don’t think I should visit you. We probably shouldn’t see each other for a while.”
“No, probably not.” Her heart plummeted. She’d been looking forward to seeing her best friend soon, but Sienna had to come first. Bella had to be beyond cautious now. “I’m bummed about that.”
“Me, too.”
“Amy, thanks for everything. I don’t know what I would do without you. You’re the best friend a girl could have.”
“Ditto to you, Bella. We’ll talk soon. Now, try to get some sleep, okay?”
“Okay.”
“’Bye for now.”