Chapter 10
Lottie watched out the open window as Kace set the puppy in the grass, the moonlight shining on the two and highlighting Kace’s sleepy face and messy hair.
“Go potty, Rascal,” he commanded the pup.
The boys had named the puppy Rascal during supper. It was one of the first names Jameson had suggested, and they’d liked it. Jameson probably could have said any name, and they would have gone with it. Because if they’d adored Jameson before, now they practically worshipped the ground he walked on.
Well, not really. But he had won their hearts and loyalty when he’d followed through on getting them a dog. Dray hadn’t ever been good at doing what he said he would, and the boys—even though they’d been young—had quickly figured out that Dray talked big but didn’t do what he promised.
The puppy sniffed around in the grass for a few seconds before squatting.
As she finished her business, Kace patted her head the way Jameson had shown him and then offered the praise. “Good girl.”
Kace started back toward the front door, but Rascal sniffed the ground the opposite way. “Come on, Rascal. Time to go back to bed.”
The puppy lifted her head and looked at Kace, probably trying to decide if she needed to obey.
Kace patted his leg and spoke more firmly. “Come.”
The puppy watched him for another second, then decided to meander off.
Kace released a sigh and started after the pup. When he reached her, he gently scooped her up and repeated the command, just the way Jameson had shown him after supper.
Jameson had worked for a while with the two boys and the puppy and had cautioned them to be consistent and patient, that eventually Rascal would learn everything.
Kace finally led the puppy inside, put her on the rug beside his pallet, and then lay back down.
He was doing a good job, and Lottie probably hadn’t needed to watch over him. But he was only four, and she wanted to make sure he stayed safe.
She stood by the window a moment longer, hoping it would be the last time the puppy needed to go out during the night. As she started to turn and head to her spot beside Mimmi in the bed, her gaze snagged on Jameson exiting the barn. He was shirtless and shoeless.
She paused by the side of the window and watched him.
With his strong, purposeful stride, he crossed the yard to the area behind the house, slipped down a knoll, and disappeared in the brush.
Where was he going and what was he doing at this late hour? Maybe he was out getting fresh air. Or maybe he’d heard something or sensed a threat and decided to investigate.
But without his shirt and shoes?
She shook her head, then wound her way through the home.
She hadn’t yet donned her nightclothes and had been quietly cleaning one of her guns, like she did most nights before going to bed.
She swiped up the revolver from the table and exited the house, knowing she’d never be able to fall asleep if she didn’t talk to Jameson and find out what he was doing.
She drew in a breath of the warm night air.
With summer upon them, they would find little relief from the heat of the day, even after the sun set.
The chirp of katydids echoed in the darkness along with the distant howl of a coyote.
Otherwise, everything was quiet, and she didn’t sense any threats lurking in the shadows.
Even so, she kept her revolver at the ready as she skirted the house and headed down a narrow trail that passed through yuccas, Indian paintbrush, and several huisache trees.
The moonlight illuminated the dirt path.
But even on a moonless night, she didn’t need a lantern, since she’d traveled the trail hundreds of times to the creek—the same creek that flowed out of the spring where she often watered the cattle.
She was lucky to have the spring on her property and knew that was part of the reason Vinnie coveted her ranch.
At the soft rustling of the water as she neared the creek, she slowed her pace and crouched low behind a yucca plant that was as big as a small tree. She searched the creek bed for any sign of Jameson and drew in a sharp breath at the sight of him stripping off his clothing a short distance away.
What was he doing? Was he taking a bath?
With her heart suddenly racing, she closed her eyes and ducked her head, knowing she needed to back up and give him privacy.
At the same time, she was too afraid to move.
If he saw or heard her and realized she was here, she would be mortified, especially if he thought she’d intentionally followed him to watch him.
Because she hadn’t known he would be getting naked. Otherwise, she would have stayed back.
Regardless, she was far from the innocent woman she’d been when she’d married Dray.
And there was no reason to be embarrassed about viewing Jameson in a state of undress.
She’d already seen him without his shirt during the many times Mimmi had doctored his wounds.
She’d already witnessed how gorgeous his body was, and there was no sense in denying how attractive he was.
As soon as the thought flitted through her, she shook her head. What was she doing, thinking about Jameson that way? Just because he was a handsome man didn’t mean she ought to nurture any attraction to him. Especially not when he was leaving in a few days.
In fact, because he was leaving, she’d done her best to squelch every spark that flared to life toward him. And to be honest, there had been more than a few sparks. His reserved demeanor only added to the mystery, as if he were a delicious package wrapped with brown paper just waiting to be opened.
No, she wouldn’t open him—whatever that meant.
As if her eyes had a mind of their own, she leaned forward enough that she could glimpse him again through the yucca leaves.
He was ankle deep in the creek, his back turned to her, splashing water on his face and chest. Although the darkness hid him, she could still see enough to know his body was a sculpted masterpiece.
Again, she drew back, her breath coming in a short gasp and her pulse thrumming with a burst of energy and heat.
Why was she feeling this way? And what was she doing still sitting here?
She’d once heard someone in Turnersville refer to her mother as a wanton hussy.
At the time, Lottie had been too na?ve to understand what it meant.
But she wasn’t na?ve any longer. She understood the desires that could flare to life between a man and woman, and now she was behaving like a hussy. Exactly like her mother.
She took another deep breath and tried to still her racing heart. She had to be more careful, or she’d only cause more problems and rumors for herself and Jameson.
Apparently, the news of their fake marriage still hadn’t reached Jameson.
She hadn’t really expected it to reach the ranch since they didn’t have visitors.
But what about today? Not that anyone in Corpus Christi cared about her, but it was possible he’d crossed paths with someone who had heard the news, who might congratulate him or ask him about it.
She still hoped he wouldn’t find out before he left. It would save her the embarrassment of having to explain why she’d lied. On the other hand, a part of her wanted to be honest about what she’d done and hope he would understand.
Because she wasn’t a wanton hussy like her mother and never would be.
Why, then, was she sitting in the dark by the creek, letting herself get worked up over the sight of his incredible body? The best thing to do was ignore the heat inside and treat him like she would any other ranch hand who’d come to work for her.
His splashing finally came to an end, and she guessed he’d finished washing up or cooling off or both.
She had the overwhelming urge to peek at him again. But she pinched her eyes closed and forced herself to remain motionless even as the silence dragged on.
“You can come out now, Lottie,” he said softly.
She startled, and her eyes flew open. At some point, he’d figured out she was there. How? She sat unmoving a moment longer, as if in doing so she could somehow make herself disappear and avoid the embarrassing encounter with him.
Of course, ignoring him was only making things worse and more awkward.
With a sigh, she pushed up, not sure if she dared to peek at him yet or not. She chanced a glance his way and was relieved to find him clothed.
In the moonlight, he looked tousled and even endearing. His hair was damp, his shirt stuck to his chest, and his trousers were also clinging to his legs. He had crossed his arms and was watching her, likely waiting for an explanation for her presence.
“I saw you leaving the barn and wanted to make sure there wasn’t any trouble.” As soon as the answer was out, it sounded weak and silly, especially after Jameson had single-handedly fought off Vinnie and his men.
Jameson quirked an eyebrow as if he was thinking the same thing.
“I guess I’m so used to trouble that I couldn’t keep from thinking there was some.” That was the truth.
“The only trouble is the lack of privacy.” His voice hinted at humor.
Heat crept into her face, and she was glad for the darkness to hide it. “I would have guessed you were on your way to take a bath if you’d been carrying a towel and soap.”
“Don’t have either.”
She paused. “I can loan you that.”
He shrugged, the motion telling her not to bother since he would soon be gone.
“Why are you in such a hurry to leave?” The question fell out before she could censor it.
He searched her face. “You think you’ll have more problems with Vinnie once I’m gone?”
“It’s possible.” It was definitely very likely.
“I’ll ride over there tomorrow and tell him that if he bothers you, I’ll make sure he pays for it.”
“No, don’t do that.” She didn’t want Vinnie to know Jameson was going. She also didn’t want to chance Vinnie asking Jameson about their common-law marriage. Jameson would deny it, and she would look like an even bigger fool in the community.