Chapter 27 Jackson
JACKSON
The next two weeks fly by. My life takes on a new rhythm and routine, one that includes cooking dinner for Rosalie and Edward, movie nights, outings on the ranch, and more joy than I thought possible. For a guy who’s not getting laid, I’m pretty damn satisfied.
Sure, I want Rosalie. I haven’t stopped wanting her. But I want all of her, and to achieve that, I have to earn her trust. Edward’s too. Her son is her world, and I see that clearly now. His joy is hers, and strangely enough, it’s becoming mine too.
Showing him around the ranch, teaching him how to feed the animals and muck a stall, teaching him how to cook—all of it brings me a sense of purpose my life was missing. He looks up to me, and I want to be the kind of man deserving of his admiration.
As I finish up my work day, I immediately check my phone for a message from Rosalie. Edward’s been building up his comfort level around the horses, and I told Rosalie last night that I think he’s ready for his first riding lesson. She told me she’d think it over and talk to him first.
Rosalie: He wants to try. We’ll come by about four.
I can’t help but smile.
“You’ve been in a good mood lately.” Ryan’s voice startles me and I fumble my phone, nearly dropping it.
“Dude! Way to creep up on someone.” I tuck the device back into my pocket.
“Not my fault you’re distracted by your phone.” He chuckles, walking by to scratch along Gentry’s forehead. The horse grunts appreciatively and sniffs, looking for a treat.
“Hey, do you mind if I take Gentry out?”
Ryan frowns. “For a long ride or a short one?”
“Actually, I’m giving Rosalie’s son, Edward, some lessons.”
“Are you, now?” Ryan grins. “Val mentioned she noticed them turning onto the ranch a few days ago.”
“Yeah, well, I’m kind of into Rosalie.”
“Kind of?” Ryan raises his brows.
“I’m down bad.”
Ryan laughs heartily. “I’m glad to hear it. And things are going well? Must be if she’s trusting you to teach her kid to ride.”
“We’re taking things slow.”
We haven’t actually had a conversation to define our relationship beyond me showing up at her doorstep two weeks ago and announcing that I would be courting her.
I want to bring it up, but I know she needs to get there in her own time.
If she didn’t want me pursuing her, she would tell me.
For now, I need to prove I’m willing to wait until she’s ready to make things official.
Besides, I don’t care what anyone says. She’s my woman, and I’m her man.
A label doesn’t change how I feel for her.
“Slow is new for you.”
I roll my eyes at my brother. “All of this is new for me.” I know he doesn’t mean it as a dig, but I’m determined to leave my reputation in the past. “But it feels right. She makes me a better man.”
“I’m happy for you, baby brother.” Ryan clasps me on the back. “And yes, you can use Gentry. Just don’t ride him too late. He gets feisty when he’s out past bedtime.”
“Just like you,” I tease Ryan.
“He’s an old man,” Ryan says.
“So, just like you.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Ryan chuckles, heading for the barn door. “’Night, Jax.”
“’Night, Ryan.”
I spend the next twenty minutes saddling Gentry and warming up his muscles with a slow trot. Rosalie and Edward walk up to the fence right on time.
I dismount and lead Gentry to where they are waiting.
“Hi, Jackson!” Edward grins at our approach.
“Hi there.” I lift a hand and wave. “It’s my two favorite people. Fancy meeting you here.”
Rosalie smiles when my gaze meets hers.
“Who’s this horse?” Edward asks.
“This is Gentry. He’s a gentle soul.” I hand Edward a carrot before the horse can snag it from me. “He likes snacks.”
Edward feeds him the vegetable just like we practiced. The kid has a deep care for animals, and it’s been an honor to witness his confidence grow the more he’s around the horses.
“He’s nice.” Edward grins, looking to me for assurance.
“He is.” I sneak a glance at Rosalie before asking Edward, “Want to ride him?”
Edward doesn’t immediately dismiss my offer. Major progress. He wants to ride, but he’s still a little scared. He worries his bottom lip.
“What if he throws me off?”
“He won’t. And I’ll be right here the whole time.”
“Promise?” His eyes are so wide as he looks up at me.
“Cross my heart.”
I help him mount the saddle, and lead him around the pen once before handing him the reins.
“Okay, Edward. You remember what we’ve practiced.” He nods as I go through the laundry list of safety rules. “I want you to walk him once around the pen, then bring him into a trot. You’re ready. You’ve got this.”
“I’ve got this.” His brows furrow with so much determination. It’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.
“I’m right here. Okay? I’ll be watching the entire time.”
He nods and gives the horse a squeeze with his legs.
Gentry, the good horse he is, begins walking immediately. As they move, I walk over to where Rosalie is watching.
“Mama, look! Look at me!”
“I see you, baby!” she calls out. “Don’t let go!”
“He’s got this.”
“If he falls, I will murder you,” she says softly.
I grin. “Fair enough.”
The riding lesson goes well, and after thirty minutes, Edward and I lead Gentry to the barn to wipe him down. After Gentry is cared for and in his stall for the night, we rejoin Rosalie.
“Mama! Did you see me? Did you see me up there riding that horse?” Edward is practically bursting with pride.
“I saw!” Rosalie opens her arms and catches him in an embrace. “I’m so proud of you.”
Her gaze finds mine and her appreciation is written on her face. It makes me want to give this kid a thousand more lessons.
Edward steps out of his mother’s arms and turns his attention to me. “I’m just like a real cowboy!”
“That you are.” I remove my hat and drop it onto his head. It’s much too big, and the poor kid has to tilt his head up to see.
“Maybe we need to find one of these that fits you better.” Rosalie takes my hat and places it back on my head. She’s close enough I can smell her perfume, and it takes everything in me not to haul her into my arms. “Thank you.”
“’Course.”
“Maybe we can find one when we go back-to-school shopping?” Edward interjects.
Rosalie takes a step back. “That’s a good idea.”
“When are y’all doing that?” I lean on the fence.
“Mama took Friday off so we can beat the crowds.”
“Y’all heading to Show Low?” I ask Rosalie.
She nods. “That was my plan.”
“Can I come?”
“You want to take a day off work to go back-to-school shopping?” Her brows rise with skepticism.
Does she not get it?
“Hell yeah, I do. Especially if it means I get to spend more time with the two of you.”
“Can he come with us, Mama? Please?”
“Can I?” I steeple my hands and press them to the center of my chest. “Please.”
Rosalie’s lips pinch together before she gives in to a smile. “Fine.”
That reluctant smile could convince me to do anything. She has no idea the power she holds over me, but one day soon she will. And when she does, I won’t hold back the truth. I only hope she gets there soon, because each moment we spend together gets harder to keep my feelings hidden.