Jake (Downton Cowboys #2) - Miley Maine Page 0,29

on his living room floor and then suggests something romantic?

What’s with this man?

I shake my head and exhale. “I—I don’t know. When do you wanna go?”

“Today? Right now?”

“I can’t—”

“Oh,” he interrupts me. “Right. Um… okay? You think it’s inappropriate.” Disappointment is evident on his face, but he soldiers on. “I can understand that.”

“Uh—” I nervously titter. “No, it’s just that I’m volunteering at the soup kitchen for the lunch slot.”

His eyes linger on my face before he blinks a few times and tilts his head. And once again, just like it was when I first offered to take him home after his fall, it’s as though I said something entirely alien.

I remember this look very well. It’s as if he’s surprised that I have a heart. “What?” I try to understand this time.

“Nothing.” He shakes his head. “You’re a good person. I can’t stand in the way of that.”

My heart melts.

“Listen.” I take a deep breath. “Lunch ends at one. Maybe I can call you after… if I’m up for it.”

“Sounds good.” His hand reaches down into his pocket and he pulls out a card, handing it to me. He looks me deep in my eyes. “I’ll be waiting for your call.”

“Okay.” My voice fades out as I slide the card into my purse.

As we part ways, I’m aware of the pounding of my heart. Just a few minutes ago, I was forcing Jake out of my mind. And now, here I am, back at square one. His mere presence in the vicinity renders me unable to want anything else… just this man.

Kissing my neck like that! In the morning. In an alley. In my town. Just like that. An unspoken promise of the things to come if I accept his invitation. I did not know what to make of the situation. Nothing and then everything.

I feel butterflies invading my insides as I step into the soup kitchen, greeting everyone with a grin that’s as real as the sun. While I hang up my purse and fasten my apron, I think that I know what I’m going to do next.

The hours pass by quickly and we manage to feed over forty people. I feel accomplished, and as I walk out, I wave goodbye to the team and volunteers.

When I make it home, Mom and Dad are blissfully reading out in the backyard. I walk through to them and lean against the doorway.

“Hey.”

“Belle!” Mom’s clearly in a good mood. “How was it?”

“It was wonderful. Dozens showed up.”

“Fantastic.” Dad chuckles.

“Um, listen.” I take a step outside, my feet carefully treading over the freshly cut grass. “I was invited to go away for a few days.”

Mom’s expression changes, while Dad maintains his smile.

“Jake?” She furrows her eyebrows.

“Yeah.”

“Really?” Tilting her head, she raises her pitch a notch.

“Really.” I pretend like I don’t know what she’s referring to.

“Well, have fun, honey,” Dad sweetly responds, and Mom shoots him a glare.

“Thanks, Dad.” I turn around and head to my room.

Mom’s steps follow behind me, stomping as she approaches. “You don’t know him enough to go away on vacation!”

“It’s not a vacation.” I step into my room, holding the door open for her to join me. “Call it a… getting to know him getaway.”

“And where will that be?”

“The lake.” I pull out a duffel bag, unzipping it at the top.

“Wonderful.” Sarcasm drips from her tone. “Get to discover if he’s a strange man with peculiar interests, camped out in the middle of nowhere.” She flops down on the bed, shaking the bed with a bounce.

“It’s in his cabin, so at least the bears won’t eat me,” I joke, tossing in a dress.

“That’s not funny, Belle!” She playfully pulls the dress back out. “You tell me nothing about how the date went. You don’t mention him at all this week. And now, suddenly, he’s taking you away to a hut?” she scoffs. “Put yourself in my shoes.”

“I know you’re worried.” I drop underwear into the bag and walk over to her, crouching down and placing my hands over her knees. “And I know that’s not how it was done back in your day. But I’m twenty-five years old and I think it’s time you believe that I can take care of myself.”

“But he looks so strong.” She forges a frown mixed with a plea. “And you’re so delicate, baby.” Her hand runs over my arm.

“I know.” I laugh, almost dropping ass first onto the floor and she grabs both my hands. “But you know what else I know?”

“Mmm?”