Jake (Downton Cowboys #2) - Miley Maine Page 0,41

if he sees something I’m missing? And what if…

What if I’m lying to myself?

Nightmares plague my slumber until dawn. When I open my eyes, they burn, and I will myself out of bed. There’s a lot of work to catch up on, and then there’s Linda’s where the two sides of my world will inevitably collide.

I hear Katie downstairs and sigh in relief. A grand breakfast and a massive cup of coffee are all I can help myself with at this point.

The day goes by smoothly, and as the time approaches, my stomach begins to churn.

At the bar, Frankie and I start with a couple of drinks before Belle arrives, only ten minutes late.

“Sorry I’m late. Dad needed something from the pharmacy.”

“Is he alright?” I examine her appearance, once again in those dear jeans and a yellow checkered shirt.

“Yeah, yeah. Just his regular medication.” She looks up at Frankie.

“You’re—” Her eyes smile.

“Frankie.” He tugs at the brim of his hat before extending his hand.

“Belle. Nice to meet you.” She grins into the handshake. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

“Yeah?” He briefly glances at me before returning his full attention to her.

“Clearly, you’re his favorite?” She takes her seat.

“I mean.” He shrugs, pointing with both hands at himself.

She laughs before the waitress comes over.

“Hi. What can I get you?”

“I’ll have a beer, thanks.”

“Two more here, please.” Frankie shakes his half-empty bottle.

“Wait, who drove here?” Belle looks at him then me.

“I did.” He tilts his head.

“Hmm.” She scrunches her nose with a smile.

“We’re big boys, don’t you worry.”

“I have a feeling that I don’t need to.” Her voice is serious.

The waitress returns with the drinks, setting them down while Belle and Frankie maintain a meaningful kind of eye contact.

“So, what do you do?” He leans forward.

“Well, I have a degree in community service. For the past couple of years, I’ve been exploring my options. I volunteer everywhere with the aim to understand the gaps and what I can offer that’s not already out there.”

He raises his eyebrows and looks at me, somewhat surprised. “Um—volunteer means unpaid work, yeah?”

“Yeah.” She shrugs, taking a sip of her beer. “I’m not a big spender, really. And I live with my folks.”

“So, what’s your favorite?”

“Favorite what?”

“Line of charity.”

“Food,” she immediately declares. “It’s so easy to forget because we all have it. But imagine telling someone that they have to put down the gun or find a job when their most basic need hasn’t been fulfilled. If they’re hungry, you can yell at them for days and they won’t hear you over the grumbles of their stomach.”

I give Frankie a look and he knows exactly what it means. Before the conversation goes on any further, Luther shows up with another friend, Brandon.

“Hey! You’re here without us? I feel so betrayed,” he jokingly objects as he greets everyone.

I make the introductions, and quickly, their chairs join our table. After a few minutes of small talk, a Johnny Cash song comes on.

Belle leans over to my ear. “I love this. Wanna dance?”

I hesitate for a moment, and as I look up, Frankie subtly gestures for us to go.

“I haven’t danced in forever.”

“Just follow my lead.” She giggles, standing up, spontaneously offering me her hand.

Resigning myself to the fact that this is just about to become another unforgettable memory, I get off the chair and take a step toward her. She instantly pulls me, leading me onto the dance floor.

Her graceful motions are in perfect sync with the music, and I forget how ridiculous I must look trying to keep up. I also forget my worries about the townsfolk watching us and gossiping. I forget everything and get lost in the moment that becomes an hour… or two.

When it’s time to go, Frankie and I insist on taking Belle home. She goes off to use the ladies’ room, and he turns to me.

“You’re a lucky motherfucker.”

Chapter Twelve

Belle

Jake and I have been going steady, and I grow more and more in love with him. Ranchers usually tend to have a reputation for being rough, but he’s nothing like that once you get to know him.

He loves music no end, and he’s capable of having deep conversations when he’s comfortable. And yes, he is a very private person, but he’s slowly beginning to open up to me about his past, his brothers, and his friendships.

This is all good and well, if it wasn’t for the fact that I’ve been waking up feeling sick for the past few days. The smell of coffee,