The Rancher and the Event Planner - By Cheryl Gorman Page 0,18
better make up your mind and do it fast because I won’t have you playing fast and loose with Jenn.”
Rafe’s head shot up. “I’d never do that. I respect her too much. And you too for that matter.”
Cade nodded slightly. “Good to know because she’s been hurt and I don’t want her hurt again.”
“I know what happened with your parents growing up. What else? Did she fall for some guy and he dumped her?”
Cade glanced toward the kitchen doorway then back at Rafe. “She never wanted me to say anything to you but she got married a few years ago. It didn’t last.”
A wash of jealousy swelled in Rafe’s stomach. Jennifer married. He didn’t want to think about her being married and he knew he was being irrational but he couldn’t help it. He couldn’t wrap his mind around her promising to love, honor and cherish some jerk that probably never deserved her in the first place. “What happened?”
“He was on the rodeo circuit. She met him at one of the parties she planned. He swept her off her feet, made a bunch of empty promises then three months into the marriage he ran off with a buckle bunny leaving her high and dry with all his credit card debt. She was hurt, humiliated, of course. She stopped dating altogether. For the last few years she’s done nothing but focus on work.”
Bastard. “I’m sorry.”
“She’s been crushing on you since she was a kid. Did you know that?”
He regretted not knowing. Instead he’d walked blindly around without a hint of her true feelings. “Found out yesterday. Felt like a two by four to the head. She told me she’d gotten over it.” But after having her in his arms he wasn’t so sure.
“When she heard you had gotten married she changed. She stopped asking about you and if I ever brought you up she’d change the subject. When I went to see her right after you and Caroline tied the knot, I heard her crying at night. It tore my guts out but there was nothing I could do. I think she married that guy because she figured there was no hope for the two of you and she wanted to prove to herself she didn’t need you to be happy. She figured you had found the love of your life and she wasn’t it. Now here she is right back where she started.” He leaned forward and looked Rafe straight in the eye. “She’s come a long way, Rafe but she couldn’t handle being hurt again and certainly not by you. So until you make up your mind you’ll keep your hands to yourself. Promise?” He put his hand out for a shake.
Not touch Jennifer again for an entire month? No kisses, no hugs, no physical contact. Nada. Zip. Could he do it? He had to. He’d rip his own heart out before he hurt Jennifer. With his messy past with Caroline behind him and knowing what that rat bastard had done to Jennifer, he’d be one cold-hearted mongrel to get involved with her. He’d screwed up once, he could screw up again and this time two of his oldest, dearest friends could suffer the consequences. He took Cade’s hand. “Promise.”
“Promise what?”
They both turned to see Jennifer standing in the kitchen doorway.
“Promise not to be gone so long next time,” Cade said and rose from his chair. He walked to Jennifer’s side. “How about a hug for your brother?”
She lifted her arms around Cade and looked at Rafe over his shoulder with questions in her eyes.
***
Later that day, JC stood beneath a ponderosa pine and watched Rafe training a pretty bay mare in a large paddock. Her female appreciation meter shot off the scale. Dusty jeans and boots painted the perfect picture of a hard working cowboy. A blue shirt with the sleeves rolled up draped his upper body, emphasizing his wide shoulders, shoulders she’d had her arms around, and a worn cowboy hat was pushed back from his forehead.
Rafe moved his hands in an up and down pumping motion and the horse backed up, her hooves lifting in a little march. He released more slack on the rope and the horse trotted several times in a circle around him. “Whoa,” Rafe said in a soft, easy voice. The horse stopped and whickered as Rafe rubbed her neck. “Good girl,” he said, his easy gentle voice drifting on the hot breeze.
JC walked to the paddock fence and rested her arms