Rugged Cowboy - Elana Johnson Page 0,36
this guy got pulverized. He’s only been in a year or so. Has another year to go, I believe.”
Jess couldn’t even imagine being in jail for fifteen minutes, let alone fifteen months. Everything was easier for someone not living through it, and she wished she had more life experience so she could relate to Dallas a little easier.
She couldn’t help feeling like she’d put more distance between them because of her behavior that night. The last thing he needed was someone running out on him, especially someone who should’ve stayed to get his perspective on the situation.
“I’ve got to get my kids,” he said, starting to clean up. Jess helped, snapping lids closed and loading the leftover treats into the paper bag.
“Will they eat these?” she asked.
“Yeah, sure,” he said. “Kids love sugar.” He grinned at her, the moment starting out flirty and fun and quickly sobering. “Jess, would you like to maybe start spending some time with me and my kids?”
“Yes,” she blurted, before her mind could truly latch on to what he was asking. “I’d like that.”
He nodded, his smile plain on his face. “Okay. I’ll ask them what they want to do, and if it’s okay if you come along.”
“Oh, so I’m going to be the tagalong. Is that it?” She picked up the bag. “If that’s the case, I get to tell them about these treats.”
He laughed and took the bag from her. “That’s not the case at all.” He slipped his hand into hers next, and they started the walk back to the homestead. The night had darkened while they’d been inside the barn eating too much sugar, and Jess sighed as she looked up into the sky. It was deep purple and blue and black, and she found it absolutely wonderful.
“The sky in Montana is twice as big as this one,” she said.
“Is that so?” he asked, and he sounded so Texan. “I thought everything was bigger in Texas.”
Jess giggled and kept her eyes on the skies, looking for the first twinklings of the stars. “Everything but the sky, Mister.”
“I suppose that’s why they call it Big Sky country.”
“That’s right.”
“Did you like living in Montana?”
“Sure,” she said. “My dad has a small ranch there. We all worked it.”
“You just have sisters, right?”
“Two sisters, yes,” she said. “I’m the oldest.”
“I think I could’ve guessed that,” he teased, and Jess laughed again. “You didn’t want his ranch?” he asked. “Or would he not pass it down?”
“He would,” Jess said, suddenly thoughtful again. “But no, I don’t want it. I left Montana to work in Calgary with the rodeo horses for a while. Then I came here. I love it here. I love training horses. My dad’s ranch is more of a cattle operation, and my sister has taken it over for my parents.”
“That’s Abi, right?” Dallas asked.
“Yes, Abi,” Jess said, thinking of her younger sister. “She’s just a few years younger than me. Almost engaged to a guy name Huey.”
“Ah, right,” Dallas said. “I think you mentioned the almost-engagement in a text. Still not a thing?”
“Not yet,” Jess said with a smile. “But Nia is convinced it’ll be soon, and she said I’ll be the first to know.” She wouldn’t really be the first to know. Abi would obviously know, and Nia, and their parents. It was only Jess who wasn’t in Bozeman anymore. For a moment, homesickness descended on her, and she let it flow through her while she and Dallas walked through the stunning night.
“At least you talk to your sisters,” he said, breaking the enchanting moment.
“You don’t?” she asked. He’d said little about his family, the same way he’d said little about his time in prison.
“I talk to my sisters,” he said. “And my brother. And my mother. But not my dad.”
“Where are you in the order?” she asked.
“Second. Olive is three years older than me at forty-three. Judy is thirty-five. Greg is thirty-two. They’re all married, with kids.”
She heard what he didn’t say—like me, once.
The lights above the garage came on as they sensed Jess and Dallas’s movement. “Have you tried talking to your dad?”
“Yes,” Dallas said. “I’ve called him three times since I’ve been here. My mother finally said he’s just not ready.”
“I’m sorry,” Jess said, thinking there was simply another thing she couldn’t relate to. She spoke to her parents and always had.
“It’s okay,” he said. “He’s stubborn, but I have to believe he’ll come around. I might go up to Temple when I go to clean out my house