When Love's Gone Country - By Merri Hiatt Page 0,22

have been funny,” Jeremy said with a giggle.

“You think so, huh?” Courtney began to tickle him. “I’ll show you funny.”

“Stop!” Jeremy cried between fits of laughter.

“You’re going to make him choke. Let him swallow his food,” Meg said.

“He’s yelling, he’s fine.” She gave him one last tickle under his armpit. Jeremy squirmed and wiggled, then shoved the biscuit in his mouth.

“You don’t like those do you?” Brad asked.

“No, I don’t like ‘em. I love ‘em!” Jeremy said enthusiastically.

“I’ll take Diego for a walk, if you want,” Jacob said.

“I took him for one when we got back, but I’m sure he wouldn’t object to another one,” Brad said.

Jacob got up from the table and collected Diego’s leash. That was the only invitation he needed as he jumped from his comfortable seat on the sofa immediately, tail wagging in anticipation. Once the leash was hooked to his collar, they headed out the door.

Diego stopped every two feet to sniff and explore his new surroundings.

“Sure doesn’t smell like the city, does it?”

They meandered their way around the oak tree off to the right. It was surrounded by benches on all sides, making an octagon shape. Names had been carved into the aged wood. Jacob felt the indentions with his fingertip.

The ranch had history. He could feel it in his bones. He’d spent the better part of his life trying to escape his history. Jacob wondered how Red and the others could sing during the drought. He’d said they didn’t have any money, just food and shelter. That didn’t sound like much of a reason to live for.

Diego laid down, placing one paw on Jacob’s foot and then resting his head on it, almost as if he wanted to be sure he didn’t get up and leave when he wasn’t looking.

“I ain’t goin’ nowhere.” Jacob sighed. “Not right now anyway.”

Chapter Fourteen

“You’re feet are swollen. Why don’t you lay down for a bit,” Alex said.

“They’re not swollen that much. They were worse yesterday from sitting in the car,” Purity said.

“There’s a gazebo down by the orchard,” Courtney said. “We could all head down there. You could put your feet up and rest for a bit while the rest of us look around the ranch.”

“I want to look around the ranch, too,” Purity said.

“You can,” Alex said. “Just rest for half an hour, first.”

Purity frowned. “All right. I’m not an invalid.”

“Never said you were.”

Pure gave him a look that clearly said he may not have used those words, but he had implied them nonetheless.

After their leisurely breakfast, they all made their way down to the orchard gazebo. The ranch seemed much larger in the light of day.

“I had no idea there were so many outbuildings,” Meg said.

“How many acres do the Peterman’s own?” Court asked.

“Thirty. A lot of it hasn’t been cleared, though. I remember the brochure saying something about ten miles of fence that needs checking every day.”

“Ten miles?” Jeremy said. “That’s a lot. I don’t think I could even walk ten miles in a day.”

“I think they ride on horseback,” Brad said.

Jacob watched the group and decided to join them. Diego greeted Brad with a wet kiss.

“It’s good to see you, too,” Brad said.

“That dog is all tongue,” Courtney said.

“Kind of like someone else I know.”

“Are you complaining?”

“Absolutely not.” He grinned and pulled her close for a searing mid-morning kiss.

“Gross!” Jeremy said.

Jacob watched Courtney’s face flush and noticed her hand balled up tight with Brad’s shirt inside her fingers. She liked a man who wasn’t afraid to take charge. Not in an aggressive way, more like a passionate, you’re so hot you drive me crazy kind of way. He wondered if a girl would ever look at him that way.

Diego pulled on the leash, taking the lead as if he knew exactly where they were heading. Jacob had to run to catch up to him or be dragged behind.

“Take control,” Brad said. “You have to let him know who’s boss or he’ll pull you around the whole ranch.”

“Diego, stop!” Jacob hollered. “Stop!”

Diego ignored him.

“Diego, come.” Brad’s voice was firm and strong with a bite just under the surface that let anyone within earshot know he was the dominant one in their relationship.

Diego turned and ran back to the group, sitting directly at Brad’s feet.

“Good dog.” Brad praised him and rubbed his head. “If you shorten the leash and keep him by your side, it’ll be easier to keep control.”

“I thought he’d like it better if he could just go wherever he wanted,” Jacob said.

“That’s