One Southern Cowboy - Jennifer Youngblood Page 0,9
had relocated to one of the guest houses. He had two extra bedrooms, plenty of room for Lemon to stay.
Birdie chortled out a cough. “What?”
Jaxson steeled his jaw. “The ranch is the perfect place for Lemon to recoup. She can learn about her past on her terms.” He looked at his mama and daddy, daring them to disagree. He was a grown man and could invite anyone he wanted to stay at his place. He knew that his mama was thinking it was improper for a woman to stay with him; but whatever Lemon was dealing with here trumped decorum. She needed help. Regardless of all the bad that had transpired between them in the past, Jaxson was determined to offer assistance.
Daddy regarded him thoughtfully. “I think it’s a good idea.”
Birdie’s jaw dropped as she turned to Knox. “You do?”
“Yeah.”
Birdie’s words rushed out. “Isn’t there another place where Lemon can stay? What about the other guest house?”
“Nope,” Jaxson quipped. “Gina and Hank’s son and his family moved into the guest house last week.” Gina, their longtime housekeeper, was like family, as was her husband. Their son, Shaw, lost his job, so Daddy had rented him the guest house for practically nothing until he could get back on his feet. Bless Daddy for being so generous. With Zoe and her kids at the main house, Shaw and his family in the guest house, Jaxson’s place was the best option.
Lemon moistened her lips, her eyes darting from Jaxson to Birdie to Knox. “I don’t want to be any trouble.”
“You won’t be,” Jaxson said firmly, offering her a reassuring smile. He looked at Mama, silently urging her to agree. From the stubborn lilt of her chin, he could tell Mama wasn’t budging on her opinion. Why did she have to be so dang proper? All he wanted was to help Lemon. Mama should be jumping onboard here. Jaxson knew there was one sure-fire way to sway Mama to his side. “If I’m looking after Lemon, I won’t have as much time to think about riding,” he added. He was a grown man and didn’t need Mama’s approval. Still, he’d been brought up to respect his parents. He wanted Mama on his side, especially considering that Daddy and Ramsey had been at odds over Hartley. Thankfully, that was now resolved. Daddy had shifted a hundred and eighty degrees and now thought Hartley was the best thing since buttered biscuits and fried chicken.
“Riding?” Knox asked dubiously. “What type of riding?”
Birdie caught eyes with Jaxson. “Are you trying to bribe me?”
“Yep.” Jaxson gave her a sheepish grin. “Is it working?”
She folded her arms over her chest. “Maybe.” She held up a finger. “Only if you promise me that you won’t do any more rodeos.”
Knox bunched his brows. “Have you been bronco riding?”
“Sure has,” Birdie asserted, her hand going to her hip. “Your son won first place.”
A large grin split Knox’s face. “That’s my boy,” he purred.
“Don’t encourage him,” Birdie blustered, swatting Knox’s arm.
“Boys will be boys, hon,” Knox said with a proud grin.
Birdie lifted her chin. “Not my boys.” She gave Jaxson a steely look. “No more riding. That’s the deal.”
He sighed as he looked at his ankle. It was doubtful that he’d be riding anytime soon. “Okay, I agree to no riding for the next four months.”
“Eight,” Birdie countered.
“Six,” Jaxson fired back.
“Done,” Birdie said. She crossed her arms over her chest. “We’ll revisit this conversation in six months.”
He could tell that Mama had no intention of dropping this. “Deal,” Jaxson grinned.
“Excuse me,” Lemon inserted as she turned to Jaxson. Her eyes lit with a certain fire that let him know that the girl he once loved was still in there. “I appreciate your offer, but what makes you so sure that I would agree to stay at your place?” Her eyes pierced his. “After all, I don’t know you.”
Jaxson didn’t skip a beat. “Fine,” he said casually, “have it your way. I just thought you might need a place to stay after they released you from the hospital. But if you don’t feel comfortable with the arrangement, then no worries.” He faked a forlorn expression. “I figured you might be willing to help a guy out. Seeing as how you did put me in this position. It’ll be mighty tough to get around.”
Lemon chuckled. “Are you trying to guilt-trip me?”
He couldn’t stop the grin from pulling at his lips. “Is it working?”
“Not hardly,” she scoffed, her cheeks turning red.
Jaxson held up a hand. “Look, I