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I held up my basket and smiled widely at Bobby Jay. “I also brought some homemade peach jam.”
Bobby Jay pushed Ryder out of the way and picked me up, allowing me entrance into their home for the summer. “Girl, if you weren’t so skinny, I’d marry you,” he teased.
Ryder cleared his throat and glared at Bobby Jay while he slammed the door. I kept on playing my part and giggled. “Bobby Jay, you’re all talk.”
He set me down and drooled over the basket. “I don’t know, if those biscuits taste half as good as they smell, I might have to haul you down to the courthouse.”
I used my leaning powers that Emma said I had and sidled right up to the burly man. “Get ready to get hitched, because these are the finest biscuits you’ll ever have.” I peeked at Ryder, whose brows were raised, not sure what to make of it all. I did note his unshaven jaw pulsing, telling me he wasn’t all that fond of this conversation.
Bobby Jay swiped a biscuit from the basket and devoured it in one bite. A look of pure, unadulterated pleasure filled his features. He shook his head, chewed, and sighed. “Mmm, girl, I forgot what a good cook you are. Meet me at the courthouse first thing in the morning.”
I playfully smacked his arm. “Sorry, darlin’, but I’m all booked up tomorrow.” I handed him the basket. “I just wanted to say congratulations again and tell you how proud I am of you.”
Bobby Jay cocked his head to the side. “Thank you, Miss Shelby.” A mischievous glint appeared in his eye when he looked between me and the basket. “I imagine you’re just as proud of Ryder, seeing as you made what looks like his momma’s peach jam.”
Ryder’s and my eyes locked. Electrical currents danced between us briefly. In that moment I saw a flicker of hope—a tiny tug at the corner of his mouth—but it was extinguished before anything could spark. He ran his hands through his thick, dark blond hair and breathed out heavily as if he couldn’t believe this was happening.
I knew I had to play my cards right. “There’s no better recipe than your momma’s.”
He threw his hands up in the air, frustrated, showing off more of the body God had blessed him with. I wanted to shout amen watching those sinewy arms go up with the barbed wire tattoos around his biceps that I always found enticing. He kept looking at me and shaking his head. Confusion was good, or at least better than outright contempt. It was time to make my exit.
“I don’t want to keep you boys. I’m off to worship the good Lord. Make sure you do the same.” I smiled at a flabbergasted Ryder before winking at Bobby Jay.
“Miss Shelby, I think I better escort you.” Bobby Jay wagged his brows. “I don’t want anyone making eyes at my girl,” he teased.
Ryder clenched his fists as if he wanted to throw a punch.
I couldn’t help but smile. “That would be lovely. I’ll meet you there.” I waved demurely at Ryder. “Bye.”
I felt him watch me walk out the door. Once I closed it and was securely on the other side, I rested against it while holding my stomach. I did it.
I heard Bobby Jay hoot and whistle. “Don’t tell me you don’t have feelings for that woman.”
“Just keep your hands off her,” Ryder warned.
I pushed off the door, pleased with myself, but I knew this was just the beginning. Ryder was a proud man and I had cut him deep. I would do everything in my power to heal that wound. Only then would my own hurts be bound.
~*~
Bobby Jay slid into the pew all smiles with his hair still wet and unshaven after the service had started.
“You’re late,” I whispered.
“I had a hot date last night.”
I leaned away from him, surprised. “With who?”
“I don’t kiss and tell.”
“You’re lying in church.” At least, I suspected he was. I only knew him as a married man, but I had a feeling he wasn’t one for decorum.
Case in point, he laughed too loud and drew attention to himself. He didn’t mind in the least. He waved at everyone who looked his way. I rolled my eyes and smiled, trying to pay attention to the sermon. The pastor was speaking about grace. Did I ever need some in my life.
Bobby Jay wasn’t making it easy for me to listen. He whispered in my ear, “It’s about time you showed up.”
“At your place?”
“Girl, I’m not talking about the cabin. I’m talking about you. This morning was the first time I’ve seen Shelby since you left Georgia.”
I looked down into my lap at my folded hands. “Y’all coming to town hasn’t exactly been easy on me.”
Bobby Jay put his arm around me. “It’s not easy on him either, especially after your appearance this morning.”
