Jake scowled at Evie and her visitor on the patio as he laid the shovel across the wheelbarrow. It was the same man who’d been by last week when Teddy had caught him kissing Evie, then instead of punching him in the nose, told him he’d be learning how to build trust with a horse. This time, the man brought her a box of candy; the fancy rectangular tin on the patio table sat unopened next to a pitcher of lemonade. Based on Evie’s reactions, she liked her visitor. He was well dressed. Handsome, even if Jake was loath to admit it.
Evie laughed at something the man said, and his jaw clenched as his scowl deepened.
Who is he? Another suitor, like Oscar?
Jealousy swept through him, and he gritted his teeth. The fact that Oscar had come to the ranch as a possible husband for Evie didn’t bother him. Oscar was too immature, and just a tad too hot-headed, not to mention arrogant and just…full of himself. But this man could definitely be trouble.
He pursed his lips with annoyance as he pushed the wheelbarrow full of manure across the barnyard, but his attention remained on Evie and the gentleman—until he hit therose-covered trellis, causing the whole framework to shake and a few rose petals to float gracefully to the ground.
Neither Evie or her caller seemed to notice, for which he was thankful. He was also grateful that he hadn’t damaged the trellis. He wasn’t sure how’d he’d explain it.
His gaze swept over her, seeing that instead of her usual uniform of skirt and plain blouse, Evie wore a fancy blue-and-white town dress, as fashionable as any he’d seen in San Francisco, which emphasized her figure and made her seem younger. Or perhaps it wasn’t the dress at all that made it seem that way, but rather, the enjoyment on her face. His jaw clenched even tighter.
Her hair was different, too. Instead of being pulled into a bun or tied back with a ribbon, it was done up in an intricate style, the ringlets bouncing as she laughed. She looked entirely too beautiful.
He jerked the wheelbarrow back and maneuvered it away from the rose trellis, all the while cussing under his breath. He looked up and his gaze met that of Evie’s gentleman caller. The man smiled at him. It wasn’t a smug smile, like Oscar wore. Not at all. It was friendly and confident, as if this man never met a stranger.
A man…whom Evie belonged with. Not a gambler by trade, though Jake hadn’t touched a playing card since before he arrived here, not even for a game of solitaire.
Things were changing though. Every day. Despite the demanding work, he liked being here on this ranch. Working with the horses, taking care of them, learning how to ride and train them. It touched something deep inside himself, something he hadn’t even known existed. It was honest and humbling and exactly what he’d needed.
Evie laughed, drawing his attention once more, and his jaw clenched even harder. At this rate, he’d break his teeth.
She rose from her seat. Her suitor did as well, a true gentleman. She picked up the tin of chocolates—at least, he assumed they were chocolates…they could have been peppermints or lemon drops—placed it on the tray with the pitcher of lemonade and the glasses they’d used, and brought everything into the house. She came out a moment later, carrying a frilly parasol and a drawstring bag that matched her outfit.
Her gentleman caller extended his arm, that same confident smile on his face. Evie placed her hand in the crook of his elbow, and they walked along the flagstone path, through the garden gate, then disappeared around the corner of the house.
Where is she going with him?
He started pushing the wheelbarrow full of manure toward the other side of the house, but his focus was still on the garden gate, waiting for Evie to come back, knowing full well she wouldn’t.
“Better watch where you’re going, son.”
Startled, he stopped and whipped his head around, finally focusing on something other than the last place he’d seen Evie. He’d come close to hitting Charley with the wheelbarrow. Or Antonio, who stood right beside him. He froze in place, his hands still gripping the wheelbarrow handle as if he couldn’t let go.
“My apologies. I didn’t see you there.”
Charley laughed. “It would probably help if you were looking ahead.”
“Yes. Yes, you’re right. I was?—”
“We know what—or should I say ‘who’—you were looking at.” The big grin on Antonio’s face lifted his mustache.
He could feel heat burning the tips of his ears. He’d been well and truly caught. There was nothing he could do but laughand admit the truth. “You’re right. I was looking at her. Can you blame me?”
Charley shook his head. “No, son. Can’t blame you at all.”
“Who was that man?” he asked, unable to stop himself.
“Ryland Parrish. He’s renovating the old Serenity Hotel. Nice man.” That information came from Antonio, humor dancing in his dark eyes.
It was on the tip of his tongue to ask where she was going with him, all dressed up, but he restrained himself. He didn’t want to know, though the curiosity was killing him.
“Gentlemen.” He gave a slight nod as he lifted the wheelbarrow and maneuvered it around them.
“You know, son, if you’d rather not see her leaving the house with someone else, you need to make your intentions known.” Charley’s voice came from behind him. “Exactly whatareyour intentions?”
Jake didn’t stop his forward momentum, nor did he turn around and look at the man. He had no answer. Instead, he pushed the wheelbarrow toward the other side of the house and the compost heap waiting for him, but that didn’t stop Charley’s question from careening around his brain like balls on a billiard table.
