Page 39 of Pumpkin Spice Promises

“Maybe you should see if she needs anything,” Mom suggested.

I looked across the table at her. Carson had already bristled when I carried milk crates for her. Showing up at her ranch with tools and an assumption that she couldn’t manage would guarantee she never spoke to me again.

“She doesn’t want help.”

“Most people who need it don’t,” Mom replied.

“That doesn’t mean I should force it on her.”

“No.” Mom passed the green beans to Clover. “It means you should pay attention.”

Jax nudged my arm. “He’s been doing plenty of that.”

I ignored him.

“Is she pretty?” Clover leaned forward, hands under her chin and stars in her eyes. Though, they glittered more like mischief than anything else.

I bristled. “Why does that matter?”

“Because you’ve mentioned her name seven times.”

“I have not.”

“You have.”

“Were you counting?”

“I count everything interesting.”

Hunter looked toward his plate. “She does.”

I focused on cutting my chicken before I said something I would regret. Carson was beautiful. Pretending otherwise would have been ridiculous. But beauty wasn’t the reason she remained in my thoughts.

It was the way she had walked through a storm because waiting for someone else to solve her problem never occurred to her. The way she had checked on the temperature of the milk before asking what repairs would cost. The way her entire expression changed when she saw James’s photograph.

She carried responsibility like it had been fastened to her shoulders years ago, and she had grown so accustomed to the weight that she no longer seemed aware anyone else might see it.

“She’s interesting,” I said eventually.

Jax made an exaggerated sound of understanding. “Interesting isn’t the word I’d use.”

I jabbed him with my elbow. He shoved me back, nearly knocking my fork from my hand.

Mom placed both palms flat against the table.

Every Jones child froze.

“If either one of you spills food on this table because you insist on behaving like feral animals, I will make you clean every inch of this room with a toothbrush.”

Clover pressed her lips together to keep from laughing.

Dad reached for another roll while Mom was distracted.

Hunter noticed, but wisely remained silent.

Jax returned his attention to his plate.

I did the same.