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My cell ringing interrupts a perfect moment. Wiping the tears from my face, I answer, not bothering with politeness, “I’ll meet you at one, inside the Silver Dollar Grill. Do you know where that is?”
“I’ll find it. Rona—”
Hanging up on him again without letting him finish, I turn to Cade. His eyes burn with passion, but also with love. I move in for another kiss at the exact moment Jake appears.
“Get a room,” Jake says, heading toward the kitchen. “Would anyone like a refill?” he shouts, waving a cup in his hand.
“No thanks,” we reply in tandem.
I don’t quite believe how casual Jake seems to be about Cade and me. I was expecting—well, I’m not sure what, but not this.
Jake reemerges from the kitchen, coffee in hand and sits down. He starts piling food onto his plate but he looks slightly distracted. “Lucy, the friend I mentioned who has the bed and breakfast in town said there was a guy in there asking for a Rona Jameson. She told me this when she was asking about the girl she saw me with the other day getting onto ‘Big Red.’ I mentioned your name and she told me about this guy.”
I move from Cade and sit in the chair next to him. “Thanks for telling me Jake, but don’t worry about it. It must have been Nick trying to find me. He’s in town and wants to talk. We’ve arranged to meet later today in Jackson Hole.”
“You’re going to meet the bastard?” His eyes have widened, probably in disbelief. “Dad, you’re not letting her go alone are you?” Jake stands and shoves his chair under the table, his hands clenched into fists in obvious anger.
“No, he isn’t,” I assure. “Your father will be with me, but in the background.”
“Okay. What time do we leave?”
I’m stunned. “We’re meeting at one inside the Silver Dollar. You’re coming, too?”
“Sure am.”
Chapter 8
Cade
Heading into town, I can’t help feeling on edge. The woman I’m in love with is on her way to meet her ex. She has a lot more history with this guy than she has with me, which makes me feel as though a rock is lodged in my stomach.
Sitting beside her in the back of the car, I take hold of her hand and entwine our fingers together. I lightly squeeze her hand before bringing it up to my lips to kiss her knuckles.
She turns from the window with a soft smile floating around her lips, but looking pale.
“Rona, are you okay?”
“I will be when this is over. I really don’t want to have to do this, because it just drags the whole thing out.” She lets out a sigh. “As far as I’m concerned, I’ve moved on. I just wish he would, too.”
Parking one block over from the hotel, I climb out of the car to help Rona, and glance at Jake. “Can you just give us a minute?”
He offers a wry smile. “Yeah.”
I stand to the side of the car with my hands on Rona’s shoulders. “I just want you to know I’m here for you. At any time during your discussion, if you want rescuing just wave over to me.” Smoothing my hands up her neck to her face, I lower my head to kiss her. “Okay?”
She returns my kiss. “I promise. He’s never done anything to make me feel uneasy so I should be fine, but I appreciate you and Jake being present.”
After a quick hug, she turns to head toward the hotel. As I watch her go, Jake walks around the car and stands beside me.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” he asks.
I sigh, heavily. “I don’t know, but if she doesn’t do this the guy said he won’t stop with the constant messages. Providing he keeps his promise, after this she should be able to switch her cell on without it beeping every two minutes.” I push away from the car. “C’mon, we better make a move.”
We follow Rona to the Hotel, and after a minute or two, I notice Jake passing sly glances over to me out of the corner of his eye. He gets like this whenever he wants to ask me something, but he isn’t sure how to actually ask. He’s been this way since he was a small child, which makes me laugh that he’s still the same even though he’s now in his twenties.
Wanting to put him out of his misery, I ask, “What’s wrong Jake? I know that look. You have something on your mind.”
“Yes, I do, kind of.” He laughs slightly. “You really have fallen for her haven’t you?”
