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“You’re doing great,” he managed, though complimentary words came out of his throat like opening a rusted door.
That smile came again, tickling his stomach. Dax fidgeted, turning the warm mug in his hands. He wasn’t doing this for her smiles. It was self-preservation, plain and simple. He needed a housekeeper who would stick around.
“No woman likes being stuck on a ranch all the time. You need to get out now and then.”
Jenna went silent. He shifted a glance in her direction. What he saw troubled him. Gnawing that pretty lip of hers, she looked worried.
What did she have to be worried about?
The notion that she was running from something—or someone—came back to haunt him. He’d vowed to protect her and the little pink princess. He couldn’t do much else but he could do that. If someone was after her, they’d have to come through him.
The vehemence of the sentiment stunned him.
“I just mean—” What did he mean? Rowdy said women needed to go out and have fun. If he wanted to keep her happily employed, he’d have to make that happen. Though not with Rowdy.
“I thought we might go to a movie,” he blurted. “Dinner, too, if you want.” He couldn’t believe he’d said that.
“You want to take me to a movie?” she asked.
Dax swallowed. Could he handle spending more time with a woman who was already messing with his head? And exactly when had he starting thinking of her as a woman?
“I don’t want you to feel trapped here. A night out is good for you now and then. I don’t want to put any pressure on you, either. I mean, you’re my employee so if you don’t want to go, that’s fine. Just feel free to go out on your own or with someone else any time you feel like it. Don’t let the job stop you. That’s what I meant.” The last statements ground against him like a handful of rocks in his boot. He didn’t want her going out with anyone. “Not one of the hands, though. These cowboys. You can’t trust them.” He was babbling.
Jenna looked at him as if the headache had caused more mental stress than she’d originally thought. Maybe it had.
Gavin, on the other hand, had come to life. With enough glee to start his own clown act, he began hopping up and down on one foot, slapping his arms. “Say yes, Miss Jenna. Dad will even spring for a Friendly Meal. Won’t you, Dad?”
“Oh, Gavin, you charmer.” Jenna pressed a hand to her lips and laughed.
Dax’s shoulders relaxed. He grinned. “Yeah, I’m a big spender.”
Jenna’s amused gaze captured Dax’s. “Then I shall be delighted to accept your kind invitation. A movie and a Friendly Meal it shall be.”
No matter how hard he tried to convince himself he was doing this to keep her happy as well as safely away from Rowdy, Dax realized one thing. He was in big trouble.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
A MOVIE. DAX WAS TAKING her to a movie.
Jenna couldn’t keep the smile off her face as she dressed that evening. What did one wear to a movie?
She opened the closet and browsed, regretting the decision to leave her dress clothes behind. The only public movie she’d ever attended was a premiere in New York. Derek had insisted on going, and later she’d realized he was enamored of the starlet who had invited them. She had deplored the ostentatious glitz and posturing, preferring the privacy of their home theater.
A regular movie outing would likely be different. Most people—normal people—did not wear Versace gowns to a movie.
Which was fine with Jenna. She’d left the gowns behind with the rest of her life. From her knowledge of the people of Saddleback, she was certain a movie was not a black-tie affair.
The hangers scraped over the metal bar as she sorted through the clothes she’d brought with her. Up to now she’d mostly worn her loose-fitting maternity outfits, but with her tummy regaining shape, she took out a pair of jeans, a long-sleeved top and a pink leather jacket. They weren’t Western wear by any stretch of the imagination, but they would do.
She slithered into the jeans, a snug fit, and spritzed eau de parfum in all the right places before sliding the blouse over her head. In front of the mirror, she turned this way and that, casting a critical eye on her appearance. She might not be beautiful, but she knew how to put herself together for the best effect. A Carrington always kept up appearances.
Her hair had lost its trendy cut, but a few minutes with a straightener and some shine serum made it presentable. Humming, she slipped on jewelry and heels, then went to dress the baby for their first night out in Saddleback, Texas.
By the time she entered the living room to await the men of the group, her palms were damp with excitement.
