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“I’m not asking for more than you want to give,” she reminded him. “I’m only suggesting you allow yourself to think about what you need to take.”
“From you?”
She rolled her eyes. “From anyone, Jarvis. You’re a good man. One of the best men I’ve met. You said all that about what I deserve, but you deserve happiness, too. Peace. Family. Love. However, you choose to define any of those things.”
“Right.” He grabbed his hat. “I’ll be back tomorrow. Text me if something comes up or you’re low on anything.”
“I will. Thanks.” It took every ounce of willpower to stay in her chair, to keep her mouth shut.
He paused, the door halfway open. “I’m not angry.”
“Me, neither.” Halfway in love with a man who didn’t believe in the concept, but not angry. “See you tomorrow.”
With a curt nod, he was gone. A moment later the truck engine rumbled and faded as he drove away. Obviously, she’d said too much. She didn’t regret it and wouldn’t retract a word. The world needed more good men like Jarvis, and he needed more good from the world.
Chapter 7
The intense conversation with Mia simmered in the back of Jarvis’s mind for days. He’d been annoyed as hell that first night. Had even considered not going back. Couldn’t do it. She needed someone keeping an eye out for her, even in the updated bunkhouse. It wasn’t safe for her to go into town, not while Regina still held so much leverage.
So he manned up and went back day after day, determined to keep his distance physically and emotionally. It wasn’t easy; the woman left him wanting, but he managed. They found a routine and kept conversations on the lighter end of the spectrum or locked onto his search pattern. There were more kisses, yet by some tacit agreement they kept those lighter, too. He made sure she had what she needed, including a few minutes to herself every time he stopped by.
Still, her challenge haunted him, forced him to think about things he’d always pushed down or ignored. How did he define happiness? He was completely at peace and content with his opinions on family and love and his future role as the fun-loving uncle. But happiness? That should probably involve more than a career, more than time with his siblings.
Spencer and Bella were happier with their newfound soul mates than he’d ever seen them. After all they’d lost, that kind of leap into commitment and love seemed like too big a risk. One of them had to stay sane and logical. If he was okay as the family backstop, why did it matter what Mia thought about his choices?
He was still searching for a good answer for that.
He did enjoy spending time with her son far more than he wanted to admit even to himself. He wouldn’t call himself attached; he was just more curious about how the baby soaked up the sights, sounds and smells each day. Jarvis had come by on his horse one afternoon and he swore the little guy smiled when Mia guided his tiny hand through the mane.
All of those relaxed and easy moments made tonight more difficult. Putting on a suit and heading out to a party with a different woman felt all kinds of wrong. Selina and Mia might run in the same social circles, but they were on opposite ends of the personality scale, in Jarvis’s opinion. Selina was cold and sleek and calculating, and Mia was everything warm and kind and beautiful. Both women had tremendous strength, but he preferred Mia’s easygoing glow over Selina’s sharp edges and pushy manner.
He couldn’t accurately term the time he spent with Mia as dating, but it was definitely more fun than the myriad roles he had to play tonight. Spying for Asher. Bolstering Selina’s pride. Assessing Norton’s health for Mia. Not to mention the variations on those themes that included giving Norton a message or finding something incriminating on Regina. He didn’t want to let Asher or Mia down, and disappointing Selina would backfire in the worst way on the ranch.
Per Selina’s last text message, he parked behind her house so the ranch truck wouldn’t mar her home’s perfect curb appeal or alter the impression that someone wealthy was escorting her to Regina’s event. Smoothing his tie and checking his cuff links, he strolled up the walkway, admiring the flawless landscaping the ranch crew maintained for her. He rang the bell and waited, trying not to wish the evening over before it began.
Selina opened the door and he was momentarily struck mute. Her dress hugged her body like a second gleaming skin. Gold sparkled in the black fabric, catching the light and winking in and out as she moved. Gold bangles slithered up and down her wrist as she invited him in.
“You look great,” he said, choosing a bland compliment.
Her gaze narrowed. “My, my.” She walked a circle around him and he sympathized with a fresh side of beef in a butcher shop. “You do clean up nicely, cowboy.”
“Thanks.” He gave her a slower appraisal this time, adding enough heat until her eyes twinkled.
“That’s what I’m after,” she said with a sassy giggle.
He had to admit she was an attractive woman, even if she wasn’t his type. Thanks to Mia, he found himself wondering if Selina believed in family. Probably not, considering she might have cheated on Payne, clearly resented his kids and had carved out a chunk of his estate for herself in the divorce.
“This is going to be epic.”
“I’m glad you approve.” He knew she believed his sole purpose this evening was to send Regina into a fit of jealousy. He’d play his part, hopeful that an “epic” distraction would be enough for her to slip up about the situation with Mia.
“We’ll be the talk of the party.” She tossed him a set of keys. “You aren’t going to wimp out over a little gossip, are you?”
He smiled. “It’ll be a pleasure.”
She sucked in a tiny breath and petted his shoulder. “Keep that up and you might get to hang around more often.”
He guided her fingers down to curl around
