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Barb took a breezy breath. “Make sure you’re not holding one of those pretty jam jars of yours, because I don’t want you to drop it.”
“Barb…”
“Okay, hon.” Another breath. “Knox Prosper entered the bull-riding. He’s coming back to Prosper.”
Jana was glad she was alone in her kitchen, and she was glad she wasn’t holding a jam jar after all. Barb was still talking—speculating, of course—but Jana hadn’t heard anything after the name Knox Prosper.
It was him.
The guy she hadn’t gotten over. The guy who she’d been in love with ever since she could remember—she and every female within fifty miles of Prosper. The guy who’d dumped her right before prom and hadn’t spoken to her since. The guy who’d married another woman in a shotgun wedding. That woman then divorced him, returned to Prosper with their kid, and before anyone knew what time of day it was, married his brother.
Knox Prosper had made himself scarce for a long time. Years, really. He’d come into town only once last year for the rodeo, did the bull-riding then, too. But that was before he’d gotten some fame on the pro-rodeo circuit. Yeah, he was making a name for himself now. Which, of course, made him even more off-limits to Jana. He hadn’t ever explained why he’d stopped talking to her, and she doubted he ever would.
Good riddance.
“Thanks for the warning.” Jana cut off Barb with a fake, breezy laugh. “Not like I was planning on going, anyway.”
“I know, hon,” Barb said. “But what kind of friend would I be if I didn’t tell you first? You know, before someone else did.”
“Right,” Jana said. “So are we still on for tomorrow night at Racoons?”
“Sure thing, hon. Girls night out.”
“Perfect.” Jana turned to gaze out the kitchen window that overlooked the neighbor’s ranch. Ten-year-old Ellie McIverson was out riding her horse like usual. That girl never seemed to quit.
After Barb hung up, Jana finally allowed herself to react to the news about Knox coming into town again. Of course he’d come to Prosper. His kid was here. His entire family was here, and word was—from Barb—that he’d made amends. Mostly. How much amends could really be made when your ex-wife had married your brother?
Jana closed her eyes and eased out a long breath.
She was over him. There was no reason for any butterflies to be tickling her skin right now. For all she knew, he had a girlfriend, or two or three. Knox had never lacked in the ladies department.
Which was why he should totally and completely repel her.
She knew better than to let her heart continue to chase after a guy like him. A guy who’d never be faithful. A guy who’d never be hers even if he changed.
Her phone rang again, and Jana sighed. Apparently, she wasn’t getting a break today. It was Natalie, which meant this was a business call. Her sister texted when she wanted to be social, emailed when she didn’t want Jana to forget something, and called when it was urgent business.
“Hello,” Jana answered.
“Jana, you got a few minutes?” Natalie’s tone was brusque. Without waiting for a reply, she said, “Mom and Dad are on the phone. Hang on, let me conference everyone together.”
One second, then two, then Natalie said, “Jana, you still there?”
“Yep,” Jana said. “Still here.” No one laughed.
“Hello, dear,” her mother said, her tone the typical disconnected breathy quality as always.
“Hi, Mom,” Jana said.
“All right,” her dad cut in. “Natalie was telling us about a new inventory software one of her clients built. We’re going to start implementing it at the end of the month. Right now, I’m taking a training class on it here in San Antonio, then I can teach you, Jana.”
“Okay,” Jana said, frowning. “Why don’t I come and train? Then it will cut that time in half.” She knew her dad always appreciated time shortcuts.
“No, you’re right where you need to be,” her dad continued without any pause. “I don’t want to have to cover your end of the production with one of those pimply kids who will break jars.”
“Besides,” Natalie cut in, “this software company is interested in having dad sit on their board. So this will be an excellent boon to him.”
Jana’s dad sat on more than one company’s boards, as a consultant for product development. He’d originally started Harris Farms Preserves for her mom specifically because she wanted her own company. The thing had taken off—modestly—and now provided Jana’s living. But at times, she felt like the most unsupported employee in Texas.
“That’s wonderful, dear,” her mother said, now speaking to her dad. “But I thought you were going to cut back. We’re supposed to be retired.”
Her dad’s chuckle was empty. “We could give up the country club membership, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Of course not,” her mother murmured.
Jana exhaled, having heard this exact conversation more times than not.
“It’s settled, then,” her dad said. “Natalie is adding it to our company bylaws.”
“All right,” Jana said. It wasn’t like she’d have a choice. Once her dad made up his mind, it was made up.
