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Knocking on the door, I glance down to Jacob, who has his head buried in Jack’s leg.
“Is he okay?” I whisper, gesturing down to Jacob.
“He’s a little shy. I hope he’s going to let me leave him.”
“We can always stay for a bit until he’s settled.”
Before Jack can answer, the door swings open, and Josh stands there with an excited Hope in his arms.
“Hey, Josh. Good to see you,” Jack says, shaking his hand.
“Good to see you too, man. You too, Aria. Come on in. Hope’s been waiting for you.” I wave to Hope, and she smiles back. I see a lot of her around the ranch. She’s definitely following in Savannah’s footsteps when it comes to loving the horses. She’s already a confident rider, and I know Sav and Josh are thinking of buying her a horse of her own.
Following Josh and Hope into the house, we’re led into the living room, where Hope has all her toys out. Fortunately for Jacob, they aren’t all dolls, and I see him looking at a wooden road that’s been set out with a few cars on it.
“Grab a seat. I’ll fetch Sav. She’s just upstairs.” Josh puts Hope down, and she looks a little shy too as she climbs on the sofa and stares at Jacob, who’s climbing onto Jack’s lap. Kneeling on the floor, I start to pick up one of the cars from the wooden road.
“This looks fun,” I say to Hope. “Do you want to play?” She nods and slides off the sofa. I think this might be the quietest I’ve ever seen her, but I know she can be shy around people she doesn’t know. Pushing the cars around the wooden track, I turn to see Jacob watching us.
“Do you want to play, Jacob?” He looks unsure but eventually nods, climbing off Jack’s lap and coming straight to sit on mine. I hand him my car and he leans forward, driving it along the road, his eyes occasionally flicking to Hope.
“Hey, guys,” Savannah says from the doorway. “I see you rode here. Jacob, did you go on a horse?” she asks him, and he looks up at me before nodding shyly. “Wow, you’re like a real cowboy.” He smiles, and my heart melts as he turns around and wraps his arms around my neck, hugging me tightly. Despite needing to keep things casual with Jack, I’m already head over heels in love with his little boy. How could I not be?
“You’ve made quite the impression on little Jacob, Aria,” she says, a smile pulling on her lips.
“I don’t know what I did to deserve it,” I tell her honestly as I hug him back. “I think it’s my epic car playing skills.”
“Is that why his daddy likes you too?” She wriggles her eyebrows and my cheeks flush pink.
“You still have no filter, then, Sav,” Jack says with a chuckle as he stands up and pulls her into a hug.
“Where would be the fun in that?”
“Causing trouble?” Josh says from behind her as Jack steps out of the hug.
“Always!” She goes up on her tiptoes to kiss him. He wraps his arms around her and it’s clear to see how in love they are.
“This place is amazing, you guys,” Jack says as Josh puts Savannah down.
“Let me show you outside,” Savannah says, taking his arm. “Josh insisted on putting in a pool. I should have told you to bring Jacob’s swim trunks.”
Josh comes to sit on the floor with Jacob and Hope, and I watch them play for a few minutes before following Sav and Jack outside. The back yard is massive, edged by the same white picket fence that lined the front yard. The low fence allows unspoiled views of the Colorado River, which sits a few hundred yards from the bottom of the yard. Beyond the swimming pool is a decked area with a built-in barbeque and a comfy-looking rattan sofa.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” I say, sidling up to Jack. He nods, slipping his arm around my waist. Butterflies erupt in my stomach at being this close, and I lean into him.
“It is. Puts my rented house back home to shame,” he says with a chuckle.
“Anytime you want to cool off, feel free to use the pool. I know you Brits don’t manage all that well in the Texas heat,” Savannah says, holding back a laugh.
“I’d argue with you, but you’re right. Liverpool doesn’t see heat like this very often. I’ll likely be taking you up on your offer! Although, by the look of those clouds, there’s some rain coming.” Looking past me, he frowns. “Where’s Jacob?”
Grinning, I take his hand. “Come and see,” I say, pulling him back inside the house. Coming to a stop in the doorway of the living room, he looks across to see Jacob and Hope playing. Their heads are pressed together as Hope chatters away, Jacob joining in occasionally.
“I think we’re good to go for that ride,” he says with a grin.
After a round of goodbyes, he takes my hand, and we head to where the horses are tied up. Nervous excitement bubbles through me at the thought of being alone with him, and I suddenly can’t wait.
Jack
