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“Hadn’t done what?” I asked, trying not to sound too irritated at being called out. The last thing I wanted was to argue with him and ruin my good start to the day.
He gave me a sideways look. “You know what I’m talking about. You really think I believe you’re too scared for them to leave?”
“Well, I do feel safer with them here,” I said. That wasn’t a lie. “But is it so bad if they stay a few more days? I like having them here.”
“I know you do.” He grimaced. “That’s the problem.”
I sighed. I really didn’t want to have this conversation with him—especially when we were both already on edge—but it was bound to happen at some point.
“It doesn’t have to be a problem,” I said, keeping my tone even. “I know you’re just trying to look out for me, and I love you for that. I really do. But you’re going to have to trust me on this one, okay? I know what I’m doing.”
“Do you? Because those guys are a lot older than you, Janessa. They’re not like boys your age. Boone is a widower and Cade is… well, he’s had some pretty wild times, from what I’ve heard. Is that really the kind of company you want to get mixed up in?”
“Yes!” I said, thumping the table with my palm to emphasize my point. “That’s the part you don’t understand—I’m not looking for a boy my age. I’ve been through a lot more than the average twenty-year-old, and I need a man who is more mature than some college frat boy.”
I was starting to get more annoyed by the minute, but at least we were getting this all out in the open. It was finally time for him to hear how I felt—and time for him to stop treating me like I was a child.
“If you have to choose one of them,” he said, slumping back in his chair, "then maybe see how things go with Boone. Of the two, he’s the most stable.”
“I want both of them,” I said, the words slipping out before I could stop myself. “And I’m not going to change my mind about that.”
He inhaled a sharp breath and then slowly exhaled. He was gripping the edge of the table so hard that his knuckles had gone white. I expected him to yell or to tell me I couldn’t have two men—maybe even to storm upstairs and kick them out for good.
He didn’t do any of those things, though.
“Promise me one thing,” he said, sounding so defeated that I felt kind of bad for being so blunt. But it needed to be said.
“Anything,” I said, meaning it.
“Just be careful. Trust your instincts and try to be aware of what you’re getting yourself into.” He shook his head and finally gave me a small, tired smile. “And if you ever need me to kick their asses, don’t hesitate to say so.”
I laughed, then stood up and walked over to his chair to give him a hug. “Have I ever told you how lucky I am to have you looking out for me?”
Now it was his turn to laugh. “Does that mean you’ll stop trying to give me a heart attack sometime soon?”
I nibbled at my bottom lip and then shook my head. “Probably not. But I still love you.”
“And I still love you, too.” He jerked his thumb toward the stairs. “Now get out of here before I change my mind and tell you how crazy you’re being.”
That was one order I wouldn’t argue with. Because yeah, maybe I was crazy to think I could have both of them.
Maybe.
Or maybe not.
But I was going to find out by following my heart and my instincts. And even though I would have preferred to have Uncle Justin’s approval, I didn’t need it.
Just as long as he gave me the space I needed to either make it work or fail on my own, I would be happy.
That wasn’t too much to ask, was it?
Chapter 11
Janessa
Even though we’d just been riding for about an hour without much talking—and no flirting—the day was still living up to all my best fantasies. Just being out here with Cade and Boone was like a dream come true, and I was already hoping the day wouldn’t end too soon.
They took turns in the lead, with Boone starting out up front and me in the middle, then Cade would ride up from behind and take over while Boone fell back. And, of course, that gave me plenty of time to watch and study both of them while they were preoccupied scanning the fence line.
