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His brother settled down in his seat. “You’re no fun, Ian. I liked it better when you smiled more.”
“When was that? Before you were born?” Jessica grinned.
Cal looked between Jessica and Ian. Then he laughed again. “I like her. She’s fun.” He ran a hand through his dark locks and twisted in his seat. “How’s breakfast coming, Mom? Ian and I have to move that herd today. Then I’m heading to town to pick up a few supplies. That tractor Tate ran into the ground needs a new timing belt. I’m going to try to fix it today.”
“Hey, Finn is just as much to blame for that one.” Tate and Finn wandered into the room and took their seats at the table. Liz turned from her place at the stove and exchanged glances with Sean.
Oh great. Now what? Had Sean convinced his mother to force Jessica to leave? She wasn’t going to do anyone any harm while she was here. He rose from his seat so quickly his chair almost toppled over. “I gave Jessica a job.”
All eyes shifted to him. Sean’s eyes narrowed while Jessica’s widened. His mother simply smiled. “That’s wonderful, dear. Doing what?”
He shifted, his palms flat on the table, his eyes never leaving Sean’s. “She’s wanted to become a nurse. I thought she could shadow me as I take care of the cows who are getting ready to birth this season.”
“You—what? You help cows give birth?” Jessica interjected.
Ian didn’t meet her gaze. “Yeah, something like that.” Ian turned back to Sean. “There are a lot this season, and I think it would be a good experience for her. Not to mention I could use a hand and none of you ever want to do it.”
Sean’s jawline hardened. He folded his arms and jerked his chin toward their mother. “I talked with Mom about this situation this morning. Though I don’t like the idea of someone here who could be putting our whole family in danger, I don’t see a better option.”
Ian grinned.
“At the moment,” his brother added. “I say we let the dust settle, then contact Sheriff Donahue. Regardless of how much danger she’s in, the authorities need to know what we’re dealing with in Copper Creek. I don’t want to see our town turn into a dangerous one.”
Ian blew out a puff of air. “I’d be surprised if the sheriff hasn’t already been notified. It was a homicide. Could be more than one.”
Jessica paled and looked down at her hands in her lap.
Inwardly, Ian cringed. He needed to be careful what he talked about. Jessica was probably still reeling from all of this. Sure, she’d put on a brave face, but she was still very close to the situation. He opened his mouth to apologize when his mother interrupted.
“Enough of this dismal talk. It’s time for breakfast and then you boys have work to do.” Liz placed a towering plate of pancakes on the table and wiped her hands on her apron. “Eat up.”
His brothers piled food on their plates and settled into their seats. Ian studied Jessica as she fixed herself a plate. He hadn’t given her the opportunity to tell him if she was interested in shadowing him. He’d jumped in with a solution for something that may not have been required. His suggestion would practically force them to spend time together, not that he’d have any complaints. But he’d prefer that she didn’t feel trapped.
“Ian. That means you too.”
He jumped and stared at his mother, who was the only other person standing. She gestured to his empty plate.
Ian sat down and retrieved his bitten apple. He took another bite then served himself a pancake. He’d talk to Jessica about it later when they didn’t have an audience. If she wanted to have more time to herself or if she preferred a different job while she was here, he’d make sure that happened. There was no need to make her suffer further.
Thankfully, his brothers got to chatting about issues with the ranch and steered clear of speaking to Jessica or bringing up her past. It was almost funny the way she observed them, much like he did. She’d take a bite and watch with rapt attention as Sean mentioned a way they could increase their revenue. Brock anticipated the majority of theBevan’s Favoriteapple trees would be ready for picking within the next few weeks. This caught Jessica’s attention quickly.
“There are apples that can be picked in the summer? I thought they were a fall harvest.”
Brock gestured to the few apples on the table. “Those are the first of the harvest. It depends on how the spring goes. This year we’ve got some early ripening.”
“Can I come?”
Brock stiffened. He glanced at Ian. “I think it’d be best if you stick with Ian.”
A small smile flashed across her features, but she quickly covered it up.
Ian’s stomach tightened. She needed to be happy while she was here, so she didn’t do something risky like call her mom and draw attention to herself. “I don’t see a problem with that.”
Brock scowled. “I wasn’t asking for help.”
“Well, you got some anyway.” Ian smiled warmly at Jessica, who returned it.
His brother folded his arms across his chest. “What I meant to say is I don’t want her help. I’m not your babysitter, Ian. I agreed with Sean last night. She’s a liability, and I’m not going to be held responsible if she gets hurt.”
