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20
Jessica
Jessica sat high in the saddle of her horse. Brock had given her the option to ride an ATV down to the orchards or to go horseback riding. Seeing as she’d spent most of the week hanging around Apple Pie in the pasture, she was thrilled he offered a choice. Her first ride had been one that couldn’t be beat. To be fair, it was one of the first romantic moments she’d shared with Ian. She’d always remember it fondly, no matter where this relationship was headed.
She glanced over her shoulder to find Ian sulking in his saddle as his horse plodded behind her. He didn’t seem like himself this morning. It was like he’d woken up on the wrong side of the bed or something. It was a bit odd, since the last few days had been absolutely amazing.
Perhaps his sour attitude had more to do with work than it did with her. She’d have to remember to pull him aside and find out what was bugging him. Maybe she could help.
Ahead of her, Brock rode straight and tall. He hadn’t glanced back at her once on their way toward the orchards. The moment they’d left the kitchen, he’d returned to his usual sullen self. That was another theory she was entertaining. The Baker brothers might just be cranky men. Beside him a dog trotted, weaving in and out of the bushes. Apparently the dog preferred Brock’s company to anyone else, which is why she’d not noticed it around much.
Jessica sighed and focused on the scenery. The trail leading to the orchard was dotted with various plant life—mostly flowering weeds. The trail dipped and turned, making it difficult for her to stay centered in the saddle. She had no idea how Brock managed. She must look like a lopsided puppet.
The sun hadn’t fully risen high enough in the sky to warm up their day, but she had no doubt it would be a warm one. That was why she’d picked out the shirt she wore today. Hidden beneath the sweater she wore was a red plaid shirt. She felt like a real cowgirl, not only making her feel beautiful but also confident. Paired with her boots, jeans, and cowboy hat, she looked like a regular Dixie cowgirl.
A little grin appeared on her lips. She’d never worn this shirt. It was an impulse buy a few days before—well, before the day she came to the ranch with Ian. She was so grateful that he’d brought her to the ranch.
And that is why she wanted to go to the orchard so bad. Ian hadn’t had his apple pie since last week. If she could find half a dozen useable apples, she’d surprise him with one ofSal’spies after dinner. She was almost giddy with the anticipation.
The pie crust was already prepared and resting on the counter. She’d even found the ingredients to make some homemade ice cream. The only missing ingredient was the apples. Her whole life, she’d dreamed about cooking for her own family. She’d wanted to provide the kinds of meals she’d missed out on when she was growing up. Lately, she’d been able to practice the skills she’d picked up, and it’s the happiest she’d ever been.
Over and over one thought continued to cross her mind. She didn’t want to leave Ian’s ranch. She understood what Liz saw in this place. It was their own little slice of heaven, and she wanted to claim some as her own.
Trees loomed in front of them atop a hill a few yards away. Rows upon rows of trees blocked her from seeing anything farther. Little pink-red apples and deep green leaves dotted the branches.
Her mouth must have dropped open because the next thing she knew, Ian was beside her speaking. “You might want to close your mouth. You don’t know how many flies I’ve caught just by looking at something like that.”
Jessica snapped her mouth shut and smiled at him. “Oh yeah? I don’t think I could even imaginewhatwould cause you to stare at something with your mouth hanging open.”
He snapped his reins, pushing his horse forward. “Not what.Who.”
Jessica let out a little laugh and dug her heels into the horse’s flanks. She caught up to him easily. “Really? Who is responsible for turning you into a fly trap?”
Ian chuckled. “If you have to ask, then you’ll never know.”
In a way that she hoped looked comical, she pointed to herself and raised her eyebrows. Then she frowned. “But then that would mean you stared at me that way at the diner.” She folded her arms. “Hey. I resent the insinuation that you caught flies at the establishment where I worked.”
“You’re right. It didn’t happen inside. It happened when I walked past the window and saw you.”
“But you said the first time you saw me, I came in out of the snow.”
He grinned. “Correct again. It wasn’t the first time I saw you. Nor will it be the last.” He winked at her and her whole being warmed. If they ended up together, she didn’t want this to ever end. Even when they were old and gray, she’d want this banter to continue.
She gritted her teeth and looked away. Planning her future was dangerous. There was no telling how things could change in the next few weeks, let alone the next few months. For all she knew, the bad people could find her and her life would be forever changed.
Shoving down the depressing thoughts, Jessica turned her attention to where Ian had ridden ahead to meet up with Brock. Ian climbed off his horse and led it toward a post. It wasn’t weathered like one would expect it to be—out here without anyone to care for it. In fact, it looked brand new. It must have been put in recently.
Jessica tugged on the reins to pull her steed to a stop before she hopped down and wandered over to the post. Ian took the reins from her hand, their fingers brushing like they had so many times before. Their eyes met, and that familiar current of desire passed between them. If they had been alone, she would have placed both hands on either side of his face and laid a kiss on those beautiful lips of his.
She glanced over to Brock. He’d pulled a clipboard from his backpack and flipped through the pages on it. He checked off a few things with his pencil and remained focused on his work. She could steal a quick kiss from Ian, and Brock wouldn’t even notice. But when she shifted her attention to Ian, she found him frowning at her. It was short-lived, replaced with a mask of indifference, but she knew better. Something was still bothering him.
His sour attitude had returned. He could be prone to mood swings, though she hadn’t noticed anything of that sort over the last week. Jessica moved closer to him, placing her hand on his forearm. “Is everything okay?”
Ian blinked and shifted his weight. “Of course. Why do you ask?”
Jessica nibbled on her lower lip. She didn’treallyknow Ian all that well. What she saw could have been part of his personality. Bringing it up might not be such a good idea.
“No reason.” She shoved her hands in her pockets. “So… we pick a few apples, then what happens?”
