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Blast!
Leaving Wynette and Buck, they headed back to the ranch. This would be their best chance to talk privately and for Jess to say what needed to be said.
She cleared her throat. “You know that after what happened, I can’t stay with you.”
At least he didn’t need to ask what she meant. “I didn’t plan for that kiss to happen. But it did, and I enjoyed it. I had the impression that you enjoyed it, too. Can you honestly deny that?”
She didn’t reply.
“This is no time for evasions, Jess.”
She exhaled. “All right. It didn’t exactly leave me cold. But that’s part of the reason I can’t stay. I have my life ordered the way I want it—no strings, no relationships, just me doing things my way.”
“And I’m threatening to change that? Change can be good. But if that’s not what you want, I can promise not to lay a lustful hand on you.”
“Fine. But there’s also Trevor. I know you moved here to give him a new start. He needs his father. And if I stay, he’ll resent me even more than he already does.”
“He doesn’t know you. Give him a chance.”
Again, Jess didn’t answer him. He was hacking away at her defenses with a battle-ax.
“Let’s say you leave today. What will you do?” he asked.
“I’ll check the notices in the post office and library. Maybe somebody needs a roommate, or would be willing to rent out a room in their basement. I could even put up a notice of my own.”
“And while you’re looking, you could sleep in your car, or on a bench in the park. Give yourself a break, Jess. And don’t insult me by saying you’re afraid of what might happen here. I’m capable of controlling myself—at least as capable as you are.”
Those last words stung as she remembered her flaming hot response to his kiss. “All right,” she said. “But I mean to move out from under your roof as soon as I can find a place. And meanwhile, I’ll expect to earn my keep by working. No charity. Are we square?”
“Square.” He gave her a nod, then swung the Jeep through the ranch gate and stopped next to her car.
“One more thing, Cooper,” she said, as he opened the driver’s side door.
“What’s that?” Suspicion flashed across his face.
“Nothing. I just wanted to say thank you. I mean it.”
* * *
Forty-five minutes later, Cooper stood on the porch and watched her drive away. She’d used his phone to call her insurance agency. The agent had promised to have an investigator at the house within twenty-four hours. After emailing him Cooper’s photos, she’d cleaned herself up as best she could, eaten a quick peanut butter sandwich, and set out on a shopping expedition to the mall in Cottonwood Springs. “Don’t wait supper for me,” she’d said as she strode out the door. “I’ve got a long list of things to buy.”
“Just don’t forget to put gas in your car. You should be able to make it to that station on the main highway.”
“I won’t forget, Cooper. Remember, I’m a big girl. I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time, so stop acting like you’re my father.”
“Got it. I’ll do my best.” Reminding himself that she was a former FBI agent should help, Cooper told himself.
He’d wished her luck and waved her off as she climbed in her car and pulled away. Independence was riveted into Jess’s nature. He was getting used to that. But he wouldn’t mind having her lean on him once in a while.
Still struggling against the memory of that searing kiss, Cooper went back into the house. Trevor had been gone when he and Jess had returned from town. A box of Cap’n Crunch and an empty cereal bowl on the counter gave evidence that he’d eaten breakfast and gone to Abner’s place.
Glory had followed Cooper into the kitchen. She nosed his hand, wanting to be petted. He scratched her ears. “Looks like it’s just you and me for the next few hours,” he muttered. “Let’s hope I can use the time to get some writing done.”
But writing wasn’t in the cards today. He’d no sooner seated himself at his computer than he realized he needed to get the spare room ready for Jess. Right now it was little more than storage space for boxed books and other odds and ends. Clem Porter had left furniture in the house. Most of it was junk, which Cooper had paid to have hauled away. But he’d kept a few good pieces, like the cherrywood bedroom set—a full-sized bed frame and matching mirrored dresser—that he’d stored in the spare room. By a stroke of luck, the mattress was in its original plastic wrapper, which had kept it clean underneath. Cooper had plenty of spare bedding, also boxed and stored. All he needed to do was clear out the boxes, set up the dresser and bed, and find some extra sheets and blankets, which he had somewhere. Items like curtains and rugs could wait. If Jess found another place to stay, she might only be here a day or two.
Do I want her to stay—with all the complications that her being here would involve?
Maybe, for now, that question was best left unanswered.
