Page 33 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

“Every time I come into this house I find y’all in interesting situations.”

Color rushed to Lemon’s cheeks. She glanced at Jaxson, thinking he’d also be embarrassed, but he only laughed.

Knox took a seat in the recliner across from them. He scooted forward, perching his forearms on his thighs. He probed Jaxson with concerned eyes. “How ya doing, son?”

“A lot better now that I have some ibuprofen in me.” Jaxson draped a relaxed arm around Lemon’s shoulders. She scooted into the curve of his shoulder. It felt good to be protected. Shadows of her thoughts lurked nearby. Soon she would have to deal with them.Before time runs out.She jerked slightly. Where had that thought come from?Sheesh. She was scaring herself half to death.

“You okay?” Jaxson asked, giving her a sidelong look.

She forced a smile. “I’m good,” she chimed, relaxing into him.

“I left a message for Henry, but I haven’t heard anything back. I reckon he’ll call as soon as he gets my message.” Knox paused, assessing Jaxson with hawk eyes. “Do you need me to take you to the hospital to get checked out?”

“Nah,” Jaxson said, “I’m good.”

Knox looked doubtful. “You sure? It ain’t no trouble to take you.”

“I really am fine,” Jaxson reiterated.

A grin pulled at Knox’s lips. “Well, you certainly seemed fine a minute ago.”

A second wave of heat brushed Lemon’s cheeks.

Knox motioned. “How’s the ankle?”

Lemon looked and realized that the ice pack had fallen off Jaxson’s ankle. She leaned forward and placed it back on top. He winced. “Man, that’s cold.”

“Y’all hungry?” Knox asked.

“We are,” Jaxson answered. “We were fixing to order a pizza.”

“I have a better idea. I’ll go and grab your mama. We’ll get a pizza and some smoothies from that Jumbo Juice place, right next door to the pizza restaurant.”

At the same instant, both Lemon and Jaxson burst into laughter. Lemon placed a hand over her mouth to silence it.

“I think you meanJamba Juice,” Jaxson corrected.

Knox waved a hand. “Jumbo Juice, Jamba Juice. What’s the difference?” His light eyes twinkled.

Jaxson turned to Lemon. “I suppose jumbo juice is better than jumbo chest,” he said straight-faced.

A chortle pushed through Lemon’s throat. She couldn’t hold back the laughter. It pealed out, sending tears to her eyes.

“What’s so funny?” Knox asked, looking puzzled.

“Aw, nothing,” Jaxson said casually. “Just an inside joke between me and Lemonade.”

Knox sighed. “Well, it seems like y’all are making up for lost time.”

“Yes, we are.” Jaxson gave Lemon a meaningful look.

She couldn’t stop the wide, contented smile from spreading over her lips. Memory loss or not, she got the distinct impression that right here and now, there was nowhere on earth that she’d rather be than right here by Jaxson’s side.If only it could stay this way forever.

She’d remembered Jaxson’s touch—the feel of his lips on hers.

It was enough for now.

Chapter Seven

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