Page 14 of Sweet Surprise

Growling deep in her throat, his mother sighed. “Wouldn’t need more eggs if I hadn’t dropped the carton.”

“Oh, no.” Jess’s gaze darted about the kitchen floor. “Can I help somehow?”

“Actually,” his mom straightened and smiled at her, “why don’t you go with Carson, make sure he doesn’t get sidetracked?”

“Mom.” The urge to stomp his feet and remind her he wasn’t four years old anymore was almost overpowering.

“I’d be happy to tag along,” Jess cut him off before he said something stupid. “Let me grab my purse.” She swung around to face Mason. “You be good.”

“I’d best be getting to my chores too.” Clint took a step in retreat. “If you’ll excuse me.”

With Jess at his side, Carson followed the ranch hand out the back door. Something in Clint’s gaze made Carson want to take an extra minute to talk to the man. After all, he was doing as much for the ranch as any of the family, with nothing to gain but a good deed. “Hey, Clint.”

The man stopped short in his tracks.

“Was just wondering if there’s anything I can do to help today?”

Clint’s brows buckled at the bridge of his nose. “Help?”

“Well…” Carson shrugged. “You’ve been more than helpful the last few months, and if there’s anything I, or my brothers, can do to help, we want you to know, all you have to do is ask.”

The man didn’t quite smile, but the look in his eyes softened. “Thank you. Appreciate it, but today’s just a simple errand.”

Carson nodded. “Sounds good, but keep the offer in mind.”

“Will do.” He turned and headed to a beat up old truck.

Not till now had Carson noticed the man had out of state plates. Not that there was anything unusual about that, but it caught his eye nonetheless.

“Is something wrong?” Jess came to his side.

Shaking his head, he offered a soft smile. “Mason is all right staying behind?”

“Are you kidding? I had no idea my son was a cow lover.”

That made Carson chuckle. Regardless of the possibility that ranching ran thick in the Sweet family bloodline, what kid could resist a cow-eyed calf? Without thinking, he extended his elbow to her, delighted when she not only slid her hand into the bend of his arm, but smiled up at him. For just a second in time, he was transported back ten years to a couple of free spirited college kids without a care in the world. For just a moment.

“Where exactly is the grocery store?” Jess hadn’t had much time to see the town yesterday, but didn’t remember noticing a supermarket while she was there.

“There are a couple of different supermarkets, but we’re going to the farmer’s market. Mom loves Abigail Fine’s fresh eggs, and her honeysuckle wine, but today we’re just getting the eggs.”

“Honeysuckle wine? I didn’t know you could make wine out of honeysuckle.”

Carson shrugged. “I think that old expressionwhere there’s a will, there’s a waymight fit under these circumstances. The town has found a way to make all kinds of things honeysuckle. From candles and wine, to syrup and tea. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone hasn’t thought to make a salad from the plant.”

“Salad.” Jess was sure her face had to be crinkled like a Shar-Pei puppy at the thought. Of course, she wasn’t much of a greens person. Just the mention of arugula could send her hunting for a good donut or steak.

“Did you sleep okay?”

“Very much so.” Maybe it was the country air, or the good cooking, or the company, but she couldn’t remember sleeping so peacefully and soundly in a very, very long time.

“Good.” Quiet settled around them for a few miles when Carson let out a deep sigh. “I think Mason is liking being on the ranch.”

“You think?” She smiled. “Not even twenty-four hours and Iknowhe loves it.”

A wide smile took over his face. “Can’t blame him. Can you?”

“No.” She shook her head and relaxed into the seat. “You always spoke about home with so much love in your voice and eyes. Not just for your family, but the ranch, the land, the history—any fool could see how much you loved your life. Now I’ve had a little taste of why you love it so much.”

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