Page 8 of Jasper

“I’ll try to find somewhere else to stay…”

“No.” Jasper shook his head. “He’s your family. I’ll find somewhere else to stay.”

“But you’re supposed to take care of the animals.”

“I’ll still do that since he fired the guy who had been doing it.”

Sloane really, really didn’t want to share the house with Jasper, but Jarrod told her last night, this man was her best protection. He was a Marine. Jarrod trusted him, so maybe she should too.

“No, you’ll come stay at the house. We’ll share. It’s big enough that we won’t bump into each other all the time.”

She wasn’t so sure of that, but she’d deal. As long as she kept her hormones on lockdown, it would be fine.

The bus lurched to a stop.

Jasper didn’t say anything, but he stood and gathered their luggage. “Come on, sweetheart, let’s go find you a coat, and then we’ll figure everything else out.”

Sloane picked up her camera bag and her purse, her stomach tightening in concern. She hoped she’d made the right decision.

Watford City, North Dakota was a small town. Quaint, really. Jasper looked at the different places as he drove through town. There was a coffee shop, a bakery, two grocery stores that he’d counted, and all the other buildings a town would have, like city hall, the police station, and the fire department. It would do.

Thankfully, Jarrod’s Chevy Avalanche had been waiting. How the hell he afforded this thing on a military salary was beyond him, but Jasper didn’t fault him for it. Every man needed a truck. Growing up in Vermont, a four-wheel-drive had been as necessary as air. So, he was biased when it came to a good truck, and this baby was that.

He spotted a small store on Main Street that looked like it had clothing. Megan’s General Store. He hoped the store had women’s coats and maybe some sweaters. He doubted Sloane even owned one. She’d need a few. Some days, this close to Canada, it got so cold even running the heat on full blast couldn’t fight off the chill. He had no idea what kind of place Jarrod owned. The insulation could be nonexistent, for all Jasper knew. They could freeze their asses off. Sweaters would be a necessity.

“I’m surprised Jarrod didn’t tell you my name.” He clicked the turn signal and pulled off into the parking lot.

“I’m sure he did, but the call broke up near the end. It was hard to hear him.”

“That sounds about right. Comms in the Middle East aren’t the best.” He parked the truck. “You go on in and look for a coat and some warm clothes. I’m going to walk across the street and get us a cup of coffee. What do you want in yours?”

“Um…two creams, and thank you.” She pushed her heavy blonde hair off her shoulder and gave him a tentative smile. The girl was nervous as a cat. Not that he blamed her. Learning you were going to be shacking up with some strange guy had to be a little off-putting. Hell, he wasn’t prepared either. This girl was trouble, and he knew it. She was also gorgeous as fuck.

But she was Jarrod’s family, and he’d keep his hands to himself.

Even if that meant blue balls for the foreseeable future.

“Once you’re done here, we’ll stop at the grocery store. Jarrod doesn’t have anything to eat at home. He warned me I’d only find a shaker of salt, and he couldn’t guarantee that wouldn’t have hardened into stone by now. He’s been deployed for three months already.”

She nodded, and he glanced at her. She’d been quiet all the way here, and it worried him. Was she really okay with him staying at the house with her? Every scenario known to womankind had to be running rampant through her head. She’d already asked him if he was a secret murderer.

“Hey, you know I’m not going to murder you in your sleep, yeah?”

She nodded, not looking at him.

“I can sleep in the barn if you’re not comfortable with me in the house.”

Again, she nodded, and he realized she wasn’t paying attention to him. Her mind was a million miles away. He poked her in the arm, and she jumped.

“What?”

“Where’d you go just then?”

“I’m just tired. That’s all.”

Somehow, he doubted that. Not that she was tired. Girl looked dead on her feet, but something else was bothering her. She didn’t want to share; that was fine. None of his business, but it did make him wonder what was wrong.

“Go on in the store. I’ll be back as soon as I get our java.”

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