Page 39 of Marrying Bonnie

The thought had crossed his mind. What if Noel was right? The sad thing was, he knew they were capable of it. But was there enough motive? The ranch belonged to him and Noel. If they sold it, they’d split the money two ways. None of it would go to their parents. “I seriously doubt it. For one, what would they gain?” Originally, he’d assumed it was all about money with them. What if it was as much of a control thing instead?

Their parents were desperate, but surely not to the point of ruining their children’s goals just out of spite.

Jace wished he felt more confident about that. He watched as Bonnie slid something into the oven and then went to stir a pot on the stove. She looked like she belonged in his kitchen, something that had him desperately shoving such thoughts into the back of his mind.

Bonnie wiped her hands on a towel. “The cornbread should be done in about twelve minutes. There’s stew in the pot there for you all. I’ll head back home and let you guys relax for a while.” She knelt down and held her arms out to Gunner. “See you tomorrow.”

Jace watched as she gathered his son into her arms and kissed him on the head.

Noel hopped off the counter and onto her feet. “I wish you’d stay and have dinner with us, Bonnie.” She looked at Jace as if she expected him to jump in. “You go to all of this effort here and then what do you eat when you get home?”

Poor Bonnie looked from Noel to Jace and back again. “You guys need your space. I’m okay with that—I always have been.” She stood, one hand resting on Gunner’s shoulder.

Jace wanted to argue with her, but it was clear she needed an escape. He offered a smile. “I’ll walkyou to the apartment door.”

Bonnie stood. “You don’t need to do that.” She waved at Noel and told her goodbye before retrieving her bag in the living room.

Jace didn’t care that it wasn’t a long walk. He wouldn’t let Noel walk alone right now, either. “Just humor me on walking you to your place. I’d do it for anyone here on the ranch, trust me.”

“So you walked Cabe back to the barn then?” She kept a serious face, although humor twinkled in her eyes.

“Okay, almost anyone.” Jace grinned. “Come on.” He went to the front door and opened it for her. Once she went through ahead of him, they walked side-by-side around the house to the large garage. Jace was satisfied to note the main door was still locked. “See? That wasn’t so hard.” He had every intention of telling her goodbye now, except it was the first time he’d talked to her in days outside of the general hello and goodbyes they exchanged. “You’ve been avoiding me.”

Bonnie’s eyes widened. But to her credit, she didn’t waver. “Maybe. I’m not the only one who’s playing the avoidance game, though.”

“True.” Jace ought to wish her good night and walk away now. His feet refused to listen. “For the record, I kind of got used to seeing you more before. I’ve missed that.” Some of his favorite memories of the last few weeks there at the ranch were times spent with Bonnie. Suddenly, he needed to know whether she felt the same way.

Just when he thought she was going to turn around and go inside, she shifted her feet and wrapped a section of hair around one finger. “Yeah. Me, too.”

Jace went out on a limb. “Look, I know I’m the one who put all of these strict boundaries in place from the beginning. But I’ve enjoyed getting to know you more, and I’d like it if we could be friends.”

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” Bonnie appeared doubtful as she tugged on the hem of her sleeve. A completely adorable little quirk of hers.

“I just know I could always use more friends. Couldn’t you?”

She nodded slowly as though weighing the pros and cons of the possibility. “Yeah, I could, too.”

Jace had to fight to keep from smiling in triumph. “Awesome. Friends, then?” He held a hand out. When she slipped her petite hand into his, he gave it a solid shake and let go. “As my first act as an official friend, I’d like to ask you how your brother is doing. And are you doing okay after everything?”

Sadness clouded Bonnie’s features, but she seemed to appreciate the question. “They are struggling. It hasn’t been easy, but they have a lot of support. I’ve been worried about them. Wyatt and Chrissy are such great friends, though. They’ve really been there for each other.”

Jace was glad to hear that. He knew that a loss of any kind could put distance between a married couple. He’d seen it happen with friends and even some more distant relatives. He knew, without a doubt, that it would have been a struggle for him and Samantha. The kind of relationship Wyatt and Chrissy had sounded like the kind he hoped to have one day for himself.

“I’m glad they are doing okay, though I’m sorry they are going through this at all. It’s good you can be there for them.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it.” Bonnie looked thoughtful. “And as my first act as an official friend, I’d like to invite you, Noel, and Gunner to visit my church one of these Sundays. I have some family members that attend. Thankfully, none of the annoying ones.” She chuckled, but there was an underlying hint of nervousness there. “No pressure, just wanted to extend the invitation.”

Jace hadn’t gone to church regularly in a while. He’d just been thinking about how that should change, especially now that Gunner was getting a little older. Going with Bonnie would be a bonus. “I’d like that, and I’m sure Noel would, too. Thank you.”

He made a mental note as she told him the church’s name and time.

She tipped her head toward the main house. “You’d better get back before Noel and Gunner eat without you.”

“Yeah, I probably should.” He grinned at her. “Have a good night, Bonnie.”

“You, too. Thanks for walking me home.”

Jace tipped his invisible hat. He forced himself to turn away from the beautiful woman who he was quickly falling in love with, despite his best efforts to avoid exactly that.

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