Page 87 of Before You Can Blink
Only God knew why, because I sure as hell didn’t deserve her.
Chapter 18
Jett
Age 40
October
Crossingbotharmsovermy chest, I leaned against the support beam that separated the kitchen from the living room. “I sure hope your chores are done if you’re sitting in front of that television.”
The guilty expression on Tripp’s face when his head whipped around was all the answer I needed.
“That’s what I thought.”
My eyes slid to Penny, seated beside him. I didn’t need to ask to know she hadn’t gotten hers done. Wade had let that girl run free—too free—for far too long, and now she was wild as they come, untamable even. And of course, my son was all too happy to cover for her anytime she found herself in a tight spot, so without consequences for her actions, there was no incentive for her to behave. Whatever man ended up with her was in for a rough ride.
“You know the rules, Tripp. Chores before leisure time.”
“But, Dad.” He gestured toward the football game on the TV. “Oklahoma’s playing Texas.”
“That’s nice. Get moving.” I jerked my head toward the back door.
“Come on. Don’t you wanna watch?” The kid was pressing his luck, continuing to argue instead of following a direct order.
“’Course, but there’s work to be done, so I can’t.”
Hope lit up his blue eyes. “Sure you can! You’re the boss.”
“It’s because I’m the boss that I can’t, son.”
The teenage boy practically pouted. “But that’s not fair!”
Spoiler alert: life’s not fair, kid. Get used to it now.
My patience was wearing thin. “No, what’s not fair would be asking my men to pick up the slack because I took time off in the middle of the afternoon to watch a football game.”
Sighing dramatically, Penny unfolded her legs to place both feet on the floor. “Come on, Tripp. Maybe if I help you, we can make it back inside to catch the fourth quarter.”
This might be my land, but I wasn’t about to parent Wade’s daughter by pointing out that she had her own chores to attend to. Her total disregard for rules and responsibilities was my best friend’s problem. My focus had to remain on Tripp and making sure he was prepared to take over this ranch someday, and that wouldn’t happen if I allowed him to skip out on chores when the timing didn’t suit him.
“Jett!” Daisy’s voice called from deeper within the house. “Can you come take a look at the dryer? It’s acting funny.”
I swear, it was always something.
“Yeah, be there in a minute!” I hollered back, before shooting a pointed look toward Tripp. “Don’t think I won’t be checking on you once I’m done helping your mama.”
“Yes, sir.” The words were grumbled under his breath as he and Penny shuffled out the front door.
Turning on my heel, I made my way to the laundry room where Daisy was waiting, hands on her hips, a frown marring her pretty face.
“What seems to be the trouble?” I joined her inside the small space.
The second I crossed the threshold, she shoved me against the door so hard that it slammed shut with a sharp crack.
Then she was on me.
Her tongue pushed inside my mouth as both hands slid down my chest, coming to rest on my belt buckle, frantically working to unlatch it.
