Page 20 of Nashville Cowboy
Talk of the pregnancy was off limits when anyone could walk in on them. Eve knew better than to ask whether Sadie had told Lincoln yet.
“I’m avoiding him.”
“You know why he’s so angry, don’t you?” Sadie slapped the burlap over the top of a jar and moved it around to make it fit. “He was so hurt when you stood him up.”
“Hmm. I don’t know about that.”
“Eve, you didn’t see him.”
“Neither did you.” In fact, he left town like a streak of lightning and it was a wonder anyone saw him.
“No, but…well, look, I’m sworn to secrecy, but you are my best friend. And you’re doing all this for me, which I know can’t be easy. I know how he was because Lincoln told me. When Jackson got home from the chapel, he changed and took Taco for a ride. He didn’t come back for hours.” Sadie moved to the next jar. “Mima was about to send for the law, but Lincoln made her wait. He went looking for Jackson himself, terrified when he couldn’t find him. But sure enough, he came back hours later, stormed into the house, and proceeded to wreck his room.”
“That doesn’t make me feel better.” Another stone slid down her throat.
“Lincoln made everyone just wait it out and an hour later, Jackson came out with his bags packed. Said as long as he wasn’t getting married, he was going to Nashville with the band.” Sadie looked up, remembering. “And then it was Mima’s turn to get mad.”
“At me.”
“That’s right,” Sadie said. “Well, both of you. Because of you standing him up, her Jackson left town. He couldn’t show his face again because he was heartbroken.”
“I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”
Sadie covered her mouth. “Listen to me. I’m sorry to bring up bad memories, but I think if he was that upset, he must have really cared. He loved you, Eve. A whole lot. You were his world.”
Eve swallowed. “And he was mine.”
“I just think a second chance wouldn’t be so out of the question. Would it?”
“Sadie, don’t look now but your incurable optimism is hijacking your brain.” Eve slapped a label on a jar with a bit more force than the previous one. “Weren’t you the one that told me Jackson moved on and I should get out there and date again?”
“I tried that, and you don’t seem to want anyone else.”
“So? That doesn’t mean I’m goin’ to go running back to Jackson just because he’s come back home. He came back for Lincoln, not me.”
A car door slammed outside, and both Eve and Sadie turned to the large picture window giving them a clear view of the top of their long circular driveway. Jackson leaned into the driver’s side window and braced arms with an ease and familiarity you’d see between two lovers. When he straightened to his full height, Eve got a clear and unobstructed view of Jolette Marie Truehart behind the wheel. Jolette Marie was a three-time runaway bride and a buckle bunny. The only daughter of the wealthy man who owned the second largest horse ranch in Stone Ridge. Her mother’s employer. Jolette smiled up at Jackson, winked, and blew him a kiss before she drove off.
Afraid to be caught in the act of noticing this, Eve quickly looked away. She met with Sadie’s rounded hazel eyes, filled with pity. If there was one damn thing Eve couldn’t stand it was pity. She bristled, her stomach a quivering mess.
“I don’t care,” she said.
Jackson strode into the kitchen, a big grin on his face. He tipped his Stetson. “Ladies.”
“Hey, Jackson,” Sadie said. “We’re just working on the weddin’ favors. I hope we’re not in your way.”
“Don’t mind me.” He opened the fridge, took out a bottle of water, and uncapped it.
There was no way they couldn’t pay attention to the cowboy in the room. He took a seat next to Sadie and observed their process.
“Aren’t these cute?” Sadie said. “It’s from my mom’s label.”
“I love your mama’s jam,” Jackson said, picking up a jar and leaning back as he read the label. “Very funny. Spread the love.”
But Sadie’s wide smile was wiped right off her face when Jackson put his big finger in an opened jar and swiped a big dollop. He licked it off his finger and met Eve’s gaze.
She swallowed. “Um, Jackson? Don’t you have something to do?”
“Yup. And I’m doin’ it.”
