Page 35 of Nashville Cowboy
He wanted to be a success because one day he’dshowher. Damn it, one day he’d make her sorry. She’d regret abandoning him. But even though he’d only achieved half of what he’d planned and dreamed of in his career, one thing became clear. Eve had regrets, too. He could see them in her eyes.
He wasn’t sure where that left him.
After dressing and pulling on his work boots, he wandered into the kitchen. No one seemed to be around, but there was a steaming pot of hot coffee and he poured himself a cup. Flapjacks, bacon, eggs, and grits were warming on the stove. The table was set for four.
Nabbing a piece of bacon, he looked out the big picture window that faced the corral. Levi, one of the ranch hands, was running a cow pony in a circle, probably one that either wasn’t cooperating or was treated for colic. From time to time, their cow ponies required remedial lessons, and this might be one of those times. Perched on the edge of the corral watching them was Eve. She threw back her head, laughing at something Levi said.
He did not welcome the roiling pitch of jealousy simmering in his gut. He didn’t have any claim on Eve. No reason to object to her spending time with a single man. She had every right, just as he did. They were both single and unattached. Jolette Marie Truehart was certainly interested, but when she’d suggested they get together, Jackson hadn’t felt the slightest flicker of interest.
This frustrated him, because Jolette Marie was a beautiful woman, and she’d come on strong. Then again, she held the dubious distinction of being a three-time runaway bride, a record. But he wouldn’t exactly be worried about any of that with her.
He’d run into her after he’d hitched a ride into town with Daisy and dropped in to visit with Priscilla before the Shady Grind opened for lunch. But Priscilla ran off to an appointment in Austin she said she couldn’t miss. She’d no time to drive him back to the ranch and Daisy had already left for her job at the auto shop in Kerrville. Jolette Marie was more than happy to oblige.
“You’re single and I’m single,” Jolette Marie said inanely as she drove him back to the Double C.
“You’re still single, Jolette Marie? How’s that possible, now?”
“Plenty of choices, but I’m picky.” She pouted, then boldly reached over to palm his knee.
“You deserve the best.”
She’d slid him a sly smile. “We’re both on the same page there. I do deserve the best.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
He’d flirted and flattered and laid the compliments on thick as Mima’s gravy. But when she’d asked him on a date, he explained that he’d be too busy with the wedding.
Still, he’d asked Jolette Marie to drop him off in full view of the front of the house. A few minutes later he’d proceeded to make an ass out of himself with Sadie. He still wanted to apologize to her. No matter how angry he’d been with himself for still lusting after Eve, he couldn’t take that out on Sadie, an innocent bystander in their dysfunctional mess.
He continued to watch now as Eve walked alongside Levi, Eve now leading the horse out of the corral. They both seemed to be headed back up the hill toward Hank’s. Suddenly and inexplicably, the horse reared and knocked Levi down. It took off at a gallop, but Eve kept hold of the reins, half running, half being dragged alongside.
Jackson tore out of the house. He reached Levi, who was struggling to stand, and helped him up. “You okay?”
“Yeah. Didn’t see that coming.” He scanned the horizon and they both watched as a few hundred feet away, Eve struggled for control of the horse, not letting go.
She’d managed to slow him down and get his attention as they both spun in a circle. She appeared to be talking to him, trying to calm him. Didn’t seem to be working from where he stood.
“Shit fire,” Jackson muttered, heading after her at a run. She was going to get herself killed by a mad horse. “Eve!”
If she heard him, she didn’t listen, and in the next second she face-planted on the hard ground, losing the reins. The horse galloped away.
Jackson ran the rest of the way to her, cursing the entire way. He squatted beside her, afraid to move her and cause more injury. “Are you okay?”
She rolled over on her back, spitting dirt and hair out of her mouth. “Peachy. Why do you ask?”
Giving her a thorough look, he noticed no blood. He gently slid his hand down her stomach. Her arms. No bones sticking out. He pulled her to her feet. “That wasn’t smart.”
She brushed some loose dirt from her knees and then pushed the wild hair out of her eyes. “Ihadthis under control.”
They both scanned the horizon as in the distance the horse met with the fence on the first pasture. Nowhere left to run. He turned and trotted down the fence line.
“Almost isn’t good enough when it comes to a horse.” He squeezed her shoulders, feeling worry and concern pulse through him.
She pulled away and tugged on her left ear. Turning in circles, she searched the ground. He followed her gaze. Something metallic shone in the dirt a few feet away from them which he assumed was an earring she’d dropped, and he reached it first.
“What’s this?”
“It looks like a hearing aid,” she said, patting down hair on her left side.
