Page 83 of Nashville Cowboy
“Don’t help her to your man! I see what you’re sayin’ but a woman like that doesn’t come around here, call Jackson her husband, if she doesn’t deep down inside have designs on him.”
“It takes two to play that game. I refuse to be a jealous woman.”
The words hit uncomfortably too close to her own personal fears, but Jackson had done everything he could to reassure her. Besides, if he wanted Winona, Eve had given him every chance. Of course, the jury was still out onwhatWinona wanted from Jackson. Eve doubted it was innocent. She probably did want Jackson back, because she was no fool. Jackson was the best man Eve had ever met, and no doubt he was the best Winona had met.
“Where’s Jackson now?” Mima asked, as she cracked an egg with her right hand.
“He heard Hank wanted help mending a fence line, so he’s gone up there.”
“Good, that boy needs to remember ranching is in his blood.”
“He’s never going to be a rancher. He’s doing what he loves but maybe we can help him to find a way to do it here.”
“Now you’re talkin’.”
“He said he’s stayin’ indefinitely. I have the feeling that he’s tired of show business. All the business part of it anyway. He loves the music, but he can do that anywhere. I plan on making him want to stay home, don’t worry.”
“You’re a gosh dern genius!”
“I like to think so.”
“Like my dear old departed Albert used to gnaw on and on about, keep your friends close and your enemies closer.”
With that, Eve was off to work where she checked in with Annabeth. Eve’s day involved driving two hours in each direction to care for a pig with the swine flu and check in on a pregnant mare who’d been bred with a champion stud. Another cloud had lifted. The progress had encouraged her, and she felt happy. Happier than she had been in a long time about work. Her life.
Later that night after a quick dinner, Eve had just finished showering when she heard heavy footsteps coming down the hall. Jackson must be back from mending fences. Poor man had to be exhausted. Personal trainer or not, a hard day at the ranch was like no other workout. As had become her custom this week, she pulled a bathrobe over her naked body and opened the door to Jackson’s room, shutting it quickly. Jackson lay on the bed fully clothed with only his boots off. Face first, it appeared he’d crashed as soon as he hit the mattress.
He groaned. “Got in a fight with a fence.”
“Did the fence come at you from behind or was it a frontal attack?”
“Don’t know, but every side of me hurts.”
“Aww, baby. You’re just not used to ranching anymore, that’s all.” She sat on the edge of his bed, ready to rub the kinks out of his shoulders.
But Jackson suddenly rolled over and pinned her under him in two seconds flat. He gave her a slow smile. “Maybe I shouldreconsider acting lessons. Got a real gift for it. Had you going.”
“You tricked me!” She laughed from underneath him.
“I’m strong enough to take the physical punishment of ranching. Still got to prove it to my dad, but that’s what today was about.”
Confusion pulsed through her. She’d have thought Jackson left that struggle behind. He’d found his own success.
“You don’t haveanythingto prove.”
“Yeah. Try telling that to Hank, who thinks that all I do is prance around the stage, sing, and make good money.” Braced above her, his thumb traced her bottom lip and then tugged it.
“And there’s a lot more to it than that.” She didn’t know but she hazarded a guess. Nothing in life was as simple as it seemed from the outside.
One hand skillfully loosened the belt of her bathrobe. “Baby, you don’t know the half of it.”
“Iwantto know.” She didn’t know anything about that part of his life apart from what had happened with Winona.
“We’ve never talked about that part of my life.”
“Don’t you want to share it?”
“Look, I know I’ve got it good and can’t complain. But it just isn’t all a fun house twenty-four seven.” His thumb now slowly circled her nipple and her entire body tightened in response. “There are takers all around. People who want something, who think I can do something for them, who need me to keep them working. I feel responsible for my backup band. They depend on me to tour, so they have steady work. It’s a lot of pressure sometimes.”
