Page 6 of Calling from the Heart
“What?” Jeb asked with a sideways glance.
“You usually drive like a bat out of hell.”
“It’s icy.”
“Yeah. A little. At least the roads seem pretty clear…”
“They do. I just want to be careful, baby. And I would even if you weren’t pregnant on ice this bad.”
To be fair, Jeb had never driven him around in the worst of the winter storms before.
“Fair enough. It makes a difference, though, doesn’t it?” He understood.
That dark gaze met his again briefly. “It really does. I’m— I don’t know what I am, exactly, but I’m amazed, for sure.”
“Yeah. You haven’t had time to work through all this.” And Owen wouldn’t be surprised if Jeb needed a lot of time to think about everything.
“I haven’t, but don’t think I’m going to let you get away, baby.” They crossed the river, and it took no time for Jeb to pull in at the Grand Springs Hotel.
He didn’t know what to say about Jeb’s words, so he didn’t try. “We’re here.”
“We are.” Jeb reached across the console to grab his hand, then he brought it up to kiss it. “All friends.”
“I hope so.” He cupped Jeb’s jaw. “Us too?”
“Us too, baby. First and foremost. And then more.” Jeb kissed his fingers, making them tingle.
Owen wasn’t going to cry, but damn, he wanted to.
“Come on, you,” Jeb finally said. “Let’s go have some pie.”
And that sounded like the best thing ever.
Three
Jeb woke up with a crick in his neck that wouldn’t quit.
The snow had been falling by the time they’d left the hotel carrying enough leftovers to feed an army, and he’d asked Owen to come home with him.
“I shouldn’t,” Owen said, chewing his lip.
“I’ll sleep on the couch if you want me to. But your lights always go out when it dumps snow, and I want you warm and safe. Please?”
So Owen had agreed, and Jeb had kissed him gently at the door to the bedroom before sacking out on the couch.
And now he needed coffee and a neck massage.
He heard the microwave ding, opening his eyes to see Owen pulling out a mug from the nuker.
He crawled to a sitting position, his back spasming. “Ugh.”
“Do you want a cup of cocoa? I’m making some…”
“Um, sure.” He had no idea if Owen was supposed to be drinking coffee or not.
“I can make coffee for you, but I’m on decaf, and I’d rather have cocoa. I mean, if you don’t mind.”
“No. I’m fine with that, baby.” He chuckled. “I had no idea I had cocoa.”
