Page 44 of A Cowboy's Bride
The girl was all eyes and cautious hope. “I want to help.”
“You will,” Aiden promised. “This is going to be your home for as long as you need it. Since you’ll be going to school, you’ll have chores, not a full-time job. You get to be a teenager, Jinx. That’s important for us, too. Not just you.”
Moisture was beginning to gather in Jinx’s eyes, which Petra didn’t think the girl would be comfortable with sharing yet.
She squeezed Aiden’s hand gratefully then stood. “Whoever is on cleanup crew with me, let’s get rolling. Then Jinx and I are out. We won’t be home for lunch. Who’s cooking tonight?”
“Neither of you,” Jake said. “Be back by six and we’ll have supper ready.”
“Deal.” Petra met Jinx’s gaze. “Go get washed up and be ready to leave in about twenty minutes.”
Cleanup went quickly with Declan and Jake both helping Petra. She scooted back to the primary bathroom and did her own morning cleanup, stepping into the living room the same time as Jinx and Dixie.
Aiden sat at the kitchen table, catalogs and paper colour samples spread in front of him. He rose to his feet and joined them on the porch, waiting as they switched their house shoes for outdoor ones. “Call me if you need anything,” he said quietly.
“I’m anticipating a very relaxing day,” Petra informed him with a grin as she stood. She shoved their inside shoes into a bag then slung it over her shoulder, ready to head out.
He caught her by the wrist and tugged, hands sliding against her lower back until she rested tight against his firm body. “I hope you and Jinx have a wonderful day.”
His voice was low and sexy, and she blinked hard for a second before his lips met hers.
He kissed her. Sweet and slow, but it was still enough to set off firecrackers in Petra’s brain. The pressure on her lower back held them locked together, and even though Aiden pulled back and released her only a moment later, her heart rate had gone into triple time.
His wide grin washed over her, and his eyes sparkled. “Bye, sweetheart.”
It finally clicked. The engagement—Jinx would have wondered if they never shared any public displays of affection.
God, she was glad one of them had remembered.
“Bye.” Damn, she wished she was quicker on the uptake and had come up with some annoying cutesy name for him.
They were a few steps up the walk when Aiden cleared his throat. “Petra.”
She glanced back.
He held out her purse, amusement in his eyes. “You might need this.”
Petra took it gratefully. “At least I wasn’t already on the road.”
Jinx sat quietly in the passenger seat of the truck, staring out the front window.
She’d seemed more reassured by Petra and Aiden’s kiss than frightened, and that had to be a good thing. Mistakes were going to be made, but as long as they kept trying, they’d have to call it a win.
Petra had more than one thing to accomplish today. “Did Danielle show you around town before she dropped you off at the ranch?” she asked.
Jinx shook her head. “I think she was worried. I mean, she wasn’t supposed to do what she did. Pick me up and take me somewhere.” The girl glanced at Petra. “I’m very grateful. To her and to you guys.”
Petra gave a nod of approval. “It’s good to be grateful, and we know you are. But now you should concentrate on taking advantage of this fresh start you’ve been given. It’s not always going to be easy.” Instead of turning and driving straight out to Red Boot ranch where her sister-in-law was waiting, Petra turned left and headed into Heart Falls proper. “We won’t stop anywhere, but I’m going to drive through town before heading to the ranch.”
Jinx sat up straighter, nose all but pressed to the side window as Petra gave her a tour. She pointed out the different buildings, including Buns and Roses and where the high school was. Jinx asked a few questions, slowly warming up until it was as close to a full-on conversation as they’d had.
Petra pulled the truck to a stop outside of Julia and Zach’s cabin and paused. Time to double check.
“I need to say I’m sorry,” Petra began. When Jinx blinked in confusion, Petra shrugged. “I kind of steamrolled you back there at the house, talking about getting your hair straightened out. Your hair is your business. You need to do what you’re comfortable with, and my job is to support you. That said, I think you’d get less negative attention if we fix it.”
Jinx shook her head. She’d used a big enough scrunchie that the tangled mess was pulled back off her face instead of hiding her features, but it was lopsided and clearly pulling at her scalp in places. “It seemed smart to look as ugly as possible.”
Petra shoved down her anger at the assholes who had traumatized this girl so badly that she’d chosen to hide herself away. “So, good to change it up?”
