Page 50 of A Cowboy's Bride
His head snapped up, and he blinked, as if not only surprised to see her, but to discover himself inside the shop. “Hey.”
Tansy snickered. She bounced upright and brushed her hands off. “Well, girls, I hope you have a lovely time shopping later. Excuse me, I have something I need to do.”
She darted from the table and grabbed Jake by the hand, towing him through the swinging kitchen doors.
The table was quiet for a second before Sasha demanded, “Who was that?”
Jinx spoke, her answer quiet but clear. “That's Jake. He's a brother to my brother-in-law. Jake is the middle one, and he’s very organized,” Jinx informed her.
Sasha's look of concern shifted to one that was slightly more approving. “Being organized is good,” she said. “Kelli says people who don't think things through are like a guy who can’t organize a piss-off at a brewery.”
“Sasha.” Both Petra and Julia scolded at the same moment, but Jinx’s grin was nearly as wide as the one Petra felt stretching her lips.
“Sometime soon you'll have to visit Silver Stone ranch and meet the source of all these Kelli-isms,” Julia promised Jinx.
“Kelli's awesome,” Sasha agreed as she checked the time. “I need to get back. You want us to come pick you up tomorrow, or are you going to drive to our place, Ms. Sorensen?” she asked Petra.
“We’ll come get you after supper,” Petra offered. “If anything changes, you have my number.”
Sasha nodded. “Once you get a phone, Jinx, I'll give you my number so you and I can text.” She made a face. “We have a whole ton of rules about texting, so I'll have to go over them with you. My mom and dad are really strict.”
It was the easy complaint of a kid who knows exactly how good they’ve got it.
As the girls continued to chat, a flash of understanding struck so hard Petra leaned back in her chair and groaned softly.
Julia frowned. “P?”
Petra offered a smile that was probably a little shaky around the edges. “I just realized I’m basically proxy mom to a teenager. Enforcement of rules and regulations and all the rest of it.” The idea was mind-boggling. “You're supposed to break your teeth on the parental skill set when they’re small. Then if you muck up, you can just lift them bodily and put them where they’re supposed to go.”
Julia laughed. “I think you’ve had enough mothering over the years to be able to deal with this just fine. Plus, you're not on your own. Remember that. There are a whole lot of people around you willing to offer more advice than you want.”
They were back in the truck and headed to High Water when Jinx tugged lightly on Petra’s sleeve to get her attention. “I like Sasha,” she said. “Thanks for setting that up.”
“No problem. I guess we’re headed out shopping tomorrow, then?”
Jinx nodded. She stared out the window, gaze flitting from place to place.
Maybe it was just Petra’s imagination, but Jinx’s examination of the town seemed less as if she were memorizing the area in case she needed to make a fast getaway and more like she was just soaking in her surroundings.
One more step forward.
13
Petra and Jinx strolled into the artists’ studio, a stream of happy chatter flowing between them that made Aiden smile. He didn't stop, though, other than to toss a wink Petra's way. “Everything work out?”
She nodded. “Operation shopping trip is on for tomorrow after supper.”
“Awesome. I’d give you a thumbs-up, Jinx, but my hands are full.” He waved with the mudding trowel in his right hand.
She walked toward him, Dixie bumping into her heels. “What’re you doing?”
“Mudding. Let's me return to my inner child,” he said in a teasing tone. “More importantly, it covers the screws and the seams between the sheets of drywall and turns it into one solid piece. If I do a good job, that is.”
“You damn well better do a good job,” Jake called from the other side before slamming his lips shut and looking embarrassed. “Sorry, ladies.”
For a second, Petra had to stop to think about what he was apologizing for before offering him anare you kidding melook. “You can't even say damn?”
Beside her, Jinx snickered softly. “What aboutdratsorgoodness gracious?”
