Page 52 of A Cowboy's Bride
“Then he tells Aiden to go back to the beginning. After only a few seconds, Jeff starts playing along. A side melody, not quite what Aiden was playing—thank God—but something like a bird song that floated over the guitar notes. Declan and I, we stood there with our jaws hanging open, and all thoughts about how lame it was for a big tough guy to be playing something like a flute vanished. It was sheer magic.”
“For me too,” Aiden said softly. “I think every time I practiced after that, I was hoping that same magic would return when I played on my own.”
Jinx met his gaze across the room. “I think you found it.”
“Thanks, kiddo. That means a lot. Music is something that’s very personal and yet a great way to share with others.”
Jinx went back to sanding. “Did you learn to play an instrument, Jake?”
“I did, but my choice was more aggressive. I decided on the drums.”
“Our mom was gone by then,” Aiden told her. “Jake was doing his teenage rebellion thing, but he knew better than to swear or get mad at Jeff.”
“He wouldn't have let me get away with it.” Jake agreed. “He was tough but fair. I think we respected that more than if he’d let us get away with things or been overly strict. He's the reason I went into the police force.”
Jinx stopped completely. “You’re a cop?”
Jake chuckled at the disbelief in her tone. “Wasa cop. Fifteen years, but eventually, I realized it wasn't for me. Not a forever-until-I-retire type job. I'm glad I did it, but it was time for something new.”
She nodded. “I think it would be a tough job.”
“Tough on everybody,” he agreed. “My ex-wife would tell you it's harder on the ones who don't pull the shift.”
This time Jinx glanced at Aiden. She mouthed the question at him.He was married?
“It's not a secret,” Aiden told her out loud. “Remember, we're still getting to know each other, so you're allowed to ask questions. Jake was married, but his wife liked the idea more than the reality of being married to someone who had responsibilities other than taking care of her demands.”
Not that he should answer for his brother, but Jake usually made the failed marriage about his mistakes and nothing about his wife’s. Aiden was tired of it.
Jake shrugged. “We dove in too soon. We were young, and it lasted under a year. Which was good in a way,” he added. “We hadn’t started a family, so there were no kids involved.”
“Did you want a family?” Jinx asked. “If that's not too personal to ask.”
Testing the boundaries, Aiden thought. He’d said she could ask questions to find out what she was curious about.
How willing were they to follow through?
Thankfully, this was one topic Jake had zero troubles sharing. “I do want a wife and kids someday, but there's still time. Right now, I want to get High Water up and running and things solidly settled before I think about getting serious with anyone.”
“That’s smart.”
Jake examined the wall, running a hand slowly over it. “You’re doing a great job.”
“Thanks.” She got back to work, full concentration on her task.
Dixie moved easily under her feet, staying just far enough out of her way that Jinx didn't trip over her. The sandpaper in Jinx’s hand ghosted over the wall with a steadyscratch, scratch, scratch.
At the table, Petra worked steadily, fingers flying again now that the conversation had slowed. Aiden paused for a break to allow Jinx and Jake to get farther ahead, moving to join Petra.
She completely ignored him.
Good powers of concentration. “You’re far away,” he said, dropping into the chair at her side.
Petra jerked slightly as she glanced up. “Sorry. I didn’t hear you.”
He chuckled. “I'm obviously not distracting enough. I end up right beside you and you don't even notice.”
Her gaze darted over him, lingering on his forearms. He’d rolled up his sleeves, and small splotches of grey mud clung here and there where they'd fallen while he worked. “Yeah, you're kind of invisible. That camouflage paint is doing its job.”
