Page 67 of A Cowboy's Bride
“Pretty good,” Aiden said. “We nearly finished the walls in the studio. Next step is painting.”
They chatted about paint colours and building trim all the way up to the porch, where Declan and Jake stood waiting.
Declan glanced down at the hand between Petra and Jinx and gave Petra an approving nod before focusing on the young woman. “We got your message that things were going okay.”
“It was fine. A few people asked where I was from, but after I told them I’d lived in Winnipeg for a while, that seem to be enough.” Jinx squeezed Petra’s hand then let go. “I think it’s going to work.”
By executive decision, a.k.a. Jinx, they broke in different directions to deal with pre-supper chores. Jinx went with Declan and Aiden to the barn, Petra slid back to the office and left Jake to deal with supper prep.
She had no idea how he was going to pull it off considering how late he was starting, but supper was on the table promptly at five.
“Damn, this looks great.” Aiden scooped a huge ladle of mashed potatoes onto his plate. “Pass the gravy when you get a chance, Declan.”
Jake served up thick slices of steaming hot meatloaf, and Petra glanced around in surprise. There was also a fruit salad and green beans, and when she glanced at the counter and spotted a chocolate cake waiting there, her curiosity got the better of her.
“It looks delicious, Jake, but when did you have time to do this?”
Jake mumbled something then motioned with his spoon toward Jinx. “Is this a big enough piece for you, or do you want more?”
“That’s enough, thanks,” she said, loading up with salad.
Uh-uh. Petra wasn’t going to let it sit. She leaned down and took a deep sniff of the meatloaf. “I like your seasoning blend. What did you put in there, Jake?”
He hesitated before letting out a lusty sigh. “I don’t know. I picked it up at Buns and Roses.”
Aiden slapped the table, laughing as he pointed at his brother. “I knew it. I knew you didn’t have it in you to make this kind of a meal.”
“You plan to have Tansy cook all your meals for you, bro?” Declan asked. He glanced at Petra and his eyes sparkled. “Because I have zero complaints about that idea as long as it’s coming out of your wallet and not the ranch budget.”
Jake took the teasing good-naturedly, and Petra dug into the savoury food with gusto. Like Aiden had said, it turned out to be a very good day.
The restof the week flew past, and slowly a routine fell into place. Jinx bloomed as her confidence rose with every trip into town. Homework began. Sometimes Sasha Stone would hop off the school bus with her, the two girls sitting at the living room table to go over quadratic equations or working on English essays.
Aiden was shocked to discover he had become the designated homework helper.
On the first Wednesday when the girls had asked Declan for help, Aiden had received in emergency text telling him to get his ass into the house.
He’d rushed in all panicked only to find Declan with a stormy expression and two girls trying very hard to keep straight faces.
His brother shook his head. “Tag team. Your turn.” He glanced over his shoulder at the girls and shook his head. “It was bad enough when I had to do it the first time, and back then they didn’t have things like invisible numbers. You go on and torment Aiden with your questions.”
“Thanks for trying, Mr. Skye,” Sasha offered brightly.
“No problem. If you want help with your horses, then you come to me.” Declan met Sasha’s gaze. “Although I hear Kelli’s pretty smart with them as well.”
“Kelli says it’s always good to learn new things from the best, and Jinx says horses like you.”
Declan dipped his chin. “Extra dessert for you tonight, Jinx,” he promised, sending both girls into a flurry of laughter as he tipped an imaginary hat then headed to the barn.
Ever since then, Aiden had made sure he was free after school in case he could help. It wasn’t Declan’s area of expertise, and as organized as Jake was, he still didn’t feel comfortable being around Jinx without one of the rest of them there.
Aiden was doing his best to make sure that it didn’t always fall on Petra, which would be too easy to do in some ways.
After homework was dealt with, he joined the girls walking the trail that connected the two properties. While both of the ranches were large, like most ranches, the actual houses themselves were walking distance apart.
They crossed over the boundary line, climbing over the stile between the well-maintained fences. Jinx and Sasha chatted easily as Aiden walked behind, enjoying the break in his day and the chance to wander. Dixie danced between him and the girls, pleased as a pig in mud to have both of them around.
When Sasha was within eyesight of her house, she turned and gave Jinx a hug. “I have a lot to do this weekend, so we can’t get together. But maybe next weekend it’ll work that you can come over and we can go riding.” Sasha glanced at Aiden. “My mom said that you and Petra could ride with us if you’d like. I know most of the trails pretty well, but I’m still not supposed to ride by myself without an adult if we’re going to go farther.”
