Page 136 of Cowboy's Last Stand
Natalie’s heart broke into a thousand little pieces like it did every time they discussed Jason.She drew Marcus into her arms and held him tight.Too tight, perhaps.He wriggled from her grasp, refusing to be comforted.
They walked next door together at noon, both carrying pies that Natalie had made.London welcomed them inside.They spent the next several hours in the cozy chaos of a typical family holiday.The space was crammed with people, the food was plentiful, and children of all ages raced around together.
When it was time to leave, Natalie thanked London’s mother for a lovely meal and headed outside with Marcus.They were crossing the driveway when a black Jeep pulled up to the curb.It was sporty and clean, about ten years old, but in excellent condition.
To her shock, Jason exited the vehicle.
She froze in place while Marcus burst forward with a shout of glee.Her son ran full-tilt toward Jason, who accepted the tackle-hug with open arms.Natalie was too stunned to move for several seconds.Then her limbs unlocked, and she walked toward them.
Jason was wearing nicer clothes than usual.His blue button-down shirt fit well across his shoulders, the sleeves rolled up to display his strong forearms.Charcoal-gray trousers and a black cowboy hat completed the look.Although Natalie liked him just fine in worn jeans and basic T-shirts, this was a cut above.
He set Marcus on his feet, removed his hat, and regarded her cautiously.His black hair gleamed in the sunlight, and his jaw was smooth-shaven.There should be a law against a man showing up unannounced, looking this good.His eyes glinted with appreciation as he studied her in return.
“Natalie,” he said.
“Jason.”
“You look nice.”
Her cheeks heated at his words.They sounded like a deliberate reference to the last time she’d worn this dress.She remembered every moment of their night at the VFW, the night of their first kiss.“Did you drive all the way from San Diego?”
“No.I never left Texas.”
“You didn’t?”
“I’m at Fort Cavazos.”
She frowned at him without comprehension.Fort Cavazos, formerly Fort Hood, was less than twenty minutes from Last Chance.Mike had been stationed there.He was buried in the adjacent veteran’s cemetery.“You’ve been at Fort Cavazos this whole time?”
“Yes.I got a job on base.”
“Marcus said you were close to Mexico.”
Jason ruffled Marcus’s hair.“I told you I was close toLast Chance.”
“Show me your truck,” Marcus said, unconcerned with geography.
“Do you mind?”Jason asked her.
She shook her head, feeling numb.Jason opened the door for Marcus, who started climbing all over the interior.The Jeep had a CB radio, which Marcus wanted to play with.Jason let him talk into the receiver and honk the horn.
“It’s a military vehicle, re-designated,” Jason explained to Natalie.“I rebuilt the engine and got it for a steal.”
Natalie murmured an acknowledgment, though she barely glanced at it, and didn’t care.She was too busy staring at Jason with open fascination.Had he been this handsome last week?More importantly, why had she let him get away?
Marcus hopped out the passenger side.“Can we get ice cream?”
“I came to talk to your mom, actually.Is that OK with you?”
“Can we get ice cream after?”
Jason glanced at Natalie, who nodded her permission.London, who’d been watching from her front porch, chose that moment to stroll over.She exchanged a friendly greeting with Jason and offered to take Marcus back to her house to play with her cousins.Marcus went without arguing, as if he knew they needed to discuss “adult stuff.”
Jason turned to Natalie, his gaze direct.“Can we start over?”
Natalie was afraid to respond, afraid she might throw her arms around his neck, sobbing and begging him to love her again.
“I’m Jason Reed,” he said and stuck his hand out.
