Page 44 of Make it Real
“Oh, darlin’.”
Jed’s tender expression made a lump leap up into my throat. I didn’t feel much when I talked about my dad anymore, but his sweet concern had me on the verge of tears. Like he really cared for me, and hurt simply becauseI’dbeen hurt.
“I’d offer to hug you,” he said, “but I’m covered in dirt.”
Nice try, farmer. I wanted that hug.
“I’m not fancy.”
He stepped closer and wrapped me up in his arms, nestling me to him. One hand moved up and down my back in slow, soothing strokes, and I could have purred like a cat. He smelled of dirt, the sweet scent of peaches, and, yes, a teensy note of sweat, but I didn’t care a bit. Actually, I kind of liked how he smelled, which seemed the strangest of all. Looking good dirty? Made sense in a primal way. Smelling good dirty? Hello, weirdo.
After a minute, he released me, keeping a light hold on my biceps. “I’m sorry he wasn’t there for you.”
“It’s okay.” I loved his sweetness, but absolutely did not want him thinking of me as this sad, damaged girl. Yes, my dad had left us. Yes, I’d dated a loser in college. But neither of those things said a whole lot aboutme. “I’m sorry I got sidetracked when I was trying to say that I like your dad. He seems like a really good father.”
Jed let go of my arms, seemingly content I wasn’t about to fall into a million pieces. “He is. A mite pushy now and then, and it’d be nice if he sorted out this whole retirement situation, but yeah. He’s a good father. I probably don’t tell him enough.”
He looked off into the distance as if he could see his dad back at the house. Frowning a touch, he seemed almost sad, but when he turned back to me, his eyes lit with mischief again. That tiny look sent my senses into overdrive.
“Are you ready to go for a ride?”
FOURTEEN
jed
Callie hoppedstraight onto the ATV as soon as I suggested it, her hands on the grips testing them out. “I’ve never ridden one before. Are they very hard to drive?”
“Nope. Just climb aboard and go.” I moved into the shade of the barn and shuffled a few things around until I found a blanket. A little dusty, but good enough for sitting on. Had to admit, Pop’s idea of settling in for a bit with Callie was a good one. Wouldn’t expect to spend too long out there in this heat, but it’d be alright in the shade. “You’ll do great.”
“Me?” Her warm brown eyes turned into sunbursts. “You’ll let me drive it?”
“Sure.” I set the folded blanket on the seat and climbed on behind her. A bit of a squeeze—the utility ATV wasn’t built for two—but I couldn’t say I minded. “Riding ATVs is most fun for the driver.”
She looked over the buttons and dials like she was trying to memorize them. “What do I do?”
I wrapped around her from behind to give a quick lesson on the controls. Wasn’t much to know for a two-mile trip on a flat, dry dirt road. Sitting this close to her, though, I had an urge to drag out the tutoring as long as possible. She smelled like oranges, fresh and delicious, and I had to stop myself from breathing her in like a creep.
Other than some hand-holding and a couple of hugs, we hadn’t touched much yet in our fake dating foray. But this…her back against my chest, my arms caging her in…this could get interesting.
She turned a touch, her face a breath away from mine. Close enough to nuzzle against her cheek. Close enough to taste those lips. She froze as if she’d heard all those thoughts, and my senses came back to me.
Reining myself in, I shifted back on the ATV, figuring she had all the info she needed. “Turn the key and fire her up.”
The engine purred to life, and Callie laughed in response. She twisted around to see me. “Are you seriously going to let me drive this on my own?”
Her wide grin showed exactly how she felt about the prospect. No way would I want to stop her now.
Leaning back, I curled my fingers around the storage rack. “I’ll just be relaxing back here if you need me.”
She turned forward again, took hold of the hand grips, and released the parking brake like I’d showed her. Her thumb went to the throttle lever, and I braced myself, having a good hunch what would come next.
She pressed down, the engine revved, and she released the throttle again, lurching us forward about three feet.
“Oh, crap!” Laughing, she rolled out her shoulders, hyping herself up to try again. “Okay, I’ll get it.”
“I know you will, darlin’. Just give it a soft, steady touch.”
She shook her head, turning so I could see her profile. “Don’t make it sound so sexy.”
