Page 70 of Perfect Pact

“Dusty Jacobs, what did you do?”

“What needed to be done to make my girl’s dream come true.”

“I can’t accept this! It’s too much! Way, way too much!”

“You think?” Dusty reaches up and rubs his short, full beard.

“There is no thinking about it.”

“Well, maybe we can work out a payment arrangement.” He winks.

“Here we go. You and your arrangements.” I shake my head.

“Is it not what you wanted?”

I don’t want to give him the satisfaction of saying yes, but he knows. He’s seen the vision board, all my notes, the dog-eared pages in the stack of decorating magazines I’ve had sitting all over. This isexactlywhat I wanted.

“Yes.” I reluctantly let him pull me in for a hug.

“Good, because you’re what I want. Looks like now we both get what we want.”

“You’re something else.”

“You know it’s why you love me so much.” He tilts my chin up.

“I do. I love you, Dusty Jacobs, even when you annoy the hell outta me.”

“I love you too, darlin’.” He seals his mouth over mine with a kiss. His palms slide down my back and hips before he spreads them over my ass, holding me to him.

“Is this a workday or a peepshow?” Cole yells out of the passenger window as Jase pulls up the drive. “Cause I can get down with that.”

They all pile out of the truck, and Vanny smacks Cole up the backside of his head. Jase and Joey get out as Grady’s truck pulls into the driveway. Charlie unbuckles the baby while Jillybean runs to check out the goats.

Dusty’s wearing hisyou’re not gonna believe what I didface again.

I shouldn’t be surprised at the generosity of this man. And this town never ceases to amazeme.

“Make me your bitch.”Cole steps in and takes charge, ordering everyone around, using a checklist Dusty gave him.

“What he really means is let me be in charge so I don’t have to actually do any real work but still look busy,” Jase whispers as he walks by.

“Heard that!” Cole yells through a bullhorn he pulled out of God knows where.

Jase rolls his eyes and follows Dusty to the barn.

“Painters on the left. Carpenters on the right. Make two lines, people.”

“Ignore him. He’s harmless, I swear.” Joey laughs, grabbing two huge baskets outof the truck. “Sandwiches and stuff. Shorty from Wren’s sent these over.”

“I’ll grab the coolers.” Vanny smiles. “We’re all gonna need a stiff drink after a couple hours of listening to Cole on that thing.”

“Twenty bucks to the first person who takes it away,” Jase calls out.

“Hey.” Charlee walks over with trays of cupcakes with little barns on them. “These are from me and Jillybean.”

At the mention of her name, Jilly leaves the goats and runs over. “I made these and only licked my finger a few times.” She smiles proudly.

“Awe! Wow! These are amazing! Thank you so much for the cupcakes and coming to help.”

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