The Cowboy's Housekeeper Page 8

  A stab of jealousy tore through Jessica. Would she ever get over the hurt at seeing him with another woman?

  The answer lay down deep in her heart. To think of another woman in Jason’s arms—where she longed to be more than anything in this world—was like having a knife slice through her soul. While Jason continued his conversation, Jessica slipped quietly away. What she needed was distance, a few minutes to wander through the crowd to calm her mangled thoughts.

  Before long everyone began to gather around the tables. An air of contagious joviality swept through the crowd. The lighthearted holiday spirit put smiles on every face. Jessica got in line to fill her plate, noting that Jason and the man he’d been speaking with followed not far behind her.

  Though she tried to take only a tiny taste of everything, she soon had enough food piled on the plate that she had to support the bottom with a flat hand. She selected a table and sat down.

  Rick brought his plate over and slid in beside her. “Mind if I join you?”

  She smiled. “Not at all.”

  Across the table, Jason shot her a disagreeable look as he set his plate down. Jessica focused on her food, determined to ignore his presence.

  For the next few minutes all thoughts of conversation vanished as the town folk dedicated themselves to the feast spread out before them. Mass quantities of food were consumed. Finally, when not a single soul could stuff one more deviled egg down, they sat around conversing in low tones, catching up on the local gossip.

  The women began clearing off the tables, and the musicians started tuning their instruments. Couples grabbed for each other’s hands and headed for the pavilion. The really fun part of the night was about to get underway. It would begin with a couple of hours of serious square dancing. When everyone was totally worn out, the pace would slow down for the remainder of the evening.

  As Jessica recollected, the pavilion dance floor was usually jam-packed, and tonight was no exception. Apparently, Bob Preston had been tapped to do the calling. He grabbed the microphone and shouted into it, his voice booming through the speakers.

  “Now, listen up, folks. We’re goin’ to get this dancin’ underway. Grab your partner.”

  Couples began forming squares all around the dance floor, and the band started playing “Cotton-Eyed Joe.”

  Rollicking music filled the air. Beneath the table, Jessica tapped her foot and watched the couples, young and old, two-stepping out onto the dance floor. She glanced around, about to suggest to Rick that they join the dancers, but he’d disappeared somewhere.

  Then out of nowhere, Jason stood by her side. “Want to dance the next square?”

  “Oh, could we?” She clapped her hands, as excited as a child on Christmas morning.

  His face broke into a wide grin. “I’m game if you are.”

  For the next two hours, Jessica had more fun than she’d had in years. It felt great to be back home again. She danced every square with a different partner. Once she found herself partnered with Clevon Johnson, who had about as much rhythm as a grade school orchestra. Hopefully he attributed her laughter to her enjoyment of the festivities. When was the last time she’d danced this much? She stopped only long enough to gulp down a glass of cold punch which Jason had handed her during one of the breaks in the music.

  “Having fun, Jessie?” Amusement lay softly in the green eyes that held hers.

  “I haven’t had so much fun in ages.” She giggled.

  “Yoo-hoo! Jaaaason!”

  They both turned to see Marcy Mercy bounding through the couples waiting on the dance floor, dragging Willis along behind her. Jessica had never seen a more mismatched couple in her life. Marcy had not lost any of her beauty. On the contrary, she was lovelier than ever, but Willis—Willis gave a whole new meaning to the word homely. There really wasn’t an attractive feature about him. He was short and stocky, with a thatch of coarse red hair sitting on his head like a deserted bird nest. He wore glasses so thick it almost made you dizzy just to stand and talk to him. Marcy and Willis looked like Beauty and the Beast together, but one thing was obvious. Willis adored his wife. Judging by the way Marcy gazed at him, she seemed to return his affection.

  “There you are.” Marcy called as she neared. “I told Willis I hadn’t seen you all night. Where have you been hiding?”

  “Hi, Marcy,” Jason called to her. Under his breath he said to Jessica, “Stay close. She’s like a bad case of poison ivy—hard to get rid of.”

  “Jessica, you remember Marcy and Willis Mercy, her husband?”

  “Certainly,” Jessica said. “Hi, Marcy, Willis.”

  “Jessica! Why, you’ve hardly changed after all these years.” A look of distaste crossed her features. “Still lovely.”

  Jessica smiled tensely. Yes, the same Marcy she remembered. “Neither have you, Marcy.”

  “How you doing, Willis?” Jason said.

  “Fine, just fine, Jason. Fine night, isn’t it? Everything’s just going fine.”

  Jessica frowned. Good heavens, he certainly has a limited vocabulary for a banker.

  The music started again. Out of nowhere Rick appeared and grabbed Jessica’s hand.

  “My turn,” he said, flashing a charming grin.

  He swept her onto the dance floor and kept her moving at a breathless pace through the steps. One thing about Rick, he could certainly dance. She was happily allemande-lefting when out of the corner of her eye she caught a glimpse of the square directly next to theirs, where Jason danced with a young woman. His lean, lithe body kept perfect time to the music. The woman’s face tilted up to his, her eyes shining with undisguised adoration.

  A sour feeling settled in her stomach as the night lost all its magic. Jessica’s feet faltered in the dance steps.

  Rick steadied her with a strong arm. “Whoa, I’ve got you, pretty lady.”

  She smiled back gratefully, but her heart was no longer in the dance. They finished the set, and the band swung into a change of pace with the fiddles playing the sweet, lilting refrain of “The Tennessee Waltz.” Rick automatically turned her around in his arms and they were gliding back out onto the dance floor when Jason’s deep voice rumbled at her side.

  “Mind if I cut in?” he asked, respectfully for a change.

  “I mind, but since you’re the boss…” Grinning with good grace, he handed her into Jason’s waiting arms.

  As the music washed over Jessica, the magic glow of the evening returned to the dance floor. He held her in a tight embrace, and she lifted her hands around his neck. How many times had they danced like this in the past? Here, in the circle of Jason’s embrace, everything felt right. She laid her head on his chest, a deep sigh escaping her lips. This had to be the closest thing to heaven here on earth for her. The fiddles sweetly sang of someone losing their “little darling,” but she had hers right here in her arms, if only for the moment.

  He guided her effortlessly across the floor, and she inhaled the unique smell of him—his soap, his tantalizing aftershave, the faint, musky smell of sweat. The top of her head didn’t quite reach to his chin, and her face nestled into the hollow of his throat as though God had fashioned them to fit together just like this.

  The picture of him with Monica, the woman he’d danced with earlier, surfaced in Jessica’s mind. Did Monica, too, feel at home in this man’s embrace? She drew back, putting space between them.

  He looked down at her, surprised. “Are you okay?”

  “No,” she answered slowly. “Jason, why have you never remarried?”

  “Mmmmmmm…” He murmured drowsily, apparently listening to the music. “What brought that on?”

  Her head spinning from his nearness, she managed a weak whisper. “Just wondering.”

  “Why haven’t you?” he asked, and pulled her closer.

  “I don’t know. I guess I haven’t found the right man yet.” Was it wrong to pray for the music to go on forever?

  His voice became husky. “I don’t think I want to hear about
the rejects.”

  “There were tons of them,” she lied.

  “I’ll bet there were.”

  Soft laughter rumbled deep in his chest, and she lifted her head to ask what he found funny. When she did, the words died on her tongue. Her lips were mere inches from his, and she inhaled a giddy draught of his breath. Mesmerized, she watched, transfixed, as his mouth slowly lowered toward hers.

  In an instant, her jerked upright. Disappointment flooded through her, like ice surging through her veins.

  “I—. Sorry.” He shook his head, and then his chest heaved with a rueful laugh. “I’ve had too much sugar. I’m hyper.”

  “Excuse me?” Disappointment threatened to give way to ire as she felt her hackles begin to rise. “Afraid someone—like Monica, will see us?”

  He gave a short laugh. “Don’t go getting yourself in a snit over Monica. She hasn’t got a contract on me—yet.”

  Yet? She wanted to sob. Instead, she let her temper take over. “We wouldn’t want that, would we?” She tried to draw away from him, but he held her in an unbreakable hold. Unless she wanted to cause a scene, she couldn’t escape. Over his shoulder she caught sight of Marcy watching them.

  Calm down, Jessica. The whole town’s watching.

  She forced a calm tone. “I’m not in a snit, as you call it. I’m just a little surprised. If you were mine, I certainly wouldn’t want you dancing with every woman in the room.”

  He threw his head back and laughed loudly this time.

  “What?” She glanced around, a little hurt. Was he laughing at her?

  “It strikes me as funny you’d see it that way. I used to be yours, and you casually tossed me away in favor of your aunt and uncle. What did you expect me to do, Jessica, wait until you decided there were things more important in life than going to school and starting a business?”

  Rebellion raised its head. Was he saying she shouldn’t have pursued an education, shouldn’t have launched her business? She stiffened.

  He must have sensed the coming explosion, because he hastened to speak before she could. “Besides, what difference does it make to you who I dance with? We have no ties anymore. You’ve had your share of fun with Rick this evening. Remember, honey, this is just a business arrangement. When the six months are over, I’ll take my thirty grand, and we’ll part company. Isn’t that what we agreed on?”

  Her heart sank. He had her there. She had said that. Why was her mind always in neutral and her mouth always in gear?

  The band switched to another waltz, her opportunity to escape. But Jason drew her closer and together they glided around the dance floor, which was lit by hundreds of tiny multicolored lights strung around the pavilion.

  Since he’d brought up the money, that seemed like a much safer topic of conversation.

  Ensuring there was a safe distance between them, she tilted her head up. “Have you thought of what you’re going to do with all your money?”

  Jason tensed slightly and asked in a cautious tone, “All what money?”

  “All of the thirty thousand dollars you’re going to have.” That had bothered her. What was he going to do with that much money? “Have you given it any serious thought?”

  He nodded, his expression solemn.

  “Well?” she prompted. “What are you going to do with it?”

  “Well, the first thing I’m going to do is take part of it down to the bank and change it into hundred-dollar bills.”

  “Yes, and then…”

  “Then I’m going to take up smoking cigars. I’ll carry those hundred-dollar bills around in my pockets to light my cigars with.”

  She jerked back from his arms, looking directly into his serious, steady gaze. “You’re what?”

  “I’m going to pull out those hundred-dollar bills and light my cigars with them.” He shrugged. “I’ve always hoped to one day have money to burn.”

  Surely, he wasn’t serious. But he certainly looked serious.

  She stopped dancing and looked up at him. “Have you gone mad? Totally off your rocker?”

  Now his innocent expression took on a touch of mockery. “You said to consider it my ‘mad money,’ remember?”

  The excited shouts of children filled the air as the merchants began their elaborate fireworks display, a signal that the evening was about to draw to a close. Jason led Jessica to a soft grassy spot in the open field and spread out an old army blanket he had retrieved from the back of his truck. With a dramatic gesture, he fell spread-eagled on his back on the blanket in mock exhaustion. She had to laugh at his exaggerated pose, lying there on the ground.

  “Let’s call a cease-fire for the rest of the night, Angel.” He sat up and patted the blanket next to him. “Join me?”

  She cocked her head. “Depends. Where’s Monica?”

  “She left earlier.”

  Though warning bells tolled in her ears, Jessica dropped to the ground, careful to keep a cautious distance between them.

  He heaved a lazy sigh. “Isn’t this better?”

  She had to admit, getting off her feet felt great. “Much.” She lay back beside him and gazed up into the black, clear, beautiful sky. The stars hung so close to the ground she felt she could reach out and touch one of them. The moon had just risen, and cast soft, white beams over the dark shadows of this mystical night.

  A favorite childhood song drifted softly through her mind as she gazed into the heavens trying to recall the words. Something about the stars being little candles, and the angels lighting them at night.

  Hushed oohs and ahhhs came from the people around them as the magnificent exploding missiles showered overhead in a blinding array of brilliant colors. Multi-hued sparkles drifted lazily back to earth. A deep feeling of contentment settled over here. Lying here, with the man she loved mere inches away from her, watching the heavens explode…this felt like home in a way Austin never would. If there were ever a time in her life when she had been more content or at peace with the world, she didn’t remember it. If she could stop time right here, right now, she would happily do so. But that wasn’t possible. Instead she breathed a silent word of thanks to the Lord for having been given this one precious night with Jason, to carry in her dreams for the rest of her life.

  Jason stirred beside her, planted his elbow and propped his hand on his chin. “Penny for your thoughts.”

  She hid a smile. He wasn’t given to clichés, which meant…what? Was he feeling a touch of nerves too?

  “I was just thinking what a wonderful night this has been.” To her astonishment, a tear rolled from her eye and trickled down her cheek. Why did this have to end? If she could have her heart’s desire, at this moment it would be to stay here forever, just like this, stretched out next to Jason. She wanted him to protect her, love her, cherish her, for the rest of her life. All her old dreams rushed back to her, as strong now as they were then. She wanted to have his children, grow old with him, play with their grandchildren together—she wanted a marriage like Judge Baker and Wilma, who after nearly fifty years still loved each other with the intensity of newlyweds. Maybe more deeply than newlyweds. They knew the value of true love, a love that could endure for over half a century. Whereas she had given up her only opportunity for a love that strong. In a few months, she would be back in Austin, alone, with only a dream to comfort her.

  Another tear followed the first, and she rolled away from him to hide her face.

  His whisper tickled her ear. “Why are you crying?”

  “I’m not,” she insisted.

  “You’ve always been a terrible liar.” He laid a warm hand on her arm. “That’s the second time today I’ve made you cry, and I didn’t mean to either time, sweetheart.”

  The endearment stirred up a torrent of more tears, which she fought down. She would not sob in front of him. Drawing in deep, shuddering breaths, she grappled with self-control until she could turn over and face him again. An explosion in the sky above painted his face in green and blue flickers.
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br />   “I know you didn’t.” She managed a trembling smile. “And I didn’t mean to wreck your truck. It’s just that you seem to bring out the worst in me at times.” Her gaze lifted to a dazzling display amid the stars, and she spoke quietly. “I’m sorry about your barn, too.”

  In a rare moment of honesty, he shook his head, his gaze seeking hers. “It’s all right, Angel. I shouldn’t have made you drive the truck when you told me you didn’t want to.”

  Why did he insist on using that old nickname? Every time he did, a thrill vibrated her insides and drove her nearly to distraction. She gave her head a quick shake.

  “The funny thing is, I could have done it for anyone else. It’s only when I get around you that everything always goes wrong.” A foot or so of space lay between them, but even so she felt the pull of his body as if he were a magnet and she a paper clip. In an attempt to lighten the mood, she gave a light laugh. “You must think I’m a total idiot.”

  If anything, his gaze grew even more serious, more intimate. “I’ve thought a lot about you over the years.” His whisper barely reached her ears, low and husky. “But I promise, I’ve never thought you were an idiot.”

  The sky exploded in a rainbow finale of pops and sizzles and loud bangs. Applause erupted from the onlookers, and served as a reminder that they were not alone. Reluctantly, Jessica hefted herself up into a sitting position and clapped along with the rest.

  Jason helped her to her feet, and then picked up the blanket. Shaking it free of debris, he folded it into a neat bundle. “It’s late. We need to go home.”

  Heaving a sigh, she took one last look at the pavilion and picnic grounds, with their twinkling lights hanging in the soft night. “I wish it didn’t have to end.”

  “I think it’s better that it does,” he muttered softly. When she lifted a questioning gaze to his face, his lips twitched in a melancholy smile. “We would have made a great team, Angel. Too bad things had to work out like they did.”

  Eleven