Page 32 of One Lucky Cowboy

But what he’d just done? Yeah, that was a train wreck that hadn’t left any survivors.

Grabbing a couple of apples, he went to check in on Sassy. She’d thrown him into the dirt and was still the closest thing to a female who didn’t want to strangle him.

Better get that in his system before this evening when Maggie, his mom, and Jill were all in the same place. Bennett was usually the only one in his corner, but they’d been at odds lately, too.

Then tell him. Tell him your plans.

No. Not yet. Not until he saw what happened to the two companies at the CAF.

“Well, Sassy. If you have any tips for me not to get my ass kicked tonight, I’d appreciate them.” He fed her an apple, then she promptly turned to show him her backside. “Figures.”

That evening, he strode through the door of his mom’s place at six twenty-five. He wanted the home-court advantage to be in his favor—it was likely the only tactic he had. Right off the bat, he was hit with the aroma of seared steak, garlic, and grilled onions. His stomach growled its approval, and he went in search of the source.

He located the fajitas making his mouth water, but also found his mom, Maggie, and Jill on the back patio, a glass in each of their hands. If he had to guess, it was wine for his mom and Jill, and from the looks of it, pink lemonade for Maggie, who’d been cleared to family dinners as long as she was back in bed right after.

“What happened to dinner at six thirty?” he asked, striding through the new full-height glass door.

“The more pressing question is what happened to your manners,” his mom said. She stood to hug him, and he had to admit, it was nice having her back in Deer Creek. Ever since his dad passed, he worried about his mom traveling alone, working herself to death trying to make herself into something other than a widow, or worse, giving into age and letting the rest of her years pass her by.

And yet, despite the full-time worry, Grace Marshall was doing anything but. She was young at heart, successful without her sons’ income in consideration, and traveled with the easy confidence of a woman who knew her place in the world.

He was profoundly jealous of her for that, even though it was earned and shaped from loss and heartache.

“We have a guest,” she continued.

He nodded. Yeah, that was part of the problem.

His initial scowl gave way to a pressing heat in his chest as Jill stood and held out her hand. He only noticed it out of focus in his peripheral vision because—

Holy shit. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. Light red curls framed her face, which was usually masked by heavy makeup more suitable in the city. But now? Just a touch of mascara graced her eyelashes and, otherwise, she looked fresh-faced and stunning. A hint of pink gifted from the sun colored her cheeks. But that was just the start.

He’d seen her in a suit or some fancy version of slacks and a top she’d be happier wearing in the city. Jeans that afternoon. But tonight, she wore a thin-strapped sundress that hugged her curves until her hips—hips he’d dreamed about, he wasn’t ashamed to admit—where it flowed around her legs until just above her knees.

He gulped nothing but dry, spring air, and words seemed to escape him again.

Christ, he’d been dreading this dinner for all the wrong reasons, hadn’t he?

*

Jill sat on her hands since she couldn’t seem to reach for anything on the table without brushing Jax’s hand and then shooting her hand back like it’d been electrocuted. And it kinda was. Sparks of awareness pulsed between the two, and all Jill could hope was that Grace Marshall couldn’t see the awkwardness it caused between her and Jax.

Did he feel it, too? He must, the way he looked like she’d scalded him with burning water.

Aside from the terror etched on his face, he looked as handsome as ever in a black button-down shirt rolled up to mid-forearm. His jeans were clean but worn-in, looking both comfortable and deliciously sexy. She tried not to down her wine too quickly to satisfy the way her mouth had gone suddenly dry.

If she had her camera, she’d want to discreetly snap a photo of the man, but what would she do with it?

“Did you ever find your dog?” Jax asked.

She shook her head. “Little minx is hard to pin down these days.”

Lily had come by earlier, but unbeknownst to Jill, must have snuck off again. Where was her very pregnant dog going? She’d been on and off missing since Jill got back.

“I do love that every time I talk about you two together, it’s like retelling Jax’s favorite nursery rhyme,” Grace said.

Bennett cackled into his frosty beer glass, and Maggie playfully whacked him on the shoulder.

“Who do you talk to about us?” Jax asked at the same time Jill asked, “You mean Jack and Jill?”

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