Page 41 of Playing My Rivals

I glide the gearshift into park. “It’s gorgeous out here. It makes the trek bearable.”

“It’s not that bad. It took us under an hour to get here.” Jamison opens his door and gets out.

I follow behind as I take in my surroundings. His friend is sitting on a hanging swing on his wraparound porch. His house is a huge log-cabin-type home.

A grass yard of at least two acres goes around his house with a stream lined with trees and a barn off to the side. The rest is ranch land as far as the eye can see.

“I love the wildflowers.” I run up to Jami before he gets to the porch. “Look at those gigantic sunflowers. We’ve got to go out there and smell them.”

He gives me a sideways glance and smiles. “I figured you’d want to get out there.”

He cups his hand with mine as we climb up the stairs to the porch. “He can be gruff, but he’s really a teddy bear.”

“I heard that,” the man barks.

We laugh and get to the top of the stairs.

Jami gently pulls me forward. “Chuck, I’d like you to meet Dori.”

“Dori, good to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.” The older man in his late seventies or early eighties stands and holds out his hand.

My cheeks warm at his comment. “I hope that’s a good thing. Anyway, it’s nice to meet you. Thanks for allowing me to tag along.”

We shake hands and I can’t help but notice his are cold. He’s not very balanced and I understand why Jami worries about him.

Chuck steps back and sits on the swing. “You won’t thank me after you realize what you’ve gotten yourself into.”

“She didn’t ask, so I didn’t tell her.” Jami tries to hide a smile.

I thought Chuck was kidding, but now I’m staring at Jamison. What am I in for? Before I can ask, Chuck interjects.

“Son, you didn’t tell me how gorgeous she was.” He coughs.

Hearing him call Jami son makes my heart melt.

“I did, but that doesn’t matter. How are you feeling?” He rests his hand against the door frame and leans on it.

“A lot better. This cough is just getting rid of all that muck. That doesn’t mean you’re getting out of anything.” Chuck pins his eyes to mine. “Did you sign up for this, or did he trick you again?”

“Um…signed up for it, but what is this about him tricking me?” My gaze slides between the two of them.

Jamison laughs. “It’s nothing. He’s giving me a hard time.”

“There’s no hard time being given. You told me you tricked her into going out with you, so what’s to say you didn’t this time? And while you’re answering that, are you still going behind her brother’s back?” Chuck pushes off the porch with his toes and starts swinging back and forth.

I turn to Jami.

He flushes beet red and shoves off the door frame. “Chuck, you’re quite a treat today, aren’t you? Where do you want me to start?”

“The lawn first. Then check on the garage. I thought I heard a raccoon in there the other night. When you’re done, I’ve got some stew on the stove for us.” Chuck gazes out to his yard.

“Stew? It’s hot today,” Jami says under his breath as he bounces down the stairs. “Come on, Dori. We’ve got business to attend to.”

“Stew sounds wonderful. Thank you.” I turn and follow Jami.

“Dori, you can have some. Jamison can have nothing and like it.” Chuck cackles an evil laugh.

I’m not sure if it’s a joke or if he’s serious, but I guess I’ll find out later. I jog to Jami’s side. He finds my hand again.

---