Page 42 of The Cowboy Takes A Bride

It was the collateral damage that scared her. Granted, an argument wasn’t as severe as losing a wife and mother in a plane accident, but the aftermath of that had changed her world drastically. She knew that an outcome’s severity could never be predicted.

Jace crossed his arms. “Listen, I’m not trying to be short, but I got some things to do and I wanted to make sure—”

“You just assumed I was judging you about your lifestyle and decisions with that stupid snake instead of asking me anything,” she said in a rush of words, shouting over him.

“It was clear you didn’t approve of what I was doing.”

“Exactly what did I do to make it clear?” She tossed the rag into the bucket and then crossed her arms.

“You nearly passed out. You went all pale and shaky.” He looked…smug? She leaned in to get a closer look. Maybe it was the shadows from the hat because, by God, if he was going to be smug, she was going to come undone.

“Did you think for a moment that maybe I was pale and shaky because I’d just picked up a snake unintentionally? Something, mind you, that I have never done before, and I had no idea what kind of snake it was or what it would do to me. You just assumed…and well, you know what they say about assume. Except this time I think assuming only made an ass out of you.”

She took a step closer, and he pushed up his hat. “You can’t tell me you were happy with me killing the snake. Lots of city folks believe animals have rights, and in some cases that is true, but this reptile—”

“Again assuming. I didn’t and still don’t care what you did to the snake. I only asked because I wanted to know what typically happens. My main focus was to get my hands washed as quickly as possible because I was pretty skeeved out.”

“So you don’t care that I killed the snake?”

Meredith snorted. “I wasn’t friends with the snake. He wasn’t my pet. It was the first time we’d met, actually.”

Jace narrowed his eyes, looking confused.

“Do I sound ridiculous? That’s because you do as well. Why not ask me what I think about something and if, by chance, I have an issue, maybe discuss it with me. Educate me. Yes, I grew up in the city, but I’m not so shortsighted that I can’t understand someone else’s perspective.”

Jace’s mouth went into a thin line. He took off his hat and brushed back his hair before setting his hat back on. “This is where I should apologize to you.”

“Yes, it is.” The weight of worry lifted from her.

“Well, then. I’m sorry. You were right. I was an ass.” He gave her a small smile.

She gave him a bigger one back. “Should I record this moment? For prosperity and record keeping?”

Jace chuckled. “You might.” He took another few steps closer until he was in front of her. “I suppose this was our first fight.” He took another step and backed her against the wall.

“I suppose it was. Should we be concerned that it’s not been forty-eight hours, and we’re fighting?”

He shook his head. “I hear good things happen after couples fight.”

“Like what.” She stared up at him, her breath caught in her throat, anticipation eating her up. Her decisions from last night evaporated from the heat of her need.

“Things like this.” He ducked his head and wasted not another second pressing his mouth to hers, caressing her with his tongue.

Meredith wrapped her arms around his neck and melted into him.

“Maybe we should try this just once,” he murmured against her lips.

“It's worth considering,” she said while stretching closer to him.

The sound of a horn repeatedly blowing outside as it came closer broke them from their intentions. Jace leaned and looked out the window she'd been cleaning.

“It's Willow,” he said, following it with a heavy sigh. “Get your game face on. If my sister were a dog, she’d be a pit bull. She's tenacious.”

Meredith pressed a finger to her swollen lips before straightening her shirt and then patting her hair. “Do I look disheveled?”

Jace scanned her before grabbing her hand and tugging her to the door. “Yes, but that's a good thing. It'll help with getting her to believe our story.” Once out the door, he slowed his stride and slung an arm around her shoulder. Willow, a tall dark-haired girl in a skirt, flowy shirt, and cowboy boots was half way up the stairs to the house when Jace let out an ear-piercing whistle. She stopped short and swung around, then bounded back down the stairs toward them.

Meredith nudged him with her elbow and whispered, “All my stuff is in the guestroom.”

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