Page 97 of High Density

“On that note, I’m outta here. I’ll be in touch.”

I walk him out the door and stop on the front step. Glancing back over my shoulder, I see Janey moving around the kitchen.

“Do I need to be concerned about Osborne Senior?” I ask the sheriff in a low voice.

“Nah, he’s too much of a coward. Besides, he’s already in hot water, lying to law enforcement to cover for his son. I wouldn’t worry about him; he’ll be too busy dealing with me.”

I watch him get in his cruiser and head down the driveway, when my phone rings in my pocket. I grin when I see the name pop up on my screen.

“Ma, I was wondering how long you could hold out.”

“Bite me,” she snaps. “You two have been holed up long enough. Dinner at the ranch at six.”

“Ma—” I start to object, but she doesn’t give me a chance.

“Don’t be late.”

Janey

“I’m so full,”I complain.

JD hums beside me, his eyes on the road home, but a smile playing on his lips.

“Forcing a second giant slice of lemon meringue pie down your gullet after eating Ma’s taco bake will do that to you,” he suggests dryly.

“Well, I could hardly say no,” I protest.

His mother had insisted, and I’d been feeling so welcomed by everyone at the large table in the ranch kitchen, I didn’t want to ruffle any feathers.

I’d been greeted like a member of the family, and was seated between JD and Thomas on my other side. JD didn’t say much—I’ve noticed he’s marginally more talkative one-on-one—but Thomas more than made up for that. I love that old man, he’s full of interesting anecdotes, and his ongoing bickering with Ama is highly entertaining.

I’ve also finally had a chance to get to know Alex, Jonas’s wife and Jackson’s mother, a little better. It’s funny, because Lord knows I’ve spent enough time here at the ranch, but also at Hart’s Rescue, which she owns, but I’ve only run into her once or twice. I had no idea she went to veterinary school when Jacksonwas still a baby. He was already an adult when she moved to the Libby area and started up her rescue.

Of course, Jonas and Jackson had been there, and so were Wolff and Jillian, and Sully and Pippa, along with their daughter, Carmi. JD’s dad, James, was another quiet presence at the table, a stark contrast to his wife, but I did notice his eyes followed her every move in the kitchen. Makes me wonder if JD looks at me like that.

When I glance over, I catch him side-eyeing me, a warm expression on his face.

“You know you’re gonna have to learn to say no to Ma, or she’ll continue to force food—and anything else she puts her mind to—on you.”

I groan. These are my choices? Say no and risk Ama’s wrath, or prepare to burst out of my pants?

“I don’t think my pants can handle more padding on my hips,” I grumble. “I guess I’ll have to offend your mother next time.”

He reaches out his hand and gives my knee a squeeze.

“My mother will live, and you can always buy bigger pants. I happen to love your padding.”

My knee-jerk reaction would be to reject a comment like that outright. Most people may tolerate extra weight, but love it?

Oddly enough, I believe JD. When he looks at me—when he touches me—it is with a certain reverence, an appreciation that feels genuine. The few times we’ve been out in public, he holds my hand or is touching me in some way.

A message to the world we are together, I am his, and he’s proud of it.

Proud to be seen with me.

For a larger, and rather plain farmer’s daughter, that’s a rare experience. But a beautiful one. He doesn’t tell me; he doesn’thave to. He shows me all the time, and that’s a language I understand much better.

We’re still considered very new, but in some ways I feel like I’ve known this man forever. Iknowhim, like he knows me. Maybe we met in a previous life. I feel if there is such a thing as reincarnation, this would be at least our second time around, maybe more.

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