Page 59 of The Cowboy's Surprise Return

“A job offer?” No, it was her father. Cole could see it in the way she pulled in, closed off to protect herself. “Your dad?”

She wouldn’t look at him. “He needs a level of care that isn’t available locally.”

“And you want to be close to him.” Cole understood that, understood why she’d hugged him when they’d started talking about doing hard things for family. He’d thought the embrace was for him, but maybe she’d been the one in need. His uncle’s earlier words about Jackie needing the Wylders came to mind.

She was watching him now as though expecting him to do something. It was so similar to the look April had given him when they broke up. It was a do-something, say-something, make-it-better-again look. But there was nothing he could do. Nothing to say.

“I’m sorry.”

Jackie sighed and nodded.

“Hey.” He reached out, gently taking her arm when she moved away, turning her to face him. “Sometimes you need to let things simmer in the back of your mind for a while. The answer will come in a flash, and then you’ll strike.”

“I’ve been doing that for months, and my dad almost got hurt as a result.” Her nostrils flared, and Cole almost crossed his arms defensively before he realized she was mad at herself, not him.

“Is he okay? Like, right now?” Cole had money saved up, and maybe he could help her get through this moment.

“I don’t know anymore.” She collapsed on the chair with the hats again, this time sitting on the bulk of them. Her eyes welled; her shoulders slumped. She looked exhausted.

“Come here.” He clasped her hand and pulled her up, then led her down the hallway to his bedroom, careful not to catch the attention of anyone who might be home.

“Cole…” She hesitated on the threshold and he gave her hand another soft tug.

“Trust me.”

He closed the bedroom door behind them and pulled back the blankets on his bed.

“I should be at work.”

“We’ll talk about cattle feed and supplements. I promise.”

She let out a snort of laughter, but climbed onto the mattress. Cole followed her, snugging his body behind hers, wrapping his arms around her, holding her close.

She was rigid at first, boxing in whatever was bothering her. He gently kissed her cheek and idly danced the tips of his fingers up and down her back, marveling at her soft curves. A woman’s figure was worthy of worship. And in particular, Jackie’s.

Eventually she made a contented sound and snuggled closer, relaxing. Her breathing evened out and she drifted off for a moment or two. When she stirred, he wrapped her tight in his arms, wishing to give her a longer moment of peace. But he could sense her mind was still moving, her body tightening incrementally as worry took over.

“You’re going to give yourself an ulcer.” When she flipped onto her back with a sigh, he propped his head on his hand and looked at her. “You okay?”

“Never better.”

“You don’t trust me.”

She shifted to face him, flattening a palm on his pectorals. “I do.”

“You don’t.”

“Maybe I don’t trust myself.”

“With me?”

“With…” Her eyes filled with tears again.

“Let me help.” He drew his free hand down her arm, and when she shivered, tugged a blanket up to her shoulders.

“What’s bugging you?” he asked, figuring he had a fifty-fifty chance of receiving an answer.

She shrugged, her expression clouding.

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