Page 54 of Wrangled Love

He grins. “Now that’s more like it.”

Caleb lets out a giggle, and Jensen shoots him a playful side-eye as he wipes what looks like cookie crumbs from his face. “Is there a reason why my son’s face is covered in crumbs?” Jensen asks.

Walker raises his hands in defense. “The kid probably heard you leave because he came down shortly after. He seemed confused, and we were worried he’d start crying, so Heath gave him some of the chocolate chip cookies left on the counter.”

Heath shoots him a glare. “Oh, come on. You were totally on board. You’re the one who said yes when he wanted to watchShrek.”

“You try saying no to that face,” Walker says, gesturing at Caleb, who’s smiling at his antics.

Jensen readjusts Caleb in his arms, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Would it have been so hard to give him some water and read him a story like I suggested?”

“Maybe next time you’ll think twice about leaving him with us. And don’t forget, now you owe us four Saturdays working on the ranch.” Walker smirks.

“It’s a good thing you didn’t make the deal with me,” Heath says to Jensen. “I would have had you out there for the whole damn summer.”

“Watch your language,” I warn, glancing at Caleb, resting his head against Jensen’s shoulder. I’m guessing the sugar’s finally catching up with him.

“My bad,” Heath says, holding his hand out in surrender as he moves inside behind Jensen.

Before Walker can follow, I hold out a hand to stop him.

“How did Jensen get roped into ranch duty?”

“He agreed to help out in exchange for Heath and me watching Caleb. Didn’t even try to negotiate. That’s how desperate he was to stop that date of yours.”

He did that for me?

Walker and Heath quickly make their exit after Briar and I get back. I’m no doubt grateful but I may never ask them to babysit again. Granted, I still appreciate that they were here so I could bring Briar home, and I have no regrets about agreeing to four Saturdays of hard labor, since it means I didn’t have to spend the whole night wondering if she was still with her date.

After tucking Caleb in again, reading him two bedtime stories, and leaving a glass of water on the nightstand—just in case—I head downstairs. It’s late, but I can’t go to bed until Briar and I finish our conversation.

The kitchen is quiet when I walk in. I wash my hands at the sink, my gaze shifting out the window, where I spot her on the front porch. She’s changed into flannel pajama pants and a cardigan, her hair falling in soft waves around her face.

She’s so damn beautiful; it takes my breath away.

I decide to make a batch of hot chocolate for us, adding agenerous splash of whiskey into each cup once it’s ready. We could both use something strong to take the edge off.

When I step outside, Briar looks over. “Did Caleb fall asleep okay?”

“Yeah, he’s out cold.”

“Good.” She smiles when she notices the mugs in my hands. “Please tell me that’s hot chocolate.”

“Spikedhot chocolate,” I correct her.

Briar accepts the mug I hand her, and cradles it against her chest. “Even better. Hot chocolate is my comfort drink, even in the summer. When I was little, Mama Julie would make it on the nights I stayed at the ranch house. I had trouble sleeping, and it was her way of making sure I felt safe and warm.”

She slides over, leaving space for me to join her on the swing. I’ve come to think of this as our meeting spot. A quiet place where we can be ourselves and the rest of the world fades away.

Sharing what’s on my mind has never come easy, and I’ve always been the type to work through my problems alone. But with Briar, she picks up on the things I’m afraid to say out loud, and somehow, that makes me feel more confident than I ever have.

“Yeah, the Halsteads’ place always felt like a safe haven. For me, nothing beats Julie’s rolls and honey butter.”

“Everything Mama Julie makes is good,” she says wistfully.

“I couldn’t agree more.” I lean back, taking a drink, savoring the heat that hits after the sweetness fades. “If you don’t mind me asking, how could you stay here when this town holds so many painful memories? Didn’t you ever want to leave and start over?”

That’s a question that has been on my mind since Caleb and I arrived. I don’t have all the details of her past, but enough to wonder how she could stay here, surrounded by reminders of everything she’s been through.

---