Page 58 of Not Over You (Prosperity Ranch 3)

Jana paced the kitchen as she waited for Knox to show up. When she’d found him waiting for her yesterday at her house, she was pretty sure if she wasn’t already in love with him, she’d have fallen in love with him at that moment. More likely, she’d never really stopped since high school.

He’d helped her with the batches of jam, then he said he’d be staying at his parents’ ranch. Apparently, their family dynamics were going well, and everyone “approved” of her. The way he told her had made her smile, because he’d followed up with, “I don’t need anyone’s approval about you. I’ve already made up my mind. But staying here would mean I’d stare at the ceiling all night wishing I could be with you, sweetheart.”

Now, Jana sighed, because when Knox got here, it meant they’d be driving to San Antonio together to see her dad. At first, Jana hadn’t wanted him to go, then she didn’t want to be a part of the meeting, but then she’d changed her mind again. After talking to her sister the night before about all the updates, Natalie said that if Jana went with Knox, it would show how much of a united front they were.

The idea had then warmed.

Jana heard the rumble of his truck before she saw it. The sound sent both anticipation and happiness through her heart. She was having a hard time believing that she was dating Knox Prosper again. He was back in her life, and if she were to believe all the things he’d been telling her, he was here to stay.

Well, here was the relevant word. She wasn’t going to let him give up any part of his bull-riding career. Not after all that he’d fought for and lost in order to pursue his dream. Her phone chimed with a text from Natalie.

Jana glanced down and smiled at the message.

Good luck today with Dad. If you need me to break ankles, just call.

It was remarkable what one, single honest conversation could do for her relationship with her sister. For the first time since Jana was a young kid, she felt like she had a true sister. LOL, I’ll let you know, she wrote back.

Jana moved to the kitchen window, where she saw Knox climb out of his truck. He wore faded jeans, a plain gray T-shirt, and a black cowboy hat. Classic Knox. She should probably just meet him on the porch, but she kind of liked him walking up her walkway and knocking on her door to pick her up.

Speaking of knocking, he’d knocked, so Jana headed to the front door. “Who is it?” she called through the door.

“The best thing that ever happened to you, sweetheart.”

Jana laughed and opened the door. And there he was. Smiling his cocky grin, with his beautiful green eyes. He grasped her hand and tugged her toward him. She lifted her chin, waiting for his kiss.

She wasn’t disappointed, and she slipped her hands about his neck as he thoroughly kissed her. He smelled of soap and pine and Knox, and she wanted to keep him to herself the rest of the day. She might have acted too reluctant when he drew away, because he said, “Good morning to you, too,” with a chuckle.

“I think I missed you, or something.”

“I know I missed you, or something.” He kissed her again, this time slowly, with quite a bit of lingering. “Ready?”

“Yeah,” she said, unable to hold back a sigh. “Can’t we just live in a bubble?”

Knox twisted a lock of her hair around his fingers. “Soon.”

Jana nodded. “Okay, then, are you okay if we take my SUV?”

“Because my truck is…”

“Well, it’s… you know. Great and all that. But it did break down recently.”

“Whatever you want.” He threaded their fingers. “I think I’ll be saying that a lot with you.”

She laughed. “Sounds good to me.” She squeezed his hand, then said, “I’m going to grab my purse, and then we’ll go.”

As they drove to San Antonio, Jana’s mind was full of scenarios of how her dad would act around Knox. He said he’d called and left a message on her dad’s phone to let him know they’d be coming. Her dad had never responded to Knox, but Natalie had told her that their parents didn’t have any traveling plans.

“You know the plans for the ranch I talked about last night?” Knox asked.

He had told her about the options that Holt had come up with, such as doing fishing retreats, kids’ rodeo events, or renting out the barn for events… They were all great ideas, but would take a lot of work. And now that her dad had agreed to cancel the grant application, Jana hoped that the Prosper family wouldn’t have to take on more work than they were already doing.

“Yeah, I remember,” Jana said. “And remember how I said that I don’t want my dad’s actions to put more stress on your family?”

“I remember,” Knox said. “But this morning, I talked more with my brother, and we both know that my bull-riding career has a time limit. So we’re researching all of the scenarios, and whatever looks to make the most sense, it will be the thing I head up.”

Jana glanced over at Knox to find his steady green gaze on her. “So you’re going to move back to your parents’ ranch?”

“Not exactly,” he said. “I’d get my own place, and then be the manager over whatever project we agree on. I could work it around the bull-riding, or start full-time when I’m done with the rodeo.”

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