Page 73 of Forever After All

“You never told me what you do.”

Oh, that was what he’d meant. What she did for work. “I’m the barn manager at Wolf Creek Ranch.”

“Oh,” Jeremiah said. That one sound hung in the air between them.

Great. She had a feeling this guy was going to confess his fear of horses like Hanson had. How many people around here didn’t care for horses?

Jeremiah leaned forward on his arms. “What are you doing this Saturday night?”

Jess leaned back in her seat. Was he asking her out on another date? The better question would have been “Do you want to go out again on Saturday?”

“I’m probably working.” Her phone vibrated again, and she checked it.

Linc: She’s restless and chomping at her side. You want me to call Tucker?

Jess inhaled a breath, but the air was thick. It settled in her lungs like lead. Linc was thinking about calling the vet.

“Any chance you’d like to go with me to my ten-year high school reunion?” Jeremiah asked.

Jess gave him her attention, but her mind was stuck on Applejack. She couldn’t even spare a second to consider his question. “I’m not sure.”

Jeremiah fidgeted in his seat. “Listen, I’ve sort of told my old friends that I’m a little more successful than I really am. If you could just come with me and pretend to be my wife, I’d be so grateful.”

Wifejerked Jess out of her thoughts faster than a bucking bull out of the shoot. “What? That’s ridiculous.”

“I know, I know. I just don’t want them to think I’m a loser because I process chickens and live at home with my parents.”

Good grief. Jeremiah had seemed so normal, but his secrets were falling out like a waterfall now. “Having a job and a place to live doesn’t make you a loser. Lying kinda does.”

The phone buzzed again, and she remembered Applejack–the most important thing right now.

“Please, please,” Jeremiah begged. “I’d owe you forever.”

Jess read the text.

Linc: Tucker is helping with a breech foal right now. It’ll be a while before he can get here.

She texted back.

Jess: I’m on my way.

Jeremiah had his hands clasped at his chest. “Please. And if you could pretend to have a good job, like an accountant or something, that would be great.”

This guy. What was he even talking about? “Listen, I have to go. Sorry to cut the dinner short, but there’s a horse in trouble at the ranch.”

Jeremiah grabbed her hand and tugged her toward him. “Please, Jess. I really need you.”

She jerked her hand out of his grasp. “Don’t touch me. Dude, this is crazy. Have you thought about what you’re asking? You want me to lie. Flat out lie. I don’t do that. I’m also not interested in finishing a date with a guy I can’t trust.” She pulled a few bills out of her pocket and threw them on the table. “Have a nice life.”

Jeremiah sighed and let his head fall to the table, but she didn’t care if he was upset.

Leaving Jeremiah behind and marking the night off as a bust, she headed back toward the ranch. She had bigger problems to take care of right now.

Chapter21

Linc

Linc led Applejack around the indoor arena. Every step was touch-and-go as the horse’s gait lumbered. She was definitely restless, but there was a chance it wasn’t colic.

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