Page 126 of Forever After All

“Yep.” Linc reached out and grabbed her waist, pulling her in for a quick kiss.

Well, he’d intended it to be quick, but it was hard to pull away when her soft body melted into his. Her hands rested on his shoulders, then slid up the sides of his neck and into his hair.

He pulled away, gasping for air and words. Jess had always shied away from touch, but it seemed she’d gotten over that aversion.

“Wow.”

She tilted her head back and played with his short hair. “You’re always running your hands through it, especially when you’re stressed. I’ve been wondering if it was as soft as you make it look.”

A punch could have hit Linc square in the chest, and he still wouldn’t have been able to move from that spot. Jess was showing him how to open up, and he liked every step they took together.

“Cheese and grits. What is the world coming to?” Brett asked as he stepped down the small hill, catching Linc and Jess wrapped up in each other.

Jess chuckled. “I guess we should just tell him.”

Linc shouted over his shoulder, “Hey, Brett. Jess and I are together. This is your fair warning that kissing is bound to happen.”

Brett reached them, shaking his head. “I kinda saw it coming, but not really.”

“That makes no sense,” Jess said as her brother reached them.

“You’re just so…similar,” Brett said, waving his hands in the air. “I also thought you were both too dense to see the potential.”

Linc straightened. “Be honest, man.”

“Just calling it like I see it,” Brett said.

Jess tilted her head from side to side. “You’re probably right.”

“Well, I guess this is congratulations.” Brett stuck his hand out to Linc.

“Thanks, bud,” Linc said as he accepted the hand.

Brett turned to Jess. “You feeling up to the ride?”

“I can’t wait another minute,” she said, mounting her boot in the stirrup and swinging a leg over Liberty.

“See you back at the ranch. Ridge and Blake should be making progress on the trail. You’ll probably run into them on your way back.” With that, Brett waved a hand over his head as he trudged up the hill back toward the camp.

Liberty stepped anxiously from side to side. Jess reined her in, leading toward the path. “Let’s go home.”

* * *

The lights of the main house and dining hall lit up the darkening sky as they left the woods behind. Linc gripped the reins, understanding Jess’s pull toward home. He’d moved around to a few different cabins on the ranch and switched roommates more than once, and no matter where he was at Wolf Creek, it had the welcoming sense that settled the restlessness inside him.

“I’m officially done,” Jess said as she brushed her arm over her brow. “I think the fever is back.”

Linc dismounted and quickly made his way to Liberty’s side. “You want to go to the clinic? I’ll drive.”

Jess shook her head as she carefully climbed down from the horse. “No. I just need to go home.”

Linc helped her to her office. “Just sit and drink some water while I put the horses up.”

He didn’t want to push, but maybe she’d be more open to letting him take her to the clinic in the morning if she wasn’t feeling better. The complete exhaustion that overtook her was enough to keep him on a worry roller coaster.

“Can you give Liberty some of the treats in the blue box?” she asked, cradling her head in her hands.

“You got it. I’ll be right back.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead and sighed. Her skin was warm again. He didn’t want to leave her. Not for a second. He could call Thea, but she’d already worked longer hours with Jess and Brett gone.

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