Page 61 of Love Somebody Like You

“I think your brother planned to feed an army. You’ll be fine.”

She grabbed the bowls of potato salad and coleslaw, resting a plate of bread rolls on top, and moved outside in time to catch the wave of “Cooper” as the second-youngest Reilly made his appearance.

The next hour passed in food and laughter as the Reillys caught up. Mrs. Reilly had a glow about her that Lexi hadn’t seen before. Perhaps she truly was on the mend.

“You’re blessed to have grown up here,” Lexi’s father said. “I bet you can see all the stars at night.”

“So many,” Ellie said.

“My grandfather was into astronomy. I think I still have his telescope somewhere,” Cooper said. “You’re welcome to check it out if you’re here in a few hours.”

Dessert was delayed as Jackson made the most of the dying light to give his brother a quick tour of the premises, which naturally saw the rest of them join in. Cooper helped his mother as she took shaky steps.

“She’s doing so well,” Lexi overheard Ellie murmur to Jasper.

“Good nurse, huh?”

“The best.” Ellie smiled at Lexi, her gaze shifting beyond her shoulder. “Wouldn’t you agree, Jackson? Lexi is the best?”

“Sure is.”

His deep look sent a tingle all through her, and she was glad for the dimness as they entered the barn.

“So this is the famous Brutus,” Cooper said, looking at the bull. “He sure doesn’t look like he’s unhappy.”

“How could he be with all these beautiful women staring at him?” Jasper said, which earned Ellie’s elbow. “What?”

Lexi inched closer to the pen, inadvertently brushing past Jackson, and she wobbled. Then, in a move reminiscent of their first encounter, he swooped an arm around her and drew her close, so she was pressed against his chest.

“Ooh, look who has all the moves,” Ellie murmured.

Lexi pushed away from him, knowing her cheeks were bright red.

“We had a New Year’s Eve party here,” Ellie continued, speaking to Lexi’s parents as if she hadn’t just embarrassed Lexi and Jackson, whose cheeks looked as hot as hers felt.

“It was really fun,” Jasper said.

“Sure was.” Ellie showed Lexi’s mother her phone and scrolled through pictures.

“Well, that is pretty,” Mum said. “It’s hard to believe a barn could be transformed.”

“We don’t let first impressions last, do we, Jackson?”

“No.”

“Coop may, but hey, he’s never been as smart as some of us,” Ellie teased.

“Yeah. Right.” Cooper rolled his eyes.

“You know what? I feel like we should show ’em how it’s done. C’mon, Jasp.”

As the banjo-like introduction of one of Keith Urban’s most famous songs came through Ellie’s phone, she grabbed Jasper’s hands and drew him into a waltz hold.

“Go on, Jackson. Ask Lexi to dance.”

He glanced at her and held out his hands. She grasped them and he pulled her close, placing an arm around her back as he lightly held her right hand. From the corner of her eyes she caught her parents smiling, then they too shuffled into a dance pose. Then they were moving, and all awareness of other things slipped away as Jackson’s height and breadth drew her head up. But it was the intensity of his gaze that meant she couldn’t look away. His lips quirked up at both ends, his smile holding a promise she wanted to explore. He swung her around as Keith sang in the background about wanting to love somebody—

“Like you,” Jackson murmured.

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