Page 19 of Dreaming About Forever

Alicia’s eyes widened. “Prison?”

Vicci wrapped an arm around Alicia’s shoulders. “Let me show you to your room. Jordan, get her bags.”

Jordan still held her bags as if they didn’t skirt the usual fifty pound weight limit for flying commercial airlines.

It didn’t sound like she’d be meeting Dom anytime soon, but curiosity was already getting the best of her.Prison?

“I’ll show you around the ranch if you want,” Clint offered.

“That sounds like a great idea,” Vicci said. “Give us five minutes to get her settled.”

“No, I’ll do it,” Jordan countered.

Clint crossed his arms over his chest. “Dude, I offered first.”

“And it’smyjob. I’ll be going either way, so you might as well get back toyourjob.”

“Lighten up. Everything is about work with you,” Clint quipped.

Alicia glanced back and forth between the brothers. Stacy was her only sibling, and they’d had their share of tiffs over the years, but overall, they were best friends.

Vicci sighed. “Don’t mind them. They love each other, but they’re complete opposites. They’ll be laughing and planning a fishing trip before supper.”

“Everyone seems to have forgotten I’m working,” Jordan said. “It’s my job to make sure no one bothers Alicia.”

“I’m not bothering her. It’s called beingnice.” Clint put plenty of emphasis on the last word. “You should try it sometime.”

Alicia bit her lips between her teeth. Jordan was cute when he was trying to be serious around his casual family.

“You got that tractor running, Clint?” Grant asked.

Clint’s shoulders sank. “Almost.”

“Give the lady some space. Jordan is right. She’s here to relax, and you two knuckleheads are making my blood pressure rise.”

Their dad even chastised them lovingly. Though, he’d erased all doubts about where Jordan got his stern demeanor.

“Thank you for offering, Clint,” Alicia said as she halted at the foot of the stairs.

“The offer always stands.” He flipped his hat back onto his head and gave her a wink. “See you at supper.”

Alicia turned to follow Vicci up the stairs and caught sight of the stern look on Jordan’s face.

“It’s no problem. You don’t need to be upset with him.”

Jordan turned his attention to her, and the lines around his eyes softened. “I know you’re here to relax. I just don’t want anyone bothering you.”

“I’m not bothered. Your family is nice,” she whispered, letting Vicci ascend a few steps without her.

“Clint’s harmless,” Jordan said.

“I got that impression. He’s nice.”

Jordan’s jaw tightened, and he looked up the stairs where his mother had left them behind. “Yeah. He’s nice.”

8

JORDAN

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