Page 78 of Dreaming About Forever

“Thank you. Let me know what you need from me,” Alicia said.

“Hmm. I’ll see what Kennedy wants. I’ll send the proposal over soon.”

After quick good-byes, Alicia ended the call. “I’m really sorry about this.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Jordan said, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her close.

She closed her eyes and rested her cheek against his chest. “I can handle it most of the time, but it’s you I’m worried about. It’s a lot to ask of you to put yourself in front of the entire world and their scrutiny just to be in a relationship with me.”

“I’ve never cared what strangers thought about me. I don’t plan to start today.” He leaned over and touched the laptop screen. “This warning sounds cryptic. ‘I feel sorry for this poor guy. She’ll be slaying him in her next chart-topping hit soon. She did it to her other exes.’”

Alicia lifted her head. “I will not write songs about you.” She gasped and covered her mouth. “I did write a song about you!”

Jordan laughed. “That’s a song I’ll happily claim.”

“And I don’t have a long list of exes. I dated Henry Jordison after he left Heart Struck to go solo. We didn’t have a very eventful relationship. We barely saw each other. Then there was Ashton. That’s it.”

Jordan pressed another kiss to her forehead. “Let’s do something to take your mind off this. Want to go get some of the sugar cookies Caroline made for you?”

Alicia pushed her hair away from her face. “That actually sounds like a good idea.”

The rumble of an engine grew nearer outside.

“That sounds like mom,” Jordan said.

“Let’s invite her to go with us.”

Quick footsteps ran onto the porch, and the front door flew open. Vicci panted, keeping her hand on the doorknob.

“I can’t find your dad.”

27

JORDAN

Alicia was on her feet first. “What do you mean?”

Jordan’s usual reaction time was nothing compared to Alicia’s when she was worried.

“I’ve been calling him for half an hour. He was supposed to meet me at the hay barn forty-five minutes ago,” his mom said quickly.

“Where was he working?” Jordan asked as he headed for his boots. Accidents on the ranch were bound to happen, but his dad knew to answer the phone when one of them called if he was able. The ranch was so big it could take them hours to search it, and hours could be too late.

“He was supposed to be at the north barn, but I checked there.” His mom turned to look back out the door as if her husband might arrive at any moment.

Jordan’s stomach rolled in warning. His mom didn’t get worked up about much, so seeing her clearly concerned spurred his adrenaline into action. “Call Clint.”

His mom pulled out her phone. “I already called him. He’s on his way to the shop. Clint said he didn’t see him on the eastern border.”

Jordan grabbed his coat. “Tell him to stay on the east and south sides. I’ll take the north.”

“I’ll go west,” his mom added as she pressed the phone to her ear.

“I’m coming with you,” Alicia said as she grabbed her coat.

Jordan opened his mouth to protest, but his job required him to stay with her. While his parents’ house was about as safe as it could get, he didn’t like the idea of leaving her alone.

Although, the stern look on her face said she could handle anything that came at her.

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