Tyler

  A sweetness and a lightness had settled in his heart, a gladness that flared whenever Jess looked at him, when she spoke to him—hell, when she walked into a room. The moment she left Tyler’s sight, he looked forward to seeing her again.

  This had never happened before, not even when he’d been seventeen and engaged to Lindsey. He and Lindsey had been together for more than two years, and it was accepted by both their families, not to mention the whole town, that they’d marry. What no one had known was that, underneath, Lindsey had wanted out. She’d hated Riverbend and hadn’t wanted to marry a rancher. She’d already had someone else lined up to take her away. But she’d been too scared to tell anyone, including Tyler. Until one night …

  Tyler shut down that thought, but strangely it didn’t haunt him as much as it used to. He’d used sex and short relationships to keep himself from thinking too much soon after she’d died, and then it had become a habit.

  Jess wasn’t a palliative. She was real. Astounding all the way through. And Tyler loved her.

  But what the hell had he been thinking? Of course Jess wouldn’t want to jump into a marriage again, never mind the MS. Look at the crap that happened to her the last time. She was gun shy. Tyler should take it slow with her, like he would with a nervous horse, getting to know her, teaching her to trust and like him.

  He’d jumped ahead, scaring the shit out of her.

  Tyler knew he’d blurted out the proposal because he’d been worried he wouldn’t have the opportunity to do it later. Jess wouldn’t want to stay confined to Circle C. She’d find a job, leave the ranch, and start her life over, and Tyler would have missed his chance.

  Her shock had made him feel like a dumb fuck. What had he expected she’d say—Oh, yes, thank you, my knight in shining armor? She’d already told him she didn’t want one of those.

  She’d tried to frighten him off by telling him she had MS, but it hadn’t worked. Tyler had looked up what he could on his phone at breakfast—worrying stuff, but he wasn’t about to abandon Jess because of it. She was strong and had faced a lot already. She wouldn’t have to do it alone anymore.

  “You look like hell,” Grant said as Tyler climbed into the ring. The filly Grant had brought out was two years old and a firecracker, but smart and with lots of heart.

  “Whatever,” was all Tyler could think of to say.

  Grant peered more closely at him and rumbled a laugh. “Sex hangover. I know the look.”

  “Yeah, yeah.” Tyler took the longe line and snapped it onto the filly’s halter. “Did you come to work or be a wise-ass?”

  “She’s a sweet woman,” Grant said. “I know you know that. Don’t fuck it up with her.”

  “Too late,” Tyler said under his breath. Grant gave him a sharp glance, but to Tyler’s relief, he dropped the subject.

  Half an hour into the training, Jess emerged from the house with Faith and Dominic. Faith led the way to the big barn where the three of them disappeared for a time. By then, Grant had moved to riding in the covered arena, and Tyler worked the filly on the line, training her to respond to visual cues.

  He had to pay attention, but watching Jess emerge from the barn in her leg-hugging jeans was seriously distracting. She leaned against the rail to watch Dominic already perched on Dodie, being led by Faith. Jess’s backside faced Tyler, her strong arms bracing her on the railing.

  The next thing Tyler knew, the filly stood beside him, watching too.

  He sighed and gave up on getting anything useful done. If he screwed up this session, he’d have to start the filly’s training all over again. Horses had great memories for routine—they’d remember the wrong one as easily as the right one. It was all the same to them.

  Tyler led the horse back to her pen, gave her to one of the guys to brush down, and walked over to the training ring. Faith was explaining to Dominic how to use the reins, and then how to make Dodie move forward at a steady walk.

  Dominic had the look of a man terrified but not about to admit it to his women. Tyler knew the feeling.

  Jess glanced up as Tyler leaned on the railing next to her. “Morning,” she said stiffly.

  “Yeah, it is.” Tyler looked her up and down, enjoying the sight of the tight top over her blue bra, her arms bared, sunshine on her tatts. “We need to get you a hat. You’ll fry out here.”

  “A cowboy hat?” Jess asked, a glint in her eyes. She reached up and touched his, which he’d pushed back to look at her.

  “Any kind.” Tyler pretended that even that light impression of her fingers didn’t electrify him.

  “You’re protective of your hats,” Jess said. “I remember you fighting a guy for it at the bar. I’m surprised you gave one to Dominic.”

  Tyler shrugged. “He liked it.”

  “He insisted on bringing it with us,” Jess said. “Refused to leave it behind. But I don’t think he wants to give it back to you.”

  “That’s fine. He’ll grow into it.”

  Jess was silent as they watched Dominic and Faith. Faith was telling Dominic for the third time to keep his heels down, and Dominic scowled with concentration.

  “Grace asked me to help her plan and then run her restaurant,” Jess said after Dominic had walked past them, perched high on Dodie, awkwardly pushing the heels of his cowboy boots downward. “She said she’ll need a lot of assistance once she has the baby—an understatement. I’m not sure she realizes exactly what will happen to her.”

  Jess smiled at Dominic, the look one of fondness, love, and understanding. It made her so lovely Tyler wanted to gather her up and never let her go.

  “Grace has been planning that restaurant a long time,” he said, just for something to say. “It’s going to be on the square and feature Mrs. Ward’s pies and Grace’s pastries and cakes.”

  “She told me. She wants it to be a spot the locals can have a little time out and enjoy life. She’s going to include gluten free and diabetic-friendly goods as well, so no one is left out.”

  “That’s Grace. Feeding everybody.”

  “I think it’s a wonderful idea. Grace already called Karen Marvin about me joining the team. Your nonprofit is helping her?”

  Tyler nodded. “Grace’s last business partner ran out on her, taking all her money. AGCT Enterprises is giving Grace a business loan and Karen’s dealing with the permits and construction and that side of things. What does Grace want you to do?”

  Jess ran a hand through her hair. “Management. Hire people, make sure everything’s stocked—the grunt work so Grace can be in the kitchen and raise two kids at the same time.” Another smile. “I also think she wants me to run interference with Karen, so Karen doesn’t take over. Grace didn’t say that, but after meeting Karen, I’m deducing.”

  “Yeah, Karen is a force of nature.” Tyler couldn’t stop his shudder. Karen had pursued him a few times, wanting her insatiable appetite for cowboys fulfilled. It had taken all his powers of resistance to turn her away.

  Jess saw the shiver and laughed. “I like Karen. A woman who knows what she wants.”

  “When she’s eyeing me like I’m a choice steak on a spit, it’s not so funny.”

  Jess didn’t lose her amusement. “Now you know what it feels like.”

  “Hey, I never looked at you like that. You’re gorgeous and I want to have as much sex with you as I possibly can, but you’re not a piece of meat.”

  “Aw, how sweet. I didn’t mean you. I meant guys in general, especially in bars. I told Grace I’d be thrilled to work for her. I probably won’t be groped every second in a pastry and coffee shop. Possibly, sure, but not as often.”

  “Good.” Tyler let out a breath, relaxing. “Glad you’re on board with it.”

  “I’m going to meet with Karen tomorrow and sign everything. I’ll start right away.”

  Jess sounded happy, and Tyler blessed Grace from the bottom of his heart.

  This was the idea Tyler had approached Grace with at breakfast, realizing it was the perfect answer. It
kept Jess away from bars and had her working with AGCT, which would also provide her health insurance, but preserved Jess’s pride about taking charity from Tyler and all the Campbells. Grace truly needed the help and had been worried about postponing her dream after she had the baby.

  “Means you’ll be sticking around Riverbend,” Tyler said, trying to sound nonchalant.

  “I planned to stick around here anyway,” Jess said. “No matter what.”

  “Good. Gives you time to do all your thinking.”

  Jess flushed. “And you.”

  “I already thought about it. I decided I want to marry you.” Tyler pinned her with a hard gaze. “So, like I said, the ball’s in your court.”

  * * *

  Tyler knew how to keep her craving him. He stood close, the long, tall Texan Jess had first seen in the Dallas bar, with his charming smile and deep blue eyes, who’d softened her up in a heartbeat.

  The fact that Jess had made love to him that very night, and now was with him on his beautiful ranch was like a fairytale. His T-shirt bared his tight arms, his hat shading his handsome and now-dusty face.

  Jess touched his wrist, liking the sun-kissed warmth of his skin and the fact that she could reach for him and he was there.

  Tyler looked at her with desire in his eyes, but something more shone behind that. He was lonely, Jess realized with a jolt. In the middle of his big, loving family and his ranch full of people and horses, there was no one solely for Tyler.

  She remembered Karen telling her about Tyler and his “issues,” the girlfriend who’d died. Tyler hadn’t related the story, but Jess could be patient. He would tell her when he wanted her to know it.

  Tyler covered Jess’s hand where it rested on his arm. The spark that jumped through her brought her close to leaping against him and bellowing Yes! to his proposal. She’d do it—she knew that. But first she had to …

  Dominic rode by again, bravely taking his hand from the saddle’s horn to wave. “Mom, look, I’m jogging!”

  Dodie was moving at a very slow trot, barely bumping Dominic in the saddle. Dominic glowed, elated, while Faith watched with the look of a critical but encouraging teacher. The adult expression on a face so young made Jess want to laugh, her heart lightening.

  Tyler’s phone buzzed. He frowned at it, then answered. “Grace? What’s up? … Whoa, whoa, slow down, honey. I’ll find him. Don’t you worry. You just sit down. Here, talk to Jess.”

  Tyler thrust the smartphone into Jess’s hands then turned from the fence and cupped his hands around his mouth.

  “Carter! Where the hell are you? Grant! Find Carter. Grace is having their baby. Right now!”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Jess had to admire Grace’s poise. She barely remembered her own terrifying drive to the hospital when she’d gone into labor with Dominic, Cade both worried as hell and enraged at her for not quietly giving birth without interrupting his drinking with his friends.

  Grace was much calmer. She was a little white about the eyes when Jess reached the kitchen, but seemed more unhappy that she’d messed up the kitchen floor than anything else. Jess read her fear underneath though—the baby was coming a few weeks earlier than expected, which could mean any number of things, or nothing at all. Babies arrived when they were ready, setting the precedent for the rest of their lives.

  Jess sat with Grace on the porch, trying to keep her excited and not afraid, and watched Tyler be amazing.

  Tyler took over with intense efficiency. He had Grant and the rest of the ranch hands out looking for Carter, who’d ridden off on a horse earlier and must be out of cell phone range. He got Dominic dismounted and Dodie given over to be unsaddled and rubbed down so Faith could hurry to the porch to be with Grace.

  He had everyone else in the family contacted rapidly—his mom, Adam and Bailey, Ross, Christina. And he got his truck ready and pulled in front of the house so he could drive Grace to the clinic if Carter didn’t show up in the next five minutes.

  Carter did, racing up on his horse, dust flying from its hooves. He leapt to the ground before the horse stopped, as though doing one of his stunt routines, and sprinted to the porch. He was out of breath and looking wild, his dust-caked hair a mess, hazel eyes wide.

  Faith hovered uncertainly, but Tyler had that covered too. As Carter half carried, half supported Grace to Tyler’s pickup, too agitated to go for his own, Tyler lifted Faith in his arms.

  “Why don’t you stay with us, baby?” he said. “No need to go to school. When Grace is settled in, we’ll head over and see her. Kids can take a long time to get born.”

  Carter looked over his shoulder, nodding in gratitude. “I’ll call you first thing,” he said to Faith. “Promise, sweetheart.”

  Carter eased Grace into the passenger seat. When he approached the driver’s side, Tyler called, “Grant—drive them. Carter won’t be able to see the road, and that’s my truck. Bring it back in one piece, all right?”

  Grant grinned at Tyler, shoved Carter through the driver’s side and told him to scoot over. Grant climbed in after him, put the truck in gear, and gunned it down the drive. Dust rose in a thick white cloud, drifting into the light blue sky.

  Jess’s heart was pounding both in fear and delight. Grace was a sweetheart, having her first baby—she hoped everything would be all right.

  Faith looked scared. Tyler hugged her hard and kissed her cheek. “Carter will take care of her, sweetie. So will Grant. Remember when Christina had her baby? Grant was running around like a crazy thing, put his boots on the wrong feet, his shirt on inside out. Remember that?”

  Faith giggled. “Yeah. He was so scared.”

  “Christina and Emma were fine, and Grace will be too. The clinic will be nuts until they get her checked in.”

  Faith nodded, losing her smile. “We should stay out of the way.”

  “Uncle Grant will call as soon as we can show up. How about we have some lunch?”

  Jess hastened to the kitchen door. “Let me clean up in there first.”

  Tyler caught her eye and nodded. “Sure that’s okay?”

  Jess had to laugh. “Seriously, I worked at a bar. You should see the kinds of things we had to clean up. You wouldn’t eat for a week.”

  She hurried inside, listening to Tyler’s rumbling voice soothing Faith and Dominic.

  Jess had the floor scrubbed quickly, then she cleaned herself up and brought out what Grace had stocked in the refrigerator for the day—enchiladas, meatballs, and sandwiches. Faith didn’t have much appetite, but Dominic ate enough for both of them.

  As Jess cleaned up the dishes, Tyler’s phone buzzed, and he grabbed it and dashed outside. He came back a few minutes later, holding up a hand.

  “Don’t rush out. Carter says Grace is comfortable but the baby isn’t coming yet. It could be hours. But that’s okay, plenty to do here.”

  “Like what?” Dominic asked, caught up in the excitement.

  Tyler looked at Jess. “I know. Let’s teach your mom how to ride a horse.”

  Jess gulped as cold flooded her. “Ride a horse? Are you crazy? I can’t.”

  Tyler sat down at the kitchen table and gave her a challenging look. “You have a butt, don’t you? Then you can sit on a horse.”

  Faith giggled, relaxing. Jess recognized that Tyler was trying to keep his niece occupied and calm, but watery fear rushed through her. “I’ll fall.”

  “No, you won’t,” Tyler said. “I promise. Cross my heart.”

  “Tyler.”

  A woman with balance issues and a weak leg shouldn’t get on a horse. She’d slide right off into the dirt and bust her head open. Even if she survived, she’d be in no shape to help Grace or work for her restaurant and Karen.

  Tyler met her gaze squarely. “I’ve put kids who couldn’t walk a step on the ground on horses and trained them to be awesome riders. You need to trust me, darlin’.” His blue eyes held conviction and something tender behind that. “I’ll never let you fall.”

&nb
sp; * * *

  Jess was afraid, Tyler knew that, watching her as one of the ranch hands brought out Buster, saddled and ready. But she had the balls to walk out to the ring with him, knowing he was trying to keep Faith from going out of her mind.

  He’d decided to have Faith stay home, because he knew Carter would have been crazy dividing his worry between Grace and his daughter. Faith would be scared at the clinic, in the way of the staff, and possibly pushed aside. Having her sit like a statue in the waiting room would be hard on her. At home, Tyler could distract her, and they could be at the clinic very quickly when it was time.

  “This is Buster,” Tyler said, introducing him to Jess. “He’s a total shit on the ground, but once you’re on him, he’s a total pro. He won’t let you fall either.”

  Jess’s brows shot upward. “Isn’t he the one who kicked the shit out of you? Your words.”

  “Yeah, but he did that on purpose. He likes you.”

  Buster had put his head down and nuzzled Jess’s hands. Probably looking for a treat, but he then rubbed his nose against her arm.

  “Does he?” Jess asked nervously.

  “Yep. He hasn’t drooled on you, shoved you, stepped on you, snapped his teeth at you …”

  “Thanks. I feel better.”

  “He really does like you,” Faith put in. “He’s the sweetest horse in the world.” She threw her arms around Buster’s neck and kissed his cheek. Buster didn’t look like he minded.

  “He likes the ladies,” Tyler said. “Only explanation. Now, let’s get you up there.”

  Jess shot him a nervous glance but she allowed Tyler to wrap his hands around her left leg and boost her slowly upward.

  It wasn’t bad to rest his cheek against her backside as he hauled her up, not bad to put his hand on her inner thigh and help her swing her leg over the saddle. Buster never moved, being the perfect riding horse once you were on him. Or maybe he just liked Jess, as Tyler and Faith claimed.