“Since we woke up to talk about us, I should probably just ask the question. Are you seeing anyone?”
He blinked then laughed. “No, Honor. I wouldn’t have kissed you if I’d been seeing anyone. I wasn’t that guy before, and I’m not now.”
She smiled. “I didn’t think you were, but I couldn’t be sure. It’s been long enough that you could have turned into that cad.”
Jackson started the coffee and then went to the fridge to get things out for an omelet. He knew Honor couldn’t boil water, so it would be up to him to cook them something to eat. Thankfully, his mother had ensured he and his brothers could at least provide some meals if needed, though Justin was better than all of them at it.
Not that he’d tell his brother that.
As he chopped, they skated by the real issues, talking about random things going on around town like the next festival or who the best gossip was and how to avoid her wrath. He knew they’d have to talk about the dream and what happened—what
was
happening—soon, but he knew it would come.
They sat down to eat after Honor set the table. He knew she wanted to help in some way, but there was no way he’d let her near the stove.
“Stop grinning at me like that,” she said after she swallowed her first bite. “Yes, you’re an amazing cook, and I love eating your food, but that smile means you’re thinking about how I’m not allowed near your stove. It was one time, Jacks. One time.”
“You burned the pot, Honor. Boiling water. Water, Honor.”
She rolled her eyes. “That was your fault, not mine.”
Smiling, he took a sip of his coffee. “Oh really? How is that?”
“I put the pot on the stove to start the pasta, and you bent me over the kitchen island. It’s not my fault that you wanted me when I was cooking.”
He remembered pounding into her hard and fast, her little skirt bunched at her waist as he made them both come.
“Oh yeah,” he said with a grin.
“There’s that self-satisfied smile again, though I probably would have burned something later anyway. It was just a good excuse that time.”
“True. So, Honor, what are we doing?”
This was something he was good at—being straightforward. He might be an ass to most people and yell, but he never lied if the truth would work so much better. He wanted to lay out the rules and get things done. There was no use pretending and lying about certain things just because they seemed too hard to talk about.
Well, that was usually the case anyway.
For some reason, with Honor, it seemed even harder to talk about what he wanted than usual.
She set her fork down and took a sip of her coffee. “Well, I thought we were eating breakfast and avoiding the tough subjects, but I’m glad we’re not. I don’t know what we’re doing, Jackson. I didn’t come back to Holiday for you.”
She looked into his eyes as if she needed him to understand that, needed him to understand that she hadn’t wallowed and wept for years. He understood that, as he’d moved on as well—or at least he’d thought he had.
Her words didn’t hurt because they were true, but that didn’t mean he’d step back now that she was here.
Just the opposite in fact.
“I never thought you had, Honor. I know why you came back, and I don’t fault you for wanting to keep your distance when you first came here. We didn’t end on the best of terms.”
She snorted at that, and Jackson smiled. “I’m sorry for what I did back then, Honor.”
“No you aren’t,” she replied. “I don’t blame you though for what happened. I needed to leave to get what I wanted in life, and you needed to stay here because this is your home. We weren’t ready to be married and live the small-town life then. I don’t know if we ever will be.” She bit her lip at the last part, and he reached out to grip her hand.
“Then let’s talk about that,” he said.
“Jackson, we don’t really know each other now. I mean, we’re getting to know each other, but we don’t know everything.”
“No, we don’t,” he agreed. “We’re learning though, and I want to keep doing that.”
“Tell me what else you want. You always were straightforward about that.”
He crooked his lips up in a smile. “I try. What do I want? Well, I want us to be ourselves and try to be together at the same time. We’re too old for labels like boyfriend and girlfriend I would think. I’ve always hated the term lover since it implies that that’s all we are—good in bed. I always thought that we had more than that.”
She smiled and squeezed his hand. “That’s one of the nicest things you’ve said. Yes, I’m with you that I hate the term lover when we try to do things outside of bed.”
“Like on tables and kitchen islands.”
She rolled her eyes. “I meant things other than sex, but thanks anyway. So are you saying you want to try to be together now that I’m back?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying. We lost each other all those years ago because we had to, but I’m glad you’re back.”
“I’m glad we get another chance.”
He stared into her eyes, knowing that this was one of those moments he was supposed to remember, one of those times that would make a difference in his future and his plans.
“I have no idea what’s going to happen, Honor, but I want to see it through anyway.”
“The town will talk,” she said.
“They already are.”
The town was probably planning their wedding. The marriage of the last available Cooper in town would be an event to remember if they had anything to say about it.
Not that Jackson was planning on getting married.
Hell, he was just ready to start seeing Honor.
Marriage wasn’t on the table.
Not really.
“I’m not living with you, Jackson. Not yet.”
Her words brought him out of his thoughts, and he scrunched his brow. “Huh?”
She shook her head and laughed. “I’m going back to the inn to stay. I don’t want to live with you when we’re just starting out. We might have dated before, so we have some the particulars out of the way, but I want to start fresh. Living with you doesn’t really accomplish that.”
“Okay, but I want to make sure you’re healthy. That’s more important.”
“I’m fine, Jackson. I’m carless, but I’m fine.”
The reminder that she’d almost died made him want to reach out and pull her close so he’d never let her go.
Hell, when Tyler found out who did it, Jackson would kill the stranger. Well, he’d always assumed it was a stranger, but it could be anyone from town—anyone who’d want to hurt her.
“Stop growling, Jacks. I’m going to go take a shower—alone—after I clean up, so you go get showered first. Okay?”
She picked up their dishes, and he nodded.
After they were ready for the day, they met in the living room so Jackson could figure out what they’d do. He knew he should probably go into work, even if it was his day off, but he wanted to be by Honor instead. Apparently having her back in town and in his arms had changed him pretty quickly.
The doorbell rang, pulling him out of his thoughts.
“Who could that be?” he asked.
“Knowing this town and their curiosity, anyone,” Honor answered, and Jackson had to agree with her.
Hell, he didn’t want to deal with anyone right now. He glared as he stomped his way to the door. He pulled it open and frowned.
“Who are you?” he asked the stranger.
The man had brown hair and blue eyes. He was also about the same age as Jackson and the same height. The grimace on his face made Jackson want to slam the door in the man’s face. Jackson had a feeling nothing this man could say could be good.
“Jackson Cooper?” the man asked.
“That’s my name, but that doesn’t answer my question.”
“I’m Sam. Clementine sent me.”
Jackson’s eyes widened at the mention of Honor’s aunt. “She sent you to help me then?”
“Yep. Can I come in? It’s hot as hell out here, and I’d rather not let the town know what I’m doing here. You might be on the outskirts and pretty hidden, but that doesn’t keep peeping eyes away.”
Sam didn’t have to tell Jackson that. “Come on it.”
He didn’t know this man from Adam, but he had a feeling he could trust him for some reason. Jackson wasn’t usually wrong about these things.
“Sam!” Honor said as she ran to the man and wrapped her arms around his waist.
Fuck, it seemed Jackson had been wrong about Sam after all. Now he’d have to kill him.
“It’s good to see you, Honor. Isabelle misses you.”
Honor looked over at Jackson. “Isabelle is Sam’s daughter. He’s been married for twenty years to Aurora and has six kids, but thanks for acting all growly over me.”
Jackson looked down at his fisted hands then up at her. “I growled?”
Honor nodded, and Sam laughed. “Yes, honey, but that’s okay. We’ll work on your territorial issues later.”
“I’m a Cooper. I will
always
have territorial issues. So, Sam, what is it you wanted to say?”
Sam’s smile faded, and he sat on the couch. Jackson and Honor followed, sitting next to each other across from Sam.
“I’m sorry as hell this happened to you. I’m looking into the identity of the sandman who gave the perpetrator the dust. We’ll find out.”
“I take it you’re a sandman as well then.”
Sam nodded. “I’m one of the regents—meaning I’m one of the leaders. What was done to you breaks so many laws it’s not even funny. That said, there’s no way I can take the power away from you. You have to serve the ten years.”
He’d known this already, even before someone in charge had confirmed it.
“I’ll just have to live with it,” Jackson said, and he felt Honor relax next to him.
He knew she felt bad over it, and he knew he had to find a way for her to stop blaming herself. Maybe if he learned to live with his new life, she’d stop worrying.
“Will you teach me?” Jackson asked Sam.
The other man nodded. “Yes, though first I need to tell you a few things that might be important.”
As Jackson listened, his stomach bottomed out.
Hell, that changed things.
Chapter 8
The dream started the same as the first one. Honor stood in the field, her hands fisted at her side as Jackson strode toward her.
“Are you really here?” Jackson asked.
“Yes, it’s me. You seemed to have dream walked again.”
He smiled at her then cupped her face with his hands. “I’m glad. Does it hurt when I do this? Not touching you, but dream walking with you?”
She smiled. “No, Jackson. It doesn’t hurt at all. Though I will say that you should be careful as to who you dream walk with.”
Jackson nodded. “I think I’ve only done it with you, so that must be something, right?”
She reached up and kissed his chin. “That’s something alright.”
“Should we wake up now?” he asked, looking as if he’d rather stay asleep with her.
“Probably, we have a big day.”
Jackson just laughed. “Don’t stress. I promise they’ll be gentle.”
Honor rolled her eyes. “Sure, if you say so. See you soon, Jacks.”
“See you soon, my Honor.”
She woke up alone in bed, but not in her heart. Hell, it was getting harder and harder to keep herself away from him.
But did she really want to?
“Are you sure I look okay?” Honor asked as she ran her hands down her sundress one more time. She’d chosen the white sundress with a knitted white shrug to go over her shoulders. She’d also worn her cute gladiator sandals. They didn’t have a heel and made her the perfect height to fit under Jackson’s shoulder.
Not that she’d ever adjust her wardrobe to get closer Jackson.
It might have been a factor somewhere in her mind but definitely not the main one.
“You look beautiful, Honor. Stop worrying,” Jackson said as he set out olives, cheese, and other snack foods.
She blushed at his words and quit messing with her dress. There was really nothing she could do. She’d already met the women, and she thought they liked her. Now it was just his brothers.
And their children.
They’d like her, or they wouldn’t.
“I thought you said Justin and Abigail were going to cook when they got here.”
Jackson grinned at her then took her lips in a soft kiss. She leaned into him before he pulled back. Since they’d discussed their relationship, he was always touching her, kissing her as if he were afraid she’d up and leave again. She wasn’t planning on it, but she liked the attention anyway. It didn’t hurt that she liked making sure he was still there as well.
“I’ll let Justin and Abigail do the cooking today because they asked to and because they like it. As for why I have snacks out, that should be obvious. I have four pregnant women about to invade my home. I’m prepared.”
She closed her eyes and held back a laugh. “You sound as though you’re preparing for war.”
Jackson’s eyes crinkled at the corners with amusement. “Did I not tell you the peanut butter incident?”
Unable to hold back her laughter anymore, she chuckled. “Yes, though I don’t know why it’s such a big deal.”
Jackson narrowed his eyes then gripped her hips. “The big deal is I’m about to have four pregnant women who could want any random thing, and somehow, I’ll end up being the one to go out and buy it even though I’m not married to any of them.”
“You were
at
the store, Jacks, though they didn’t know it at first according to Jordan. I had thought you were just getting off work. It only made sense that they’d ask you to pick up something for them. You’re family. I know when I get pregnant, and if Tucker is around, I’m going to bother my brother to no end.” She closed her mouth quickly, afraid to see Jackson’s reaction to her words. She shouldn’t have mentioned being pregnant around him considering that would be moving a bit too fast.
He just grinned. “I’ve yet to meet Tucker, but I think it would be gratifying to ask him for help—just to annoy him. We’d have to make sure to ask all my brothers at random times in the day as well.”
She blinked. Had he just said he wanted to have a baby with her? Or was he at least saying he could picture her pregnant with his child?
Her heart raced, but she just smiled. This was what it meant to be in a mature, serious relationship—even though they’d said they’d only
see
each other. The future actually meant something beyond what to eat the next day.