Heartbreak's Reward (Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight Book 2) (19 page)

“I won’t mind if you shoot me a text when you land or get settled. Where do you stay when you go back?” He set her carry-on on the sidewalk, pulled up the handle and slid the laptop bag strap over her shoulder.

“I stay with best friend, Lacy Kerrigan. She’ll let me use her car to get my running around done. I’ll tell you all about it later, okay?”

“Well, I have to get moved or security will be kicking me outta here.” Taking her shoulders, he drew her close, giving her a fast kiss before releasing her. He backed up toward the rear of his truck. “Remember, let me know when you get settled.”

Brenna took hold of the handle on her bag and turned to go. “I will. The phone works both ways, cowboy.” She headed for the door.

“Brenna.”

She turned back, holding her arm above her eyes to block the sun. “Yes?”

He hurried to her, took her into his arms and kissed her. She released the handle of her suitcase and held him tight, returning a heated kiss. Chills and trembles did battle within her body. When he released her, he came back for another and still another. Stopping after the third time. “Come back to me, girl. Let’s see where we can take this.”

Brenna gulped and lowered her hands from his shoulders, resting her palms against his chest. She whispered, “I will.”

A security truck pulled in behind him.

“Oh, man, I have to get that truck moved. I’ll see you soon.”

“Jase?” Brenna took a big breath unable to believe what she was about to say. Pulling him near, she stood on her tiptoes to be closer to his ear, and she lowered her voice. “I want you.” She took a half step back and noticed his throat constrict. It was true. Jase
was
the one. No doubts.

His gaze went to her lips, and then back to her eyes. “I’ll be waiting.” He winked and gave her another kiss before turning back to his truck as the security guard opened his door. “Waiting patiently. On your word, honey.”

Brenna waited outside the airport in Cedar Rapids for Lacy. Before taking off from Phoenix, she called Lauren’s parents, where Chloe was staying, confirming she’d pick her up when she arrived in Iowa City. Her sister knew this and Brenna hoped she had already packed. She wasn’t going to be happy, but she better be ready.

When Lacy pulled up, Brenna opened the back door and stuck her bags inside. She glanced at her pretty friend. Her blonde hair wasn’t as light as Brenna’s and her eyes were green, but they were often taken as sisters. “I’m so happy to see you, Lacy. How ya doing, girlfriend?” She got into the front seat and Lacy drove off.

“It’s great you found an apartment so quickly,” said Lacy. “I’m glad you called to let me know. I worried about you out there stuck in some dinky half-ass city.”

“A surprise even to me. One way or another I’ll make a life for us. It really is a nice little town.” Brenna sighed. “I hope Chloe can settle in and accept this. It’ll make it easier on all of us. She’s still fighting it though.” Brenna tried to understand, put herself in Chloe’s shoes, but she knew the same ache, lost the same family. Maybe her age and the fact she had responsibilities helped her go on past it at a faster pace. Past it? Well, that depended on what time of day it was.

Lacy sped around a tractor trailer poking along on the highway. “Have you thought about Lauren coming to visit? Maybe for Christmas vacation? Give Chloe something to look forward to.”

“It’s a great idea, Lacy. That way when she says farewell to Lauren it won’t be forever in her eyes. I’ll speak to her parents. Thanks.” Brenna put her hand on Lacy’s arm. “Maybe you can come. I hate the thought of saying so-long to you, too, my friend. Give it a thought, okay?”

Lacy tapped her palm against the steering wheel. “No need to think it over, Bren. I’ll gladly leave December in Iowa for sunny Arizona. Yes! I’ll come. Maybe Lauren and I can fly together.”

“We’ll plan something. Her parents might like the idea of another adult accompanying her.” When Brenna got settled, she’d add it to her agenda to plan for their visit. There must be fun things to do in the area besides look at that mountain. “I’m happy already and looking forward to Christmas break.” She removed her phone and sent a text to Jase, letting him know she was on her way to Iowa City. A couple minutes later, he replied.

Lacy poked Brenna in the arm when she set her phone down. “What’s with that big smile on your face? Who you texting? You don’t smile like that when you’re texting your sister.”

“Oh, it’s Jase.” Brenna let it go for now. She knew it wouldn’t last long. Nope, now she’d have to explain why that man made her giddy. Any second now, Lacy would be prying into her business. She’d play this out for as long as possible.
Ten, nine, eight…

“Just like that? You’re leaving it without explaining. What’s a Jase?”

“Not,
what
is Jase?”
Oh, my God
. “Who? He might be the best looking cowboy in Arizona. I kid you not. I met him in Canyon Junction. His muscles? I can’t even begin to tell you how big his arms are.” She paused to take a breath. “The best part—I believe he’s a real gentleman, most of the time. What can I say? He blows me away…I mean that, Lacy.”

“For goodness sakes, it sounds like a fairy tale. You met a cowboy in Arizona. Yes, ma’am, a show like I’d see on a movie channel.” Lacy poked her in the arm again and laughed.

“Yes, Lacy, I get this. Stop laughing at me.” This was one fairy tale she didn’t want to wake from. “He’s a real cowboy with a horse ranch.” She gave a subtle laugh. “Of course, right? That’s what I thought when I met him in that dark parking lot. Okay it wasn’t dark. Bright enough to see his sexy blue eyes.”

“Oh, girlfriend. We need to talk. You’re gone this short time and come back…in love?”

Oh, Lordy, for her to think of being in love with a man like Jase Carlson? It could happen and it wasn’t a fairy tale. He was real and so was the throbbing…everywhere when she held him. He tickled her in ways and places she’d never been tickled. Well, maybe never, but what she had going on inside of her was much more than sexual. He crept inside her heart. “Let’s not get carried away. It takes two to be in love. But, love at first sight isn’t impossible.”

“Uh uh,” teased Lacy. “It happens in Hollywood all the time.”

“Must I remind you Canyon Junction is far from Hollywood, and so is Iowa City. My mind needs to be focused on finalizing everything on my trip here now.”
If only I can keep that cowboy out of my head for a few more days
.

“He came to my rescue like a real movie hero.”
Okay, it’s enough about him.
“Oh, it looks like home,” said Brenna when they came into Iowa City. Home. She swallowed hard, her throat tightening. The familiar ache in her heart. “I need to visit the cemetery before I leave. Chloe might go with me this time.”

“Dear, Bren. My heart still breaks for you and Chloe. So many people are concerned about you and your sister here in this city.”

“Tell them we’re moving on the best we can. We’ll make it.” Brenna sighed. If only it was as easy to do as to say. “I’ll ask Chloe, but I won’t make her go. She may be sorry in a month or two. It’s not to say we’ll never return here again. Right, Lacy?”

“Sure, hon. You’re both welcome to stay with me any time you return. I’m a phone call away.”

Two more blocks and they’d be at Lauren’s house. Facing her sister again would be hard the first time. She’d see Jordann right off. Then she’d be reminded it was Chloe as soon as she put up a struggle about leaving. Brenna missed her sister, Jordann, which made her closer to Chloe.

She had to hang on to what she had. If only Chloe would let her in. Couldn’t her sister understand?
I’m all she has.
“Well, we’re almost there, right up the street.” Brenna pointed to the right. “Look, there they are sitting on the porch.” She had to breathe. “Oh, she’s such a beautiful young lady, my kid sister. God, I love her.”
Here we go.

Before Brenna exited the car, Lacy said, “Make sure you tell her you love her. Maybe she needs to hear it.”

“I do tell her often. She gives me the evil eye. I won’t stop though.” She opened the door and went up the sidewalk.

Chloe rolled her eyes as soon as Brenna got near the steps. She stood, her hands at her waist. “Don’t make me go, Bren.”

“Honey, I already have a job in Canyon Junction and a place for us to live. We’re going and that’s my final word. Is your stuff ready?” It killed her to be the tough guy in this, but one day she hoped Chloe would thank her. Inside, her heart was breaking, taking her away from everything she’d ever known, but it was the right thing. She had weighed this decision over and over in her mind. “We have to go, Chloe.”

“Yes, my stuff is ready. Lauren’s parents made me get it packed because
you
called them. You’re ruining my life! More than it is already.”

Oh, Chloe, I’m saving your life.
Brenna fought back tears. “Lauren, can I have a minute alone with my sister?”

Chloe huffed when Lauren went inside. “Come on. Now what?”

“Stop the attitude.” Brenna looked closer.
A pierced eyebrow. When in the hell did she get that?
She had to admit the diamond stud in her nose didn’t look too bad. At least it was tiny. “Listen, Lacy had a fantastic idea on the way here.” Brenna told her about Lauren coming for Christmas break.

“Sounds okay.” She gave a shrug. Chloe glared at Brenna. “It’s about a half a year away.”

“You forget, I’m leaving everything I know, too.” She nodded toward Lacy’s car. “My best friend who I’ve known longer than you’ve been born, my job…you’re not alone in this. We can make it work, Chloe.” Brenna wanted to reach out for her, grab her into her arms and hug her. “Lacy’s waiting. Let’s get your stuff.”

Lauren’s parents came outside and Mr. Allan carried Chloe’s belongings to the car. Her mom hugged Chloe and came to Brenna with a hug. Brenna closed her eyes. Her hug reminded her of her own mother’s hug. Warm arms, squeezing tight, her cheek against her hair. Brenna wrapped her arms around Mrs. Allan’s waist. “Thank you for all you’ve done.”

When Mrs. Allan moved away, Brenna asked to talk to her and her husband alone. She mentioned having Lauren come visit in December, explaining Lacy would come, too. “I have a great place to live with plenty of room for everyone.”

“We’ll think it over, look into flights,” said Mrs. Allan. “I suppose we’d have to make reservations early to avoid the holiday rush.”

“Yes, make sure you get the flight into Phoenix. It’s less than an hour away from Canyon Junction.”
If you don’t get lost.
Speaking of, she’d have to pay better attention when Jase brought them back home. Maybe it was plain old fate that she missed her turn. No way would she have met Jase if she hadn’t been lost.
Or…who knows?
“We have to get going now. I’ll make sure we see you all before Chloe and I leave.”

Chloe stomped off to the SUV and got in the backseat without looking back.

After bidding farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Allan, Brenna got in. She glanced back at her sister.

“I have my seatbelt on. God, I’m not a child!”

Brenna faced forward, closed her eyes and took a deep, cleansing breath. She needed to stop acting like a child if she didn’t want to be treated like one. One day she’d actually say it out loud.

“Why do we have to leave Friday? I have weekend plans.”

“We have to, okay? You’ll love the place Chloe. You can have the whole upstairs to yourself if you want.”

“What kind of place is Canyon Junction anyway?” Chloe asked.

“Small, one middle school, a high school, and the elementary where I’ll be working.”

“Can I drive your car when I get my license?”

“We’ll see. I thought you weren’t interested in getting your license right away.” The thought of Chloe driving terrified her. She wanted to keep her safe as long as possible, and putting her out on the highway took that out of her control.

“I changed my mind.”

Of course she’d changed her mind. Anything to start trouble. “I’ll have to trade in my Mustang though. Insurance will kill us.”

Lacy interrupted their conversation. “It doesn’t matter, Brenna. Having a teen in the house is going to raise it anyway. You have no idea.”

“Oh, joy! It pays to be an insurance adjuster, huh? I wish I’d get your discount.”

“Good,” said Chloe. “You can leave me at Lauren’s house. I want to stay with her. Live with her,
Brenna
. Don’t you get it?”

“Yes, I get it. You’re not living with Lauren. Final word on the matter.”
Again
.

When they arrived at Lacy’s house, Chloe helped carry in all their bags. “You didn’t bring much. Where’s all your stuff?”

“I left it in Canyon Junction. No need to bring it all back now.” She pointed down the hall when they got inside. “Lacy said you can sleep in the same room you slept in before.” A flashback shook her sanity.
Before
. When they were released from the hospital. Lacy took them both in, helped nurse them back and drove Brenna and Chloe to physical therapy.

“I’m starved. What’s for dinner?” asked Chloe. “When will my stuff arrive in Canyon Junk-ton, Arizoooonaaaaaa?” She huffed and took off for the bedroom without waiting for an answer.

“Go look it up on the Internet. See what you can learn about the town and check out the school website while you’re at it.” Brenna looked at Lacy and she shook her head.

“I don’t envy your next few months.”

“Well, Jase’s mom teaches horseback riding. I’ll look into getting Chloe hooked up over there.”

Lacy laughed. “Are you kidding me? Your little sister on a horse?”

“No I’m not kidding. Maybe she can clean out a few stalls to get off
her
high horse, so to speak.”

Lacy walked toward the kitchen, shaking her head. “I’ll order Chinese for dinner.”

***

Brenna spent the next two days making arrangements for her furniture delivery, and to tie up loose ends with the school board. She had to sign release records for Chloe, and take care of the paperwork so her checks got mailed to Arizona, plus finalize and sign her termination papers. They told her she could always apply here again if things didn’t work out at her new location.