Heartbreak's Reward (Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight Book 2) (24 page)

“This is embarrassing,” she mumbled, buttoning her blouse.

Jase sighed. “We’re fine. My little brother’s drop-in visit. It’s okay.”

Brenna ran her fingers through her hair. She stood and slipped her shoes on, still trying to breathe normal. “It’s not okay. I’m so embarrassed.”

“Come on.” Jase opened the door and they walked out hand in hand, her insides still trembling.

“Oh,” said Tristan, his eyes wide. “Ah, sorry. The door was unlocked.”

“No problem. Want a soda or something to drink? I was about to take a nap.” Jase pulled a chair out at the table. “Go ahead, take a seat. Davy and Chloe went for pizza.”

“Chloe?” He glanced at Brenna.

“My sister.” Brenna went into the kitchen for a drink of water. Anything to not have to look at Jase’s brother. No matter what, they were caught in the bedroom. She was mortified.

“Yeah, Bren’s sister is sixteen, almost seventeen. I suggested she sign her up for lessons with Mom. They came back from Iowa City today. Me and Davy picked them up from the airport.”

Brenna came back into the dining room with a glass of water, shaking off the awkwardness the best she could. Jase pulled out a chair. He set his hands on her shoulders when she sat, but moved across from her.

Tristan spoke to Brenna. “Mom would like giving her lessons. You
should
sign her up. She has fun with the students. My daughter rides.”

“My sister’s a city girl and I’ll have to ease her into it.”

“I’ll get her on one here soon, Bren. We’ll get her used to it.” Jase glanced to his brother. “Davy already offered to teach her.”

Tristan took a seat. “Davy, huh. How’d that happen?”

Jase started to explain, but then the kids came in with two pizzas.
That barely took forty minutes let alone an hour
, thought Brenna.

Chloe glanced back and forth at Jase and Tristan. “There’s two of them? Brenna, we need to talk.”

“Chloe, this is Jase’s brother. He has horses, too.” She introduced them. “He has a little girl going into first grade. I might be her teacher.” Brenna got up to get the plates, handed them to Jase, and he sat them on the table.

Tristan said to Jase, “Mom has dinner ready. Nora’s waiting until I come back.” He stood. “Nice meeting ya, Chloe. Come on over and we’ll fix ya up with riding one of these days. At least take a look around the ranch.” He bid Davy farewell.

Chloe took a slice of pizza when she sat. “Nice to meet you, too.” She glanced back to Davy.

When Tristan headed toward the door, Jase stood. “Davy, come outside with me a minute. Bring your pizza.” He turned to Brenna. “Be right in.”

When they walked out the door, Chloe turned to Brenna. “How’d you meet all these cowboys?”

Brenna flipped her thumb toward the living room window. “Oh, see that mountain? I blame it.” She explained how everyone fit in and how Jase rescued her that night.

Chloe laughed. “You got rescued by a real cowboy. It’s kind of funny, Bren.”

“I know, it’s still sinking in. There’s something about that man that blows me away. I’m falling in love with him, little sister, and I don’t know how that’s possible…or what to do about it.”

“From what I see, you were right. There
is
something about a cowboy. I guess they aren’t so bad.” Chloe took a sip of her soda and did a half shrug.

Brenna almost choked on her pizza. “Well, I have to say this…don’t get angry, but please be careful. He’s too old for you…and you just got here.”

“Barely two years between us.
You
be careful. I see the way that cowboy looks at you. I’m not as young and naïve as you think. I’m close to being an adult.” Chloe took another drink. “And I can’t help but notice the way you look at him.”

“Trust me, I’m more careful than you even know.”

“So am I. You can trust me. How about starting now?” She ripped off a piece of pizza crust and popped it into her mouth.

Brenna wiped her fingers and reached for her sister’s hand. “All right. It’s time we start our new life and that’s a good place to begin. Don’t make me sorry.”

“I promise, Bren. I won’t.” She laid her pizza on the plate and lowered her eyes to her lap, paused, and turned her attention to Brenna. “I want a new life too.” Her hands trembled, and she peered at Brenna with watery eyes. “I’m tired of moping around and being in mourning. I just…want to be…normal again.”

Brenna choked up when her sister’s voice cracked. She squeezed Chloe’s hand. “Me, too, hon. What about tonight? Shall we go home?”

Chloe nodded when Jase and Davy came back in the door.

“You got it, kiddo.” Brenna peered up at Jase and gave him a smile.

After eating, Davy took Chloe back out to the barn to look at the horses. Jase sat beside Brenna at the table and took another slice of pizza. “Well, are you staying? We’ll take a look at the barn and I’ll show you that trailer. Trust me, it’s like a motor home, but the back part hauls horses. It’s cool.”

Brenna released a big sigh. “Chloe and I decided to go home.” She peered off to the side. “We have to. I hope you understand.”

“Sure. I’ll follow you with your extra luggage, so you have all of it with you.” He caressed her arm. “Good luck with everything.”

“Thanks. My sister seems different. Maybe I just realized she’s growing up, or
is
grown up for her age.”

“I talked to Davy.” The corner of his mouth quirked. “There’s something about you two girls that attract cowboys.”

She tapped her fingers on the table. “Oh, no, don’t tell me I need to worry about that now. You said he was safe.”

Jase picked at the pepperoni on his pizza. “You don’t have to worry about Davy.” He popped the piece of meat into his mouth. “I have to work out after eating all this garbage.”

“Hormones is what I’m worried about. Does he realize he’ll go to jail if he touches her?”

“Yes. Davy isn’t stupid. Hell, he’s probably a virgin.”

Brenna gasped, and her eyes widened.

“Hey, I didn’t…” Jase peered at the floor. “I’m sorry, Brenna.” He grabbed his head with one hand. “Isn’t that a good thing, though?”

“I suppose.”
Not really, no
. She had to trust her sister. Her history would be hard to overcome though. Maybe it was all about rebellion back home, and she truly wanted to change.

“Hello,” said Jase, poking her arm. “You in there?”

Brenna gave a soft smile, but it faded away. “Thinking about my sister.” She touched his forearm. “You know, I’ll be tied up with her, plus getting my classroom in order when my furniture and things get here.” She was barely able to speak. “Starting a new school year and getting settled will take some time.” Brenna cleared her throat.

She glanced toward the door and sat back with raised hands. “Maybe you shouldn’t get tangled up with me right now.” Brenna rested steepled hands against her mouth. Why would she want to start another relationship when she couldn’t make the other one work? “I’m not sure how much time I can put into a relationship.”
Isn’t that what I told Cory almost two years ago?
The look on Jase’s face tore at her heart. She covered her face and closed her eyes. It was too late now, but…she shouldn’t have said that. Why did she?

Jase put his hands on his thighs. “What are you saying? Dammit, am I getting my heart ripped out before it even starts?” He got out of his chair and went into the living room to get her luggage. “I’ll stick this in my truck. Whenever you’re ready.”

Brenna slid her chair in when she stood. She stacked the plates. “I’ll put these in the dishwasher.”

“I got it,” he said, going out the door.

Shaking her head at herself, she walked outside as he lifted her luggage into the bed of his truck. She made her way toward him but he met her before she got there. He removed her car key from his ring.

“I’ll get your car out of the garage. It’s on the side of the barn. Go on and walk through the barn if you want to. Chloe and Davy are in there.” He sauntered away.

Brenna folded her arms, watching after him.
Why’d I say that? I like being with him.
What’s the matter with me?
She followed. When he opened the garage doors and entered, she went in and took hold of his arm. “I don’t know what I was saying back there. I’m scared, I guess. Everything’s so new.”

“Yeah, whatever, Bren. You’re probably right though.” He brushed her fingers off his arm and turned, putting his hand over his chest. “No way can I take another heartache. It hasn’t been that long since the first one. So…well, whatever, huh?” He handed her key over.

“I need to get my purse from inside and then round up Chloe.”

“Go ahead. I’ll pull your car up to the back.” She abruptly turned and headed for his back door, dying inside, trying to figure out what the hell just happened. An hour ago she lay in bed with him, wanting him like she’d never wanted a man. She finished clearing the food off the table and put the soda bottles on the counter, turning when Jase came in the door.

“Here you go.” He flung the key on the table. “I’ll take care of that stuff. Leave it be.”

“Well, I wanted to clear the table at least.”

He shoved his hands into his back pockets his shoulders dropping. “Do you want
me
to get your sister?”

“I’ll get her. You never showed me that horse. It still needs a name.”

He lowered his eyes and slowly gazed up the length of her body. “Hey, you’re off the hook for that. Don’t worry about it.”

She went to the table and stood beside him. His face was expressionless. She had hurt him. “I’m sorry.” Brenna raised her hands to her head.
God, I hate myself for hurting him
. Hurting him was the last thing she wanted. She was hollow inside.
I should be hollow inside!
“Jase, I don’t want this. I’m sorry for saying that.”

“What the hell?” He paced to the door and came back to the same spot. “Make up your mind. I had no intention of being with another woman until I saw you in that damn parking lot. Whatever spell you cast,
woman
, caught me.” Jase shoved his fingers through his hair and turned around with his back to her. Clenching his head with both hands he faced her again. “I can’t do this. I don’t need this kind of bullshit. Get all hooked up with you…and wait for the next time you slam your fist into my heart?”

“Jase…please. Don’t listen to me when I get negative like this. I do want to be with you.”

He gripped her arms. “Until the next time you don’t?”

She took a step in. “No, that was…no.”

His throat constricted and his jaw clenched. “Come on, I’ll follow you home.”

Davy knocked and walked in with Chloe. He looked back and forth at Jase and Brenna. “What’s going on? I’m thinking of lighting a fire in the pit. I fed the horses.”

“Nah, Davy, Brenna’s taking off.” He released her arms. “I’m following with her luggage. If you want to, you can transfer it to your truck and deliver it.”

“I can do that. Chloe can ride back with me.” Davy glanced at Brenna. “I mean, if it’s okay.”

Brenna took her purse and picked up her key from the table. “Sure, that will be fine if Chloe doesn’t mind…except for one thing. I don’t know how to get there. I don’t even know the address to program into my GPS.” Her voice trembled. It took all her strength not to cry. It was over? She glanced back at Jase who stood there with his hands in his back pockets, not looking at her.

Jase said to Davy, “You remember where Nora lived. Didn’t you go there with my brother before?”

“Ya mean the townhouse out on the golf course? Sure.”

“Well, that’s where Brenna and Chloe are living.” He headed down the hallway toward his bedroom.

“Cool, I can lead ya there, Brenna.”

“Thank you, Davy.” Brenna caught Chloe’s furrowed brow. She walked to her car trying to ignore it, got in and turned the air conditioning on high. Her sister slid in the passenger side.

“What the hell’s going on, Bren?”

“Nothing. Absolutely nothing.” Her eyes watered and she covered them with her sunglasses. When Davy got their luggage into his truck, and pulled around them, she dropped it into drive and followed. “Don’t let me lose him, Chloe. I need to pay attention to where we live, right?”

Chloe hooked her seatbelt. “Yeah, sure, good idea, but if you drive away, you are losing
him
.”

Brenna hit the brakes. “What did you say?”

Chloe pointed backward. “Him, back there. The dude. You’ll lose him if you keep driving.”

“How the hell do you know what’s going on?” She viewed her sister’s pretty face, her cute pouty lips. A girl much smarter than Brenna gave her credit for. Switching her gaze to the front, she saw that Davy had stopped and sat waiting.

“Because all I know is when we came to this ranch, you were smiling. Now you’re frowning and sad. It doesn’t take Einstein to figure this one out. Whatever you said back there—”

“Wait!” Brenna twisted in the seat and peered at her. “What makes you think it was me who said something?”

Chloe rolled her eyes. Now that looked like the regular sister she knew. “I know you, Brenna. And even though I was only a kid two years ago, I know how you chased Cory off, and you’re doing it again.”

Brenna faced forward, gripping the steering wheel and then slammed her palms against it. She reached into her purse and brought out a key, handing it to Chloe. “The only one we have right now. Go with Davy and get our things in the townhouse. Check out the upstairs.” Brenna took a deep breath and blew it out loudly. “We might be able to turn the loft into a media room, but it’s pretty bright up there.”

“Bren, stop procrastinating.” She removed her seatbelt and opened the door a crack.

She studied her sister’s face. “Chloe, I’m so proud of you. So proud. Come over here.” Brenna wrapped her arms around her and squeezed tight. Releasing her, she said, “I’ll see you soon. Behave.”

Again the eye roll, but this time Brenna laughed.

Chloe got out and skipped up to Davy’s truck, reminding Brenna of when Chloe was a little girl, but she was no little girl anymore. Davy reached across the seat and opened the door for her.