Jase steps out and stands beside me, handing me a hot mug of coffee, though he doesn’t sit to join me. He’s waiting for my permission. I don’t answer, instead just pat the space beside me as I pull the blanket over me. Jase sits, reaching an arm over my shoulder, resting it on the back of the swing.
He doesn’t speak or continue pushing me. We sit in silence together for a few minutes, watching the trees blow in the wind and listening to the soft chirping of the birds flying overhead. It’s beautiful out here. Miles and miles of green pastures, even in the middle of winter. I can see the horses in the distance being taken out of the stables to roam freely with their trainers. They should be prepping for the next season, and this place will be bustling in the coming months with riders.
It’s peaceful, and I can really see myself raising my baby here, at least until Jase and I decide what to do. I know we’re staying on his family ranch because it’s the best place for us to be right now, but I am not planning on living on Magnolia King’s property for long.
I don’t want to owe the King’s anymore than I already do, especially when they’ve made it so obvious lately that they are not thrilled about my being here.
“Well, this is cozy,” a shrill voice calls out, approaching from the back side of Jase’s property. Indigo Harper waltzes over and up the porch steps one heel at a time, like the leech she is, sucking the life out of us. The woman's incessant need to wear high-heeled cowboy boots out here is beyond me. So, the question is, what does she truly want?
Jase lets out a sharp curse, straightening as he faces his ex-girlfriend, who is appearing where she’s not welcome. “What do you want, Indy?” he asks, dropping his arm from around me, and I can't help the twinge of annoyance at that small, insignificant move.
I hate that he still uses her nickname, but I can’t just outright call him out on it, especially not in front of her. “Came to see if Monroe needed anything,” Indy says easily, her gaze flicking to me, and the sly smile she gives me tells me she’s here to try to catch us in a lie. “After the way things went down the other night, I thought maybe I’d stop by and clear some things up.”
My fingers tighten around my mug, and the metallic tinge of blood on my tongue makes me aware that I’m biting down too hard. “I’m fine, thanks. No need to clear anything up. You were a guest of the King’s, not my business who they decide to invite over for dinner.”
Indy’s eyes sweep over Jase’s hand on my thigh. “Didn’t realize things between you two were so serious.”
“They are,” Jase says, his voice clipped as his hand slides up to rest on my stomach as if reminding her why. Of course, I’m pregnant, a fact she seems to keep forgetting.
“Right,” Indy clears her throat, seemingly unconvinced. She twirls a blonde strand of hair between her fingers, swaying back and forth like she’s trying to appeal to the part of Jase that once wanted her. “Well, I’ll let you all get back to whatever it is you were up to. Just wanted to stop by and thank you for letting me stay at the ranch for a while. I’m thinking about permanentlymoving to Crossroads, and apartment hunting may take some time.”
My heart drops to my feet. Indigo is staying in Crossroads. If her plan to win him back wasn’t already blatantly obvious, this just proves her ulterior motives. Jase’s hand on my stomach tightens around me, and I can sense his anger and discomfort.
“I didn’t let you stay, my mama offered her home to you. If it were up to me you’d be gone.”
Indigo tries to hide the look of shock at Jase’s cold tone, simply shrugging her shoulders and shaking off his comment.
“Jake said he’d help me take my car in to get new tires and figure out what that ticking sound is, so he should be by later today to pick it up.”
We both watch as she turns and practically skips away, opening her car door to grab a few things before heading back over toward the main house.
“This isn’t going to work,” I say matter-of-factly, unable to look his way as my stare remains glued on the woman who’s become more than just a thorn in my side. She’s the whole goddamn rose bush. Beautiful on the outside but dangerous if you get too close.
Jase meets my gaze, his expression unreadable as he runs a hand through his hair. “I’ll figure it out. I promise.”
I don’t reply, but uncertainty weighs heavily on me now more than ever. Indigo Harper isn’t going anywhere, and if Jase and I once had hope of a future together, this all but crushes that feeling of hope.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Monroe
Agirls’ day is exactly what I needed after the week from hell. I was about to blow.
After meeting Raven for a quick lunch at Dolly’s, we stop by HoneyBees to pick up some lattes before heading downtown. I’m full, happy and in need of some retail therapy.
Things with Jase are at an all-time high—high tension, high emotions, high intensity sexual tension. I haven’t told the girls about all the drama with his ex, mainly because I know exactly what their response is going to be. I’m not ready to dive into my true feelings regarding Indigo’s obvious ploy to win Jase back.
Bailey, Billie, Raven and I stroll down Main Street with paper cups in hand, bundled up against the December chill.
“It’s a real bummer you couldn’t join us for Christmas, Rae,” I say as Raven links her arm with mine.
“Yeah, but my Aunt Helen wanted us to spend the holiday together before she heads off. The house has officially been sold, and in one month's time I’m going to be homeless.”
“Still no luck finding a place to stay?”
She lets out a tired sigh and shrugs. “I found this small studio a little closer to Rivers Bend. The rent is decent, but the place itself is in need of so many renovations it’s almost not worth the money and time I’ll have to put into it, but as of now that’s my only choice.”
“I’ll talk to Monty.”
