Really? If he was being honest, then he was the first single guy who’d ever felt that way about herpenchant for questioning the world around her. His voice stirred her in ways she wouldn’t have easily been able to explain to another person.
To hide her confusion, she pointed toward Aspen Ranch. “Why aren’t the authorities raiding the ranch right now, opening every last one of those crates?”
“Proof.” It was one word, but it carried a mountain of weight. “The burden of proof keeps our fellow citizens innocent in the eyes of the law until proven guilty.”
According to Owen, it was also because the Feds had a bigger sting operation in the works. If they moved too quickly, they might collar a lowly fall guy or two, while the masterminds disappeared into the wind.
“Does my brother know about this?” Jen fluttered her hands at Rex’s rifle and scope. “About what you do for the federal government? About what the airfield on Aspen Ranch is really being used for?”
“He does now.” He gave her a crooked smile that made her dizzy. “I understand the two of you are very close.”
We used to be.She wasn’t sure how much that would change now that Halle was in their lives.
In the meantime, Rex had successfully parried every verbal javelin Jen had thrown at him, so she saw no reason to turn down a dinner date with him. “I’m told one of the most popular gathering spots in town is Lane’s Diner. Have you ever been there?” She fought to maintain the calm composure that normally defined her existence. She was too old to go into meltdown mode over the prospect of a date. Granted, it had been years since the last time she’d been on one, but Rex didn’t need to know that.
“No.” The interested glint in his gaze deepened. “I usually avoid crowded places.”
That made sense in his line of work. She glanced aroundthe rundown cottage at the evidence that he’d eaten a good number of meals on the go lately. “How about I hike back to my brother’s place and put together a picnic basket?” Owen would probably look at her like she was crazy, since Halle had already served them a lovely dinner.
Jen hated that she’d been too upset to eat much of it, but it hadn’t been easy finding out that her brother and nephews didn’t need her anymore—at least, not in the way they’d needed her before Halle had entered their lives.
It was a bitter pill she was finding easier to swallow beneath the approval lighting Rex’s features.
“I have a better idea.” He held out a hand to her, his palm facing up. “How about you let me drive you there on my four-wheeler? It’ll save time.” He didn’t crowd her space or keep talking to ante up the pressure, leaving the next move entirely up to her.
Jen placed her hand in his. In the same moment, her stomach growled, making her flush with embarrassment.
All he did was chuckle and tow her through the back door to where he’d left his four-wheeler parked. Handing her his helmet, he helped her snap it under her chin. Then he waited while she untied the arms of her cardigan from around her waist and held it up for her so she could put it on. They were soon zooming across the fields toward the farmhouse.
At first, Jen leaned away from his muscular frame, holding onto the back of the seat for balance. However, the uneven terrain eventually forced her to throw her arms around his rock-solid middle.
She leaned into him, greedily absorbing his strength and the woodsy scent of his aftershave. The thought flitted across her mind that Rex Turner was a man capable of being leaned on. To test out the theory, she momentarilytipped her head against his shoulder when he slowed the four-wheeler during their final approach to the house.
His gaze was heavy-lidded when he parked and assisted her to the ground. As she handed back his helmet, their fingers brushed. She felt the touch of his warm, callused fingers all the way to her soul.
He cleared his throat. “I’d rather help with the picnic basket than stand around,” he informed her gruffly.
“Follow me.” She fought to keep her voice light, very much liking that he didn’t expect her to wait hand and foot on him. They reached the front door, and it opened before she could knock.
Owen was waiting on the other side, looking baffled. “Hi, Rex! I’m not sure why my sister is dragging you around the farm after hours. I probably should’ve warned you about her.” His eyes twinkled affectionately at her.
Rex shook his employer’s hand. “No warning needed. I’m her willing accomplice.”
The way he identified himself asherwilling accomplice felt more than casual. Like a man staking his claim.
“I see.” Owen continued to stare after Jen and Rex as they walked past the twins and his bride-to-be. None of them appeared accustomed to seeing Rex tromp through the living room.
Ryder and Cooper were the first to recover, leaping up from their train set to give Rex some noisy high-fives. Since children were notoriously transparent about their feelings, Jen took the gesture as yet another confirmation that Owen’s over-qualified farmhand was a good man.
Owen pulled her aside while Rex was fishing something out of the pantry for her. “Do you want to tell me what’s going on?”
She knew what he meant, but she pretended tomisunderstand. “I like the cottage by the cornfields so much that I’m taking a picnic basket there for dinner.”
“A dinner for two?” He gestured at Rex, who was still rummaging through the pantry in search of the jar of pickles she’d requested.
“He hasn’t eaten yet.” She raised and lowered her shoulders, trying to sound nonchalant. It was fun teasing her younger brother.
“Jen,” Owen groaned.
