Emily put the cracker she’d been eating on her plate and set her plate down.
Jake’s eyes followed her actions, and the look on his face said he regretted asking since she hadn’t eaten much yet.
“I don’t know,” she said. “That company was my father’s whole life. But it has taken his life and Cameron’s. It kills me to say it, but I’m not sure I want anything to do with it. I’m not qualified to fill my father’s or Cameron’s shoes. I assume Max’s wife and son will continue to benefit from his share.”
“If it’ll always be a painful reminder, it might be best to sell it.”
She nodded. “I should ask Ben to contact Jeffery and the shareholders to see what my options are.” She rubbed her forehead, trying to ease the building tension.
Jake reached in his back pocket and pulled out her hairbrush. Holding it up, he arched an eyebrow at her.
She chuckled. “You had to grab one thing, huh? You came prepared, didn’t you? You were determined to break down my defenses.”
“Just trying to help.”
“You’re being too helpful, which is not helpful at all.” She reached out to snatch the brush away from him, but he pulled it out of her reach.
“Trust me, this is purely selfish. I like your hair.”
She looked at him for a long moment. Would it make things harder? For her? For him? She should keep her distance from Jake, but she felt like an invisible magnet pulled her toward him. A magnet stronger than she was.
Jake wanted to help her relax, and he knew how relaxing it was to have her hair brushed. He was a good man. She liked everything about Jake. But she’d end up hurting him if she later realized her feelings for Jake weren’t genuine? She didn’t want to hurt him like she did Trent when she couldn’t help him with his problems.
Why are you comparing your rancher to Trent?Joe’s voice echoed in her head. Deep down she knew Jake didn’t have the kind of problems Trent did, and she cared more for him than she ever had Trent. But soon she’d need to walk away from Jake to prove to herself she was strong enough to be on her own.
But did that day have to be today?
“Now who’s being the tease?” she asked.
Jake looked down at the hairbrush in his hand. “Sorry, I didn’t stop to think it might make things harder for you.” He was about to put the brush back in his pocket when she grabbed his arm.
“I’d like you to brush my hair, Jake.”
His eyes jumped to hers. A slow smile spread across his face and he nodded. “If you can rotate your body and lean your good shoulder against the tree, I can kneel behind you. That’ll be more comfortable than lying on the hard ground.”
Emily did as he suggested, and Jake knelt behind her. Warmth emanated from his body so close behind her, and her scalp tingled. She inhaled his scent; the fresh soap scent was barely discernible, but he smelled masculine, strong, and perfect.
Letting Jake brush her hair was a mistake.
“You still have food on your plate.”
Emily could tell Jake tried to make his comment sound casual and not accusing.
“Is brushing my hair today’s form of bribery?”
“I prefer to think of it as a distraction.”
It’s distracting alright.
She turned her head and scowled at him. She picked up a strawberry and took a bite. At least he wouldn’t be watching her face as she ate it. Jake’s soft chuckle behind her made her smile. She would have elbowed him if she hadn’t been leaning against her good arm. Instead, she let out an exaggerated “Mmmm.”
“Lottie will be glad you enjoyed her strawberries.”
“These are from Lottie’s garden?”
“Picked fresh this morning.”
“They’re delicious.”
