Maybe she has no desire to come back to the ranch.
Not for the first time, Jake considered turning the ranch over to Zane entirely. He could own the ranch without having to live on it. But every time he entertained such thoughts, something inside him withered and died.
He needed to face the truth: the reason Emily hadn’t contacted him probably had more to do with him—and the fact she didn’t love him—than it did the ranch.
Jake and Daniel both lifted their heads as a blue Nissan Rogue approached the stables. Not recognizing the car, they both watched to see who the driver was.
A woman with long auburn hair climbed out, and Jake’s lungs seized. His heart raced like a runaway stallion. He’d never seen Emily in anything other than sweatpants and loose dresses. So, the form-fitting skinny jeans and red blouse she wore did crazy things to his insides. She looked downright sexy in jeans.
Daniel obviously thought so too. He let out a long, low, wolf whistle.
“You can say that again,” Jake said, catching his breath.
Daniel started to whistle again, but Jake smacked him in the stomach with the back of his hand, causing him to cough.
Emily turned their direction. A smile lit her face when she spotted them. Her gaze remained on Jake as she walked their way.
Jake watched her, realizing he’d never actually seen Emily walk. She had the sexiest walk—fluid motion, with a bit of a sway and lilt in her step. There was something different about her face though. It wasn’t only the absence of bruises; it was the light that shone in her emerald eyes. A light he’d never seen there before.
The closer she got, the faster his pulse raced. He took a few hesitant steps toward her, feeling like an eager puppy. If he had a tail, his whole body would be quivering from its eager wagging. And like a dog, he was eager to smother the woman who owned his heart in kisses.
He tried to tamp down his excitement. Just because Emily was here, didn’t mean she would welcome his kisses. For all he knew, she’d come to tell him there could never be anything between them.
Emily walked right up to him, ignoring Daniel and the fact Jake was covered in grease and oil, and wrapped both arms around his neck. She pulled Jake’s head down and kissed him with a passion she’d never shown before.
Her boldness caught Jake off guard, even as desire rushed through him. He wanted to crush her to him, but his hands were greasy, and he didn’t dare let the front of his filthy shirt touch hers for fear of ruining it. He bent forward drawing his body away from her while keeping contact with her lips.
Her warm, soft mouth against his set every nerve in his body to tingling. A wealth of emotion passed between them. Excitement, anticipation, desire, and dare he hope love?
Daniel let out a dramatic cough, and Emily pulled away, color filling her cheeks. “Sorry.”
Jake didn’t know if she apologized to him or Daniel, but he wasn’t one bit sorry. Actually, he was. Sorry he was filthy and couldn’t return the kiss like he wanted to.
She smiled at Jake, her dimples cutting grooves in her cheeks. “Hi.”
“Hey.” Heat raced up Jake’s neck to the tips of his ears. The woman he loved kissed him like there was no tomorrow and all he could say was “hey?”
Daniel snickered behind him, and he fought the urge to smack him again.
“Can you take a break so we can talk?” Her voice was soft, but the words spoke volumes.
Did she want to talk aboutthemandtheirfuture? He searched her eyes for the answer and got lost in their emerald depths.
“For you? Absolutely.” He turned to Daniel.
“Go on. I can finish this up.” Daniel waved his hand toward the tractor they’d been working on. “Better get her far away from here, Jake, because the two of you are likely to make the diesel fumes here in the shed combust.”
Scowling, Jake turned and threw a jab at Daniel’s shoulder. The younger kid easily dodged the punch and laughed.
Jake’s one goal today had been to get his best tractor running again since it was time to cut third crop. But now, with Emily here, he could care less about the tractor and the alfalfa.
Turning back to Emily, he let his gaze linger on her face. “Do you mind if I take a quick shower? Then maybe we can go for a ride.”
“On horses? I’d love to ride with you. Take your time. I’ll visit with Daniel for a bit.”
Jake planted a quick kiss on her lips, before walking away whistling, wondering if this was all a dream.
* * *
