His heart skipped a beat when he heard a noise at the back door of the ranchhouse.His muscles went taut, the old prison reflex snapping through him before he could think.
“Smells good!I’m starving!Gonna wash up.Be there in a minute!”Jenna called out from the back of the house as the door creaked open.
Relief washed through him so fast it left him a little unsteady.He hadn’t realized he’d been so tense.
By the time she appeared, Axel had the plates and cutlery all set out and had arranged the mashed potatoes, cucumber salad, and meatloaf casserole on the table, making sure everything looked inviting for her.
He watched Jenna closely as she abruptly stopped, her hands rising to her chest and clasping together, her eyes lighting up with surprise and delight.The look on her face hit him square in the chest.It was worth every minute he’d spent cooking.
“Oh my gosh, this smells wonderful.I could smell it from outside.I cannot believe you cooked this up.I am so hungry, I could eat a horse.”
Axel grinned, responding with a playful chuckle, “Just don’t tell your horses that.”
“It all looks just perfect, Axel, you're a keeper.”
Embarrassment warmed his cheeks, but beneath that, a quiet pride grew within him too.He had made Jenna happy with his efforts.Watching all those cooking shows had been worth it.
Savouring the feeling, he stepped over to the table, and, in a gesture of gentlemanly hospitality, he pulled out a chair for her, waving her towards it.It felt strangely natural, like slipping into a rhythm he’d forgotten he knew.
“Madame, have a seat.Your dinner lunch is served,” Axel said with a smile.
Her sweet lips were curled upwards with pleasure as she sat where he instructed.
He poured her a coffee, and the fresh aroma filled the air between them.
“Dig in,” he said as he poured himself one too.
But before Jenna reached for her food, her gaze flickered toward the kitchen screen door, peering out into the parking lot and a faint crease formed between her brows, enough to tighten something inside him.
“Where is Nick?”she asked.
A prickle of unease slithered up his spine and Axel tried to hide the worry in his voice as he responded, “Not back yet.”He didn’t want Jenna to sense his growing unease.
“That's odd.He should have been back awhile ago.”Her concern was clear from the lines creasing her forehead.
Axel suspected he knew what she must be thinking.
“If you think he made a run for it.He didn't,” Axel said.His voice came out steadier than he felt but he needed her to believe in Nick the way he did.
“What makes you so sure?”she asked, her tone laced with uncertainty.
“I know him” he replied as he met her gaze without flinching, the truth of it sitting solid in his chest.
Nick wouldn't take off.Not unless he told Axel he was going to do it or took him along with him.
Jenna didn’t answer, but Axel could tell he hadn’t convinced her.Just then the soft purr of the truck’s engine drifted into the kitchen through the screen door, cutting through the uneasy silence.A quick glance at the parking lot and he saw Tim’s red truck pulling into the yard.
Finally!Nick was back!Relief punched through him so sharply, he almost laughed.
“I'll go out and meet him.”
He didn’t wait for permission as worry and irritation propelled him to the door.He was determined to give Nick shit for taking so long and getting them all worried.
Jenna instantly sensed that something was wrong with Nick as he slowly climbed out of the truck.Had he injured himself while at Sam’s?Another thought briefly crossed her mind.Had Cyn remembered to secure liability insurance for her ranch, especially since she hadn’t even had the foresight to discuss having two men here.
Jenna’s unease intensified as soon as she noticed the blood streaking down the side of Nick’s face.His face was pale, which only served to increase her worry for his well-being.
Axel wasted no time getting to Nick who held the driver side door open for Daisy.The dog hopped out and was a white blur as she dashed toward the horses in the pasture.Jenna didn’t worry about the dog.She knew that the poodle, being familiar with the presence of horses, would instinctively keep a safe distance from their hooves.
