“Yes. You were just not a very good sport.”
He laughed. “Oh-ho! Are you sayin’ I couldn’t take your teasin’?”
She gave him her best innocent expression, then shrugged. “Did I say that?”
“You little scamp.” He touched his finger to the tip of her nose. “You know exactly what you said, and I’m willin’ to bet you’re not the least bit sorry.”
She shrugged again, this time smiling wide.
His finger dropped to her chin. “Well, at least I brought a smile to your pretty face.”
Her brow creased in puzzlement.Pretty face?He must have been teasing, but then, why was there a soft expression in his eyes?
For once in his presence, she found herself speechless, content to just gaze into his disturbing blue eyes. They couldn’t possibly be this dreamy. Perhaps the sun inching over the hill was playing havoc with her vision.
“Now, are you goin’ to tell me what was botherin’ or not?” he asked.
The question shook her from her dream. She suddenly realized that though they both liked to tease, Jesse was the one person she knew she could confide in. She could tell him anything, and he would understand and give her counsel. Strange, she hadn’t realized that before.
Liquid formed in her eyes. “I’ve been thinking about Pa and, well... everything that has changed. Nothing is the same as when I left, and a part of me wants it back.”
Jesse swiped his finger across her cheek, drying a stray tear. “I understand. Comin’ home to such a shock had to be upsettin’.”
“Yes,” she answered in a tight voice.
“Are you worried about your upcomin’ weddin’?”
She threw him a scowl. “Why would you think that?”
“Because you don’t know him very well. I’d think you’d be hesitant to marry a man before gettin’ to know him better.”
She dropped her gaze. “I’m not worried about him in the least. It’s just Pa...” Her voice cracked.
“Come here.” He opened his arms and wrapped them around her in comfort.
She went willingly, content to have his strong arms surround her in a protective embrace. Slipping her hands around his waist, she snuggled close to him.Nice.
“Jesse? When did you start being sensitive to a woman’s feelings?”
His chest shook from a silent laugh. “I thought I’ve always been sensitive.”
“No. I’ve never noticed you act this way with Rosie, and you certainly have never been this way with me.”
“Well, perhapsyouare the one who has changed the most. Did you ever think of that? Because the girl I knew five years ago wouldn’t allow me to comfort her right now.”
He was correct, unfortunately. Things were not changing around her, butshewas the one changing the most. Well, except for Pa.
“Maybe you’re right.”
This time when he laughed, it came from his throat. “See, this is what I mean. Five years ago, you would have never admitted that I was right.”
She smiled. “True. However, you have changed as well. For some reason, you seem nicer, and you care about others. I never noticed that before.”
“Summer, now I think you are right.”
Summer drew comfort from Jesse’s arms and nestled her head against his chest, pressing closer. The warmth of his body emerged into hers, and the reassuring beat of his heart kept her in place. She swept her palm lightly by his tight waist, and his muscles contracted. Against her ear, the rhythm of his heart accelerated.
His hands moved up her back and into her hair. A wild excitement shot through her when he tenderly touched the softness of her neck. She sat very still and enjoyed the stimulation that made her body hum with awareness, especially when his hand slid down her arm.
