“Am I?”
Jesse didn’t like the victorious expression on Cal’s face. The overwhelming urge to punch something... or someone became strong, so Jesse quickly poured more brew into his empty cup. He hated that his brother could read him. But before anything more happened, he needed to find Rosie and tell her how he really felt. He didn’t want to hurt her, and continuing with this farce wasn’t a good thing.
“Li’l brother.” Cal stepped closer, keeping his beefy arms folded across his chest. “If I didn’t know you any better, I’d think you were jealous. You’re not Summer’s father nor her brother, so quit actin’ like it.” He paused briefly. “If you have feelin’s for Summer, you need to break it off with Rosie.”
Jesse finished drinking what was in his cup and pushed Cal away. “And you, dear brother, are notmyfather, so stop tellin’ me what I should and shouldn’t do. I have a conscience, and I know how to use it.” He quickly filled his cup again.
Silence between them sliced through the air as Jesse fought to keep his anger from reaching its boiling point. “I care about Summer because she’s Rosie’s sister.” Hopefully, he sounded convincing.
Cal slid his hands into his back pockets and rocked back on his heels. “What are you worried about her for?”
“I don’t trust Fairbanks. I’d hate to have him break her heart. From what I’ve heard about him, he’s a wanderer. He’s had his share of women. He knows things she will never understand. Summer’s a country girl. It would crush her if he broke her heart.”
Cal’s eyes widened. “Do you really think that will happen?”
“I’ve heard stories that Fairbanks leaves women cryin’ after he’s done with them. He’s a love’em and leave’em kind of guy, and Summer needs a forever kind of man. Somebody who’ll commit to her.”
A grin touched Cal’s lips. “Just like yourself, right?”
“Yes, like me—uh, I mean, not like me, but sorta like me.” He brought the cup of brew up to his mouth and tossed back the liquid, hoping it would cover up his fuzzy mind.
Cal hid a smile behind his hand, and Jesse gnashed his teeth. Didn’t Cal have any feelings? Didn’t he understand? This wasn’t a joke.
“Well, li’l brother.” Cal patted his shoulder. “If Fairbanks breaks her heart, I’m sure you’ll be there to pick up the pieces.”
Jesse nodded. “And don’t think I won’t.” He set his cup down gentler this time. “I mean, umm... she’ll need a shoulder to cry on, and I have big, solid shoulders.”
“Yes, and you’re just the kindhearted man that the girls go to cry on.”
Jesse nodded, but his hazy mind didn’t quite understand what Cal had just said.
“Brother,” Jesse said, “I just don’t have a good feelin’ about Mr. Fancy-pants.”
Cal’s brow creased. “Do you think we should do some diggin’ into the man’s life?”
“Yessiree! And we need to do it quickly. She’s gettin’ married at the end of the week.”
“We’ll do it first thing tomorrow so that your mind will be at ease.” Cal chuckled. “Because I know you want to stop her weddin’.”
As Cal walked away, Jesse realized he had to find Summer and warn her about Fairbank’s intentions. He didn’t want Summer to fall in love with that man, only because he would surely break her heart.
His focus stayed on his brother, even when Cal went over to Rosie and asked her to dance. That was all right because this gave Jesse the chance to locate Summer and warn her.
As he glanced out across the dance floor, he didn’t see her anywhere. Dagnabbit. What if another man decided to take her outside and steal a kiss?
It looked as if Jesse was going to play hero again. He sauntered out of the barn, bumping into a few people on his way. He had to save her cute little hide and, especially, her virtue.
* * * *
SUMMER DREW IN A DEEPbreath and let the cool air clear her lungs. The unbearable heat in the barn overwhelmed her. So did Jesse. He’d been watching her all night, just as she couldn’t stop from watching him. As the night wore on, his mood declined rapidly. His heart-warming smile had disappeared, and lines of sadness marred his handsome face.
She had abandoned her friends and left the barn unnoticed. Privacy was what she needed, and maybe a moment of solitude would clear the confusing thoughts lingering in her head. There was definitely a growing attraction between her and Jesse, and she wanted it to go away. She hated feeling this way.
She walked behind the barn and passed the haystacks while the bright moon lit her path. After finding a comfortable spot to sit on the ground, she looked at the stars sprinkled in the darkened sky. She frowned. It would be a perfect night for sweethearts to cuddle together in the shadows holding hands and stealing kisses.
Jesse... oh Jesse.Sighing, she squeezed her eyes shut. What could she do about her feelings for him? How could she control her anger whenever he was around? It was actually a good thing she exploded so easily. It kept her from doing things with him that she knew were wrong. She didn’t want to hurt her sister or Adam, and kissing Jesse was definitely going to hurt someone. Adam would get over it because they hadn’t known each other for very long, but Rosie... her sweet sister, would never forgive her.
But what if, by chance, something were to happen to change Jesse’s and Rosie’s minds about getting married? Summer opened her eyes and straightened. Could she prevent herself from arguing with Jesse? Could she actually go through a whole conversation without getting mad?
