Probably not.
A loud thump from the other side of the barn snapped her out of her thoughts. A man cursed and groaned, then came another loud kerplunk against the wall. She rose and dashed to see if somebody had fallen or had gotten hurt. She turned the corner and stumbled over the body lying in her path.
Kneeling beside the man, she turned him over to see if she could help. The man groaned as his arm fell away from his face.
“Jesse?” she asked in amazement.
“Ohhhh, Summer darlin’,” he slurred.
“Jesse?” She didn’t disguise the laughter in her voice. “Are you drunk?”
He pulled himself to a sitting position and rubbed the side of his head. “Yup. Think so.” He looked at her, blinked a few times as if trying to focus on her face, and then grinned.
“Summer, darlin’? What’s a haystack like you doin’ out here in these fields of women?”
She smothered another laugh with her hand. “Jesse? What happened?”
His fingers drew circles on his forehead. “I’m not rightly sure. I was walkin’ along, and suddenly the side of the barn jumped out and smacked my head.”
Her laughter echoed through the night. “Can you get up?”
“I think so.” He moved to stand, tilted, and fell. He blinked a few times. “Maybe I’ll have to wait until the bright stars leave my eyes first.”
“I declare, Jesse Slade, I think you are very drunk.”
“Nah.” He brushed his hand through the air.
She glanced toward the barn. “Where’s Rosie? Does she know how drunk you are?”
“No.” He grabbed her arm, pulling her down beside him. “Don’t get Rosie. She doesn’t need to see me this way. ‘Sides, she’s happy right now, and I’d hate to ruin her mood.” He released her arm and slumped against her. “It isn’t very often I see her happy.”
“What are you talking about? You make her happy.”
“No, I don’t. Not anymore.” His head rolled, and his face fell into her chest.
Sensations stirred within her bosom, and she pushed against him, but his dead weight kept him in place. “Jesse, please.”
“Nobody loves me,” he mumbled. “Nobody cares that I’m unhappy.”
“Jesse, you’re talking nonsense.” She pushed him upright. “Come on, we need to get you home and sober you up. Is Cal still at the dance? I’ll go get him, and he can help.”
“No,” he shouted again as his gaze collided with hers. “I don’t want his help.”
“Well, then maybe I’ll get Adam—”
“You don’t need his help, either. He’s bad news, Summer. He’ll hurt ya and break yer heart in two.” He drunkenly held up three fingers.
Feeling confused, she shook her head and tried not to grin. “For the life of me, I wish I knew what you were talking about.”
“Yer the only one who can help. You can take me home.” He swung his arm around her neck and tried to stand. He wobbled against her, so she helped him to his feet and held him until his legs were steady. Leaning on her for support, he slipped his arm around her shoulders. It took great effort to get him to the buggy, but determination guided her every step. It was embarrassing to see Jesse so drunk he could hardly walk, and she didn’t want the town to see him like this since he was their hero.
“Summer?” his voice whined slightly.
“Yes, Jesse?”
“Have I told ya how purty ya are ta-night?”
His face was too close, and she really didn’t want to look directly at him, so she continued to watch their feet as she practically dragged him to the wagon. “Yes, I think you mentioned it while we were dancing.”
