His kiss was just as she remembered it—tender yet wild. Her chest ached with that unknown feeling, and now she wanted to explore her feelings to see if they were real, but a noise came from outside.
Cal was home.
She quickly pulled away breathlessly. “Jesse? It’s Cal.”
“Cal?” he asked, dazed.
“Yes, your brother.”
The front door opened, and Cal’s voice boomed through the house, startling Summer to her senses.
“Jesse? Are you here?” Cal called.
Jesse groaned and fell back on the bed, flinging his arm over his eyes. “Yes, I’m in the bedroom.”
Summer stood and quickly ran her shaky hands over her dress, then over her hair, patting it in place. She hustled out of the bedroom and met Cal just outside the room. Cal’s eyes widened.
“What’s goin’ on here?” he asked warily.
She swung her arm toward Jesse. “Your brother got himself stinking drunk. He was walking into walls and embarrassing himself, so I took it upon myself to help him home.” She tried to calm her hurried speech. “I would have come to get you, but he didn’t want any help.”
Cal’s gaze moved over to the bed and then back to Summer. Her cheeks burned hot as coals, and she hoped he didn’t notice when she bit her swollen lips.
Cal smiled sheepishly. “Thank you, Summer. I’ll take care of him now. Do you need a ride home?”
“I’ll just borrow the wagon if you don’t mind.”
“That’ll be fine.” He walked her to the door.
“He’ll have a tremendous hangover in the morning, I’m afraid.”
He nodded. “I’m sure he will.”
“Good night, Cal.”
“’Night, Summer.” He placed a light kiss on her heated cheek. She stepped out, and he closed the door.
By Cal’s mischievous grin, she surmised he’d guessed what was happening before he entered the cabin, but she hoped to God she was wrong.
