“Are you about done with your food?” Rosie called from the kitchen.
“No.”
“Well, hurry.”
He glanced through the doorway into the next room. “What’s so all-fired important about finishin’ my meal so fast?”
Rosie stepped into view. “Summer is bringing Adam over to meet you and Cal, and I want you to be prepared.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I also want you to be on your best behavior.”
“Picked the wrong day for that.”
Her stern expression wavered. “Please, Jesse. This is important to Summer.”
His gut twisted. “Why?”
“Because getting your approval is important to her. She thinks of you and Cal like her family.”
He knew Rosie was wrong, but he didn’t argue the point. “What’s so special about Mr. Fancy-pants?”
She cocked her head. “You know very well that his name is Adam Fairbanks,” she corrected. “And I can’t explain what makes him so special. It’s just something you’ll have to see for yourself.”
“He can’t be that perfect.”
Her smile lifted. “Summer thinks differently. She believes he’ll make a fine husband.”
His gut wrenched tighter, and his heart dropped. “But Cal isn’t home yet.”
“He should be home shortly.”
“When is Summer bringin’ her beau?”
“Anytime now, I believe.”
“Dagnabbit.” He gulped down the last bite of the stew. “I’m done.”
Rosie hurried to his side and took away the tray. “Please try and be civil. Don’t get my sister’s temper up, either.”
“Why?” He climbed out of bed awkwardly. “Hasn’t ole Fairbanks heard her foul mouth yet?”
“Jesse, you know she only acts that way around you.”
He shrugged his good shoulder. “Yeah, aren’t I the lucky one?”
The clip-clop of a horse and churning of wagon wheels snagged his attention. “Shoot. They’re here already, and I’m not even dressed.” He glanced down at his bare chest as his hand brushed his stomach. “I need to find a shirt.” He looked further down to his bare feet poking out from his jeans. “And put my boots on.”
“I’ll go let them in.” Rosie hurried into the other room.
Blast it all, but his movements were as quick as an old woman in a mud pit with the wind blowing against her. How could he prove himself a better man in Summer’s eyes when he was still an invalid?
He grabbed his shirt off the back of a chair then flipped it once through the air, releasing some of the wrinkles. Summer’s sweet voice drifted from the other room, making his heart hammer. He missed seeing her angelic face and smelling her intoxicating scent. If only he could get her alone, he’d tell her he loved her and wanted to marry her.
A man’s deep baritone voice mingled with the two feminine voices and grew louder the closer they came to his room. He turned his back to the door as he tried to slip on his shirt, but his injured shoulder stiffened, and pain shot through his arm, restricting his movements.
From behind him came Summer’s soft gasp, and before he knew what was happening, she stood by his side and lifted the end of his shirt.
“Here, Jesse, let me help you.”
Her kindness startled him, and he turned and looked at her. Their eyes met, and he held his breath. The ocean blue color of her dress softened her face. She’d even fixed her hair differently, pulling back the sides, letting the fullness cascade down the middle of her back.
