Her face flamed. “I helped Rosie make stew and other meals for him. That’s all.”
“Come now, darlin’, don’t be modest,” Jesse teased. “Preparin’ my meals helped me gain my strength.”
“Rosie is the one who deserves all the credit. She’s the one who nursed you back to health.”
“Yes, Rosie is certainly a Godsend.” He chuckled and moved over to the single chair in his room and sat. “I hope you don’t mind, but I really need to get off my feet for a bit.”
“Maybe we should leave,” Summer suggested with anticipation in her voice.
Jesse quickly extinguished her hopes. “No, stay a little longer. In fact, Summer, why don’t you go into the kitchen and fetch a couple of chairs for you and Adam. I’d like to get to know Adam a little better before you leave.”
Jesse stared at the man who’d captured Summer’s interest, and with a sinking heart, he knew there was no way to convince her that Adam Fairbanks wouldn’t make her a good husband. It injured Jesse’s pride, knowing he’d never be rich like the banker’s son, and he’d never have the acquired manners this man possessed. In every way, Adam was perfect, and Jesse should have let her go—just like he’d let Rosie go. That was the only way Summer would be happy.
With a tight chest, he realized Summer’s happiness was what mattered most.
* * * *
SUMMER MARCHED INTOthe kitchen like an obedient dog. Did she act this way so Adam wouldn’t see her bad temper? Who was she trying to impress, Adam or Jesse?
She grabbed two chairs and dragged them back to the bedroom. When she entered, Jesse was in the middle of telling Adam about his life. Adam kept his attention on Jesse, but he looked completely bored. Silently, she groaned, knowing she’d have to change the subject to something more interesting.
Adam took the chairs from her and placed them across from Jesse, then they sat.
“So, Adam,” Jesse kept talking, “I heard you work in a bank?”
“Adam’s father owns the bank.” Summer lifted her chin proudly, hoping to get a rise out of him, but Jesse's expression didn’t waver. It bothered her to see him look so composed.
Jesse nodded. “Let me ask you, Adam.” He leaned forward in his chair. “Has your father’s bank ever been robbed?”
Summer gasped. “Jesse.I think that’s none of your business.”
Jesse shook his head. “I beg to differ, darlin’. Because I’m the Deputy Sheriff, and we’ve had our banks robbed before, I think it’s necessary to know if we’ll be needin’ to check out his father’s bank.”
Adam shifted in his chair. “Well, if you must know, the answer is yes. My father’s bank was robbed a long time ago.”
“How long?” Jesse scratched his newly acquired whiskers.
“About two years or so.”
“Well, it might be beneficial for the sheriff to check it out anyway.”
Annoyed, Summer folded her arms and glared at Jesse. His manners were far from normal, and it worried her what he might say next. Her mind scrambled to think of a way out of here before Jesse said something that would really embarrass her.
Jesse relaxed in his chair, grinning in that knee-buckling way of his. “So, Adam,” he began. He quickly glanced her way.
Summer panicked.Oh, no! Here it comes.
Jesse looked back at Adam. “How serious are you about courtin’ Summer?”
“Jesse,” she snapped.
“When will we be hearin’ weddin’ bells and seein’ little children runnin’ around your home?” Jesse continued.
Adam choked on a laugh and hid his smile behind his hand, but she didn’t think it was funny at all. With anger firing her actions, she stood and pulled Adam with her. “I think we need to leave now. Jesse, you’d better get more rest so you’re not as rude to whomever else might want to drop in on you.”
Jesse stood, still grinning from ear to ear. “If you must.” He stretched forth his right hand. “Fairbanks, it was certainly a pleasure meetin’ you, and it’s good to see our little tomboy has finally captured herself a beau.”
Mortification washed over her, and if there was a hole big enough, she’d crawl into it –either that or take a gun and shoot Jesse Slade. Without saying goodbye, she dragged Adam out of the room and out the front door.
