“But will he understand?” Rosie’s voice quivered.
Ma nodded. “He just wants his daughters happy, so he’ll understand.”
Summer breathed deeply and clung to the edge of the table. She was relieved her sister and Jesse had ended it, and although Rosie was happy, Summer needed to go through with marrying Adam. It was difficult not to envy her sister right now.
“Ma?” Rosie continued. “I am happy because... I’m in love with another man.”
Ma’s eyes widened, and Summer thought for sure she’d fall off the chair. She gasped aloud and questioned before her mother could. “Who is it?”
Rosie laughed. “It was easy for me to fall in love with Cal because I was never really in love with Jesse.”
Summer gasped. “Cal?”
“Sheriff Cal Slade?” Ma blurted.
“Yes.” Rosie’s cheeks turned pink.
“Oh, my lands.” Ma shrieked giddily as she hugged Rosie again. “I don’t think you’ll have to worry about disappointing Pa in the least. He loves Cal and Jesse.”
Tears gathered in Rosie’s eyes as she returned her mother’s hug. Over Ma’s shoulder, Rosie’s happy eyes met with Summer’s, and she smiled.
Ma pulled away. “Let’s tell Pa tonight.”
Rosie frowned. “Jesse wants to be with me when I tell him. It’s only fair.”
“All right.” Ma turned to Summer. “Saddle the horse and fetch Jesse right away. I want him here tonight as soon as possible.”
Suddenly, Summer’s happiness disappeared. Heat rushed through her and made her hands clammy. Shecouldn’t.She’d have to be polite... or would she spout hateful words? Or worse, would she fall into his arms and beg for his love?
She must be strong and hold tight to her plan.
Ma yanked Summer’s arm, bringing her out of the chair toward the back door. “Hurry, child, we don’t have time to waste.”
“But... but... I have to help make dinner.” She prayed the excuse she gave would work, but when Ma kept pulling her into the other room to fetch a shawl, Summer realized she was going to get Jesse whether she wanted to or not.
“Ma, really. I think I should stay and help—”
“Hogwash. We have enough women in this house right now to make dinner.”
Ma wouldn’t let her dally. The older woman was right on Summer’s heels, pushing her until she was out the door. Summer slowly shuffled her feet to the barn and saddled Buck, but Ma ran out behind her, shooing her slowness. “Hurry as if fire were on your heels.”
With a heavy heart, Summer nodded, then mounted the horse.
She stretched the ride to Jesse and Cal’s house and arrived in ten minutes, even though it only took half that time if she rode quickly. The fast beat of her heart told her she actually looked forward to seeing him again and seeing his reaction to Rosie’s confession.
A small light shone through the front window. She reined Buck to a stop and then dismounted. She moved toward the house on wobbly legs, only stopping at the front door where she knocked.
Jesse opened the door, and the sight of his handsome face knocked her senseless. Curse his hide for looking so incredible in bluejeans that molded to his muscular legs and the beige shirt that tempted her with a hint of skin at his opened neck. His eyes widened, and a smile appeared on his sensual mouth. Although his smile made her knees weak, she kept her lips pursed in a solemn expression. Soon, his smile disappeared, and worried lines claimed his face. He took her hands in his and pulled her inside the warm cabin.
“Has somethin’ happened to your pa?”
His kindness nearly shattered her defenses and melted her heart. It was good to see he cared so much about her father. “No, Jesse. Pa is fine.”
He breathed a heavy sigh. “Oh, good.” He crinkled his forehead. “Then what’s wrong?”
She pasted on a smile as she tried to calm down her madly beating heart. “Ma sent me to get you. Rosie told her about your engagement being canceled, and Ma wants the two of you to tell Pa tonight.”
His brows lifted. “Rosie finally confessed? I can’t believe it. How did your mother take the news?”
