Chapter Fourteen
Summer stood with herback against the wall in the living room, leaning her head against the hardness. From the moment the family had gathered to listen to Jesse and Rosie’s confession, Summer was unable to take her eyes off Jesse’s handsome face and powerfully attractive body. As the words from the conversation flitted through the air, Summer’s mind didn’t register what was being said. All she could think about was hiding her own feelings. She didn’t want to love Jesse.
Shadows danced across Jesse’s face from the few lamps in the room, making him appear ruggedly handsome. Whenever his eyes moved her way, their hypnotic power sent tingles through her body clear down to her toes. As always, when he studied her, her stomach fluttered in giddiness. This time, she wanted to feel this way, so didn’t try to push away the emotion. So far, Adam hadn’t made her feel this way, and she wanted to cherish the feeling for as long as she could.
Staying in the same room with Jesse was pure torture. She needed to leave. Hiding in her own bedroom wouldn’t solve anything, but at least her skin wouldn’t tingle when his gaze slid over her, and his masculine scent of cedar and leather wouldn’t make her weak in the knees.
Banishing her out-of-control thoughts, she quickly decided when Jesse and Rosie were finished talking to Pa, she’d sneak up to her room for the remainder of the evening, mainly because she worried that Jesse would want her to finish their conversation. Under no circumstances could she do that. She’d been weak back at his cabin, and she couldn’t let herself get that way again.
The talk with Jesse and Rosie ended when Pa showed signs of fatigue. After many hugs and kisses between Ma, Pa, Rosie, and Jesse, Ma took Pa into the bedroom for some rest.
Because of everyone’s ecstatic mood, Summer couldn’t find the right moment to sneak away. Every time she took a step toward freedom, Rosie maneuvered herself between Summer and the stairs, keeping Summer from slowly fading out of the room. If Summer wasn’t mistaken, she thought Rosie acted as if she didn’t want to be alone with Jesse. Well, that made two of them.
“If you’ll excuse me,” Rosie said, yawning. “It’s time for bed.”
“Oh, yes,” Summer quickly added. “And I have a big day tomorrow, so I must go to bed, too.”
She turned to follow Rosie up the stairs, but Jesse grasped her arm, stopping her. Inwardly, she groaned. No! This couldn’t be happening.
She faced him, ready to give him a piece of her mind, but he stood silent as he watched Rosie continue up the stairs. If only Summer didn’t think he was so very dreamy right now.
“What is it?” she asked.
“I need a ride home.”
She wrinkled her brow. “But how did you get here?”
“Cal brought me, but because he couldn’t stay, he dropped me off.”
Sighing heavily, she realized he either stayed the night or she had to get over her infatuation with him and take him home. “Fine. Let’s go.”
With Jesse by her side, Summer turned and walked toward the door. Her heart pounded with each step to Buck, who was still saddled. She gulped down the anxiousness jumping inside her. They would have to ride the same horse.
When they reached Buck, Jesse placed his hands at her waist and lifted her to the saddle before mounting behind her. He reached around her, took the reins, and urged the horse forward.
She sat straight, trying her hardest not to bump against him, but it was impossible. It took more strength to keep herself from touching him than it would if she just surrendered. That she could not do.
Jesse cleared his throat. “So,” he began after a few awkward minutes of silence. “I think the talk with your pa went well.”
“Yes. Pa was elated to hear Cal would be joining the family.”
“My brother is a good man. He’ll be a good husband for Rosie.”
“I agree.”
