“Yes, she taught me a lot,” Caroline confirmed. “Do you know the baby’s sex, or did you decide to leave it as a surprise?”
Delaney rubbed her protruding tummy and glanced down. “I don’t want to know. If everything goes as planned and the baby comes out healthy, I’ll feel relieved.”
“I agree,” Caroline said, moving out of the way for Rebecca, who passed Delaney a plate of food. “I’ll fix my plate, and then we can chat later. Will you be staying for the barbecue?”
“For a little while, I get tired easily these days,” Delaney said, appearing sad. Not wanting to pry, Caroline left the expectant mother to her thoughts.
Riley smiled as she approached with an older woman. “Caroline, meet Ann, Kara’s mom. They live on a farm here in Embers, and her husband, Jared, works with Garrett and Jameson.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” she said, shaking Ann’s hand.
“Oh, Caroline, it’s lovely to meet you. Jameson thinks highly of you. He told me about how you protected the young women. I hope more ladies like you exist out there. My Kara suffered as one of them, and I hope the others have someone to watch after them. I’m sorry if you find me rude for speaking my mind. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.”
“Oh, wow. Thank you. I didn’t do anything special,” she said, brushing off the compliment.
“According to Jameson, you’re the bravest woman he knows,” Ann said, smiling. “It’s known he has a bit of a crush on you.”
Rebecca touched Caroline’s shoulder, “Excuse me, can you get me more ice from the kitchen?”
“Oh, sure,” she said, relieved to have Rebecca intervene. Entering the kitchen, she stopped short, seeing Jameson drinking a glass of tea. He sheepishly shrugged his shoulders and grinned.
“I didn’t want to interrupt you, ladies. Megan fell asleep, and Julio took her to her room,’ he said, holding up his glass. “I thought I snuck in without getting noticed. You caught me.”
“Rebecca sent me in here for some ice,” she explained. “Otherwise, I’d say you did a half-ass job of getting caught for a SEAL.”
Jameson’s eyes sparkled. “If you keep talking smack, I may have to throw you over my shoulder and find a place where I can tickle you until you say uncle again.”
“Again? I don’t recall saying it for the first time. I guess you’re getting old,” she said, opening the freezer and taking out a bowl of ice.
Jameson moved closer, his scent of leather, horses, and hay tickling her senses. His gaze never left hers as he brushed her cheek with his thumb. Caroline nervously licked her lips as her gaze dropped down to his mouth.
“You doing all right in there?” he whispered. “Say the word, and I can have us out of here in no time.”
“Will you use your super SEAL moves?” she teased, whispering back.
“You don’t sound very patriotic,” he said, narrowing his eyes. It made him appear dark and dangerous.
“I’m happy to support our troops. I’m sure they’ll always have a few people who tend to be slower than the others,” she said, arching her brow at him and grinning.
Jameson nearly choked with laughter as he pulled her closer. His forehead rested against hers.
“Have you started drinking?” he asked. “Because the Caroline I dropped off bit her nails and worried about coming. You don’t seem the least bit shy.”
“Maybe I needed friends to give me a different perspective,” she said softly, enjoying the feeling of his arm wrapped around her waist. “Where will you be during the shower?”
“I’m stopping at the cabin for a few changes of clothing, and the guys plan to head to the farmhouse. We’ll stay out of the way until Rebecca calls us,” he informed her.
Her hand slid up his arm, taking in the bulging muscles. A shiver went through her when she assessed how much damage they might inflict if he grew angry.
Guessing what she must be thinking, Jameson leaned down to her ear. “Some men use them to hurt people who seem weaker than they are. I’d rather hold a beautiful girl in mine and protect her at all costs.”
“How do you know what I’m thinking?” she asked, gazing up at him.
“Because I’ve seen the same expression on your face when you made Cain angry. I vowed if I ever got the chance, you’d never wear it again.”
“I’d better get back,” she said, stepping from his hold and heading toward the party, when she stopped and turned.
“Jameson?”
