“We have a room at the bunkhouse where we stay if we don’t have much time between rodeos, but if time permits, we go home for a few days. We head out again on Tuesday for the next rodeo.”
“Your job involves a lot of travel.”
Jason waved a hand around her van. “Says the woman who travels all over the country. At least we stick to the western states.”
Lainey grinned and took another bite of her second cinnamon twist. “True. I’ll be in Oregon for a couple of weeks, and then I’m not sure where I want to go from there. I stillhaven’t decided on my next book project, so I might just see which string adventure tugs on and go that direction.”
Jason shook his head. “You are a tumblin’ tumbleweed, Miss Collins.”
“I hope I’m not quite that prickly,” she said, giving him a look that heated him far more than the coffee he’d been drinking.
The conversation turned teasing and light as they finished their breakfast, then Jason glanced at the clock and saw it was already past six. He stood and gathered the doughnut box and empty coffee cups, holding them in one hand as he paused at her door.
“I need to let you go, Lainey. What can I do to help you get ready?”
“I’m all set, but I’m glad you came over, Jason. It’s been an incredible, wonderful experience meeting you.” Her hand reached up and caressed his cheek. He wished he’d taken time to shave off the stubble that had grown in since he’d shaved last night before they went to dinner. “You really are something.”
He offered her a soft smile. “So are you, Lainey Collins. I’m so glad we met.”
“Me, too.” She bracketed his face with her hands and pulled his head down to give him a chaste, light kiss on his mouth.
Jason had no idea when he dropped the doughnut box and cups, wrapped his arms around Lainey, and lost himself in a kiss that tasted like coffee and sugar mingled with hope.
Time became irrelevant as they kissed. All Jason knew was that Lainey felt so right in his arms, and he never wanted to let her go. His heart pounded so loud it thudded in his head and echoed in the van.
Then he realized the pounding was on the door.
“Miss Collins? Lainey?” he heard Shaun call before he pounded on the door again.
Jason briefly touched his forehead to Lainey’s, committing to memory the feel, taste, and scent of her before he opened the door and glared daggers at his son.
“Oh … uh …” Shaun’s face turned red, and he rubbed a hand across the back of his neck. “Sorry. I didn’t hear you leave earlier, and had no idea where you’d gone, Dad. I just thought Lainey might have heard from you and …” Shaun took a big step back and waved a hand toward them as his blush deepened and his expression turned sheepish. “Carry on.”
“I’m just leaving, Shaun.” Lainey stepped out of the van and gave him a hug. “It was great to meet you. I hope to meet the rest of your family someday.”
“We’d love that, Lainey. Stop by our ranch anytime, even if Dad and I aren’t there.”
“I might just do that,” she said, then picked up the doughnut box and handed it to Shaun. “Your dad brought coffee and doughnuts this morning. It was a nice way to say goodbye.”
Jason wanted to shout that it wasn’t meant as a goodbye, but an “until later” sendoff.
Shaun took the doughnut box, tipped his head to Lainey, and hustled off.
Jason sighed and raked a hand through his hair. “Sorry about that. That kid sometimes forgets I’m all grown up and capable of taking care of myself.”
Lainey patted his cheek. “He loves you and admires you, Jason. Anyone can see that. You raised a good son. Don’t ever take that for granted.”
The pain in her eyes made Jason want to ask a hundred questions, but instead, he gave her a tight hug and kissed her temple instead of ravishing her mouth again, since people were up and milling around, watching them with interest. “Will you at least text me and let me know you made it safely to the beach?”
“I will. Have a great day, Jason, and be safe.”
“You as well, Lainey. Bye.” Jason grabbed the empty coffee cups and left before he did something crazy like haul the woman into his arms, drive into Nevada, and find someone to marry them.
That would sure set his kids on their ears.
And completely upend his world.
Jason dumped the coffee cups in the trash and walked back to his trailer, envisioning what it would look like to have his world flipped upside down in what might turn out to be the very best way possible.
