Page 38 of Jaxson

Of course, Kate’s mom was there, providing him with drinks and food, so from the moment his work started, until he went home, he didn’t have any excuse to leave. However, he sacrificed some of his lunches, in the cause of getting the job done.

When one of his wrenches didn’t work, he sat back, tempted to smash up the piping work he was getting fixed. Instead, he held onto that wrench as if his life depended on it, wiped the sweat from his brow, and headed out to his truck.

He was at the back of his truck as Kate’s mom brought out a beverage, and Cruz’s truck came barreling down the driveway. Jaxson ignored him, because he didn’t like Cruz, just as Cruz didn’t like him. It wasn’t even because they rivaled each other with their grumpy attitudes.

“You had to go and touch her, didn’t you?”

Jaxson lifted his head a second before Cruz tackled him to the ground. He had no fucking clue what was going on, and pain exploded behind his face. Cruz got one punch in, but then Jaxson shoved the man off him. Cruz was strong, but he was a hardworking rancher. Jaxson was able to get to his feet, as Cruz came for him again. They were in a scuffle.

“I don’t know what the fuck is your problem, man,” Jaxson said, gritting the words out through clenched teeth. He was not in the mood to fight with the guy.

“I thought you were with Tillie, and you decide to go and play with Kate!”

“What the ever-loving fuck?” Jaxson asked.

Kate’s mother let out a whimper.

He didn’t have a clue what was going on, but clearly, it was fucked up and wrong, because nothing had ever happened between him and Kate.

Jaxson shoved with all his might, catching Cruz off guard. “Right now, you don’t have any fucking electricity, and I can leave you without water, and if this ranch is to be run in a safe and humane way, you’re going to need both. I have never touched Kate. I like her. I think she’s nice, and I’m happy to help her when she needs it, but my dick has never touched that woman.”

“You lie.”

“Why would I fucking lie? It doesn’t get me anywhere.”

“Kate was seen, trust me, I must have passed a dozen people who told me Kate’s gone into the pharmacy to grab a fucking pregnancy test.”

Once again her mother let out a gasp.

“It’s not mine. I’m not with Kate. I have never touched Kate. I’m with Tillie Short, and I fucking love her with every fiber of my being, and I’m going to ask her to marry me.” Jaxson frowned and then turned to Kate’s mother. “Is she dating anyone?”

“Not that I know of. I thought you were dating my daughter, because of all the rumors, and you do offer to help out, and you give her a discount.”

“She gets a fucking discount?” Cruz asked.

“She doesn’t come and fucking attack me partway through a job, asshole,” he growled. “If Kate’s not seeing anyone, that means she got the test for someone else.”

“We’re all leading on assumptions here,” Cruz said.

“What if it is for Tillie?” Jaxson asked, and he let out a laugh.

“Tillie?” Cruz and Kate’s mother asked.

“Yeah, they’re friends. Tillie helped Kate with the fabric shop to stop it from going under. They’re good friends.”

“Who don’t see each other outside of work,” Cruz said.

“You seem to know an awful lot about Kate,” Jaxson said.

Cruz glared at him and turned to Kate’s mother. “Call your daughter and find out if she purchased the test for herself or for Tillie.”

Jaxson, right now could not be sad about this. Even if Kate bought the test, it had nothing to do with him. If Kate had purchased the test, that meant there was a chance Tillie was pregnant.

Kate’s mother made her way inside the ranch, and Jaxson kept on his guard. “You know, for someone who doesn’t give a fuck about anyone or anything, you certainly like to pack a punch.”

“Kate’s a good girl.”

“When are you going to ask her out?” Jaxson asked.