“I’m serious,” he insisted. “My air travel always involves a bunch of sweaty men on a cramped chopper. You popped my airplane cherry, baby doll.”
She snorted, then turned her attention to the cab that had appeared in front of them. The driver got out to open the trunk, and as he and Jackson tossed the bags in the back, Mia glanced at the dozens of travelers milling about. This was her first time in Dallas, and she couldn’t get over how many cowboy hats she spotted. And big hair—gosh, so many women sported a poofy, teased style that probably required four cans of hairspray to stay that way.
A few minutes later, they were in the backseat of the taxi and heading away from Dallas. Mia’s gaze stayed glued to the window so she could admire the scenery whizzing past them. Gently rolling land, golden dirt and red clay earth made up the landscape, and when the freeway gradually turned into a winding country road, forested areas started cropping up. Tall oaks, majestic hickories and sweeping elms inhabited the land, still surprisingly green for November.
The temperature was in the high seventies, and Mia had to roll up the sleeves of her fuzzy blue sweater because the cab didn’t have air conditioning. She and Jackson didn’t say much during the drive, but she didn’t mind. She occupied herself by peering out the window and enjoying the sights.
It took less than an hour to reach Abbott Creek, a dusty western town with a main street that featured dozens of little stores and an honest-to-God saloon. Mia felt Jackson stiffen the second they drove into his hometown. His handsome profile revealed an extremely tense jaw, which only hardened further when the cab driver turned onto the long dirt road that led to the Ramsey Ranch.
A large wooden gate stood at the end of the road, welcoming them to the Double R. Above the gate was an enormous sign with the ranch’s brand carved into it.
Despite Jackson’s obvious agitation, Mia couldn’t help but smile in delight as she examined her surroundings. Beyond the gate was a gorgeous, two-story house with white walls and a dark-red roof. Red was also the color of choice for the front door and the pretty shutters covering the endless amount of windows. To the left of the house was a large paddock, where three graceful brown mares were grazing beneath a shady elm tree. To the right were a series of outbuildings, all painted white and red like the main house, and all around them was land. Lots and lots of land. Hills, valleys and trees, farther than the eye could see.
“It’s beautiful,” she said softly.
Jackson’s voice came out hoarse. “Yeah, it is.”
He met her eyes for a second, then hopped out of the cab so he could open the gate for the cab driver. Rather than get back in the taxi, Jackson jogged the length of the dirt driveway, reaching it at the same time as the cab.
They unloaded their bags and paid the driver, and just as the taxi sped away, the front door of the ranch house flew open and a tall, willowy brunette in her late teens or early twenties flew onto the wooden porch.
“Jackie!” She bounded down the steps two at a time and threw her arms around Jackson’s broad shoulders. “I’m so glad you’re home!”
Mia watched as the two of them exchanged a long, affectionate hug. Obviously this was Jackson’s younger sister, which he confirmed after he’d ended the embrace to introduce the two women.
“Mia, this is my sister Evie.”
Mia barely got out a hello before the door opened again and another brunette raced toward them with an older version of Jackson trailing after her. Mia suddenly found herself surrounded by two incredibly tall men and two incredibly tall women, making her feel like a midget in comparison.
After Jackson embraced his parents, he made another round of introductions, while Mia gaped at the Ramseys the entire time.
“Oh, man, you’re a family of giants,” she blurted out.
Evie’s brown eyes twinkled mischievously. “Or maybe you just come from a family of dwarves.”
Mia couldn’t stop gawking at them. “Seriously. How tall are all of you?”
Jackson’s sister laughed. “I’m six feet. Mom’s five-ten. And Dad ’n Jackie are six-five.”
“Giants, every last one of you,” Mia grumbled.
Arlene Ramsey stepped forward with a warm smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mia. I’m so glad you could join us for Thanksgiving.”
“Thanks for having me.”
“Let’s go inside,” Arlene said. “Kurt, help Jackson with the bags.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Jackson’s father tipped an imaginary hat at his wife.
The next thing Mia knew, she was sandwiched between Jackson’s Amazon mother and sister, who linked their arms through hers on the way to the porch.
“You’re the first girl Jackie has brought home since he moved to California,” Evie informed her in a frank tone.
Mia fought a pang of discomfort. “Oh. Really?”
“Yup. So you must be special.” The younger woman looked Mia up and down with unabashed interest. “I demand to know everythin’ about you, Mia Weldrick.”