Saved by the Rancher

chapter Fifteen


“IS BETH JACK’S girlfriend or wife?” Jenna asked, embarrassed for being so completely obvious. He didn’t wear a ring, but what did that really mean these days. Now she felt silly for asking and maybe dreaming of something so foolish.

“No. Beth takes care of the house and cooks for Jack. He hasn’t had anyone in his life for a while,” Summer offered with a knowing smile. “I’ve never seen him so”—she paused and tilted her head, thinking before saying—“connected to someone. He’s definitely attracted to you, but it’s something deeper,” she added.

Jenna let out her breath on a soft sigh. Sure something was happening between herself and Jack. Relieved he didn’t have another woman in his life. Odd to be relieved, since at some point she’d have to run again.

The thought of running and never seeing Jack again made her sick. She hadn’t felt a spark of wanting someone since she started dating her ex-husband. Young, she wanted to have a husband and family someday. Dreams she thought she’d given up. Maybe it was time to dust off that dream, or at least explore the possibility of letting Jack into her life. God, how she wanted to feel his arms around her again. Feel safe. Something else she hadn’t dreamed for herself in a long time.

Summer helped Jenna move the tray so she could eat. Careful not to bother any of her wounds, Jenna managed to drink the coffee and eat most of the food. They chatted about everyday things. Jenna tired quickly, but she liked the sense of normalcy, sitting and eating breakfast with someone else.

“Do you think you can sit up? I’ll help you out of bed and to the bathroom. Two days in bed, you must need to pee.”

Jenna smiled. “Thanks. I do, and I wasn’t quite sure how I’d get there.”

“Well, come on, lean on me and I’ll help. We’ll clean you up a bit, and I’ll fix your hair. No shower today, though. Maybe tomorrow when you have more strength.”

“I must look awful.”

“Not so bad. A couple more good meals and some rest and your color will come back. So will your strength.”

“You’re really kind. Jack, too. You guys didn’t have to do this for me.”

“I don’t think anyone could stop Jack now. Not after the way he looked at you when you were at the cabin. As for me, I’m really lucky to have a husband like Caleb. He’s sweet and gentle and loves me more than anything. You’ll meet him and Lily later. I can’t believe someone who supposedly loved you did this to you.”

“It wasn’t love. It’s obsession. And it’s eating away his sanity the longer I take to willingly go back to him. I won’t do it though. No matter what he does to me, going back would be worse.”

The stitches down the back of her leg made it difficult to sit. Summer didn’t seem to mind helping, so Jenna gave in and let her, too weak to do it on her own anyway. She stood in front of the sink mirror and Summer redid her hair.

“It’s a mess.”

“I can fix it. You have great hair. Long, soft, full, a great color too, deep brown with a flash of red. I’ll come again tomorrow. I’ll give you a really pretty, simple style. No one will know it ever looked like this.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. I hardly ever get to work on someone with such great hair.”

Summer helped Jenna wash her face and body with a washcloth at the sink. Wobbly, Jenna held on and Summer helped her back to the bed. Once settled, Sally ran into the room and jumped on the bed, Jack right behind her.

“All set?” Jack asked.

Cleaned up, his hair was still wet from his shower. His jeans were snug in all the right places and his white t-shirt stretched nicely over his broad chest. He noticed her noticing him and his eyes lit up, sky blue. A slow smile changed his unreadable face, made him more relaxed and approachable. Her insides melted from the heat of his returned stare.

“You look better. A little food and getting cleaned up looks good on you,” he said with that same wicked grin she’d seen earlier.

“I’ve got to go, you two.” Summer didn’t try to hide her amused grin. “I’ll be back tomorrow, Jenna. It’s my day off, and I’ll help get you more settled. Bye, Jack.”

Alone together again, Jack stood next to the bed where she lay on her stomach, Sally next to her. “I’ll wrap a bandage around that leg.”

Responding to Jack’s easy demeanor, she asked, “Do you have to replace the front door every day?”

Smiling at him, not a big smile, but a smile nonetheless. It warmed Jack from the inside out.

“What are you talking about? I told you, you’re safe here.”

“Are you safe here?”

“What?” He didn’t understand what she meant, but he liked her sweet smile.

“Women. They must beat down that door every day to get to you.”

He cracked up with laughter. “You think so, huh.”

“Oh, yeah.”

“I think you’re pretty damn beautiful yourself.”

“Yeah, right. I hear bandages and bruises are in this year.”

“You’re beautiful.”

They stared at each other, that invisible but undeniable something passing between them. He wanted to touch her, but knew now wasn’t the time. As forward as she’d been joking with him about women beating down his door, she shied away from acknowledging this thing between them. He broke off the look first and dug out his supplies. He wrapped a bandage around her thigh, trying not to think about the softness of her skin or the fact she was naked under the sheet.

Her eyes fluttered shut. He bent down and kissed her on the forehead. She placed her hand on his cheek. Such a simple gesture. He leaned into her palm, felt her fingers brush against his skin. How long has it been since a simple touch affected him so deeply? Reluctant to leave her, nonetheless he drew back and her eyes remained closed. He took her hand from his cheek and placed it on the pillow next to her head.

He nuzzled at her ear and whispered, “Beautiful. Believe it.”