Saved by the Rancher

chapter Twenty-Three


“HELLO.”

“All your instructions have been handled. Looks like you’ll have a great time with the girls tomorrow. I set up an account at the stores, in addition to the other items you included in your email. All the paperwork is completed and on its way. Special messenger will deliver them to you tomorrow morning bright and early. He’ll get the originals back to me. Are you sure about the will? As your attorney, I have to advise you the changes you made are sudden. Maybe you should take some time to think it over.”

“I’m sure. What about the other papers? Are they done?”

“All set up. The name on the one set can be changed as soon as you know what it is. The accounts are in place, too.”

“Perfect. Listen, I have something else I want you to do. I’ll send you an email, and if you can take care of this for tomorrow, you have no idea how much I’ll appreciate it. Expect good things at Christmas.”

“Well, that’ll be something, considering you’re the most generous person I’ve ever known.”

“You’ve earned it. And if you pull this off, you’ll make me, and a few others, very happy.”

“Okay, send the email. It’s getting late in the day and whatever you want done might take some time.”

“Give me five minutes.”

She hung up with Ben. Still in Jack’s arms, he’d watched and listened to her every word.

“What’s all that about? What kind of business do you have with Ben?”

“Just some personal things I asked him to take care of for me.”

“What things?”

“A few surprises for tomorrow, that’s all. How about we ask Summer, Lily, and Caleb over for dinner tomorrow night after the girls and I get back from shopping? Would that be all right? I know it’s your house and all, but I’d like to spend the evening with everyone. It’s time we had that talk. Since they’re involved with me, with you, I want to make sure they know about my past. I need to warn them. Well, all of you.”

“Dinner’s fine. I’ll have Beth whip something up. Caleb and I can barbeque. I’ve been waiting for this talk. Are you going to tell me who your ex is?”

“Tomorrow. I’ll tell you everything. I need to send Ben an email. Will I see you soon?”

“I have some work. I’ll be up for dinner, then maybe we’ll crash on the couch and catch a movie.”

“That sounds like heaven.”

“Jenna, the house may be mine, but I want you to feel at home. And I don’t mean with you in the guest room.” He pulled her hips snuggly between his legs and let her feel exactly what he meant.

“I got the hint.” She put her hand to his face. “We’ll get there. With everything that’s happened—”

Jack laid his finger over her lips to silence her. “Let’s stick with, ‘We’ll get there.’” She nodded and kissed his finger, making his eyes narrow and smolder. “I’ll see you at dinner.” He set her away gently and softly slid his hands over her shoulders and down her arms. He clasped her hands in his and just held them for a moment while he studied her upturned face. He didn’t want to let her go, but knew he had to in order to get anything done.

“Go. You’re distracting me.”

Jenna withdrew reluctantly and went back to the house and sent the email off to Ben and took care of her last customer. She finished her design work before the incident had put her on the run, but she hadn’t sent off the finished product to her client. She emailed everything to them, including her hefty bill. She spent some time pouring over her other emails and checking inquiries for new business. Might be a good time to take a break. After all, being your own boss had its advantages, and she didn’t need the money.