She didn’t have a chance to answer me when I pulled her closer and kissed her. I wanted her to feel how much I loved her in that one single kiss. Her soft whimper traveled through my body and warmed it instantly.
The loud knock on the window caused us both to jump. Glancing over Taylor’s shoulder, I saw Walker standing there with a shit-eating grin on his face.
“Asshole!” I shouted as Taylor blushed. Turning my attention back to her, I kissed her quickly on the lips. “Hold on and I’ll help you out.”
Racing out of the truck and over to her, I pushed Walker out of the way. “Don’t you have anything better to do . . . like go be with your wife and son?”
“Nah, harassing you is so much more fun.” Walker turned to Taylor and smiled. “Hey, Taylor! You ready for the nightmare to begin?”
“I . . . I um . . . I think so?”
Walker laughed and confessed, “I’m kidding. It’s going to be fine and everyone is going to love you. All they have to do is look at Jase and see how happy he is.”
I slipped my arm around her waist and led her toward the front door. “Is everyone here?”
“Yep. Ava is chomping at the bit to finally meet Taylor.”
“Me?” Taylor asked in surprise.
“Hell yeah. Jase has been talking about you for a while now.”
Taylor looked at me with a blank expression. “Relax, sweetness. Take a deep breath and let it out.”
Walker headed in first. Everyone must have been in the kitchen, or at least that was where all the talking was coming from. The second we walked in everyone stopped talking and turned to us.
Oh great. If Taylor was nervous before, I’m sure now she was freaking out. Everyone was staring at us.
Ava popped around my mother and took one look at Taylor and screamed.
“I’d run to you, but I have a broken leg! Jase pushed me.”
Scowling at Ava, I pointed to her. “I did not push you!”
“Jase, she is just screwing around with you,” Liza said with a chuckle.
Ava made her way over to Taylor and engulfed her in a hug. She whispered something into Taylor’s ear, causing her to frown.
When she pulled back from her, Ava wore a huge smile. My mind raced in a million and one different directions as to what Ava might have said to Taylor. Probably that I picked my nose or some shit like that. “I’m so happy y’all found your way to each other.”
With a shy smile, Taylor agreed. “So am I. Very happy.”
“I bet.” Ava turned and looked at everyone. “So, this is amazing isn’t it? Our Jase in love!”
Courtney smiled and made her way over to Taylor. “Hi Taylor, I’m Ava and Walker’s mom, Courtney. This is my husband, Reed.”
Shaking everyone’s hands, Taylor stole a peek over to me. I quickly made my way back to her side and pulled her to my side. Leaning over, I put my lips to her. “What did Ava say to you?”
Taylor pressed her lips together and glanced around the room before turning to me and speaking so only I could hear her. “She told me she was so happy for us and the distraction we provided.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
With a shrug, she replied, “I was going to ask you the very same thing.”
“Taylor, Whitley said you’re going to be working for a friends breeding business.”
Clearing her throat, Taylor nodded. “Um, yes. I’m a financial analyst. My job is to see where they can best cut back in their expenses.”
Whitley and Liza both raised a brow. “Really? Do you know much about the breeding world?”
“Nope. Not a darn thing. But I do know horses along with the cost of up keep for them. I’m a quick learner so I don’t think it will take me long to get a game plan down.”
My father wore a thoughtful look as he turned to Taylor. “What about cattle? Do you know anything about them?”
“I’ve practically grown up on the Mathews cattle ranch in Mason.”
I couldn’t believe the smile that appeared on my father’s face. “No kidding. I’ve met with Gunner and Jeff a lot over the years. I admire them both, not only for the cattle knowledge but also with racehorses. Jeff and I actually co-own a racehorse.”
Taylor’s eyes widened in shock. “I thought you looked familiar! I must have seen you before if you’ve been to the Mathews’ place before.”
“I have, a lot. So has Reed.”
Taylor turned to me and I couldn’t help but return the happy look she was giving me. “What a crazy small world.”
With a chuckle, I nodded my head. “It is.” I turned to my father and said, “I wonder if Gunner is related to the architect I have a meeting with in a few weeks. His last name is Mathews.”
Taylor gasped. “Drew! Drew Mathews?”
“Yeah, how did you know?”
“Jase! That’s Gunner! Drew is his real name.” Shaking her head in disbelief, she covered her mouth and laughed.
“Now this is crazy. It appears our worlds were meant to collide one way or another doesn’t it?” my mother said as she took an apple pie out of the oven.
Reed slapped me on the back and said, “I’m shocked the two of you didn’t meet before college.”