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.He wrapped his arms around her, and the heat of his bare chest melted through her thin T-shirt, warming her insides.She should walk away from him now.Or run.Especially after seeing the hesitation in his stare.However, knowing and doing were two different matters all together.“I deserve more than you can give me.” The thoughts in her head continued to batter her heart.To turn away from him and go would be the sensible thing to do.In fact, leaving now would be the smartest thing she’d ever done.“I know I should stay away from you.but I can’t.So, I was willing to take anything I could from you, Nate.Even, if it was just sex.” As the confession left her lips, Jessie knew she’d succumb to his touch.At this point, it didn’t matter.He was like a drug, dangerous and intoxicating, and although her head told her it was stupid to love this man, when it came to Nate Walker, she was defenseless.“My heart just won’t listen to my head.” There wasn’t a choice.Not really.Either she would have to let down her guard and take the chance of his breaking her heart again, or she would have to walk away from him forever.I can’t do it.Jessie allowed the truth to take control.She could never walk away from him.Not now.And certainly not forever.Chapter 24After making love, Jessie kissed him gently and peeled herself away from Nate the moment his steady breathing indicated he had fallen into a deep slumber.From the creek, she rode Lilly over to the east side of her property and walked along the fence line.The darkness of the night prevented her from actually seeing any broken or snared barb wire, but that didn’t stop her from checking.She needed something to help clear her head.It wasn’t as if she could sleep anyway.not with the charged emotions their lovemaking had inspired.And the tiny glimmer of hope which had been ignited.Glancing up to the sky, she saw the beginning streak of color indicating dawn’s approach.She’d have to get back to the ranch quickly before anyone woke and noticed her absence.The last thing she needed was to be greeted by Rosita’s sly, knowing smile as she snuck into the house.Jessie rushed home and led Lilly into her corral.After unsaddling the horse, she gave her a handful of oats before brushing the animal down.Sweeping the brush over Lilly’s coat, she questioned her relationship with Nate.Did they really have a chance after all? Maybe.just maybe.She smiled as her heart skipped a beat.For a moment, she allowed the memories of their lovemaking free reign as her mind wandered.A small sliver of light shone into the barn, reminding her of the time.She headed into the house and up to her bedroom without a sound.Had last night been just a dream? Her skin still burned where Nate’s mouth had been.Her traitorous body shivered just thinking about him.The ache below began to build again, reminding her the only man who could stop the need would be right outside her window any minute.Probably half-dressed and wielding a hammer.She shuddered.The image the thought provoked vivid and enticing.Jessie peeled off her clothes and jumped into the shower, setting the water at a cool temperature, which helped the last time.After an extra-long shower, she wrapped herself in a towel.The sound of hammering caught her attention, and she peeked out the window.Several workers had already begun.She slipped into a short pair of cutoff jeans and a tank top.Perhaps she could actually get some work done in the field, now that there was sunlight to see.Around noon or so she could jump into the creek and cool off.The creek.Again her mind flooded with thoughts of Nate.What the hell, maybe meet him there and have another amazing afternoon.Jessie scoffed at herself.She couldn’t go ten minutes without thinking about the man.So much for her new resolution.All of her heart or walk away? Well, she wasn’t walking.Not now.Not ever.Jessie tilted her chin, studying her reflection in the mirror.She straightened her shoulders.This was the right decision after all.Giving herself a quick nod of approval, she left her room, venturing downstairs.Rosita was in the kitchen, humming a familiar tune while cooking breakfast.Jessie snatched a crisp piece of bacon off of the plate she was filling.In mock anger, the housekeeper tapped her hand with a pair of tongs.“No, you are going to sit at the table and join us for breakfast this morning.Besides, we are going to have us a family meeting.”Jessie knew better than to argue with that demanding tone.Usually, she was up and gone before anyone else had risen.Or in this morning’s case, sneaking into the house before sunrise.A guilty smile tugged at the corner of her lips.After snagging another piece of bacon, she and the housekeeper joined her family already gathered around the dining room table.A steamy platter of country biscuits and sausage gravy sat in the middle.She stared at the hungry group, their plates full, each of them armed with a fork and looking prepared to use it at any cost.Gage was in the process of describing to anyone who listened how honey was so much yummier than gravy.Jade, on the other hand, antagonized her brother by waving a large spoon of the thick, brown gravy in the air.The precarious child froze as soon as she saw her mother.The spoon dropped from her hand and fell into the thick gravy with a loud plop.Jessie spared a glance at Rosita.From the exasperated expression on the housekeeper’s face, she could tell her daughter had been more naughty than normal.Jessie’s entrance also garnished William’s attention, who shifted his weight in his chair.She stared at her father, who in turn focused on the lone biscuit on his plate.He’d been quiet since his return from the hospital.His behavior was odd, but not enough to be too concerned.She pulled out a chair.“Okay, what’s up? Can’t a girl sleep in once in a while?” she volunteered, opening the conversation.She grabbed a biscuit, slathered it with butter and took a big bite before sitting in the padded seat.For several minutes, no one made a comment.Jade broke the silence.“Daddy’s gone,” the child broadcasted in a shaky voice.Jessie’s head snapped toward her daughter, who wore a dark and doleful expression as tears threatened to spill from the pools of her large, green eyes.“What?” Jessie choked on the mouthful of biscuit.“He left?” she heard a distant voice ask, realizing it belonged to her.A chilling awareness swept through her, and she dropped the biscuit.“Ah.Nate called while you were in the shower, said he had an emergency,” William interjected.“He asked me to keep an eye on the boys.To.ah, keep an eye on you.”Stunned, she stared hard at the foreman, not wanting to believe the news.Her mind raced with excuses of where Nate could’ve went, favoring an early morning trip into the city.“You mean he went to town,” she stated in a matter-of-fact tone, refusing to believe differently.“No, Jessie,” William started again.“Daddy left,” Jade declared again.The sad expression affirmed her announcement.Her lower lip protruded and began to tremble as the damn broke and tears raced down her cheek.Unable to bear the pain, Jessie raced to her daughter’s side and cradled the child in her arms as Jade cried, her small body shuddering from the heavy emotion.Soothing away the hurt, Jessie whispered shallow promises that everything would be okay and hugged the child to her chest tightly.Although, she had her doubts.Her daughter’s heart was broken.shattered into tiny fragments only time could heal [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]