Rough Rider (Hot Cowboy Nights, #2)(63)

“Would you like some coffee?” Donna asked.

“No thank you, ma’am. I really can’t stay long. I was hoping to be back by the time Cody gets home from school.”

“Cody’s your son?”

“Yes, ma’am. He’s nine now and keeps me pretty busy.”

“Don’t I know it.” Donna laughed. “Dirk and Wade gave me most of these gray hairs before I even turned thirty!”

“You wear it well, Mrs. Knowlton.” Janice always thought Donna Knowlton’s silver hair was particularly attractive and set off her vivid blue eyes.

“Thank you, sugar,” Donna replied with just a hint of Texas twang. “But please call me Donna. ‘Mrs. Knowlton’ makes me feel so old. Come and sit a short spell. It’s not often I get a chance for any girl talk.”

Janice perched uneasily on the edge of an overstuffed leather couch.

“How’s your mama?” Donna asked. “I haven’t seen her in a good while.”

“I’m afraid she’s developed a few health issues the last couple of years. She’s not able to get out much. That’s part of the reason I came home. She helps look after Cody, and I help look after her.”

“And who looks after you?” Donna asked softly.

Janice looked away, discomposed by the question. “Well, I guess I do, ma’am.”

“You’re a young and attractive woman, Janice. You should have someone to take care of you. Justin told me you came looking for work. I was surprised by Dirk’s offer, but I couldn’t be happier. If any man ever needed a good woman…”

The heat of a flush invaded Janice’s face. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Knowlton, but it’s really not like that. I’m just here for a job—”

“Sugar, I sure hope not,” Donna protested. “Dirk’s too much like his daddy. Neither wears his heart on his sleeve, but I know my son well enough to see he has feelings for you.”

“What makes you say that?” Janice asked.

“For starters, he’s spent more time here at the house in the past week than he has in the past three years. It began the day after you were out here.”

A moment later her gaze flickered past Janice’s shoulder. “Well, speak of the devil and he always appears.” Donna beamed a bright smile when Justin Knowlton entered. Dirk followed.

Justin tipped his hat to Janice. “Good to see you came by, young lady.”

“Mama.” Dirk doffed his own hat to kiss his mother’s cheek. He then nodded to Janice. “I’m glad I caught you before you left.”

Donna gave her a knowing look.

“Your mother and I have just been catchin’ up a bit,” Janice blurted, uneasy at Dirk’s entrance. “I’ve enjoyed the chat, Mrs.…I mean Donna…but I’ve really got to go now.” She took to her feet.

“So soon?” Donna cried in dismay. “Please tell me you’ll come back for Sunday dinner. I’ll be making brisket. Bring your mama and your son with you.”

Janice looked to Dirk with uncertainty. The last thing she wanted to do was impose on his family when he’d made it clear he needed some time.

“Come out at noon.” Dirk spoke up before she could decline. “That’ll give Cody and Red Man a couple hours to get acquainted.”

“Are you sure about that?” she asked. “You don’t have to do this, you know.”

“I know that,” he said. “I want to.”

“All right then.” Janice smiled and addressed his parents. “I’ll look forward to seeing you both again on Sunday.”

“C’mon, Red, I’ll walk you out.” Dirk pressed a hand to the small of her back. “There’s a couple things I shoulda told you earlier.” His tone was bland and matter-of-fact, but his expression was anything but. He didn’t speak again until they stood beside her truck. A minute of strained silence ticked by.

Janice reached for the door.

“Wait,” he said, his hand coming over hers. “There’s something more I gotta say. I was afraid I might not get another chance.”

She turned to face him, leaning back against the door, arms crossed over her chest. “Whatever it is had better be damned good.”

“What you asked me in the bunkhouse…I want my old life back. But I know I can’t have it. I know there’s no going back.”

“No,” she whispered. “There’s no going back. Too many things have changed. We’ve changed.”

He rubbed the back of his neck and exhaled. “I don’t know how to go about this. I don’t know what you want from me, or how to give it to you. I’m f*cking clueless, Red, don’t you see? You have no idea what you’d be getting into.” He was trying to warn her off again but at the same time a flicker of hope seemed to light in his eyes.

“Maybe I know better than you think,” she challenged. She knew that if they got further involved, their entire relationship would have to be rebuilt on a completely different foundation from what they’d had before. But she was prepared for that.

“This has happened so damned fast. You gotta give me a little time to learn the game. I don’t even know the rules.”

“I don’t know all the rules either.”