River's End (River's End Series, #1)(39)

“Jack invited me to dinner.”

Joey glanced at Jack. So did Ian, Shane and Ben. Charlie merely scooted deeper into the couch. Jack stood up straighter. “Actually, Charlie did. He has something he’d like to say, don’t you, son?”

All the gazes switched to Charlie, who stared at his feet. “Charlie?”

“Maybe we should talk in private,” Erin suggested suddenly.

Charlie’s head came up and he nodded vigorously. Jack considered that. He supposed Charlie might be embarrassed. Yeah, that wasn’t such a bad idea. Jack nodded, and threw Erin her coat. “Charlie, why don’t you join us on the porch?”

Charlie got up, but his shoulders slumped. Jack opened the door and let Erin pass, then Charlie. He was glad when she zipped her coat; there were less distractions that way.

Erin leaned against the porch railing and Charlie stared at his feet. Jack nudged his son’s shoulder. “Okay, Charlie, you can quit acting like I’m about to whip you. I think everyone gets the idea how traumatized you are with my punishment.”

Charlie’s face lifted and he finally smiled. Erin’s gaze landed on Jack, who caught her eye over Charlie’s head. What surprised her? That he had a sense of humor?

“I’m sorry, Ms. Poletti, for shouting at you. And saying that stuff. I was upset and I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.”

Erin smiled and Jack blinked. She looked different smiling at Charlie. She looked kind, and soft. It had been a long time since there’d been such softness at the ranch, much less, in his life. Once again, he worried about the detriment to his sons by not having a single feminine influence in their daily lives.

“It’s okay, Charlie, and you can call me Erin.”

Charlie glanced at him for permission. “It’s fine, since she said you can.”

Charlie grinned. “Thanks, Erin.”

Jack put a hand on Charlie’s bony shoulder. “Next time I catch you lying, Charlie, it won’t be a simple apology.”

“I know, sir. I won’t do it again.” Charlie turned and hugged him. “Can I go inside now? We were watching a movie.”

Jack nodded and watched Charlie scamper back inside. He turned and found Erin watching them. The sun had set, and the sky behind her was orange, making the trees and barns appear black. The twilight glowed around her. Their eyes met and stared. The silence went on too long and she shifted the weight on her feet.

“You’re really good with him.”

“Who? Charlie?” he asked, surprised. “He’s my son. Why shouldn’t I be?”

She shrugged. “I mean you’re… just different with him and Ben than you are with the others.”

He had no idea what she was talking about and looked at her strangely. She tried again. “You’re just kind to them. And supportive without being a jerk about it. I guess I was a little surprised at how much so.”

He smirked. “You mean because of how I am towards you?”

She looked away. “Maybe I should go. I don’t have to stay for dinner.”

Jack looked past her, feeling uncomfortable as to why he kept staring at her. He shrugged. “Ian cooked dinner. So it’ll be pretty decent if you want to stay.”

“Ian cooks?”

“We all cook. I just suck at it. On the weekends, we each take turns, except for Charlie. We always look forward to Ian’s night. He’s the only one who’s pretty decent at it.”

“I don’t think Joey wants me here.”

Jack crossed his arms over his chest. At the mention of his brother’s name, his teeth gnashed. “Aren’t you… here often for Joey?”

She looked away and stared at the chairs haplessly arranged over the long porch. “Joey doesn’t have me here with you all. Besides, I don’t think I should be here anymore… like that, I mean.”

Jack stared at her downturned face. God, she was beautiful. “I see.”

Her eyes shot up to his. “It’s not like I’ll break his heart or anything. We were just…”

“I know.”

She nodded. “So I should go.”

She should. She should go. And he should let her. Except, as she turned to take a step, he asked, “What do you do in that thing?”

She faltered and stopped as she looked up at him. He nodded towards the trailer.

“What? The trailer? I just stay. Chance is never there. He must have a girl in town or something. And a bar, of course. He rarely gets home before two or three.”

“There’s nothing to do in there. No TV, no internet, nothing. You read a lot?”

“No. I don’t read a lot. I go to bed early mostly. Then I can get up earlier to enjoy the sun longer. At home, it’s never sunny this many days in a row.”

He squinted at her. “What is it you plan on doing? I mean, are you staying on this side of the mountains? Getting a job here? What?”

“Yes, I’d like to stay over here. I like it. And yes, I am looking for a job. I’m not as lazy as you think I am.”

“I never said you were lazy.”

“You did. You don’t know the things you say without actually saying them to me.”

He uncrossed his arms. “All right, you got me. Can you blame me? Chance is your brother. Not like that’s a good reference. You very well could have turned out just like him.”