Page 37 of Blue Moon Cowboy
Jason lifted an eyebrow, fully aware Lainey needed to lighten the heavy moment with a little levity. “Badgering, is it?”
“Yep. That’s what I said, Slim.”
Jason cupped her cheek, his fingers gliding over her silky skin. “Lainey Collins, you are an amazing, strong, incredible woman, and I hope you don’t ever forget that.”
“Jason, I …” When she paused, he removed her cowboy hat, tipped up her chin, and kissed her. It wasn’t a wild, passionate kiss, but one of care, of admiration and respect, of gentle love.
The sigh that drifted out of her sounded like one of contentment. Jason pulled her close against him, pressing his face into her hair, breathing in the soft fragrance of her.
“Thank you,” Lainey whispered, her breath warm on his neck.
“For what?” he asked.
“For listening and reminding me that just because life is hard doesn’t mean it can’t ever be sweet again.”
His arms tightened around her, and he kissed her temple. “Lainey, I think you’re about the best thing to happen to me in a long while. I—”
She kissed him, cutting off what he intended to say. As the kiss intensified, he forgot everything but how good it felt to hold her, how right she felt in his arms, how much he wanted to always hold her there.
“Papa!” Caitlyn yelled as she raced toward them, immediately drawing them apart.
The little girl launched herself onto Jason’s lap, and he easily caught her. He smoothed his hand over the wild tangle of her curls and looked at her pink pajamas with colorful puppies splashed over the soft cotton fabric. She had on a pair of bright green cowboy boots, and her coat dangled off one shoulder.
“What are you doing out here, Caitlyn?” Jason asked, cuddling the little one close. Her hair was damp, and he worried she’d catch a cold in the chilly night air. “Does your mama know where you are?”
Caitlyn giggled and patted his cheeks. “No.”
Jason stood with the child in his arms just as Brylee raced over to Shaun with Carter wrapped in a blanket. Shaun took Carter from her and looked around.
“I’ll go with you,” Lainey said, picking up her bag and following as Jason walked toward his daughter-in-law and son, who were beginning to look frantic as they yelled Caitlyn’s name.
“I’ve got her!” Jason called, and everyone stopped, watching as he and Lainey approached.
“Caitlyn! You are in big trouble, little missy,” Brylee said, frowning at the little girl as she took her in her arms. She kissed her cheeks and hugged her tight, then looked up at Jason. “Carter got soap in his eyes, and I was helping him rinse it out. Caitlyn was supposed to be getting her pajamas on. When I checked on her, the trailer door was open, and she was gone. Carter was still half soapy when I wrapped him in a blanket and hustled out to find her.”
Jason did his best to hide a smile. He well remembered what it was like trying to parent active youngsters who didn’t always mind. “She’s safe, and all is well.”
“Thank goodness for that,” Shaun said, gently brushing his hand over the curls of his wayward daughter, then settling an arm around Brylee’s shoulders. “Come on. Let’s get our little hooligans tucked in for the night.”
“I’ll be in shortly to say good night,” Jason said, then waited until Shaun and Brylee walked away to hold an arm out to Lainey. He escorted her to her van, which was parked a few spaces away from his trailer. “I’m glad you shared your story with me, Lainey, even though I know how hard it must have been for you. Thank you for trusting me with it.”
“Thanks for listening, Jason. I keep it all bottled up and forgot how good it feels to sometimes let it flow out. I appreciate you.”
“You know I appreciate you, Gypsy. Have sweet dreams.” Jason offered her a warm hug and a chaste kiss before she hustled inside the van and shut the door.
He strolled back to the campfire to extinguish the flames and tried to work through all Lainey had told him. No wonder she kept her past to herself.
In spite of the pain and the grief she’d endured and survived, he sure hoped she would open herself to the possibilities for her future.
A future he hoped might include him.
Chapter Seven
“Come on. I’m starving,” Lainey said, tugging on Jason’s hand when he pretended to drag his feet as they walked across the parking lot at a truck stop. The restaurant had great reviews, and there was also a movie theater at the complex. She figured if she had a salad for dinner, she and Jason could share a bucket of popcorn while they watched an action movie.
It had been so long since Lainey had actually gone to the movies, she felt almost giddy with excitement.
Normally, Jason and Shaun traveled together, but since she’d started working on the rodeo Faces book, Jason was just as likely to ride in Lainey’s van with her. Yesterday, when she’d invited him to ride with her as they’d driven to a rodeo in Washington, Jason had seemed eager to spend the time with her. The rodeo venue was just a few miles down the road, but Lainey had heard about the truck stop from a friend and thought Jason might enjoy an evening away from the rodeo crew.
