Page 72 of Then You Happened
The slow spread of the smile on his lips does more than should be legal to my insides. The subtle soreness from the sex we had last night is forgotten as the sweet ache of wanting him again spreads throughout my body.
“Good morning,” Jack’s voice rumbles.
“Morning, ma’am,” Will says, and it takes all that I have to look his way and smile.
Because it’s Jack who owns my attention as I remember what the rasp of his goatee feels like against my skin. What his fingertips can do. What his cock can accomplish.
“Did you have a good night?” Jack asks with a lift of one eyebrow and amusement loitering in the chocolate-color of his eyes.
“No complaints here,” I say, and I’m sure my cheeks flush because I swear I’m wearing a neon sign above my head that reads: This girl had great sex last night. “What about you two?”
“Homework’s always a good time,” Will jokes.
“Television. A workout. A good dinner. Can’t complain either,” Jack says, but when Will looks down to what they were doing, Jack flashes me a megawatt smile followed by a wink that erases any and all awkwardness I had feared would be between us.
“Schedules?” I ask as I suppress my own grin.
“Yes. Will and I are coordinating with a local ranch as well as a few from farther away to get quotes so we can keep the bloodlines from becoming too linear.”
“That’s always important,” I muse as I step forward and look at what they have worked up. Austin is about two hours away. Dallas two. Oklahoma four.
I twist my lips and worry about the logistics and the costs associated with his proposal. And then, of course, the veterinary bills, having to pay Jack his salary, and not having sold Ruby yet . . .
The sigh I emit is one reflecting serious concern.
“This is extensive,” I murmur, silently adding everything up.
“And much needed after looking at how the breeding was handled before. You need to go outside.”
I meet Jack’s eyes over the paperwork, and for the first time ever, I truly trust him. Blame it on the sex or the conversation last night or whatever works, but I feel like he really is out for the good of the ranch.
“I know.” I twist my lips and take a step back. “It’s just going to take me some juggling on money to make it all work.”
“As is expected. If it helps, I do have a few of the owners of the studs who are interested in keeping the foal. Some are willing to hold off on your payment for the stud fee so long as, upon the delivery of a healthy foal, you deduct the fee from the purchase price.”
I can’t remember anyone ever offering this to us in the past. “I don’t understand,” I say even though I do.
“It’s good to know people,” Jack says nonchalantly, as if he has no idea he’s just secured the ranch a future income without me having to outlay any cash on the front end. “And I’m working on a deal that might secure things on a consistent basis.”
Apprehension smothers any hope that might attempt to take hold. Fletcher used to say much the same thing, but instead of questioning Jack about it, I review his income projections on the sheet. I also try to work through how I’m going to stay afloat for the next twelve months until those foals are born. Sure, I’ll have the income from the current batch of foals that will be born soon, but that’s only if I can sell them.
And then if I don’t sell them, if I don’t—
“Hey, Will, can you go grab that binder on my desk?” Jack asks, interrupting my thoughts.
We both watch Will’s long legs eat up the space, and the minute he’s out of earshot, Jack lowers his voice. “We’ll figure out the in-between, okay? I know that look on your face, and I’m working on it.”
I refuse to meet his eyes and nod, feeling slightly overwhelmed. The high of last night is replaced so easily by the worry of today and the constant apprehension over how I’m going to make the finances work.
“Here you go,” Will says, saving me from having to face Jack.
“Thanks,” Jack says.
“Is that all?” I ask, needing to go groom the horses and use the time to figure out everything.
“Yeah.” Jack’s voice is gentle where it had been almost harsh in the past. “Wait. There is one more thing. The feed that was delivered yesterday . . . is that the
same quantity and mixture you always order?”
