Susan Crosby - An Early Christmas Gift

“If you love each other, the fact your last name is Ryder and his is Morgan wouldn’t matter.”

“Who said anything about love? Lust, sure, but—”

A truck pulled into the driveway, one she would’ve recognized anywhere.

“Looks like Win has come calling,” Annie said. “Are you going to hide?”

She couldn’t let her sister-in-law think she was a coward. Nor did she want Win to think he had that kind of power over her. Plus she wanted to see him, so why would she hide?

“Howdy,” Win said as he ambled to the porch, looking like the rancher he was, hat to boots.

“Hi, Win,” Annie said. “Would you join us for iced tea and cookies?”

Win gave Jenny a quick glance. “I’d be obliged, thanks.”

“I’ll get another glass. Have a seat. But not in my rocking chair.” The screen door slammed behind her.

Win didn’t hesitate. He sat on the two-person glider next to Jenny.

“You doin’ okay?” he asked.

Tiny tornados whipped through her body. “Yes, thank you.”

“I take it your car is in the shop since it’s not here in the yard.”

“Tex towed it to town. The damage was slight.”

“Your folks ask why you used my phone?”

“Of course.”

“I’ll bet your dad wasn’t happy I abandoned you.”

“I told him that was my doing, that I made you leave.”

He eyed her thoughtfully. “I shouldn’t have left, no matter what you said. Thought about it last night a lot. I should’ve stayed.”

Jenny squeezed her hands together until they hurt. She wanted to grab him by the shirt and pull him right to her and kiss him until he passed out from the pure pleasure of it.

“I wouldn’t mind kissing you, either,” he said, leaning close and whispering.

Annie came out the door, making plenty of noise first. “Here you go,” she said, passing Win a glass then holding the plate of cookies toward him.

“Thanks, Annie. You make ’em?”

“I did. I have to hide treats or Adam and Brody will eat them in one day. They haven’t figured out where I stash stuff. What brings you here?”

“Food, as usual.”

His arm was touching Jenny’s. She could even feel the definition of his muscles as he moved his arm up and down with each bite of cookie. He wasn’t even trying to keep his distance.

“What do you need?”

“My sister is looking to have a standing order with you, one I could pick up weekly.”

“We could probably manage that, Win, although most of my product is going to restaurants and markets now. I’m increasing volume this season, however. Do you know what she wants?”

“Not really.”

Annie looked from Win to Jenny and back again and smiled. “Maybe Rose should give me a call, like she did before?”

“I’ll tell her.”

Annie yawned and stretched. “I need to lie down for a little bit, if you don’t mind, Jenny?”

“Of course not. What should I work on next?”

“If you could turn the dirt in the third greenhouse boxes, that’ll put us ahead of schedule. Nice to see you, Win.”

Win rushed to open the door for her. Jenny took advantage of that to escape from the glider. She headed down the steps and toward the greenhouse.

“Guess I’ll see you around,” Win said.

What? He wasn’t going to follow her? Steal a kiss or two or three?

She marched up to him. “Did you know I was here?”

“Nope.” He grinned.

Her heart skipped a beat or four.

“Did you think about me last night?” he asked.

“Not for a minute.”

“Liar.”

“Egotist.”

He laughed, then put two fingers against the pulse on her neck, which she knew was pounding hard. “You’ve filled out, Jenny Ryder.”

She glanced down at her body. “I put on the freshman fifteen that first year, but I lost that. I think I weigh the same now.”

“It’s distributed a little differently. You’ve got muscles, for one thing.”

“I worked at a farm lab all four years. It involved a lot of physical labor.”

He leaned closer. “Did you think about me last night?” he asked again.

“More than I should have.”

“Ah. The truth. Thank you.” He pressed a soft, sexy kiss against her lips then backed away. “See you.”

“Wait. Win.”

“What?”

“You wanted to tell me something. Before.”

“Another time,” he said, as he had yesterday. He touched the brim of his hat.

She stood and stared until he drove off, her heart still thundering, her body heavy with need.

She didn’t want to have another secret affair with him, but there was only so long she could resist him, and it was approaching fast.

Chapter Three

Win looked forward to Mondays and Fridays. He picked up Rose’s produce order from Annie—and Jenny—on Fridays and went to town on Mondays for the farmers’ market. He could’ve combined the two events and had Annie bring the produce to the farmers’ market, but he didn’t ask and she didn’t offer, as if she knew what he wanted.

Maybe she did. Maybe Jenny had confided in her, although it seemed unlikely.

Win liked the farmers’ market, even though he couldn’t get there until about six o’clock, an hour before it closed. He always bought a grilled sausage sandwich and a beer, then sat where he could listen to the live music, groups that changed weekly. He knew most of the families. A lot of the kids he’d grown up with were married now, having babies and working their family farms and ranches—or they’d left and never come back, like his two older brothers. His kid sister hadn’t gone to college like the rest of the siblings. She’d graduated from high school the year their mother died, and had stayed on to do all the cooking and cleaning. She claimed she was okay with it, but Win couldn’t see how. It was a stifling position.

Now and then Win thought about picking up and leaving, finding work somewhere else, where he might be appreciated. But his ties to Morgan Ranch were hard to break, even the hope that something might change. What was that saying? Hope springs eternal? That was his motto these days.

Farmers’ market in Red Valley City was a casual event, with only about ten booths this early in the season, growing to fifteen or so at its peak. It was set up in a good location, with lots of traffic and easy parking. Aside from produce, vendors sold beef jerky, eggs and honey products. Annie’s booth overflowed with table flowers, which were big sellers. Win could see all the booths from where he sat eating dinner and enjoying the twang of a country trio’s rich harmonies.

This was Annie’s second season at the market and Jenny’s first. They worked well as a team. A few women patted Annie’s belly and lots of people welcomed Jenny home with hugs. She was beloved in the Red Valley.

Win knew the moment Jenny became aware of him. Every so often, she stared beyond the people milling at the booths, as if looking for something—or someone. Then suddenly she zeroed in, holding his gaze for a few seconds before helping her customer choose a bouquet from a huge bucket. The changes in her were subtle after that—her posture a little straighter, her smile a little brighter, her cheeks a little rosier. He swore he could even see her breath quicken.

Win stayed put, watching, satisfyingly pleased at her reaction. He finished his food, talked with a lot of people who stopped to say hello, but kept his gaze on Jenny. At seven o’clock, the country trio announced their last song. Win wished he could ask Jenny to dance. They’d never danced together.

As soon as the song ended, he moseyed over to the booth and offered to help take it down.

“Mitch will be here any second, but thanks,” Annie said. “I had the Kileys save some sausage sandwiches. I’m going to go get them.”