Free Playing for Keeps/A Tempting Stranger by Lori Copeland Page B

now that we have that all settled, and I know what my place will be in your house, I'd better get busy," she said matter-of-factly, her heart still thudding out of control. "It will probably take me all day to pack. See you later, Jason!"
She bolted out of the room in a dead run, leaving Jason standing with a look of disbelief on his slightly flushed face and one terrific ache throbbing inside him.

Jessica was packed and ready when one of Jason's men dropped him by the farm late that afternoon. After a quick glance at her packed bags Jason advised her, "We'll have to take your truck." Jessica shrugged her shoulders unconcernedly, reaching down for her cosmetic bag.
As they started down the porch steps Jason held out his hand. Looking at it in bewilderment, Jessica asked, "What do you want?"
"The keys to the truck," he said firmly.
"Why? I can drive," Jessica told him sharply.
"Bet me!" Jason said sarcastically.
Disgustedly Jessica flung the keys to him. Brother! He would never let her live those car wrecks down!
They drove back to Jason's house in strained silence. Jessica's ride on the passenger side of the old truck was as nerve-racking as the rest of the cantankerous old relic. Her seat was loose at the bottom, swaying around and making a popping noise every time Jason stopped for a stop sign or started up after one, forcing her to grab for anything solid to keep from sliding out of the seat onto the floor.

 

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She could never recall having to make so many stops while she was driving. Jason seemed to be determined to make as many as possible. She caught him once watching her from the corner of his eye, carefully concealing a devilish twinkle.
At last they turned into the winding drive leading to the farmhouse, which was lined on both sides with towering sycamore trees that made a shady canopy over the road. They traveled on for another mile or so before coming to the house itselfa lovely, homey, one-story brick house nestled in a stand of majestic old oak trees. The carpet of early-summer grass sparkled emerald green, and flowers bloomed riotously around the yard. A large red barn with a tractor and several pieces of farm machinery sat just to the right of the house, with several gleaming white outbuildings in the distance. The white fences surrounding the farm all looked newly painted and lovingly cared for.
Jason stopped the old truck, turned off the key, and said, ''I thought you said you were having trouble with the gas pedal sticking on this?"
"It does!" She practically took his head off, but she had noticed, too, that the traitorous thing had purred along like a Cadillac with Jason at the wheel.
"Well," he said skeptically, "remind me to take a look at it before you drive it again. I'd hate to turn you loose on the townspeople again before it's fixed."
Jessica was getting out of her side of the truck, and with a slam of the door she retorted, "Ha, ha," in her most sarcastic voice. "How many times do I have to say, I'm sorry, Jason?" she continued. "What do you wantblood?"
Jason laughed and affectionately took a swat at her rounded derriere as they walked to the wide screened-in porch sitting off the back entrance to the house.
"What's the matter, hellcat losing your sense of humor?" he taunted.

 

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Jessica refused even to dignify his question with an answer.
A large golden retriever came bounding toward them, making a friendly lunge at Jessica and nearly knocking her off her feet in his exuberance.
''Get down, Alfie," scolded Jason. "You better start showing some manners around this ill-tempered lady. She's going to be the new hand that feeds your face," he teased the affectionate dog, who was licking Jessica's hands, his tail wagging so hard it was nearly throwing him off balance.
Jessica was returning pat for lick. "Don't believe a word this nasty man tells you, Alfie. I'll feed you manners or not," she assured the retriever. Looking at Jason, she added sweetly, "I'll have to feed your master, and