Free Caleb's Blessing by Jordan Silver Page B

leaving.
    ***
    I might as well have stayed in the house all day as many times as I ran back and forth. The guys took turns looking in on her as well whether I wanted them to or not.
    She surprised us by bringing out thick roast beef sandwiches on hot homemade sourdough bread, and pitchers of lemonade for lunch.
    “Oh let me take that Ms. Amanda.” The fuck? I was about to offer to help her so I could steal a few kisses under cover of the house and away from nosy ass prying eyes.
    “Simon, swear to fuck I’m gonna knock your ass out.” I muscled him out of the way and went to help her, while the rest of them snickered. I never realized how fucking annoying they were until now.
    “Have a seat here Ms. Amanda, rest your feet a sec.” Mikey dragged over a bale of hay and threw an old blanket over it.
    “Thank you Michael.” I rolled my eyes at the two of them because the jackass was preening like that wasn’t his damn name.
    I watched and listened as she interacted with my boys. She was even more at ease than the day before, for which I was grateful. And if I didn’t know any better I would’ve sworn the lot of them, were gentlemen, born and raised. Especially the Scrantons with their murdering asses.
    ***
     
    For the next week I watched her every move when we were in each other’s presence. During the day she was learning how to fit into ranch life and was becoming a natural at dealing with the rigors that came with that.
    She had even tried talking me into cancelling the cleaning service, but since I didn’t want her overdoing it I didn’t give in.
    At night I dragged her off to my bed after we spent the evening after dinner either watching a movie or playing cards.
    We were talking more and more and she was opening up, though she had yet to mention the asshole. And now instead of that discomfort of the first few nights, we usually fell into bed with ease and woke up in the morning wrapped around each other.
    Our kisses were also getting pretty heated and last night I’d barely pulled back in time. Too much more of that and it won’t be long before she’s under me.
    I’d just left her to go train a new horse that had been dropped off by its owner yesterday, and she was still flushed from my attentions. Maybe I’d pick her some wild flowers today; she seemed to like them better than the store bought ones anyway.
    Nate had brought her some wild berries to make jam and today she was putting some up for preserves. That way I knew she would be too busy to get into too much trouble.
    I saw my sister in law’s beamer flying down the driveway just as I was headed for the stables, and cursed under my breath.
    Shit, I’d all but forgotten the outside world. Except for a call from Drake in the middle of the week, checking up on Amanda’s welfare, I hadn’t set foot off the ranch, physically or mentally.
    I looked back at the house where I’d just left her waxing the kitchen floor, to Diane who was climbing out of her cherry red sports car.
    It’s not that I don’t like my brother’s wife. It’s just that she can be a little like Cecily at times. I’d just started getting Amanda to come out of her shell I didn’t want anyone messing that shit up.
    “Hey Diane, I didn’t know you were coming out today.” I tried to cut her off before she got to the house.
    “Hi big brother.” She did that fake kiss shit and took my arm. I gritted my teeth because I knew there was no way out of this, unless I was rude, which I had no problem being, when it was called for.
    “So, I hear you have a new houseguest, where is she?”
    “She’s not quite ready for company, maybe next week. I’m sure my brother told you...”
    “Oh my husband didn’t tell me a thing. I ran into Cecily at the Branford’s place last week and she told me. Now come along and introduce us. From the way Cecily talked, I thought for sure you’d be introducing this new girl to the family soon.”
    Shit, I should’ve known she’d start trouble.