A Cowboy's Christmas Reunion (The Boones of Texas 1)
Page 65
He walked through the connecting door from the bakery to Carl’s house. “Jo?”
“Hunter?” she called out, her voice thin and stressed.
He followed the sound of her voice to her bedroom.
She was sitting on the bed, bundled in her robe, tear tracks down her face. She rubbed her nose with the back of her hand and sniffed, loudly. He didn’t know whether to laugh or pull her into his lap. He sat and drew her close. “What’s wrong Jo?”
She shook her head, hiccuping. “N-nothing.”
“Come on now. Something’s wrong. You’re not one to cry for nothing.”
Her big eyes peered up at him. “You mean I wasn’t... For all you know I c-cry at the drop of a hat.”
“Okay.” He wiped the tears from her cheeks. “I’d still like to know why you’re crying.”
“My dad—” She sniffed. “My dad proposed to Lola.”
“And that’s bad?” He wasn’t sure how to respond.
“No. It’s g-great.” She sobbed.
He laughed again.
“It’s not f-funny,” she moaned, pressing her face against his chest.
“Sorry.” He cleared his throat. “It’s not funny. And it’s not bad. But you’re crying.”
She nodded.
His hold tightened on her. “What can I do, Jo?”
He felt her breathe deep, felt her hands grip his shirtfront. “I’m happy for him. And relieved. H-he doesn’t need me to stay.”
Her words clawed at his heart. “You think so?”
“I want him to be happy. And Lola is wonderful. She’ll keep him young—” Her voice broke. Her hands twisted in the flannel of his shirt.
“He wants you to stay, Jo.” The words rasped out.
She froze, looking up at him. Her silver-gray eyes were full of pain, bone-crushing misery. “I’m a h-horrible daughter.”
He laughed then, though he tried not to. “You are not.”
“I am, Hunter.” She swallowed, her gaze wandering over his face. “A good daughter wouldn’t be jealous.”
His hand cupped her face. “Jealous?”
“I hate that I’m the way...I am.” She frowned.
“What way?” He frowned, too. “I don’t understand.”
“I’m t-terrified.”
“Of what?”
“Commitments and relationships, losing control.” She sighed, sniffing. “Hurting others to get what I want. Like you. And Eli.” Her gaze wandered to his mouth. “You make me remember how to feel things I’ve tried to forget. And it scares me.”
He rubbed his nose against hers. Her words revealed so much. “Let me love you, Jo.”