His body tensed. “I really want to disagree with you.”
She tapped her shoe to his boot. “Why argue when we could enjoy the stars?”
Giving her shoulder a squeeze, he relaxed and they watched the sky until her eyelids were drooping. “You should take us back,” she said, sitting up a bit. “We all need some rest.”
“In a minute.” He laced his fingers with hers, his face tipped up to the sky.
“Do you know your constellations?” she asked.
“That’s Cowboy 101,” he said.
“Really?”
“No.” He bent his head and kissed her. “But these views are a big perk on night shifts.”
“You love being a cowboy.”
“Does that bother you?” he asked.
“No.” She’d spent her life around powerful businessmen and been groomed and educated so she could hold her own in any setting, social or professional. Her time around barns had included the glossy, luxury side of ranch operations, not the more functional side. She liked what Jarvis did, the obvious pride he took in his work, and the honest-work scent of sunshine and sweat that lingered on his skin after a long day outside. “Does it bother you?”
“Not a bit. I don’t have any desire to go back to an office, whether or not I find evidence that this ranch belongs to my side of the family.”
“So you’ll work for Asher forever?”
“Not forever.” He took his eyes off the sky and shot her a confident look. “I’m still learning. He’s an excellent manager on all fronts.”
“That shouldn’t come as a surprise,” she said. “He has a tremendous reputation.”
“We didn’t exactly run in the same circles, Mia. We still don’t. Not yet, anyway.” He pushed a hand through his hair, mussing the dark locks. “More than once I’ve thought, if this place is mine, I’d find a way to keep him. If it’s not and I buy my own ranch, I might lure him away.”
His low laugh rolled over her, as warm as melted chocolate and equally as tempting. What would that sound feel like under her hands? Her mouth watered and she yanked her wayward thoughts back into line.
“I could broker a land deal for you,” she teased. Being here, feeling safe with him was such a treat. But a life in hiding couldn’t last. Silas would need his regular checkups. Regina might as well stake out the pediatrician’s office if she wanted to catch Mia and make good on her threats.
Mia watched the shadowy scenery on the drive back to the bunkhouse. She could make a new life elsewhere, but with Regina’s threats looming over her head, worry would be a constant companion. That was no life for her son and she couldn’t bear the thought of leaving her father to cope with Regina’s devious nature alone. The woman was greedy and Mia had no doubt she’d continue to take whatever she wanted, whenever she chose—even Norton’s life.
Tomorrow, she’d allow Jarvis to bring everything to his brother on her behalf.
* * *
Jarvis rested quietly in the bunk. Mia’s sweet curves were pressed up against him and she was out. Looked like fresh air and car rides were effective sleep-enhancers for mothers, too.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t stop thinking about her persistent faith in love.
After everything she’d been through, she wasn’t just wishing for love; she was determined to create it, to celebrate it as though it was a reliable emotion. She wouldn’t find or create love with him, obviously.
He was temporary.
That rankled more than it should, considering he wasn’t in the market for a family, anyway.
He’d been telling himself this was about protecting the ranch, protecting his potential legacy and treating Mia as he would want someone to treat his sister. But he didn’t feel anything brotherly toward the woman in his arms. No, he felt invested. Attached.
That attachment went beyond uncomfortable and straight into dangerous. To her. The only love he trusted, the only relationships that hadn’t ended in disaster, were those with his brother and sister. And even that dynamic had changed since they were both engaged and planning weddings now. Those right and true relationships nudged Jarvis a bit more to the fringe.
He wasn’t resentful, exactly. He was experiencing what might be best described as envy nipping at his heels. And bafflement. How could Spencer and Bella take the chance? What did they have that Jarvis lacked?
Oh, he could go and ask. His siblings would listen, try to help. Even if they could help him figure out the mess in his own head, he wasn’t in the mood for lectures on his choices about business, ranching or women.