Jacob strides to the door, putting the chain latch in place. “You’re okay?” He moves to the window, looking out from behind the curtain. “They didn’t hurt you?”
“I’m fine. I noticed them in time and came right back.”
His face is tight with concern as he looks outside, making sure the guys aren’t lurking around, thinking a lone woman is in the room. A few beats pass before he’s satisfied.
“I left my clothes.” Still holding his towel with one hand, he picks up his scrubs from the little table and goes back into the bathroom, coming out fully clothed.
Distant thunder rumbles and the rain falls again, blowing in against the window.
“Do you have to cancel appointments in the morning?” I ask Jacob, feeling compelled to say something other than I’m pretty sure you have the biggest dick I’ve ever seen—and I haven’t even seen it hard.
“No, it’s Memorial Day tomorrow. If I did, I would have driven home and just paid for transportation for the ponies.”
“Ah, right. I keep forgetting it’s a holiday tomorrow. Everly reminded me when I called and told her I wouldn’t be home to see her off for school in the morning. My sister is staying at the house with her,” I explain, wanting to fill the silence with safe conversation. “She’s staying with us for another few days.”
“Does she like horses too?”
“No.” I pull the band from my bun and rake my fingers through my hair. “She’s competent enough to feed and clean stalls, at least. And those are her words, not mine. Luckily, Everly and her friend Maria—you probably know her, she owns Penny—are able to help with everything else until I’m home.”
“It’s not easy leaving when you have horses at the house,” he notes. “My dogs are enough of a hassle. I dropped them off at my parents before coming here since I was going to be gone all day.”
“That’s mostly why we never got a dog before,” I say, not sure if I already had this conversation with him. “I wasn’t home enough.”
“And you’ll be able to be home with the horses?”
My face falls flat. “Yes, and, if not, I’ll make arrangements. I know you can’t just leave a horse with an extra bowl of food like you can do with cats.”
“I never said you didn’t.”
“No, you didn’t,” I agree. “But I can read between the lines.”
“If you did, I wouldn’t have had to be so direct with you, and then you wouldn’t have accused me of trying to trick you into selling the farm.” He trains his eyes on me. “All I wanted to do was offer some help if you needed it.”
“And I might have taken that help if you weren’t so pushy.”
“That makes no sense, Josie.”
Hearing him say my name sends a jolt through me. “Yes, it does. You set everything up beforehand, telling me how hard it is to step into my aunt’s shoes but then kindly offering help. The second I asked, you would have used it as an I told you so moment.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“Is it?” I ask, throwing out my hands. Shaking my head, I get up. “I can’t say anything without you turning it into an argument.”
“I’m not arguing.” His brows furrow in genuine confusion. “You are.”
“But I don’t want to,” I spit out, getting exasperated. We both know why things get heated between us, why almost every friendly conversation suddenly gets fueled with passion. But I’m not going to say it. Hell, I’m not going to think it. But as long as I’m here, anything we say to each other can easily spark something.
I pick up my purse and Jacob stands, brows pinching together as he looks at me. “You know what? Sleeping in the truck actually sounds like a good idea.”
“Seriously, Jo?” Jacob moves in front of the door.
“Don’t Jo me,” I snap back and go to push him out of the way. He’s built like a fucking tree and doesn’t even budge. “Move.”
“What about the creepy guys out there?”
“I’ll take my chances.”
“Josie, no.” Jacob still doesn’t move. Instead, he sets his jaw and slowly shakes his head.
“Move,” I repeat, anger growing by the second. “You can’t force me to stay here.”
“I’m not,” he counters, voice still level, which pisses me off even more. “But think about this. It’s storming. Where are you going to go? And don’t tell me your truck.”
“Anywhere! I don’t care as long as it’s away from you!” I go to shove him again, but this time Jacob grabs my hands. His rough palms slide over the tender skin on the inside of my wrists, and his long fingers wrap around them, holding tight. The movement catches me off guard, and my lips part as a small gasp escapes from my mouth. Eyes wide, I look up at Jacob. He’s just as taken aback as I am.