I nod, disappointed to have my own thoughts about what Carter said to me but also happy that it doesn’t seem my father is going to try and forbid me from seeing him either. “Okay, Dad. I’m going job hunting tomorrow so I’m going to go up and work on my resume.”
“Okay. Good night, Janie.”
I tell him good night and all but run up the stairs to my bedroom. As soon as I close the door behind me, I lean against it. I don’t know how I’m going to concentrate on anything tonight. The only thing I can think of is kissing Carter Grant and when I’ll get to do it again.
8
Carter
When I got home from dropping off Janie last night, I wanted to call her and hear her voice. I was still caught up with how I reacted to that kiss, and even though I wanted to talk to her, I felt like I needed to get my bearings. I’ve worked hard all day on the Yates Ranch, and by the time evening rolls around, I make my way over to my ranch to check on progress.
It will probably be another month before I’m even close to moving in, but I’m excited that my dream of having my home is tangible now. It’s right here, and it won’t be much longer.
I pull my phone out if my pocket and walk to the edge of the property. From this location, I have a perfect view of the lake with the mountains behind it. I still can’t believe that Austin sold me this piece of land, but I’m happy he did.
I open the contacts app on my phone and find Janie’s number. I’ve almost called or texted her all day, and well, I don’t want to put it off any longer.
I dial her number and bring the phone up to my ear. I pace along the dirt trail and kick a piece of gravel as I wait for her to answer.
“Hello?” she says, out of breath.
I can’t stop the smile from forming on my face. “Hey, Janie.”
“Carter. Hey, how are you?” she asks, and my smile gets even bigger when I hear the happiness in her voice.
“I’m exhausted. I didn’t sleep well last night. I got bucked off a horse this morning. One of the tractors broke down, and one of the horses—a thoroughbred—is down with bloat.”
“You got bucked off a horse? Are you okay? How’s your leg?”
I grimace, realizing that she’s asked about me, and someone has told her about my injury that put me off the rodeo circuit. I hate the fact she knows. I don’t know why it matters—I’ve never been sensitive to my injury before, but I hate for Janie to think less of me, like I’m not a capable man. “Yeah, I’m fine,” I tell her, not wanting to admit that my limp is a little more pronounced today.
She pauses for a second and then asks me real soft like, “Do you want to cancel tomorrow?”
“Hell—I mean, heck no,” I tell her, remembering that I need to clean up my potty mouth. I’m sure her being the preacher’s daughter she’s not used to hearing foul language all the time.
“If you’re hurt, you shouldn’t be riding a horse, Carter.”
I pull back the phone and stare at it as if by doing so I can see what’s on her mind. Is she trying to back out on me? I put the phone back to my ear. “You do know that I ride horses for a living. Right?”
She stammers, “Yeah, I mean, yes of course I do.”
I grip the phone tighter. “Are you trying to back out on me?”
She’s quiet and doesn’t answer me. If it was anyone else, I’d let it go. I don’t want to force anyone to be with me if they don’t want to. “What’s going on, Janie?”
“I just thought... well, I just thought that maybe now that you’ve had time to think about it, you’ve changed your mind.”
“Changed my mind about what?” I ask.
“Me. I mean, bringing me out to the ranch. I know we’re different, Carter, and I’m not going to be mad at you if you decide... well, if you think your time could be better spent.”
I shake my head. “Where is this even coming from, Janie? I thought you wanted to spend time with me.”
She’s quick to respond. “I do. I really do, but I’m going to be honest because that’s the only way I know how. I like you, Carter. My father warned me—”
I interrupt her. “I knew he wouldn’t like us hanging out together.”
She’s quick to defend him. “No, he doesn’t mind that. He just warned me that you may want different things than I do. He just doesn’t want me hurt, that’s all. And I’ve thought about it. I’m not experienced. I haven’t really dated, and gosh, just that kiss made me feel things I’d never felt before.” She pauses and then rambles on really quickly. “I’m just saying that being with you, spending time with you... I already know that you can hurt me, Carter, and I don’t want to get hurt.”