Absentminded Angel(Divine Creek Ranch 20)(28)

She listened to Whit cooing while she finished her makeup. The crunch of gravel under tires let her know a few minutes later that Jack had arrived and she met him at the back door with three boot boxes stacked in his arms. His face lit up in a big grin.

“Hi, Jack, come on in.” Reaching for the first box, she said, “I’ll just take a quick look and see which ones will work for my outfit.”

“No need. She told me to leave all three. She said there was no hurry getting them back to her and you should feel free to make use of all of them.”

“Are you sure?”

Jack nodded. “Sweetie, she loves boots and with three husbands shopping for her, she has shelves full of them. She wanted me to tell you not to worry about it. She was happy about the sling and was telling Teresa about it when I left.”

“That’s fantastic. I left Whit in his seat upstairs and I need to check on him. Would you like to see him?”

Jack lifted the boxes for her and nodded. “I promised Grace a picture of him, too, if it’s no trouble. I’ll carry these upstairs for you.”

He followed her up the stairs and she gasped and put her hand to her hair as she reached the top. “Pardon my hot rollers, Jack. I forgot I still had them in.” What a dingbat!

Jack laughed and said, “No problem, sweetie. Grace uses them all the time.”

“That’s no excuse for answering the door like this.”

Jack chuckled. “Sometimes Grace has so many things going through her mind at one time, I think some things just fall by the wayside. Plus, you just had a baby, so you’re entitled to be a little scatterbrained.”

“If you don’t mind, I’m taking the picture for you, Jack.”

There’s not gonna be any photographic evidence of my hot rollers if I can help it.

He stood right by the landing and handed the boxes to her and grinned big when she carried Whit over to him. Whit eyed him curiously as Presley Ann passed him into Jack’s arms and took his smartphone from him.

“Okay, little cowpoke, smile for Uncle Jack and Aunt Gracie,” he said and smiled as she snapped the picture. Picture taking done, Jack gave her the baby and said, “He’s filling out fast, Presley Ann. That’s one good lookin’ little boy.”

Presley Ann felt a blush heat her cheeks and for once she wasn’t swamped by guilt as she thought of his father. Some things she could change and others she couldn’t. It was simple as that.

“Tell Grace I’ll be in touch to come take her measurements.”

“Will do,” he replied and then chucked Whit gently under the chin and said his good-byes.

She had just enough time to try on all three pairs of boots and make her selection before a loud knock sounded at the door. Excitement fizzed through her like bubbles in a glass of champagne as she called down, “It’s unlocked!”

Her heart beat faster as their footsteps echoed up the stairs and she sucked in a deep breath as she took in the sight of them. Jared was dressed in polished boots and dark jeans and a black button-down shirt he’d left untucked. The dark colors served to intensify the contrast with his dark reddish-blonde coloring and pale blue-gray eyes, which were riveted on her. He was a serious man but the barely-there hint of a smile on his lips made her heart beat even harder as she bit her lip in anticipation. Then she turned her gaze to his brother.

Lord, have mercy. Her knees went a little weak.

Kendry was dressed in Levi’s and combat boots with a zippered pullover shirt that showcased his broad shoulders and chest. She had to swallow because drool was pooling in her mouth. He’d trimmed his scruff short and his shoulder-length curly brown hair beckoned her to run her fingers through it.

How had she resisted them this long? “Hi.”

Kendry’s eyes sparkled as he said, “Hello, sexy cowgirl,” and twirled his finger. Stifling a giggle, she turned in place for them, feeling the way their gazes warmed every inch of her skin.

“That color turns your eyes to turquoise. You look luscious,” he said as he came close and kissed her and she breathed in his scent. Ocean and driftwood, and so very Kendry.

Jared’s hand was warm on her hip as he gazed down at her and murmured, “Beautiful.” He kissed her, too, turning her legs to jelly as he made a soft, deep sound in his throat. Her breath caught as he laid a kiss at her jaw and then extended a line of smooches down her throat, smiling at the wave of gooseflesh that rose on her skin where he touched her. Blinking slowly, he lifted his gaze to hers and licked his lower lip.

The sound of Kendry’s voice as he picked Whit up from his seat roused her from the lust-induced stupor Jared had put her in. “Hey, little Whit-Man. You sure got a pretty mama.”