Grin and Beard It(139)

“What do you think of this Jethro?” The speculation in Marta’s tone made me smile.

Henry chimed in. “Jethro? Oh, he’s the man. Did you know he traps bears?”

I glanced over my shoulder just in time to see Dave give Henry a wan look, then affix an air of earnest concern to his features. “Jethro is a good guy. He takes really good care of your sister. Did Sienna tell you he didn’t know who she was at first?”

Marta split her attention between Dave, the approaching truck, and me. “No. She didn’t mention that.”

“You’re going to love him.” Henry was the definition of effusive enthusiasm. I was pretty sure Henry had a crush on my fiancé.

Hearing the engine cut off, I turned my attention back to the truck and saw Roscoe was with him. I waved, grinning wide and excited, and quickly walked over to them.

Jethro was also grinning and my heart fluttered impatiently at the warm welcome in his gaze. He was really just too handsome. Pretty soon I was running like a goof and threw myself at him. His strong arms immediately came around me, squeezing me tight.

I sighed, happy and content.

Hopeful and unafraid.

“I missed you,” I said, holding him tighter so I wouldn’t tackle him and make love to him on the gravel.

His hand pulled through my hair. I let the sound of his deliciously gravelly voice and sweet southern accent wash over me as he said, “I missed you, too.”



I was pleased when Marta was warmly polite—which was more than what most people received—when she and Jethro were introduced.

Of course it helped that Roscoe, who apparently knew how to turn on and off his charm, had already buttered her up by saying with a hint of suggestiveness, “You must be Sienna’s younger sister. I’m Jethro’s younger brother.”

I tried not to laugh at how that comment made her blush and smile, though she did roll her eyes at him good-naturedly.

We loaded up in the car, Tim riding with Jethro in his truck this time while Roscoe squeezed in the car with us, and we were escorted back to Hank’s cabin. Jethro and Roscoe helped carry in our bags, carrying and not rolling so as not to ruin the wheels, then made to leave. They’d been on their way to work, but invited us to dinner.

I followed Jethro out and pulled him to the side, letting Roscoe continue on to the truck.

“I have to tell you something.” I kept my hand on his bicep so I could hold him in place. But also so I could feel him up. I loved his arms. They were so muscular and strong. Thinking about them turned me on, so touching them gave me delicious twisty feelings low in my belly.

Smiling at me like he knew what I was doing, his eyelids lowered. “What do you have to tell me?”

I sighed, because how he dropped his voice made me think about us alone and naked. I wished we were alone and naked right now.

“Sienna, if you expect me to pay attention, you’re going to have to stop looking at me like that.”

“Sorry, sorry. It’s just, I really missed you.”

“And I really missed you, too.”

“No. I mean, I really, really missed you. I know we’re coming over for dinner tonight, but do you think there’s any chance you could meet me this afternoon for lust?”

His lips quirked to the side. “You mean for lunch?”

“Yes. That’s what I said, right?”

He laughed, his eyes bright and he gained another step closer, bending slightly to capture my lips in an achingly soft kiss.

“What did you want to tell me?” he whispered, his eyes moving over my face, making me feel cherished. But his question brought me back to reality.

“Oh!” I gripped his other arm. “Don’t get mad.”

His smile was soft and patient, and rather than saying anything, he waited for me to continue.

I gathered a deep breath for courage and then said on a rush, “I may have told everyone that we are engaged when I was at the premiere yesterday, but don’t worry, we have a few days to come up with a plan before Arval runs his—”

“I know. Someone already put a video of it up on YouTube.”

I started at that. “What? When?”

“Yesterday afternoon, Tennessee time. I saw what happened.”

I grimaced. “And you’re not mad?”

“I was mad,” he said matter-of-factly, though he didn’t look mad now. “We’d come to a decision together, came up with a plan.”

“Yes, but Tom was trying to—” I stopped myself. “No. That’s not really the reason I did it. He gave me a push, but—honestly?—I wanted to do it. I hated that you weren’t with me, and I hated that I’d asked you to lie.”