His Tattooed Virgin(Divine Creek Ranch 12)(78)
She knew Lucy was referring to Beck O’Malley and Patrick Owen because Lucy had already told Jayne about her first meeting with them. Even though they were going through some hard times at the moment, neither man was needlessly cruel. Jayne wondered if there hadn’t been a misunderstanding.
Lucy sounded even more miffed as she said, “So, they were there, watching me, I have no idea why, since I’m not good enough. I decided to have a good time with Vance, and just show them that some men appreciate a curvy woman. Unfortunately, I guess I had one too many of those kick-ass margaritas that Ben and Quinten make.”
Seth chuckled and Jayne felt her cheeks warm up again as she murmured, “Oh, I know a thing or two about those margaritas myself.” Her head even twinged a little in sympathy.
“The last thing I remembered was leaving with Vance. I guess I passed out in his truck. I can’t believe he gave me his number, considering what a lush I am.”
Seth chuckled again and said, “Vance is a pretty good guy. He may have been thinking with his small brain last night, but he wouldn’t take advantage of you. And you’re not a lush. A barfly, maybe”—he dodged when Lucy swatted at him—“but not a lush.”
“So what’s the plan with little Mr. Toby?”
Seth and Jayne exchanged a long look and then Seth replied, “I’ve rearranged my schedule and taken today off. I’ve got to think over my options and make some phone calls.”
Jayne squeezed his hand when he laced their fingers together.
Jayne had no doubt about Seth’s resolve. The emotion in his eyes said it all. “He’s mine. Anyone who says differently will have a hell of a time getting him away from me.”
Chapter Nineteen
Late August…
Jayne sat at the conference table in one of the library offices enjoying a little solitude while she ate her lunch. Rowena and Daisy were manning the checkout counter while she ate and relaxed. It had been two weeks since Toby had arrived and she missed Seth and Toby as well. It hadn’t taken her long to grow attached to him but she’d felt it was important that he have time to bond with his father without interference or distraction so she’d tried to give them their space.
She’d planned to write in her journal while she ate lunch but found that she’d spent most of the time just thinking about them. As she flipped the page, rereading what she’d written earlier, two folded sheets slid from the pages of the journal.
“What’s this?” A flush heated her cheeks as she unfolded the first sheet. It was a sketch of her, curled up, sleeping with Toby. Tears clouded her vision as she fumbled to unfold the other paper, only to find that it wasn’t a drawing.
For Jayne
Underneath the clear Divine Sky
You’ve given me a reason to try
A living canvas on the woman to be mine
You listened to the story of my past
To let it go, I guess that it was time
Now with this work of art in your perfect skin
And the gentle love you give, I finally have peace of mind
Life is switching lanes and changing gears
We will go together from here
I’ll spend my days and nights showing you I care
You’ve answered for me
My one and only prayer
We’re adding to each other
Layer by beautiful layer
-Seth
The worries that she’d had over the previous two weeks settled as she reread the poem and looked at the sketch. It was a fine line she’d been walking with Seth and Toby, since he’d arrived. Her cancer physician and Dr. Hawks had confirmed a few years before that she couldn’t have kids. She’d worried that Seth might think she was trying to step into the role of mom to Toby. She pulled out her phone and sent a text message.
“I love you so much.”
She giggled at his reply when it came, even though tears still streamed from her eyes.
“You mean it’s not just the red-hot sex you’re after?”
She snickered as she replied, feeling more relaxed with each word. “Oh, you’re still my boy toy but I really, really love you. I just found the sketch and poem in my journal. I love them.”
“I love you too. You seemed out of sorts the last few days. Me and Toby getting to you?”
“No! I can’t seem to get enough, actually. I was worried.”
“About what?”
“That I’ve been wearing out my welcome. Getting in your way, maybe?”
“Never. He asks for you when you aren’t here at night.”
She’d helped wherever she could when Seth had a conflict in his work schedule and needed her to watch Toby. She’d made it a priority to give them time alone in the evenings to bond, even though it meant missing Seth…and Toby too. Another text followed on the heels of that one before she could finish typing her message.