Perfectly Ms. Matched(35)
Mary shook her head in shared disgust. “No one can deny she’s a pretty woman. And she wanted to be Chad’s wife badly. It just so happened Chad was carrying around a big hole in his heart that he wanted to fill. He was tired of single life and wanted a family. You know how he sometimes has blinders on when he focuses on his goals.”
Jo nodded. That was exactly what had happened with them. He was so intent on making it big in the NFL that everything and everyone else in his life took a backseat. “Does he know for sure if Ryan is his?”
“Yes. Ryan came with the papers to prove it. Evidentially, Chad’s former lawyer got suspicious and had Ryan tested.” Mary stopped working and faced Jo. “Poor boy lost the man he thought was his father, and then his mother, all in the same week.”
That must be why Ryan called Chad by his first name. “But luckily, Ryan gained a fantastic grandmother and a dad who’ll never leave him. I have to give points to Chad for trying so hard to be a good father.”
“Me too.” Chad’s mother filled two big plastic containers of chili to take home. Jo planned to commandeer one of them. Mary said, “Chad has told me how much help you’ve been with Ryan, and that he listens to you more than he does Chad. I hope you won’t disappear from Ryan’s life too. Or mine again.”
She loved them both very much. “I’ll be here for Ryan as long as he and Chad are in town. And I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed you until today. I hope you won’t mind if I come visit you and Black Jack now and then?” Jo loaded her bowls into the dishwasher.
Mary wrapped Jo up in a hug. “That’s what I hoped you’d say. Now maybe you’d better get back in there and be Chad’s doting fiancée before Linda gets any cozier with him.”
“Too late.” Jo gave Mary one last squeeze before she released her. “She just announced she’s spending the night with them. I hope Ryan’s not a kicker.”
Mary mumbled under her breath, “I hope he is.”
Still chuckling, Jo went back to the dining room. Chad had a deep frown on his face as he wrangled Ryan into his coat. “We’re going to head out so we’re sure to beat the storm, if that’s okay with you, Jo?”
“Yeah, that’s fine. I have a—” She’d almost said date, “—bunch of things to take care of anyway.”
Chad slipped his hand around her arm and tugged. “Linda, why don’t you and Ryan load up. I need to show Jo something in the barn, and then we’ll be right there.”
He silently motored her out the front door and down the porch steps, limping as he tugged on her arm. Jo had to practically run to keep up with Chad’s long, angry strides. When they neared the barn she said, “Hey. Slow down, will you?” It was amazing how fast he could still walk with his bad knee.
“Sorry.” He released her and then opened the barn door for her to enter first. “Linda is playing games again. We still don’t have cell service out here. I need you to spend the night.”
“And where do you propose I sleep?” Jo made her way over to Black Jack’s stall to say good-bye. And because the thought of sleeping with him made it hard to look him in the eye. He might see how tempting the thought was to her.
“With me. So Linda’s seduction plans will be shattered to bits.”
“Seduction plans?” Jo rubbed Black Jack’s muzzle. “I thought you told her to get a hotel.”
“I did, but while you were in the kitchen, she got Ryan all pumped up. Promised she’d read all his favorite books before they went to sleep. He seemed so excited, I just don’t have the heart to turn her away now.”
She framed Black Jack’s face with her hands. “Chad’s nothing but a big marshmallow, am I right?” Jo made the horse’s head bob. “See, even he knows.”
Chad ran a hand down his face. “Jo, please. I promise there won’t be any touching.”
It wasn’t Chad she was worried about. It was her ability to keep her hands to herself. Two years without sex was a long time. “I can’t. I have a date tonight.”
“On a Sunday night?” Chad crossed his arms as disbelief wrinkled his forehead.
“It’s for the last night of a friend’s gallery showing. Shelby called me and asked if I’d fill in as his date as a favor.”
“Perfect. Then you’re not going to sleep with the guy. Come over after.”
“How do you know?” Jo slowly turned and faced Chad. “Maybe I’m planning to have a hot, one-night stand, Mr. Bossy.” She crossed her arms too. “You’re not the only one who can have those.”