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“And if I can do anything to help, please let me know. I’ve got connections in Austin and can set you up with some recommendations for housing,” Maggie chimed in. “Jill knows people there, too.”

Jill seemed to snap out of the fog she was in.

She nodded. “Yeah. I know a lot of folks there if you need me to reach out.”

“Thanks for that, all of you. I’ve got some options, but if those fall through, I’ll ask.”

“Um, congratulations, but if you’ll excuse me, I have some work to catch up on. I’ll let you have this moment as a family.” Jill got up and excused herself, giving his mom a tight hug on her way out.

Chapter Nine

Jill waited until she was out of sight of the Marshall compound before she let the tears fall, heavy and fast.

It wasn’t that the news upset her so much as watching Jax interact with a family that supported every decision he made, whether or not they agreed with his choices.

It wasn’t that her parents didn’t love her, but that didn’t mean they saw her, either. Sure, they were at a peaceful impasse now that her role with Henley was officially over, but when she’d left Liam? When she’d left the company to come here?

They hadn’t even called to check in on her in more than three weeks.

She had so much going for her—a new internship program that partnered with the local high schools and community college in Austin County, her first intern Caitlyn who was a heckuva mechanic judging by the exceptional videos she’d taken, and a getaway from the city that felt like home the longer she stayed.

All the things she’d worried about a month ago—Jax, the gossip, and even the lack of shopping and eating choices in a small town—all of it was so much better than she’d imagined. Even Lily had found a family here.

Jill walked back to Maggie’s the long way, stopping at the creek’s edge. The ripe, sweet aroma of honeysuckle infiltrated her sadness, taking the edge off. The ripple and churning of the river currents allowed the rest of her mood to be carried away with the stream.

She inhaled deeply and squatted by the water’s edge, dipping her fingers into the cool liquid. It sent a chill straight to her heart, calming it.

In the space between jealousy and disappointment, Jill could see clearly why she’d been so upset leaving the Marshalls. It wasn’t just her relentless parents, or the way Grace Marshall loved her sons with a constant ferocity that still encouraged them to fend for themselves, knowing they’d have a safe place to land if they fell.

It was Jax himself that had her all tied up in knots.

Warm, squishy, slightly nauseating knots that made her imagine what it might be like to stand by his side as he navigated being a parent, starting a new career, and moving to a new city.

If by his side, you mean in his bed.

Okay, her snarky heart was fired. Maybe she’d let her imagination wander as far as tangling in the sheets with Jax Marshall, but could anyone blame her after that kiss? After seeing him care for Lily and Gander’s future puppies?

Oh my, it was only going to be worse now that she’d witnessed him handle the responsibility of being a dad with the humor and fortitude she’d come to appreciate about Jax. Only his job prospects worried her—as a friend and colleague of course, nothing more.

But … the rodeo? While he had a teenage son to raise? Commuting to Deer Creek each day would be better.

“Careful. The last time you did that, we both fell in the water.”

Jill almost lost her balance and tumbled headfirst into the creek, but the two strong arms associated with the voice that had her all squishy and knotted up again caught her. Her stomach landed south of her feet, and her heart danced wildly in her chest.

Jax turned her around, a mischievous smile on his face. “You almost didn’t make it there.”

His eyes twinkled like the sun only shone to make him brighter. There was the Jax that’d been absent the past week. Even after his disappearance—which made total sense now—he’d been reserved, missing the spark that made Jax Jax.

“No thanks to you.” The words were teasing, but she kept them light. Just because they couldn’t pursue … whatever it was that’d been happening between them before, it didn’t mean they couldn’t stay friends.

She inhaled slowly, afraid what inviting his scent of spruce and canyon wildflowers would do to her senses.

“I thought you were on your way to Austin.”

“I am.” He rubbed her arms, which had erupted into goose pimples since her almost-cascade into the creek. Heat shot straight to her core. “But I wanted to check on you before I left.”

“You-you did? Why?”