Page 9 of Sweet Obsession (Honeysuckle, Texas #5)

It was silly of Alice to be bringing curtains to a bunkhouse, but with little financial resources and Clint sacrificing so much for the ranch, she just had to do something to show her appreciation.

Especially since Ray had almost ruined the ranch, an honest man at her side was worth his weight in gold.

Sliding off the horse, she closed her eyes and prayed that Clint was the man she thought him to be, then pulling the folded panels from her saddle bag, marched up to the door and knocked.

The old wooden door swung open and she didn’t know who looked more surprised, Clint at finding her standing at his door, or her for finding him shirtless and barefoot.

Any fool could see every muscle from his neck to his six-pack showed this man worked hard for a living.

Probably always had. Not that six-pack abs would hold up in a court of law to prove Clint was an honest man, but it was enough for her. “I know it’s late…”

“No.” Running his fingers through his hair, Clint did his best to tame the unruly dark locks. “I was just watching television.”

“I, uh, brought some curtains.”

If she thought he’d been surprised a moment ago, wide circles of white surrounding deep blue eyes teetered on utter shock.

Maybe this hadn’t been as good an idea as she’d thought.

Clint must have realized her discomfort.

Pulling the door fully open, he stepped to one side and waved her in before hurrying to the sofa and shrugging into his shirt.

Quickly gathering dirty dishes and empty wrappers from the small table in front of the couch, he shrugged.

“Sorry for the mess. I wasn’t expecting… company.”

“Apologies are mine. I should have called.”

Clint chuckled and swiped his hand through his hair again.

“Did I say something funny?”

Biting back a grin, the corners of his mouth tipped slightly upward anyhow, making his eyes sparkle. Honest eyes. “It’s your ranch. You don’t need to call to come to the bunkhouse. It’s not like I’m entertaining or anything.”

With the paltry amount of money she gave him, she doubted he could afford to feed a cat, never mind entertain a…person. “I apologize anyway, but if you don’t mind, I thought it might brighten the place up a bit to hang curtains.”

Looking up at the few windows in the room, his gaze darted back to her. “Of course.”

Consumed by the muscles, the grin, and awkwardness of her surprise visit, not till this moment did she realize the bunkhouse looked different.

Considering it was where cowboys hung their hats, the place looked almost…

homey. The furniture had been moved around, and a few pieces that weren’t hers had been added.

An oversized comfy chair—what Charlie would have called a man’s chair—faced a small television.

A bookcase on the far wall held a scattering of framed photos and other knick-knacks.

Definitely not a common sight in a bunkhouse intended to house a slew of men.

The urge to cross the room and examine the photos was strong, but she resisted.

“I’ll get a stepstool.” Without waiting for her response, he darted off down the narrow hall.

Unfolding the curtains and leaning the tension rods under the first window, she grabbed a chair and dragged it in front of her first target.

Hauling herself up, she balanced on the edges of the seat and slid the rod into the curtain.

By the time Clint returned with the stepstool, the first curtain was in place and she was back on solid ground.

By the time she’d hung the last curtain, she’d gotten close enough to see the photo of a much younger Clint and a young boy whose sparkling eyes bore a strong resemblance to his.

Did Clint have a family? She’d never seen his application.

Stealing a few more glances, no photos of a wife or mother of the boy, only him and the young child.

Interesting. For the first time since finding out about swindling Ray, she realized just how little she knew about her one and only ranch hand.

Kade’s gaze narrowed fiercely and Blake could only imagine the myriad of thoughts running through his head. Most of which would be the none too flattering events early in his career that involved women, parties, vats of alcohol, and of course, more women. But that had all been a long time ago.

“Reel it in, bro.” This came from Preston, patting his older brother firmly on the shoulder. “Remember the trust money?”

Kade blinked, but continued to drill Blake with that big brother death ray gaze that all the Sweet men had developed around their little sisters.

“Would you rather she married Chet?” Carson flashed a toothy grin at their military brother.

“Chet?” Kade practically growled, spinning around to face his two brothers.

“That’s the guy that answered Jillian’s ad for a husband. Of course he wants money.”

“Money?” Kade’s jaw twitched from the pressure of grinding his teeth.

“Okay, boys.” Rachel pushed between her two brothers and came to a stop in front of Kade. “Suck it up, buttercup. You know what we’re all doing so quit with the macho big brother bit.”

Now Kade’s eyes rounded and he spun around to face Blake. “This is all just for show?”

Both he and Jillian nodded, but it took Blake a few seconds to find his words. “Chet didn’t sit well with me either. I promised you I’d protect them and I meant it.”

“You what?” Jillian spun around to face him.

Blake shrugged. “I meant it at the time. I just didn’t expect my life to go the way it did. But I’m back now, at least for a short while, and I’m going to keep my word.”

“Oh, my.” The porch door slamming shut, their mother’s eyes were big and round and her smile spread from ear to ear.

Within seconds she bolted across the living room floor and had her eldest son swooped into a hug as if he once again was a little boy.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? I would have made your favorite foods.”

Those words made everyone smile.

“I wanted to surprise everyone.” Kade held on tightly to his mother before the two finally separated.

Apparently, tonight was a night of surprises for everyone. But Kade had at least one thing right; Blake needed to assure everyone that his intentions were to help save the ranch, nothing more.

“I bet you’re hungry.” Alice Sweet stepped back and darted toward the kitchen. “It will only take a minute to warm up a plate for you.”

“Thanks, Mom.” Kade blew out an easy breath.

“Welcome home, bro.” Garrett bumped shoulders with his brother.

Rachel followed her mother, Sarah Sue right behind her. “Let me help, Mom.”

“Me too.” Jillian darted after her sister and sister-in-law.

Kade turned, and lowering his voice, looked less viciously at Blake. “You really up to this?”

He could have been an ass and poked at his lifelong friend’s lack of specifics, but now was not the time for that. All he did was nod. “As a matter of fact, I have a different show to put on. Excuse me.”

Trying not to feel like he was walking the plank, Blake joined the women in the kitchen. Jillian had popped a few rolls into the oven to warm and he eased up beside her. Slowly, he eased his fingers through hers. “Can I talk my favorite tag along into a quiet walk outside?”

He knew full well that would catch her mother’s attention, but it took Jillian a few moments of surprise before understanding dawned and she nodded. “It’s a nice night for a walk.”

Still holding her hand, he led her to the back door, feeling Alice Sweet’s gaze on his back with every step. He sure hoped he knew what he was getting into.

Everything about this evening felt oddly surreal.

First having all her brothers under one roof was a blessing beyond measure.

Now, walking hand in hand with her childhood crush, even if it was just for show, the world seemed to have either tilted on its axis or spun out of orbit and she didn’t have a clue which one it might be.

“I hope you didn’t mind, but I figured, if we’re on a short timetable, then we need to figure out a few things and no offense, but your brother’s breathing down my neck didn’t seem like the right circumstances.”

“Agreed.” She hadn’t decided what she thought of all this, or if she could even go through with it. Any of it. With Blake, or Chet, or anyone. Everything had worked out for her siblings, but odds of five out of five successful matches weren’t encouraging.

His thumb began drawing swirls around the back of her hand and an odd sensation fluttered past her wrist and up her arm. “I don’t quite know where to start.”

“That makes two of us.” Finally, she had a full sentence come to mind.

“It will take a little time to get Grams to the doctor in Miller’s Creek, so I’ll be here for that long, but there’s a lot going on with the band and the next tour and I won’t be able to put it all off for too long. Not without costing the company some serious money.”

She bobbed her head. “I suppose you’re having to leave to go back on tour would be a simple and legitimate reason for wanting to rush into marriage.” At least she hoped so. If she went through with it.

“You’re not sure, are you?”

She stopped in her tracks and turned to look at him for the first time since leaving the kitchen. “Right now, I’m not sure of much of anything.”

“Were you more sure about Chet?” He continued walking.

Shaking her head, she heaved a short sigh. “No.”

“Good.” His smile stretched across his face. “I can’t tell you why, but I don’t like the man.”

Tilting her head, she studied him more closely. Was this brotherly protective instincts, or was she reading something more into his reaction?

At the entrance to the barn, Blake paused and looked in the doorway. “Some folks might think me mad, but I’ve missed the smell of a stable.”

A burst of laughter escaped. For the first time all evening, she felt relaxed and comfortable in her own skin. “You can take the boy out of Texas but you can’t take Texas out of the boy.”

Now he laughed. “I guess not.”

“You’re glad to be back, aren’t you?” She wasn’t sure why she stated the obvious, but she got the feeling he hadn’t quite embraced how much home felt like home.

Looking over an open stall, he shifted his focus from the horse inside to her and let out a low huff. “I guess I really am.” The horse nickered at him, and chuckling, Blake reached over and scratched the mare’s neck, and she leaned into him. “That’s my girl,” he cooed.

Jillian had no idea how any of this had come to pass. What was she doing here with a famous rock star? What was he thinking agreeing to pretend marry her? “Are we really going to do this?” Hearing her words out loud surprised her.

Stepping back, nodding his head, Blake turned to her. “Yeah. I think we are.”

The air grew thick, so thick she was sure if she waved her arms it would separate like the Red Sea. “We have to fool everyone. It’s not just on paper. My mom, the town, the lawyers, the bank.”

Again, Blake nodded. Stepping to the side, he took hold of her hand again, leaned forward, and whispered within a few inches of her, “Just for practice.”

She’d barely processed the words when his lips pressed against hers.

Softly, sweetly, so very tenderly. Then, before she could lean into the kiss, he pulled back and she had to resist the urge to touch her fingers to her tingling lips.

There was one thing she was absolutely sure about…

she had no idea what the heck she was getting into.