Page 18 of Sweet Surprise (Honeysuckle, Texas #2)

Jess held the passenger door open as Carson climbed out of his truck, wincing as his arm protested the movement.

The drive back from Doc Conroy’s office had been uncomfortable, each bump in the road sending a fresh jolt of pain through his shoulder.

But he’d been right—no broken bones. Just a few stitches and a nasty bruise that stretched from his shoulder halfway down his bicep, already turning an impressive shade of purple.

The screen door creaked open and his mother appeared, her eyes scanning him from head to toe. “Well?” her voice rang out tight with concern.

“Clean bill of health.” He managed a smile despite the throbbing. “Or at least as clean as you get when a horse tries to use you as a soccer ball.”

She stepped aside to let him in, her hand automatically reaching for his good arm. “Sarah’s father said it wasn’t broken?”

“Not even cracked. Just looks worse than it is.” He wasn’t entirely sure that was true—it felt pretty damn bad—but he wasn’t about to admit that.

Family filled the kitchen, everyone lingering around as if their presence would somehow speed his recovery.

Preston leaned against the counter, beer in hand, while Garret sat at the table playing cards with Rachel.

On the floor, Mason sat cross-legged, Brady’s head resting in his lap, the boy’s fingers absently stroking the dog’s ears.

“You’re lucky.” Sarah came forward handing him a cool glass of sweet tea. “Another inch higher and that hoof would have done real damage.”

“Your handiwork kept me from bleeding all over the truck,” Carson smiled at his sister-in-law. “Your dad said you did good; if you ever want to give up saving dogs, he’s got room for you.”

Sarah let out a loud burst of laughter. “Well, it won’t be the first time he’s tried to woo me into medicine.”

Jess hadn’t moved from his side, her hand still resting lightly on his good arm. “You should sit down.”

“I’m fine, really,” he protested, but allowed her to guide him to a chair anyway.

Mason looked up, his eyes serious. “Does it hurt a lot?”

“Not too bad,” Carson lied smoothly. “Your mom’s worried about nothing.”

“I saw blood.” Mason’s tone was low, hints of fear from the earlier incident still laced his words.

“Just a scratch,” Carson reassured him, he and Jess having decided earlier to leave the lecture on ranch safety till the boy’s emotions were a little less raw.

“And look—I got a cool bandage out of it.” He flexed his arm slightly, immediately regretting the movement when pain shot through his shoulder.

Forehead folded, Mason didn’t seem convinced, but Brady nudged his hand, demanding more attention.

Alice bustled in from the kitchen, carrying a loaf of fresh bread. “When grandmother’s have nothing but time to worry, they bake. There are four more loaves where this came from.”

“Good. Apparently getting kicked by a horse makes a man hungry.” Carson flashed his mother a smile, doing his best to make today seem like no big deal.

“You’re not the only one,” Preston spoke up.

“Hear hear,” multiple voices echoed.

“All right.” Alice glared at every adult in the room. “Point taken. Everyone to the dining room.”

Slowly, they all filed into the dining room, shuffling around, taking their seats, comments back and forth about the wild horses. Garret teasing that Carson probably scared the mare more than the mare scared him.

“Who said the mare scared me?” Carson eased into his chair, Jess at his side.

Garret raised one brow at him, calling his brother’s bluff. “You’re just lucky none of the other horses came after you. The last thing anyone wants to do is tangle with a miffed stallion.”

“Amen to that.” Preston poured a glass of water for his wife, then himself.

“The important thing,” his mom placed a tray of lasagna on the table, “is that no one was seriously hurt.”

Nodding at his mother, Carson noticed Mason seemed awfully quiet, his movements slow, hesitant.

Once the adrenaline had dissipated, even he had been left a bit on edge; he couldn’t imagine Mason was any different.

What he didn’t know, was how to help his son put the incident behind him without repercussions.

As he considered options and the situation, Mason chuckled and Carson took a second look.

Brady had settled under the table at Mason’s feet, licking his fingers, and sneakily begging for scraps.

Carson should have known that Brady would be the best therapist, he’d done so much to help Samson adjust, and even though Mason wasn’t a K-9, Brady was doing what Brady did best.

Seated beside Carson, Jess’s knee briefly touched his under the table. Her cheeks pinkened a moment and he couldn’t help but smile. There wasn’t anything about this woman, anything she did, that he didn’t love.

His mother’s voice, saying grace, thanking God for keeping them safe and bringing them all home together, interrupted his thoughts. Carson found himself adding his own silent thanks. Not just for the safe outcome, but for all the blessings bestowed on him recently—two in particular.

“Was it me,” Carson sank into the recliner, “or was that the best lasagna you’ve ever made?”

A smile split his mom’s face. “Charmer.”

Jess couldn’t help but chuckle at the family dynamic. After a miserably harrowing and nerve-wracking day, here they all were, relaxed, calm, and teasing each other, no less. Love filled the room from floor to ceiling.

Cards fanned out in front of his face, his eyes narrowed in concentration, even Mason seemed to have lost his nervous jitters.

Since dinner began he’d settled considerably, the tension gradually leaving his small shoulders as the meal progressed.

Now, locked in an intense game of Go Fish with Garret, he seemed almost back to his normal self.

“Got any threes?” Mason eyed his uncle suspiciously.

“Go fish.” Garret winked.

When Mason reached for the deck, Jess checked her watch. “Getting late, sweetie. Better wrap this up soon.”

“But Mom…” Mason whined as only a nine year old could.

“Not till after our game,” Garret countered, ruffling his nephew’s hair. “Can’t leave a man hanging when he’s on a winning streak.”

From across the room, Alice smiled over her coffee cup. “I’ll take him up when they’re done, Jess. You’ve had a long day.”

Wasn’t that the understatement of the year? What must have been only minutes out by the canyon had felt like hours at the time. She truly was drained.

Balancing a mug of coffee with his good arm, Carson slipped through the back door. Without a word, she followed him out onto the porch.

The evening had cooled, the Texas heat giving way to a quiet night. Stars were sparkling in the darkened sky, pinpricks of light against a blackened backdrop. Carson stood at the railing, his back to her, shoulders slightly hunched.

“Nights never looked anything like this in Dallas.” She came to stand at his side.

“Light pollution.”

Her head bobbed. So much was in her mind and heart, she had no idea where to begin. “You lied to Mason. My money’s on that arm hurts a lot more than ‘not too bad,’ doesn’t it?”

Carson’s mouth quirked into a half-smile. “Maybe a little.”

“Hm, maybe huh?”

He shrugged his good shoulder. “Worth it.”

The simple statement hung between them in the evening air. Worth it. Two small words that somehow contained everything.

“I don’t know what I would have done if anything had happened to Mason.”

Carson swallowed hard then nodded.

“Or you,” she said softly.

His gaze turned from the distant horizon to her. Their eyes met, and something shifted inside her. Could she tell him all that she’d been feeling since coming to the ranch? What she understood now better than ever before?

“Jess,” he set his coffee mug on the railing, turning to face her fully, “we need to talk.”

Her heart stuttered in her chest. No good ever came from a conversation that started with those three words. “Okay.”

“First, I want to thank you.”

Thank her? “You’re welcome, but for what?”

Tipping his head to one side, a slight smile teased at one corner of his mouth.

“For being the same person I remember from so long ago, for coming all the way out here in person to tell me about Mason, for agreeing to this hare-brained idea of marrying to save the ranch, for letting me become a father to Mason.” He hesitated a second.

“I could go on, but that’s a good start. ”

“Well,” she tried not to let her nerves show, “if I’m anything at all like I was before Mason was born, that’s because of you.” She waved her arm toward the house. “And everyone here. You’ve all been wonderful. It’s the first home I’ve had in such a long time.”

That hint of a smile blossomed. “I’m sorry you’ve had it rough for so long. I… I wish I’d fought harder.”

Now she cocked her head to one side. “I don’t understand.”

Moving forward slightly, he reached for her hand with his good arm, then must have thought better of it, dropping his hand to his side.

“The first time I saw you walking across the quadrangle, you had my attention. When you walked into the same class as me, I was hooked. Then, as time went by and we became friends, you had my heart.”

She knew she was staring at him wide eyed, but was he saying what she thought he was saying?

“I had no choice but to bite my tongue and keep my feelings to myself. You were dating Todd, you seemed happy.”

Her mouth opened slightly to speak, but Carson held his palm open at her.

“Please. Let me finish or I’ll never get it all out.”

Biting down on her lower lip, she nodded.

“When Todd walked out on you that night at the frat party, when you seemed so angry at him, so sure you were through with him forever, I’d never been happier in my life.”

Unable to speak, she just listened.

“Yes, we had a few drinks, and yes my wisdom filter was shot, but if you didn’t know it then, I’ll tell you, now. For me it wasn’t just a one night stand, I showed you everything I felt inside in the best way I knew how.”

That brought a smile to her face. Perhaps it wasn’t the appropriate response, but she’d finally recognized that night that her feelings for Carson had gone far past mere friendship.

“I savored every minute we spent together for the next few weeks.” He raked his hand through his hair. “I had dreams. Hopes. Plans.”

“Oh, Carson,” the words slipped out.

“I know we made a deal.”

Again, she nodded.

“But I don’t think I can go through with it.” His eyes closed an he heaved a deep sigh. “I’m in love with you, Jess. I always have been. I just can’t continue this pretense. If I do, I won’t be able to watch you leave me. Not again.”

Tears built up in her eyes. Frantically trying to blink them back, she reached for his hand, the one he’d pulled away moments ago.

“That night, I learned something too. I learned that until you laughed with me, sat with me, held me, I didn’t have a clue what love was.

When you spent the next few weeks building a new relationship level, I learned what it was like to be cherished, respected, and loved.

And I discovered that I’d fallen in love with my best friend. ”

Carson’s mouth dropped slightly open then snapped shut as he swallowed hard. “I can only pray that somewhere in your heart, enough of that love is still there that I can win your over once again.”

This time she actually chuckled. “Silly man. You don’t have to win anything. I know now. I’ve never stopped loving you.”

To her surprise, Carson pulled a small velvet box from his pocket.

“The week before you left, I bought this. I’ve been carrying it around since you agreed to our deal, but it didn’t feel right for a charade.

In college I didn’t have a lot of money.

I know it’s not much, but I couldn’t bring myself to sell it or give it away.

I guess you could say, no matter how hard I tried to move on, I couldn’t let go of my only connection to you and what we had.

” Suddenly, he dropped to one knee, the closed box still in his hand.

“Jess, I love you today more than yesterday, and I know that love will continue to grow if you’ll give me the chance.

Will you be my wife, my life partner, for real? ”

She had no idea what the proper protocol was for the happiest moment of your life, but before he could open the box, she dropped to her knees and threw her arms around his neck. “It’s perfect. I love you. Yes, yes, and yes.”

Laughter in his voice, he wrapped his good arm around her waist. “But you haven’t seen it yet.”

“It doesn’t matter.” She kissed his lips and pulled back. “It’s perfect. You’re perfect.”

“We’re perfect,” he corrected.

Peace filling her for the first time in too long, she smiled even wider. “Yeah, we are.”