Brenna and I will never be, so I have to pretend that what I told her in that classroom was a lie and that I’m completely uninterested in her in that way. It’s just a night at a festival with a lot of freaking people.
I lift my hand to knock, but the door flies open. Melanie is there with a big smile. “Hey, Jacob.”
“Hey, Mel.”
She opens the door wider, waving her hand to come in. “Mom and Sebastian should be down soon. He was on the phone for hours telling all his friends in California that he got the part.”
“He was the right Kenickie.”
And he really was.
“He’s really excited.”
“As am I.”
“So,” Melanie says as she plops down on the couch, “what is this festival like?”
I’m really glad this was the question she asked. God only knows how I would have handled it if it were something about her mother.
“It’s small, there will be a band, food, and rides. At least, that’s what it was like when we were kids. Oh, and of course, they’ll have the tractor pull.”
She purses her lips. “A what?”
“Tractor pull. It’s where tractors are suped up and try to pull a heavy sled as far as they can.”
“That sounds . . .”
“Country?” I finish for her.
She laughs. “Just not something I’ve ever heard of.”
“Really? Your dad did it.”
Melanie’s jaw falls slack. “He did?”
“Yeah, he was great at mechanics, and he put a ton of work into his tractor. I’m surprised he didn’t talk about it.”
“Dad didn’t talk much about Sugarloaf. He was gone a lot, and when he was home, we were really his focus.”
“It sounds like how it should’ve been,” I say.
Melanie shrugs. “I guess.”
“You don’t sound so sure.”
“I just, I feel like all these stories about him from when he was younger don’t really make sense. It’s nothing like the guy I knew. He was a pilot, disciplined, and super boring. He loved me and Sebastian, but he loved to fly the most. When he wasn’t flying, he was preparing for it. I don’t know . . .”
“You feel like you didn’t know him that well?” I guess.
She pulls her red hair to the side and starts to braid it. “I knew what he wanted me to know.”
“Is it like that with your mom?”
Melanie laughs softly. “No, definitely not. Mom is an open book. She tells us about when she was a kid and what it was like growing up in Minnesota.”
I wonder why Luke didn’t talk about his childhood. It’s not like he grew up the way I did. His parents were more than loving, and from what I remember, he didn’t want for much. Sure, he most likely had to help around the farm, but most of us did.
“Well, if there is anything you want to know, I’ll do my best to fill you in, but you might just want to talk to your grandparents about him,” I suggest.
“I bet they’d like that.”
I smile. “I bet they would. I know when my mom died, my brothers and I would sit around and tell stories about her. It helped us feel like she wasn’t really gone.”
A few seconds later, Sebastian rushes in. We talk about the play, and he’s going a mile a minute about how excited and grateful he is that I gave him the part he wanted.
“I promise I won’t let you down,” he promises.
“I know you won’t.”
The few kids who got the major roles all earned it. They clearly took this seriously and worked really hard to impress me. I followed Noah’s advice to trust my gut, and I knew within the first two minutes of each audition which character the kid would be best as.
“I’m ready,” Brenna announces as she enters the room, and my mouth goes dry.
Holy fucking shit.
She’s wearing a white top and a jean skirt. It’s simple. It’s nothing that is even remotely trying to be sexy, but on her . . . it’s like a million-dollar dress. The fabric clings to her in all the right places. Her hair, which is pulled to the side, is slightly curled at the bottoms, and her eyes—Jesus, they’re like sapphires shining in the light.
“Great,” I croak out and get to my feet.
She smiles softly. “Hey.”
“Hey.”
“Sorry I kept you waiting.”
I shake my head. “You didn’t. I just got here.”
I would’ve waited an hour just to get to see her. I can’t stop looking at her. I know we’re in her living room with her kids, but no matter how much I tell myself to stop staring, my eyes won’t obey.
Brenna looks down, her lower lip between her teeth.
Did she dress like this because she knew we’d be together? I know she feels the pull that I do. I can sense it when we’re together, and it’s getting harder to deny. I wonder if tonight feels as much like a date to her as it does for me.
Melanie clears her throat. “You look beautiful, Mom.”
“Thanks.” She still doesn’t look up.
I feel like an ass for not saying that first.
“Come on, Sebastian, let’s get our bags in the car so we’re ready for Grandma and Grandpa.”
I hear the door click closed and wait for her eyes to meet mine. When they do, I see the apprehension swimming in them. All the promises I made about staying away from her are gone. I can’t do it. I want her more than a thirsty man needs water. “You look more than beautiful,” I tell her.
“You look very handsome.”
I smile and make my way toward her. Grabbing her hand, I pull it up to my lips and place a soft kiss against her knuckles. My voice is low and filled with desire. “I don’t know how much longer I’m going to be able to resist kissing you, Brenna. Each time I see you, my fucking chest is tight and I want to pull you in my arms and make the ache ease.”
“Jacob . . .”
“I love the sound of my name on your lips. Makes me want to know how they taste.” Her breath hitches, and I know I’ve pushed as much as I can. I release her hand and step back. “I just wanted you to know that. Come on, let’s go to the festival.”
Her eyes are wide, and she blinks a few times. “Right. Festival.” Brenna takes a step toward the stairs.
“Brenna?”
“Huh?”
“Where are you going?”
She looks around and then touches her lips. “I’m not sure.”
I chuckle. “Come on, the door is that way.”
I lead her out and hope I can manage to keep my hands to myself all night.
Chapter Fifteen
Brenna
Now that my brain has returned from the scrambled state Jacob left it in, I’m having a great time. The kids are having a blast, running around, riding the rides, and seeing their friends.
This is the happiest I think I’ve seen them since we lived in Florida.
California was a rough time for them. Luke was deployed within two days of us arriving, and they never felt like they truly fit in. I don’t know if it was the private school or if it was because they missed Pensacola, but it was hard for them.