“Same here. I’ll just go check on Bridget and see myself out.”

  They parted ways in the hall and he peeked in. Bridget was adorable with her curls splayed out on the pillows. He bent and brushed the hair away from her face, kissing her temple. “Sweet dreams.”

  Her lashes fluttered and opened. “Stay.” She reached out and wrapped a hand around his neck. “Sleep next to me.”

  How the hell was supposed to say no to that invitation? Not one iota of his body even wanted to say no, so why pretend? “Okay.”

  She smiled as he kicked off his shoes and joined her under the covers. He opened his arms and she immediately snuggled into him. With her head on his chest, he closed his eyes and fell asleep.

  * * * *

  When Jack woke, the light was slanting in at a late afternoon angle and he stretched as much as he could without jostling Bridget. At some point they’d turned so she was spooned against his chest and he couldn’t help but notice how good her bottom felt pressed against his groin. His very awake and alert groin. Breathing deeply, he nuzzled her neck and focused on tamping down on his arousal. He would not paw at her like a high-school boy alone with a girl for the first time.

  A soft sigh escaped her and she turned in his arms. She blinked her eyes at him. “Hi.”

  “Hi, yourself. Feeling refreshed?”

  “Mmm.” She smiled and ran a hand through his hair down to his cheek. She stroked the hairs of his beard. “I like waking up to you. Here. In my bed.” Her teeth sank into her bottom lip as pink tinged her cheeks.

  His restraint snapped. Leaning up on one elbow, he rolled her onto her back and delved into her mouth. She was so soft and lush and he wanted to sink into her and never surface again.

  She twined her arms around his neck and hooked a leg over his hip. When he rocked against her, she shivered and whimpered. She crept her fingers beneath his long-sleeved shirt and splayed them across his back.

  He loved the sensation of her hands on his skin, wanted her hands on every part of him. Her dress was bunched around her waist and it took all of his self-control not to pull her dress over her head and her panties down her legs. He wanted her naked in the worst way, but also knew he shouldn’t rush things.

  “Jack.” She sighed and writhed beneath him. “Please.”

  “I don’t have condoms on me. Do you have them here?”

  She groaned with frustration and shook her head. “No. I didn’t… I haven’t needed any in a while and I didn’t think ahead.”

  He kissed her again. “Your sister is just down the hall anyway.”

  The most adorable little growl vibrated in her throat. “Jack,” she pleaded and rubbed against him.

  “I know, baby.” He brushed his lips over hers. “Just don’t get too loud, okay?” Then he kissed his way down…down…down to where he most wanted to taste her.

  Later, after he’d given her two orgasms and his body begged to sink into her wet heat, he ignored those base instincts and lay down next to her again. Her whole face and body were soft and relaxed and his grin couldn’t be helped. He loved that he’d put that dreamy smile on her lips and the flush on her skin. He traced patterns along the skin of her stomach and licked his lips. “You do taste like the sweetest honey,” he murmured in her ear, watching that flush deepen.

  She covered her face with her hands and peeked out between her fingers. “Jack! I can’t believe you just said that.”

  “It’s true, though. You’re my honeybee.”

  A little yelp escaped her and she clamped a hand over her mouth. The sight threw him back to a few minutes ago when she’d had to do the same to keep her cries of pleasure muffled. He laughed and pulled her closer. “You’re making it way too easy to fall for you.”

  She lowered her hands and stilled, staring at him.

  He swallowed and hoped he hadn’t just made a fatal mistake with Bridget.

  “You’re falling for me?”

  He nodded, not trusting himself to say the right thing.

  Then the corners of her mouth lifted up. “That’s good,” she said softly. “Me too.”

  He grinned wide then kissed her again.

  Chapter Ten

  “So you and this Jack guy, huh? What’s up there?” Sarah asked Bridget while walking around the store and rearranging items on the shelves.

  Bridget suppressed an irritated sigh and followed behind her older sister to undo the changes she’d made. “We’re dating. What else do you want to know?”

  Her sister threw a look over her shoulder, one brow cocked and a smirk on her lips. “I want to know what you two were doing in your bedroom for hours yesterday. You damn sure looked pretty satisfied after he left.”

  “Sunday Funday.” It slipped out of her mouth before she had a chance to realize the gift she’d just given to Sarah.

  “Oh-ho-ho! And just what kind of ‘fun’ was my baby sister getting up to? Dear God, please tell me you were not getting it on while I was just down the hall?” Sarah spun around, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

  “Will you leave me alone? We did not have sex.” Not full-on. Technically. But Sarah didn’t need to know. Bridget smiled and went back to the counter to pretend to look over the expenses. She glanced at her phone to check if the hospital or Gran had contacted her but found nothing. Sighing, she tried to focus.

  Part of her brain wanted to concentrate on Gran and what her recovery would look like. Doctor’s appointments, meds, even basic things like cooking for her and helping her get around. Chores like cleaning and running errands. And she was now the sole full-time employee at Three Sisters. She’d need to cover Gran’s shifts, work longer days then at night make and package products. Plus online orders were picking up, so she’d need to figure out how to get all of those completed and mailed, too.

  The other part of her wanted to relive the amazing Sunday she’d had with Jack in her bed. The man definitely knew what to do with his mouth and hands. And his beard! My God, that had been a freaking revelation. She hadn’t known how much added sensation all that soft hair would bring. A shiver brushed down her spine at the mere memory of how good he’d made her feel. She could only imagine how explosively good it would be when they were both naked together. Bridget squeezed her thighs together as desire pulsed low in her body.

  Ugh, she had to get a hold of herself. Bridget dropped her face into her hands and exhaled. She needed to sort out how to take care of Gran and balance the store on her own and have a boyfriend. Something would have to give. Deep down she knew what would be sacrificed. She swallowed a whimper. Maybe when things improved with Gran, she and Jack could pick things up again.

  If he was still around.

  And still single.

  She was screwed and not in the good way. This sucked so much.

  “Hey.” Sarah waved her hand in Bridget’s face. “What is up with you? I’ve been moving stuff around all over the place and you haven’t chased me away. What gives?”

  Bridget pushed up from the counter and glared. “Really? You’re doing this on purpose? Stop messing with my store! You’re making more work for me and I don’t need anything else added to my list.” Stomping off, she walked the perimeter of the room and began rearranging everything back into proper order.

  “Touchy. Sorry, baby sis. I didn’t mean to hit a nerve.” She plopped down on a stool and started looking through the new business software. “Seriously, what’s going on?”

  Bridget spun to pin her with an exasperated glare. “You can’t figure it out? You’re here for a week. Maybe two. While I appreciate your support, I’m here for the long haul and have to take care of everything. The store is my sole responsibility now. Gran will need care. Products have to be made and online orders need to be shipped. Plus, every Saturday and half of the Sundays for the next month are booked with festivals. How can I go off to these events when Gran would be left alone? I don’t have time for everything.”

  “Whoa,” Becca said as she emerged from the back room of the store. “You aren’t alone, or did you forget I exist? That Gran is my grandma, too?”

  Bridget blinked at her. “Where did you—did you come in from the back door? I didn’t know you were coming in today.”

  Becca pursed her lips as she leaned against the counter. “I gathered as much. Look, I know you’re the owner of the store and you and Gran run things like a well-oiled machine, but I’m here. Let me help you. You don’t need to take on the weight of the world.”

  Bridget crossed the room and hugged her cousin tight. “I appreciate this, Becca. I do, but what about the farm? You can’t abandon all of your duties there.”

  “True. I can also help more here. Unlike some people, I do hire employees because I can’t do everything. It’s fine, I promise.”

  “And I can stay longer, too,” Sarah chimed in. “My boss understands and told me I could work remotely for a few weeks if needed. I’ll stay with Gran.”

  “You’ll stay with me. Gran will, too. She can’t do those stairs, at least not right away.”

  Sarah laughed and shook her head. “There’s no way Gran will agree to that. And frankly after Sunday, I don’t want to be in the house with you and your boyfriend while you two are banging.”

  “What’s this?” Becca perked up. “You and Jack had sex?”

  Bridget shot Sarah a shut-up-or-die look. “No. Not exactly.”

  “Mmhmm.” Becca smiled slyly. “So he went downtown, then?”

  “Oh my God, this is none of your business!” Her cheeks burned like they were on fire. “Since when did the two of you decide you were entitled to all the details of my love life?”

  Sarah cocked a brow. “Since forever. We’re family.”

  “I’m curious, how was it with the beard?”

  “Becca!” Bridget exclaimed. The beard had been a sexual revelation for her, but they didn’t need to know her inexperience. “How would you even think to ask that?”

  She snorted. “I bet you a thousand dollars I know more about the intricacies of oral than you.”

  Bridget covered her ears and sang aloud like a five-year-old. “We are not having this conversation. Jack knows what he’s doing. Like really, really knows what he’s doing. We’re leaving it at that.”

  “What is it that I know how to do?”

  Bridget squealed and jumped, spinning around. Jack stood in the doorway. Embarrassment melted her bones and she wanted to find a hole to crawl into and never come out. “Wha— Wh-when, uh…” She shot a glare over her shoulder. Her so-called family had set her up. They had to have seen him walking up and she hadn’t heard the door chime. She faced him again and pasted her polite customer smile on her face. “What are you doing here? This is a surprise.”

  “I’m done at work and thought I’d come say hi. See how Gran is doing.” He kissed her cheek and moved his lips to her ear. “Don’t think you’re getting out of this conversation.” He nipped her earlobe and she coughed back a moan.

  “H-hey.” She squeezed his hand. “I’m glad you’re here. How was your day?”

  “Nothing to write home about. Same old. How’s Gran?”

  “Good. I think. I haven’t heard from her since this morning. I was thinking of swinging by after I close the store tonight.”

  “Do you want me to drive you over? We could grab dinner on the way back?”

  How was she going to balance all of this? Sure, Becca could help take some of the responsibilities of the shop and maybe Sarah would stick around an extra week or two, but did she have time for Jack? Was it fair to him to only be able to give a fraction of herself?

  “You two should go now before visiting hours end,” Sarah jumped in. “Becca and I can wrap things up here and you can head out early.” Her sister shot Bridget a no-nonsense look and shooed her toward the door.

  “I need to get my coat,” Bridget said and walked to the back room, pulling Sarah with her. “What are you doing?” She rounded on her sister. “I don’t need you managing my life.”

  “I saw your face and I know you, Bridge. You’re overthinking and taking everything on yourself and talking yourself out of a relationship.” Sarah put a hand on her hip. “You are not going to dump Hottie McLumberjack because you’re freaking out in your head. Let Becca and I help you. Now go! See Gran and enjoy the yummy man-ness waiting out there for you.”

  “Okay, fine. You win.” Despite her reservations, Bridget grinned and grabbed her coat. “See you back at home.” She handed her keys to Sarah.

  “Maybe. And eventually I’m getting details out of you about all the things Jack is so good at.”

  Bridget left her sister cackling in the back room as she joined him out front.

  Traffic was light getting to the hospital and Bridget hurried as they walked up. She was anxious to see the woman who’d raised her and who she’d seen almost every day of her life for close to twenty years. As they entered her room, Bridget blinked away tears. “Hey, Gran,” she said around the lump in her throat.

  “Oh, honey, come here.” Gran held out her arms and Bridget hugged her.

  She had to admit her grandmother looked better than she had just after surgery, but she still had things hooked up to her and obviously wasn’t at her peak self. She wanted to squeeze her Gran tight but made sure not to put too much pressure on her. Bridget pulled back and used her sleeve to wipe off her tears.

  “Feel better?” Gran asked and she nodded. “That’s good. Hello there, Jack. Thanks for bringing my Bridgie to see me.”

  “Happy to do it. You’re looking better, Ms. Wildes.”

  She waved her hand. “Call me Gran or at least Esme. No reason to be so formal. I am feeling much improved.”

  “All right, Gran,” he said.

  “Have you heard anything from the doctors?” Bridget asked. “Any idea when you’ll get discharged?”

  “They want me here until the end of the week. I think that’s unnecessary, but what does an old woman know?”

  “Then you’ll come back to stay with me.” She fixed a stern look on her face when her grandmother opened her mouth to argue. “I mean it, Gran. I doubt your doctor will let you go back to climbing those stairs to your apartment right away, and it will be good to have someone else around. Sarah and I will be there, too. It’ll be like old times.”

  “Lord save me from overprotective granddaughters.” She sighed, but a hint of a smile played at her mouth.

  Bridget rolled her eyes. “Keep this up and I’ll have Becca join in, too. Then you’d have the three of us under one roof. All keeping watch on you.”

  Gran put a hand to her chest. “Stop that, Bridget! It’s not good for my heart.” She chuckled and laid her head back on her pillow. “I’ll stay, but only for a little while. You need your independence and so do I.” She glanced at Jack over Bridget’s shoulder. “After all, you have a very dashing boy courting you. You don’t need me cramping your style.”

  “Gran!” She closed her eyes in mortification, unable to look at either her grandmother or Jack.

  “It’s true.” She shrugged. “Now you two go on. I’m tired, and I bet you’re hungry for dinner.”

  Bridget kissed Gran’s cheek and stood. “I’ll text you tonight to check in. And one of us will come by to visit tomorrow.”

  She stood and Jack leaned in to kiss her grandma’s cheek, too. Her heart melted a little at how sweet he was to her Gran. Maybe Sarah and Becca were right and she was overthinking. There had to be a balance of some kind. Didn’t there?

  * * * *

  Jack held Bridget’s hand as they exited the hospital and walked back to his truck. The look on her face told him how hard this was for her. He wished there was something more he could do, but he couldn’t magically fix Gran.

  But he could take Bridget to dinner and help keep her going. They climbed in and headed back toward town. The sprinkling of oaks were turning in full color now—the pops of red, orange, and yellow were spectacular against the dark green of the thick firs. He found himself enjoying the surrounding nature far more than expected. His high-rise apartment in downtown Seattle made views this like all the more valuable. He could get used to this kind of beauty all the time.

  “Italian food sound good?” he asked.

  “Perfect. I could use a massive plate of carbs right now.”

  After arriving and ordering their food, Jack watched as little by little the tension drained from Bridget’s body. He reached across the table and played with her fingers. “Tell me about your day. Everything okay?”

  “Sure.” She smiled, but the corners of her eyes were tight.

  “Hey, talk to me. You’re definitely not as relaxed as you were when I left your house on Sunday. Did something happen at the store?”

  She refused to look him in the eyes and swallowed hard. “No, nothing specific. There’s just a lot going on.”

  He nodded and laced his hand with hers. “I know this has to be crazy stressful for you. You know I’m here to help, right?”

  “I do. It’s—there’s so much with the store and Gran and it’s been just me for so long. Gran helps, but without her… I don’t know how to manage everything. Covering all of the hours for the store, making and packaging products, plus all the festivals over the next four weeks…” Tears glittered in her eyes.

  Jack moved to her side of the table and put his arm around her. “You aren’t alone. You have your sister and cousin and me. I don’t mind spending my evenings making your magic balms and my Saturdays selling them. I know you’re overloaded, but let the people who care about you help. You’re worth it.”

  Her smile was wobbly but looked genuine. “Thanks, Jack. You’re an amazing boyfriend, you know that?”

  He shifted in his chair, uncomfortable with her praise. No other woman had seemed to like him for him. They had always liked his money more. Not that Bridget knew about the money, but that was a problem for another day. Today he needed to focus on Bridget and her needs.

  He pressed a soft, chaste kiss to her lips. “Keep that kind of talk up and I’m going to get spoiled. Now tell me, honeybee, what is it that I’m really, really good at?”

 

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