LITMIR.BIZ

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all hopeless.” Barbara McAllister shook her head, but it was clear she didn’t mind her children horsing around.

      Jesse smiled at the teasing as he took his seat but he seemed to be the most serious of the bunch. Shea thought back to when she first saw him, standing apart from the rest of the family. He hadn’t rushed to greet Jamie, though Shea had a feeling his reticence had nothing to do with the woman.

      The salad finished making its round. Everyone but Shea had taken a slice of bread, which looked homemade. Plates were passed to receive the cheesy pasta, but not to Rachel’s satisfaction because she complained her system had been ruined.

      Shea liked her. A lot. She liked Jamie, too, because Shea had the impression that Jamie had chimed in to bail her out.

      It was odd for her to take a liking to anyone so quickly. Her gaze drifted to Jesse. She kind of liked him, too, but she hated that he was sitting directly across from her. It was difficult not to stare at him.

      His hair was still a little damp on top, but the sides were so short they were already dry. The conservative cut made her think he’d be the clean-shaven type, but he’d left the stubble of beard that shadowed his jaw and chin. That and his tanned skin gave him a rugged look. She found the combination oddly appealing.

      Rachel must have passed Shea’s plate to Cole without her seeing because it was now heaping with a portion she’d never be able to finish. It smelled divine, though, and with her renewed appetite she was willing to give it her best try.

      For a few minutes it was quiet while everyone dug in to their meals. Ignoring the tempting aroma of the lasagna, she started with her salad because that’s what she always did. She’d finished chewing a cherry tomato when Rachel turned to her.

      “So, Shea, do you ride?” she asked.

      She dabbed the corners of her mouth with her napkin. “A little. I took refresher lessons last week, but I don’t think that’s a requirement of the shelter.”

      “Oh, no, I didn’t mean to imply that. I thought you might enjoy a trail ride tomorrow. We have a couple of very gentle mares in our stables, and since it’s your only free day before you start at Safe Haven—”

      “I don’t have a free day. I start tomorrow. But thank you for your offer.”

      Frowning, Rachel put down her fork. “I thought Annie Sheridan said she would be giving the volunteers their orientation.”

      Shea had the name of her contact written down but she was fairly certain it was Annie. “Yes, I believe she’s the person I spoke to.”

      “That’s odd. She told me she had three volunteers answer her ad and they all started on Monday. Maybe I’m wrong. Forget I said anything.”

      Panic squeezed Shea’s chest. Had she mixed up the dates? It was possible. She’d been in such a hurry. Tomorrow was Sunday. Oh, God, why hadn’t she stopped to consider this was the weekend and starting on Monday made much more sense?

      The sudden lapse into silence flustered her. Not only that, but she also just knew everyone was staring at her. She refused to look up but concentrated on spearing another cherry tomato. She’d promised to stay out of the family’s way. They were probably wondering why she’d arrived a day early.

      “I think I’ll drive over there tomorrow, anyway.” She gave a small shrug. “Maybe they could still use some help.”

      “Actually, I think Annie’s in Kalispell picking up supplies,” Rachel said quietly. “It’s really the perfect time for a trail ride.” She paused. “I can take you myself.”

      Oh, how Shea wished the beautiful finished wood floor would simply part and swallow her whole. This was so typical of her. Couldn’t even keep a date straight.

      JESSE CHEWED his food and took a quick sip of wine to wash it down. It wasn’t like Rachel to be insensitive. Why the hell didn’t she lay off? Couldn’t she see that Shea was embarrassed? The poor woman could barely look up.

      “I’ll take you,” he said, keeping his gaze on her, knowing that everyone else’s attention abruptly turned to him. “I have to inspect some fencing along the north pasture. Won’t take long, then we can head over to Lincoln Pass. That is, if you’re interested.”

      Her anxious eyes met his. “I don’t want to be any trouble,” she said softly.

      “I have to go, anyway.” He shrugged. “It’s beautiful country, when it’s not buried under ten feet of snow. Even then, it’s something to see.”

      “You should go,” Rachel said, laying a hand on Shea’s arm. “Between the weather and your duties at the shelter, tomorrow may be your only chance.” She smiled. “I could pack you guys a picnic lunch.”

      He wanted like hell to nail his well-intentioned sister with a don’t-push-it glare but he couldn’t risk Shea seeing it. “Maybe we could work the ride around lunchtime,” he said, fully intending to pull Rachel aside later. He didn’t want her to read too much into his offer.

      “I know the area Jesse’s talking about,” Jamie said. “It’s breathtaking and you shouldn’t miss it. Rachel, pass the bread, will you?”

      Everyone went back to eating and talking, the subject turning to the open house later in the week. The event wasn’t a big deal. His mother had been hosting it since they were kids, but Jamie had never been, and Rachel was describing the traditional menu and how piñatas filled with candy and small toys were hung for the children.

      Shea concentrated on her food, smiling graciously when she was ordered to come home hungry the night of the open house. Jesse had the feeling she’d have preferred to be anywhere else right now. She sure wouldn’t be showing her face at the party. Not that he blamed her. He’d do just about anything to get out of it himself. He wasn’t feeling particularly cheerful about the holidays.

      He’d recognized from the first that Shea had some shyness issues. Could be that she was avoiding her own family for Christmas and preferred to be alone. In any case, he doubted she’d want to rub elbows with a bunch of strangers. Nosy ones at that. Half the town would show up at the open house and they’d be curious about her since Rachel hadn’t accepted any other guests.

      “Isn’t that right, Jesse?”

      He looked at his mother, at a total loss. “Sorry, what was that?”

      She smiled. “Never mind, son. Eat your supper.”

      He didn’t ask again. The guarded way his brothers were eyeing him, he figured she’d made yet another remark about how good it was to have him back. Although he’d never said anything, they knew it irritated him. This time of year she tended to be more sentimental. They’d lost their father to cancer eleven years ago, and she still missed him. They all did.

      Sometimes he still felt guilty for having worried her by joining the air force. It made no sense. He hadn’t asked to be shipped out. He’d merely done his duty and enlisted, the same as every other McAllister male before him. But if he reenlisted now…

      Shit, he couldn’t think about what would happen to her if she lost a son, too. His decision had to be based on what was best for the whole family and the survival of the Sundance.

      He stabbed at a piece of lasagna, determined to enjoy his meal and block the litany of concerns plaguing his mind. Yeah, he had to make a decision soon, just not this week. For now he needed to be the good son, the amenable brother. Rachel was more than pulling her weight by running the dude ranch and he’d help out by taking her guest for a lousy trail ride. It was the least he could do.

      Instead of taking a bite he grabbed his wineglass, and as he brought it to his lips, he looked across at Shea. She glanced up at the same time, her soft gray eyes tinged with something close to gratitude.

      Hell, he hoped she didn’t get the wrong idea. His offer was meant to make life easier for Rachel. It had nothing to do with Shea. Nothing at all.

      IT

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