Chasing Christmas Read online

  Jessie sighed. “Tinsel didn’t seem to mind moving in over there. He’s sensitive and knows you don’t like him.”

  Chase scowled. “I like your gray fur ball just fine. In fact, as far as cats go, he seems like a nice one. I can’t help it if he makes me sick.”

  She hid her smile. “But you could call him by his name instead of making up all those ridiculous names.”

  He smirked. “I don’t think Rin-Tin-Tin cares what I call him. We’re practically buds.”

  “Practically.” Jessie picked up their empty plates and carried them to the sink. Chase covered the leftover cake and returned it to the fridge then set his empty milk glass in the dishwasher.

  Jessie tried not to tremble when he stepped behind her, hemming her in at the sink. His tantalizing scent pervaded the air around her while his warmth seeped into her back.

  “You look so pretty today, Jess.” His voice held a deep timbre as he spoke.

  Her fingers curled around the edge of the sink when he trailed an index finger along the exposed expanse of her neck. She’d pinned her hair up that morning for the photo shoot and hadn’t taken time to do anything else with it after everyone left that afternoon.

  “You really are a beautiful woman.”

  No one had ever called Jessie beautiful. No one. She’d been called pretty or told she looked nice. She knew men sometimes found her attractive, but never beautiful.

  “Chase,” she said in a breathy voice that sounding nothing like hers. “I…”

  What she planned to say, what she wanted to express, flew right out of her mind when Chase pulled the pins from her hair and burrowed his hands in the long, silky tresses.

  “I’ve wanted to do that all day,” he said, burying his face in her hair and taking a deep breath.

  This time, Jessie couldn’t suppress the quiver of excitement that rolled over her.

  “Jess,” he groaned, spinning her around and capturing her mouth in a heated, driven kiss that wasn’t like anything she’d ever experienced or even imagined.

  As much as he took from her, he gave, offering her something she never knew she wanted but so desperately needed.

  Jessie had no idea when he swept her into his arms and carried her down the hall toward his room. She didn’t recall unfastening the snaps on his shirt so she could touch his hot, smooth skin.

  It wasn’t until he stopped outside his bedroom to open the door that she crashed back to reality.

  “Chase, no. We can’t. I can’t do… We shouldn’t be... It’s not…” She pushed against him, frantic to stop what they’d started, yet desperately afraid he would.

  Desire fogged his normally clear gaze. Her heart hammered in her chest as he stared at her then slowly set her down and took a step back.

  Fingers trembling, he ran a hand through his thick blond hair and expelled a long breath, focused on his feet instead of facing her. “I’m sorry, Jessie. I… I didn’t mean to. I’m sorry.” When he lifted his gaze to hers, his eyes were clear, although she could sense his disappointment. “I apologize for getting carried away. You just are so pretty and smell so nice, I couldn’t help myself. It won’t happen again.”

  She nodded and backed toward the kitchen. “Good night, Chase.”

  “Night, Jess. Sleep well.”

  Jessie hurried up the back stairs to her room. She flung herself across the bed and wondered how she’d ever get to sleep when all she wanted was to race back downstairs and into Chase’s arms.

  Chapter Twelve

  Jessie awoke to find an envelope on the pillow next to her. After rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she pulled out a sheet of paper and propped herself up against the headboard.

  Dear Jessie,

  I decided to head out a little early for the winter rodeo circuit. I need to meet with some of my sponsors and a few of the advertisers to check out the products I’ll be endorsing.

  I’m not sure when I’ll be back, but I’ll definitely return home before the reporter and photographer arrive in the spring.

  My apologies, again, for last night. Exhaustion and stress can do funny things to your ability to think rationally.

  “That’s for sure,” she muttered. Thoughts of how badly she wanted to go into Chase’s room with him, how much she wanted him to hold her not just for one night but for a lifetime, caused an aching throb in her heart.

  Dismayed, she focused her attention back on the letter.

  I did mean what I said about the house. Please do whatever you want to make it feel more like home. Well, except for giving Tinplate his own room. That I will veto. If you do have questions about anything, house decorating or otherwise, please call or text me anytime.

  Jessie had questions, all right. For starters, she’d like to know what really sent Chase running off without even saying goodbye in person. Had the kisses they’d shared last night unsettled him as much as they had her? How could he plan to be gone at least two months?

  With a sigh, she knew his career kept him constantly on the road. Still, she’d hoped to have a little more time with him before he left. Then again, it was probably best the temptation he presented was no longer going to be a problem. At least while he was on the road.

  You are one of the kindest, nicest people I’ve ever met, Jessica Rose. Don’t ever change that. And in case I didn’t mention it before, you truly looked beautiful yesterday and at the party, and especially at our wedding.

  Take good care of yourself and enjoy life on the ranch. Ask Lucas to tell you about the name I decided to give the place. I’ve ordered signs for the gate and barn. They’ll arrive before the photographer returns.

  Jessie could hardly wait to track down Lucas and find out what name Chase had finally given the ranch. Everyone had teased him about just calling it “the ranch” instead of giving it a name. He said he would name it when he was ready, and not a moment before. Evidently, inspiration had struck sometime between her backing away from him in the hall last night and his sneaking into her room this morning.

  Struck by the thought he might have stood by her bed and watched her sleep, she hoped she hadn’t been snoring or drooling or something equally as embarrassing. Then again, she’d already slept in his bed one night and he still liked her enough to kiss her senseless last night and during the photo session yesterday morning.

  Honest, Jess, call me anytime. I’ll miss your sweet smile.

  Yours,

  Chase

  She read the letter two more times before stuffing it back in the envelope and tucking it into the drawer of her nightstand.

  Caught off guard by Chase’s abrupt departure, Jessie glanced at the clock and saw she’d slept until almost seven. She had been tired after the pressure of the last few days not to mention all the work she’d done to get ready for the party.

  Ashley, Jack and Amy were planning to leave that morning. Once they departed, there would be no one at the ranch other than Lucas, Lori, and the hired hands.

  Jessie wasn’t sure how she felt about Chase leaving like he had. Perhaps he’d been planning all along to leave today and just didn’t want her to worry about staying alone at the house while he was gone.

  Or maybe he’s running away from you, a voice whispered in her head.

  “Don’t be absurd,” Jessie said aloud, chastising herself for such a ridiculous idea. It was ridiculous, wasn’t it?

  Confused, relieved, and a little hurt that she wouldn’t see Chase again for several weeks, she tamped down all her conflicting emotions and got out of bed. After a quick shower, she dressed in jeans and a warm sweater, pulled her hair back into a ponytail, and slipped on some comfortable sneakers.

  She made her way down the back stairs to the kitchen and found the room empty. It didn’t take her long to put on a pot of coffee for Ashley and her parents then she set about making breakfast. By the time it was ready, Jack and Amy had appeared and set the table. Ashley breezed into the kitchen as they were sitting down to eat.

  “Where’s Chase?” Ashle
y asked, glancing around and noticing the table set for four instead of five.

  “Gone,” Jessie said, pouring the woman a cup of coffee and handing it to her.

  “Gone? What do you mean, gone?” Ashley stared at her, as though she thought Jessie could somehow make him materialize.

  “I found a note this morning saying he was leaving early for the rodeo circuit because he wanted to meet with some of the sponsors and advertisers.” Jessie ignored the three sets of eyes staring at her and stirred a heaping spoon of sugar into her cup of tea.

  Ashley grumbled under her breath but Jessie caught the words “coward” and “idiot.”

  “Are you sure you’ll be okay staying here alone, Jessie?” Amy asked, placing her hand over Jessie’s and patting it reassuringly.

  “I’ll be fine. With all that’s happened the last few weeks, I’m behind with my design work and Paige James has promised to send me some preliminary ideas to get started on a new campaign for Lasso Eight. There’s plenty to keep me busy.” Jessie scooped a spoon of eggs onto her plate and realized she’d automatically made scrambled because they were Chase’s favorite. Annoyed with herself and with him for leaving so unexpectedly, she helped herself to a slice of smoky ham and cut off a bite.

  “If you get lonesome or if you need anything, please call us, Jessie. We’re just a flight away,” Jack said, giving her a fatherly smile.

  Tears stung the backs of her eyes. These big-hearted people had been more generous and loving to her in the short time she’d known them than her parents had ever been. Even if she’d never see them again after the end of her year of being Chase’s wife, she’d never forget how loved they made her feel. “Thank you, Jack. I’m sure I’ll be fine. You all have been so good to me. I appreciate your kindness more than you can know.”

  Ashley gave her a one-armed hug while Jack and Amy smiled encouragingly. “You are family now. It’s what we do.”

  “I’m not really family, I’m just…”

  “Married to my lunkheaded cousin,” Ashley said with a grin. “He’ll be getting an earful from me later. Seriously, Jessie, if you need anything at all, let us know.”

  Jessie nodded and forced a bright smile. “Chase said I could do some decorating while he’s gone. Do you really think he meant that?”

  “Of course. The man is clueless when it comes to choosing paint colors, furniture, and pretty much everything that makes a house a home.” Ashley looked to her mother for agreement. The woman bobbed her head up and down. “See, even Mom agrees. If you’re worried about doing something he won’t like, why don’t you plan out what you want to do and send a sketch of it to him? You can also send ideas to me. I know Chase well and can tell you what he will and won’t like.”

  Jessie appeared relieved. “I’d love to decorate some of the rooms, if you’re sure he won’t care.”

  “He won’t. At all,” Amy assured her.

  “But what about a budget? I’m not sure what he’d want to spend,” Jessie looked from Amy to Ashley.

  “Once you gather your ideas together, you’ll know what the ballpark expense will be. Just ask him room by room. He’ll either agree or ask you to pare it down.”

  “Okay.” Jessie’s thoughts spun in a hundred different directions as she thought about the opportunities before her. Not only did she have plenty of design work to keep her busy, but she could also apply her creative skills to turning Chase’s all white walls and sparse décor into something that reflected him, his likes, and the place he decided to call home.

  If she worked up the courage, she might even imbue a little of herself in each room, just so he’d remember the year he spent married to her long after they’d parted ways.

  The notion of never seeing Chase again, of never anticipating another one of his knee-wobbling kisses, made her heart ache so badly she could hardly breathe. Rather than succumb to the dark thoughts, she shifted her focus to the conversation going on around her.

  “Do you think he’ll ever decide a name for the ranch?” Ashley asked, looking to her father.

  “Eventually,” Jack said as he buttered his third fluffy biscuit and slathered it with jam.

  “He said in his note he named it and Lucas could provide more detail. I asked him when I ran over to his house earlier to check on my cat.” Jessie grinned as the three Jarrett family members at the table stared at her.

  “And?” Amy asked. “Don’t keep us in suspense. What did he name it?”

  “The Double J Ranch.”

  “Hmmm. That’s interesting,” Jack said, leaning back in his chair. “Did Lucas say why he chose Double J?”

  “Chase didn’t give him any details.” Jessie didn’t feel the need to share Lucas’ speculation that the name came from the combination of Jessie’s first name and Chase’s last name.

  It was crazy even to think for a minute that Chase would combine her name with his beloved ranch. Especially not when she’d be gone a year from now.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Jessie slowly swiveled the chair in Chase’s office away from the desk and stared out the window at the snow-covered yard.

  Since New Year’s Eve, they’d received more than two feet of snow and the temperatures had fallen into the single digits as the daily highs. She’d never been so cold in her whole life as she’d been the last few weeks.

  Lucas, Lori, Mike, and Tim took care of all the work around the ranch. It had been far too cold for Jessie to have any interest in riding Tulip or exploring outside.

  However, she had volunteered to trek out to the road daily to collect the mail. It gave her some fresh air and exercise, especially when she felt the need to jog to get to the mailbox and back inside as fast as humanly possible to get out of the frigid air.

  She offered to cook meals for the four other occupants on the ranch, but Lori assured her it wasn’t necessary. Mike and Tim took care of their own meals and Lori was a master at putting something into the slow cooker for dinner each night.

  Jessie had shared a few meals with Lucas and Lori, once when they’d invited her to dinner and twice when they’d agreed to join her after church for lunch.

  Twice a day, she went over to their house to check on Tinsel and feed him. The cat acted like he’d always belonged to the Dunham family, the way he cozied right up to Lucas and purred whenever Lori so much as looked at him. If she hadn’t been so glad the cat had a good home, one she could visit anytime she liked, she would have felt betrayed by how easily Tinsel transferred his affections to the friendly couple.

  With a sigh, she glanced at the clock on the wall and rose from the desk. The mail should have gone an hour or so ago.

  Jessie stretched her arms up over her head and did a few twists to loosen up her muscles before she walked out of the office and made her way to the mudroom. She pulled on a pair of warm boots then slipped on a heavy parka she’d ordered online since she’d found it easier to shop from home than to drive in the snow.

  She still couldn’t get over the fact that Chase’s family had given her a brand new vehicle to drive as a wedding gift. When she returned to her life in California, she would most definitely leave the SUV for Chase. She wouldn’t feel right taking it.

  After wrapping a scarf around her neck and the bottom half of her face, she tugged on a pair of warm gloves and opened the door.

  Two of the ranch dogs yipped excitedly and ran over to her from where they’d been playing in the snow by the barn.

  They raced around her legs as she made her way down the porch steps and walked in the ruts Lori and the ranch hands had made in the snow.

  The mailbox was about half a mile from the main ranch buildings, which didn’t seem that far in the grand scheme of things. However, when it was snowing and only two degrees outside, it might as well have been fifty miles away.

  Jessie increased her speed and studied the white world surrounding her as she made her way out to the road. Despite how much she disliked the cold, she found the landscape lovely beyond description. T
he snow was gorgeous, especially when the sun came out and sparkled on it like someone had cast down thousands of shimmering diamonds. Some mornings, as she glanced out the window at the pristine coating blanketing the ranch, she thought it looked magical and ethereal.

  For someone who’d spent her entire life in southern California and had never been anywhere it snowed, she couldn’t help but feel a little awed by the landscape. She’d taken dozens of photos with her phone and also the inexpensive little digital camera she kept.

  She’d always enjoyed taking photographs, even if she had no desire or skill to be a photographer. Sometimes the images she captured ended up on the book covers or other graphics she designed. The images gave her work a distinctive, unique edge that made her clients happy and left her proud of her efforts.

  The two dogs barked, running off to chase a bird. Jessie watched them leap through the deep drifts of snow and laughed at their antics.

  Once she collected the mail, she stuffed it into her coat pocket and hurried back to the house. She stopped by Lucas and Lori’s house and left their mail on a small table Lori kept just inside the back door.

  At first, Jessie had felt awkward opening their door without one of them being home, but they assured her it was fine.

  Tinsel watched as she set down the mail. The cat yawned then stretched before getting out of his bed and making his way over to Jessie. She yanked off her gloves and spent a few minutes rubbing his back and lavishing him with affection before checking his food bowl and water dish. Assured he was fine, she pulled her gloves back on and made her way back to the quiet house.

  She removed her outerwear in the mudroom and washed her hands then carried the mail into the kitchen.

  While she heated a bowl of leftover soup for lunch, she glanced through the mail. It was mostly junk, except for one letter from an insurance office addressed to Chase. She took a photo of the envelope with her phone and texted it to him.