Texas CHAOS (Texas Heroes Book 2) Read Free Page B

was like a jackhammer in his chest. Every fiber of his being wanted to grab her back into his arms and continue that kiss. Dry-scrubbing his face, Logan fought to keep his hands to himself. Misdirection was his friend. “Aren’t you going to take your new truck for a ride?”
    Earl and Louisa walked up at that moment and Logan didn’t know if they were coming to his rescue or Jenna’s. He was hesitant to look them in the face. What must they think? He’d spent the last two years being explicitly careful not to let his feelings for Jenna show. Now that he knew she was legal, his body seemed to have a mind of its own. To keep his growing desire under control, he’d need to limit their time together. Logan was determined not to soil or taint what they all shared. But he hadn’t initiated this kiss. She had.
    “Please.” She took the key he offered, leaned in for one more fast kiss, which Logan didn’t have time to dodge, then grabbed his mother by the arm. “Ride with me, Lou.”
    As the women in their life pulled out of the driveway and headed down the ranch road, Logan placed his hand to his lips.
    “What was all that about?” Earl drawled with a smirk on his handsome face lined by years of gazing into the sun and smiling at life.
    “I…I don’t know, Dad.” Logan muttered. “It won’t happen again, I’ll see to that.”
    “Frankly, son, I’ve been expecting it. She’s worshiped the ground you walk on from the moment you brought her home.
    “She’s just a kid, Dad.” Logan said the words, all the time trying to convince himself they were true.
    “I suspect you might need glasses.” As they stared down the road, they could see the pickup turn around in a cloud of dust and head back toward the gate. “Let’s go hide in the house,” Earl suggested.
    Logan nodded. “Good idea.” He needed time to think.
    Once inside, the men made themselves useful by getting down plates for cake. Laughter and excited voices heralded Jenna and Louisa’s return. Earl took out his lighter and lit the eighteen candles atop the dark chocolate cake.
    Jenna came into the room, her bright eyes immediately seeking out Logan. “It drives like a dream, thank you.”
    As if she couldn't stay away, she came to him, giving him a hug that tore at his heart. How was he going to survive this? “You're welcome, honey. I'm glad you like it.”
    Louisa opened a cabinet door and drew out a gaily wrapped box. “This is from me and Earl.”
    Turning to the woman who had come to mean the world to her, Jenna took the package, her face alight with excitement. Ripping into the paper, she found a fancy cell phone with all the bells and whistles. “Thank you!” She hugged them both. “I love you.”
    “We love you too, baby.” Earl gave Jenna a kiss on the cheek, while the look he gave Logan spoke volumes.
    “And we expect phone calls anytime you go off somewhere in that brand new truck.” Louisa placed a protective hand on her shoulder. Stuffing his hands in his pocket, Earl viewed Jenna with indulgence.
    Jenna looked from one to the other of them. “I will never be able to repay all of you for everything you’ve done for me.” She didn’t come hug Logan again, but she did give him a smile that made his heart swell. Holding his gaze, she spoke directly to him. “But I will spend a lifetime trying.”
    “Time to make a wish, pretty girl,” Earl put an arm around Jenna’s shoulder.
    Seeing their expectant faces, she closed her eyes, held her hair and bent to blow out the eighteen tiny flames. Louisa and Earl clapped, then got busy gathering forks and pouring big glasses of milk.
    Logan stared, eating her up with his eyes. Not touching her was so hard. Clearing his throat, he tried to make polite conversation. “What did you wish for?” he asked, expecting a list of clothes, music or tech gifts, something normal for a female her age.
    She didn't answer right away. Instead she gave him a smile as old as Eden, stepped up and