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face had steadily paled, taut lines bracketing his lips.
    But Calum didn’t think the dude was sick. More like scared.
    When Calum knocked on the door of Jasper’s room, it swung open. A suitcase sat on the bed, a few clothes lay inside together with an apple. Packing or not unpacked yet? Packing, Calum guessed. There was no sign of Jasper. Bathroom, maybe? Calum stayed where he was and banged harder on the door.
    It took a couple of moments before Jasper appeared, dark shadows evident under those beautiful eyes, and it was all Calum could do not to pull him into his arms.
    “Okay?” Calum leaned on the doorframe. “Deserting us already?” He nodded toward the bed.
    “I started to pack and then realized I was being an idiot. Nothing new there.” He backed up to the bed and sat next to his case, elbows on his knees, head in his hands.
    “Calum, is he okay?”
    Angie came running up the corridor, her long blonde hair tumbling down her back. She pushed past him and burst into the room before he could stop her.
    “I just made you what I like,” she blurted. “Not my favorite, but still good.”
    Jasper straightened and sent Calum a confused look.
    “Angie made the sandwich,” Calum said. “We’re worried it made you throw up.”
    Jasper rose to his feet. “That sandwich was delicious. One of the best, if not the best I ever had. That’s not why I was sick.”
    Angie’s chin wobbled. “But Pete said it made you sick.”
    Damn Pete. Why did he have to do that?
    “Can you keep a secret?” Jasper asked.
    Angie nodded hard. She pulled him to the far side of the room and glared at Calum. He rolled his eyes and put his hands over his ears as Jasper bent to whisper to Angie. Calum didn’t hear what he said.
    “There’s no need to be scared of horses,” she said in a loud voice.
    Jasper’s face flushed with a tinge of red and Calum groaned.
    “I’ll let you ride Misty,” Angie said. “She’s good as gold. She’s never thrown me. Well, only once and that was my fault.”
    Calum opened his mouth, but Jasper shook his head and smiled at Angie. Oh God, this guy is going to break my fucking heart.
    “That’s really kind of you, Angie. I think I might lie by the pool instead today. I’d love another sandwich for lunch.” He sat back on the bed.
    “Go tell Mom you make the best sandwiches,” Calum said. Angie raced off and Calum flashed Jasper a look of apology. “She likes the idea of a secret, but she can’t keep one. She’s…” Oh God, he didn’t want to say.
    “Sweet,” Jasper said. “And special.”
    Calum’s jaw twitched. “Yeah, she is.” He realized he’d taken a step nearer Jasper and backed up. “Why did you choose this kind of vacation if you don’t like horses?”
    “I do like horses. It’s not horses I have a problem with, it’s getting on their backs that’s the issue.” His fingers fidgeted on the bed. “I used to ride a lot, but I…haven’t for some time.”
    Why did you stop? “Sure you want to lie by the pool? Can I convince you to try again? Everyone’s gone now. We can take it as slow and easy as you like.” Oh God, slow and easy sounded good, but listening to his dick, Calum suspected fast and hard would be more likely.
    “ You’ll take me out?” Jasper asked.
    Calum nodded. He hadn’t missed the interest in Jasper’s voice and his cock nodded an I-told-you-so.
    “My stomach’s empty now. You should be safe.” Jasper gave a wry grin.
    “Wait here. I’ll be back in a sec.” Calum turned at the door. “Unpack. You don’t look like a quitter to me.”
    On his way to his room, Calum bumped into his father who grabbed his arm to bring him to a halt. “Angie says the pansy’s scared.”
    Oh shit. If his father didn’t keep his mouth shut, everyone on the ranch would find out and Jasper would be a laughing stock.
    “What the fuck’s he doing here?” his father asked.
    “He’s not scared of horses.”
    “Well he did a damned good impression of it.