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me that means something. It means you and I are a hell of a lot more than simply friends.”
    She closed her eyes and swallowed hard.
    “Your heart is aching, darlin’, and it has been for a long time,” I went on. “When was the last time you had someone protect you? The last time someone put you above everything else and fought like hell to give you the happiness you deserve?”
    “Jack.” She sighed.
    “No,” I replied, and her eyes came open and locked on mine. “You come first, your happiness. You can be pissed at me, you can yell and tell me I’m being an ass all you want.” I lifted my other hand and gripped the other side of her face. “But damn it, Bailey, I will do whatever it takes to make sure you come first.”
    A tear escaped her eye and ran down her cheek. I leaned in and kissed the path it had taken. “You, sweetheart,” I whispered before kissing the side of her mouth. “You come first. To me, that is how this goes. Because we are so much more than just friends.”
    I placed my lips against hers, and she trembled as she returned the kiss. It was a simple kiss but had so much meaning. I rested my forehead against hers, and we both took a moment to calm ourselves.
    “What are we, Jackson?” she asked.
    “You’re mine, beautiful, and I’m gonna bring back your happiness,” I assured her.
    “What about yours? Your happiness,” she asked. “Who is going to bring back yours?”
    “You already are, darlin’, you already are,” I replied before covering her mouth with mine.
     
    ***
     
    “Are you sure this is okay?” Bailey asked. “I just feel like now isn’t the time for me to visit.”
    I parked between Aunt Jeannie’s car and the barn. Pulling the keys from the ignition, I turned to face Bailey. “You are always welcome here. I believe my dad told you that on more than one occasion.” My throat burned as I thought about all the times he’d told me Bailey was a catch and that I should pull my head out of my ass and claim her before someone else beat me to it.
    Why I waited as long as I did to claim this woman I’ll never know. I just wished I had listened to my father months ago. I also wished he was here to see that I was doing as he suggested— pulling my head out of my ass.
    “You know, my dad told me I was a dumbass if I didn’t grab ahold of you before someone else did.” Her eyes grew wide and I chuckled. “He said, ‘That girl right there would be good for you, Jack. She wouldn’t take your shit, and you need a woman who knows how to give back twice as much crap as you deal out. Bailey would keep you on your toes.’ He was right, ya know.”
    She shook her head, but I steadied her with my hand on her cheek. “Oh yeah,” I said. “You’re just what I need, Bay—fiery and sweet. You’re the best of both.”
    “I am not sweet,” she said with a smile.
    “You’re sweet, darlin’. You try to hide it. You try to come off all hard and feisty, but you have a sweet side,” I assured her. “Last night as you were snuggled up at my side sleeping, you showed just a little of that sweet.”
    She tried to say something in return, but I kissed her quickly, and she moaned against my lips. “I plan on bringing out more of that sweet side, because even though I love the fireball side of you, that sweet Bailey is a welcome addition.”
    I climbed out of the truck and left her staring at me, unsure of what to say. “Now let’s go visit my mother. She could use a little of your sweet too, darlin’.”

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Nine
     
     
    Bailey
     
    As we entered the back door, a strong sense of sadness anchored itself in the pit of my stomach. Jackson’s mother sat at the kitchen table next to another woman who I recognized as his Aunt Jeannie. Tammy, his mother, looked as if she had lost at least ten pounds. Her expression was anguished, and my heart instantly ached for her. I stood just a few steps behind Jackson, wondering if me being here right