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Colorado.”
    She watched Ma place a big hand on Jason’s shoulder. Even with her own stagnate faith, Kelley sensed curiosity rather than reverence in his tone, and disquiet rumbled in her tummy. She might be down on God, but Jason’s offhandedness somehow saddened her.
    Ma’s smile was bright and genuine, though. Kelley knew the difference, and if Ma was okay, she would be, too. “Why, that’s a mighty fine thing, young man. You’ll find out God goes down mighty easy. Be ready at eight. And you can go with Kelley to Bible study and coffee hour and meet some more of the young folks around here. Oh and thanks.”
    Jason’s eyebrows rose now. “Thanks?”
    “Thanks for picking up my girl today. It’s been quite a while since she’s been on hand at Hearts Crossing, and I can’t begin to say how much I’ve missed her. And we’ll be expecting you for supper tonight.”
    Ma’s voice almost shook as she surged out of the kitchen, leaving Kelley alone with the man she most wanted to be alone with, whatever questions grumbled in her gut.
    “And what kind of help do you need, Miz Kelley?” Jason drawled cowboy style as he leaned against the butcher block, at ease, every inch a cowboy even without his hat. Even with Uzbekistan in the mix. Magnificent, and she trembled to her toes.
    “Well, Mr. Easterday, I’ve got some baking to do. And a trial run at a blueberry compote Ma recommends.”
    “I apply as your assistant, then. My own mother taught me to do more than use a microwave. Just ask the guys in the bunkhouse. My cooking rocks, if I say so myself.” He swooped gallantly like he’d done before at the restaurant. “I’m offering my services whatever might be required.”
    For a flash, Kelley envisioned him at her side, helping her get the meals on the wagon train trip, and her heart beat hard. As he rose again, his gaze landed on Ma’s cookbook, and he stopped, stunned. “Whoa.”
    Her breathing was too fast, but curiosity overcame her. “Whoa what? I’ve been wondering about the author’s name myself.”“
    Jason grinned, shaking his head.”It’s gotta be karma or something. Organic Cooking. That’s one of my mother’s early cookbooks. I mean, one she wrote.
    “Yes, that’s my mama. How I got the name Jason, I’ll never know. I know my dad teased me about Juggernaut once.” He shook his head with an eye roll.
    Kelley laughed as she loaded the pot with chopped eggplant and couldn’t resist his teasing eyes. “What about Easterday?”
    “Just pulled out of a hat.”
    “It’s one of us Christians’ most holy days,” she mused, wondering at the beauty of such a name. No matter her doubts in God, she had none about His Son, her Savior. “They picked well.”
    “I’m glad for your approval.” Jason gave her a smart salute.
    “Well, I don’t think it’s my approval you need.”
    “You might be wrong there.” His eyes turned from teasing to lustrous somehow, as though he could see things about her she couldn’t. Unable to help herself, she laid her hand on the cheek where the butterfly kiss had been. For an unseemly second, she wanted more.
    “Thanks for the butterfly kiss,” she said.
    He guffawed, but his smile was tender. “Well, it seemed appropriate. Considering my boss is your very big big brother.”
    The air in the kitchen turned tense with a longing Kelley couldn’t explain. Of course she and Ned had never been intimate in inappropriate ways, but she couldn’t deny missing the embrace of strong masculine arms and the sweet taste of desire on a man’s mouth. Jason stepped close enough to put his own fingers where his butterfly kiss had been, and she couldn’t look away. Maybe he would kiss her now. For real. But when she stepped closer as well and raised her chin, he pulled back a bit and lowered his hand. Lowered his lids.
    “I’m sure I remember Mom teaching me that compote,” he said slow, casual. Like he might be stopping his voice from shaking. “I can handle if