“Almost done,” she told him, slapping a piece of lettuce on the bread.

He walked over and stood directly beside her. “Listen, I wanted to…um…I wanted to apologize to you. I said some really shitty things to you the day Mom came back, and I…I feel really bad about it.”

A soft smile tugged on her lips. Danny hadn’t brought up the argument during these past two weeks, but she’d known he’d been trying to find a way to apologize. She hadn’t wanted to push him, though, so she’d decided to wait until he raised the subject himself.

“I’m sorry I was so rude,” he finished.

“It’s all right. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you that Mom stopped by.”

“It’s okay. I know you were just trying to protect me.” Danny sighed. “But you don’t have to hide things from me. I know you think I’m a stupid kid and that I’m being gullible about the whole thing, but you only have one mom, you know? I don’t want to be one of those messed-up losers you see on Jerry Springer twenty years from now, complaining about his crappy relationship with his mother.”

Mia grinned at him. “Mommy issues are out of style,” she agreed.

“I also wanted to thank you. You know, for making an effort. I know you still don’t trust her, but at least you’re giving her another chance, and I think that’s pretty cool of you.”

“You wanna hug it out?”

“You’re such a loser.” He rolled his eyes, then shifted in embarrassment and grumbled, “Okay, fine.”

He gave her a quick hug that made Mia laugh again, and then the two of them left the kitchen together to join their mother.

Chapter Seventeen

Thanksgiving

“For Pete’s sake, can you quit grinning like that? You look like a total goofball.” Mia glared at Jackson as they walked through the automatic doors of Dallas-Forth Worth International Airport and stepped into the early afternoon sunshine.

He lugged their carryon bags toward the taxi stand, the grin never leaving his face. “I can’t help it. That was the best dang plane ride of my life.”

Hers too, but Mia refused to give him the satisfaction of admitting it, not after she’d just reprimanded him.

“Uh-huh, Mr. Sex Maniac, I’m sure you’ve never done that before,” she said sarcastically.

“Gotten a handjob under a blanket while on an airplane? Nope, hasn’t happened before.”

She eyed him dubiously.

“I’m serious,” he insisted. “My air travel always involves a bunch of sweaty men on a cramped chopper. You popped my airplane cherry, baby doll.”

She snorted, then turned her attention to the cab that had appeared in front of them. The driver got out to open the trunk, and as he and Jackson tossed the bags in the back, Mia glanced at the dozens of travelers milling about. This was her first time in Dallas, and she couldn’t get over how many cowboy hats she spotted. And big hair—gosh, so many women sported a poofy, teased style that probably required four cans of hairspray to stay that way.

A few minutes later, they were in the backseat of the taxi and heading away from Dallas. Mia’s gaze stayed glued to the window so she could admire the scenery whizzing past them. Gently rolling land, golden dirt and red clay earth made up the landscape, and when the freeway gradually turned into a winding country road, forested areas started cropping up. Tall oaks, majestic hickories and sweeping elms inhabited the land, still surprisingly green for November.

The temperature was in the high seventies, and Mia had to roll up the sleeves of her fuzzy blue sweater because the cab didn’t have air conditioning. She and Jackson didn’t say much during the drive, but she didn’t mind. She occupied herself by peering out the window and enjoying the sights.

It took less than an hour to reach Abbott Creek, a dusty western town with a main street that featured dozens of little stores and an honest-to-God saloon. Mia felt Jackson stiffen the second they drove into his hometown. His handsome profile revealed an extremely tense jaw, which only hardened further when the cab driver turned onto the long dirt road that led to the Ramsey Ranch.

A large wooden gate stood at the end of the road, welcoming them to the Double R. Above the gate was an enormous sign with the ranch’s brand carved into it.

Despite Jackson’s obvious agitation, Mia couldn’t help but smile in delight as she examined her surroundings. Beyond the gate was a gorgeous, two-story house with white walls and a dark-red roof. Red was also the color of choice for the front door and the pretty shutters covering the endless amount of windows. To the left of the house was a large paddock, where three graceful brown mares were grazing beneath a shady elm tree. To the right were a series of outbuildings, all painted white and red like the main house, and all around them was land. Lots and lots of land. Hills, valleys and trees, farther than the eye could see.

“It’s beautiful,” she said softly.

Jackson’s voice came out hoarse. “Yeah, it is.”

He met her eyes for a second, then hopped out of the cab so he could open the gate for the cab driver. Rather than get back in the taxi, Jackson jogged the length of the dirt driveway, reaching it at the same time as the cab.

They unloaded their bags and paid the driver, and just as the taxi sped away, the front door of the ranch house flew open and a tall, willowy brunette in her late teens or early twenties flew onto the wooden porch.

“Jackie!” She bounded down the steps two at a time and threw her arms around Jackson’s broad shoulders. “I’m so glad you’re home!”