way back to the house. She wasnât pleased with the conclusions she reached.
So long as Jack found the drifter a threat and an interloper, it had been easier for Honey to justify keeping Jesse at an emotional armâs length. She had realized there was no sense letting herself get attached to him if one of her children clearly abhorred him. Jackâs sudden acceptance of Jesse left her without a piece of armor she had counted on. Now, with her defenses down, she was extremely vulnerable to the drifterâs entreaties.
Halfway to the house, the phone started ringing. Honey was breathless from running when she finally answered it.
âHoney? Did I catch you outside again?â
âOh, Adam. Uh, yes, you did. When are you coming home?â
âI am home. Are you free to go out tonight?â
Honey thought about it for a moment. Clearly she needed to be sure Jesse wasnât anywhere around when she told Adam she couldnât marry him. Going out was probably not a bad idea. âSure,â she said at last. âWhat time should I meet you and where?â
âIâll pick you up.â
âThat isnât necessary, Adam. Iââ
âI insist.â
It was clear he wouldnât take no for an answer. Rather than argue, she agreed. âAll right.â
âSee you at eight, Honey.â
Honey almost groaned aloud at Adamâs purring tone of voice when he said her name. It was not going to be a pleasant evening. âAt eight,â she confirmed.
When Jesse and Jack came into the house forsupper they found only two places set at the table. It was the most subtle way Honey could think of to say that she was going out for the evening. From the look in Jesseâs eyes, subtlety wasnât going to help much.
It was Jack who asked, âArenât you going to eat with us?â
âNo. Adam is taking me out to supper.â
Identical frowns settled on two male faces. It had apparently dawned on Jack that his mother had not one, but two suitors. Honey would have laughed at the chagrined expression on her sonâs face if the situation hadnât been so fraught with tension.
Jack looked warily at Jesse. âUhâ¦Adam is momâsâ¦uhâ¦friend,â he said by way of explanation.
âThatâs what your mom said,â Jesse agreed.
Jack relaxed when it appeared Jesse wasnât upset by the situation. He turned to his mother and asked, âAre you going to tell Adam tonight that you wonât marry him?â
Honey clutched her hands together, frustrated by the situation Jack had put her in. The gleam of amusement in Jesseâs dark eyes didnât helpmatters any. She simply said, âAdam deserves an answer to his proposal. And yes, I intend to give it to him tonight.â
âAnd?â Jack prompted.
âAfter Iâve given Adam my answer, Iâll be glad to share it with you,â she said to Jack. âUntil then, I think you should sit down and eat your supper.â
Honey escaped upstairs to dress, where she managed to consume most of the two hours until Adamâs expected arrival at eight.
Shortly before Adam was due to arrive, Jack knocked on her door and asked if he could spend the night with a friend.
âWhat time will you be home tomorrow morning?â Honey asked.
âWell, me and Reno were thinking maybe weâd go tubing tomorrow. I figured Iâd stay and have lunch with him and spend the afternoon on the river.â
âJack, I donât thinkââ
âItâs the first Saturday of summer vacation, Mom! You arenât gonna make me come home and work, are you?â
Jack knew exactly what to say to push hermaternal guilt buttons. âAll right,â she relented. âBut I donât think you can make a habit of this. Iâm depending on your help around the ranch this summer.â
âBelieve me, Mom, itâs just this once.â
Moments later Jack
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