Heartbreak's Reward (Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight Book 2) by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel Page B

much older. Thirty-one wasn’t old.
    Nora took a seat in the ivory-colored recliner when she returned. “Yeah, Jase, now that you’ve stuck your big foot into your mouth, answer Brenna.”
    He lifted his hand. “Two of you against me? I take the Fifth Amendment.”
    “Let’s say my sisters were a bigger surprise to my parents than to me.” Her face heated and she excused herself to use the bathroom.
    She had to get out of there before someone asked a question. One she wasn’t ready to answer. Saying sisters as plural was still a habit she didn’t want to break. Her heart skipped a beat over the thought of Jordann, and she had to be alone for a minute.
    In the bathroom she held her hands under the water and patted her face. She dried it on a blue hand towel. Cooling her face had helped. Doing her best not to think of Jordann worked most of the time—to keep her sanity, yet, each time she looked at Chloe, it was a dismal reminder.
    She had to get back out there. “Please don’t let them ask,” she prayed. With a big exhale, she exited with a smile. Taking the seat on the sofa again, she faced Nora. “What did the agent say about an age limit?”
    “Nothing,” said Nora. “You’re good to go.” She moved to the edge of her chair and patted Brenna’s hand. “I’m excited for you. You’ll be happy. A pool and hot tub are close by if that interests you. Especially since you’re off work all summer. But you’ll burn in no time if you’re not careful.”
    “My sister, Chloe, will love it and I might get myself out there.”
    “I like that name,” said Destiny. “Who is Chlo-e?”
    “She’s my sister, honey. You might get a chance to meet her during the school year.”
    “Goody. Does she have a cowboy hat?” Destiny jumped off the sofa and came around to sit on Nora’s lap.
    “Well, no. Maybe she’ll get one. Do you have one?” She glanced at Jase.
    “I have a red one. My daddy bought it,” said Destiny, moving off Nora’s lap.
    “We’ll have to work on getting a hat for Brenna.” Jase put his hat on and poked his niece in the belly when she came to stand by him. He turned to Brenna. “Waiting on you. Anytime you’re ready.”
    “I’m ready.” Brenna stood and walked around the coffee table, scanning the downstairs one more time from the kitchen to the room they were in. She glanced over her shoulder to the outside again. A new hope filled her and she already pictured a life here.
    “Nora, thank you so much. We can move on to whatever the next step is.” She held out her hand. “This is fantastic and unbelievable how fast it all happened.” She turned to Jase. “All because you found me lost in a parking lot.”
    “I can relate,” said Nora. Destiny moved to the side and Nora stood. Jase did too.
    “It was no big deal, Brenna.” He sauntered to the door and Brenna followed him. He opened it for her and she went out first.
    Jase paused at the door and Brenna waited on the sidewalk. Taking a look around the scenery past the parking lot…to the big old mountain, she almost laughed because she saw it everywhere she went.
    She turned back and said farewell to Nora and Destiny. “It was lovely meeting you two.” She headed to the truck.
    “Come back, Brenna, if you need to check the place out again.”
    Brenna said that she would. Jase caught up to her in a couple long strides, and he went to the passenger side and opened it. When she got inside, she faced him. “I appreciate you taking the time to do this. She’s nice and your niece is so cute.”
    “Yep, I love Destiny as if she were my own.” Jase placed his hand on the top of his truck and the other on his thigh. He leaned in. “So, what about dinner? Still on for steak?”
    Brenna had a hard time talking sense to herself. She wanted to reach out and kiss him. It wouldn’t take much, wrap her hand around his nape and pull him down…kiss those lips. “Um… ummmm ” She was speechless. Maybe this wasn’t the right