Worth the Risk

“Tagg’s paying me to call him that,” Jackson said in his own defense.

“I’ll pay you more not to,” Callie said.

“How much more?”

Callie gave Sammie a sideways glance and clucked her tongue. “Can you believe this guy? Negotiating about his soon-to-be godchild?”

“It’s pretty low down, if you ask me,” Sammie said, tsking and shaking her head. “I would never do such a thing. Rory will know just which godparent has his back.”

Jackson cut her a glance with raised brows and a twinkle of admiration in his eyes. Sammie was a fast learner. She had to be to keep up with the Worths.

Jackson stole a slice of cucumber from the pile of chopped vegetables, plopped it into his mouth and stepped back before Callie could swat his hand away. “Hey, blame Tagg, not me.”

Tagg appeared at that moment, leaning against the kitchen doorjamb, arms folded, his gaze faithfully on Callie. The Worth men were deadly handsome and when they looked at a woman the way Tagg looked at his wife, it was pure heaven. Sammie sighed quietly.

“Leave me outta this, bro. I have to live here, remember?” Tagg said.

“So does Rory. Poor kid. He’ll be in high school and dreaming of baby lambs and goats.” Jackson was pretty pleased with himself at that comeback. Callie simply shook her head.

“Maybe he’ll dream of riding Razor the bull and winning a championship buckle.” Tagg sauntered into the room.

“Now that’s a nightmare waiting to happen.” Callie tossed lettuce into a bowl and Sammie dumped the tomato wedges in. The two of them worked hand in hand just like when they were roommates in college. “Don’t you go putting bull riding thoughts into our son’s head.”

“Me? Not a chance.” Tagg sidled up next to Callie and wrapped his arm around her rotund waist. “Honey, you know that boy’s gonna bust broncos. Maybe even break a few of my stallions here at the ranch.”

Callie nibbled on her lower lip and stared into Tagg’s eyes with so much love Sammie could have melted. “Oh, yeah. That’s right. I forgot,” Callie said and gave a quick shake of the head to Sammie, as if to say that’s never going to happen.

Sammie chuckled, Jackson grinned and Tagg kissed Callie once again, right before she announced, “Dinner’s ready. Tagg, would you help me serve while Jackson and Sammie get settled in the dining room?”

“Oh, I’ll help you serve.” Sammie took a stance by the stove and picked up the oven mitts, giving Tagg no choice but to retreat when she glanced at him. “I’d love to. It’ll be just like old times.”

“Sounds good to me,” Tagg said amiably, grabbing two beers out of the refrigerator. He tossed one underhanded to Jackson, who caught it without flourish.

“I have eight months of pampering my friend to catch up on,” Sammie said to Callie. “Starting right now.”

Callie smiled. “I’ve been getting my fair share of pampering.”

“But not from me.”

Not only did she want to help Callie and feel like a part of this family, but the less time she spent alone with Jackson, the better. It was a win-win.

Until the men walked out of the room and Callie asked, “So, you and Jackson seem to be getting along well.”

Sammie concentrated on pulling the roast out of the oven. She knew this conversation was coming whether she wanted it or not. It was only natural for Callie to be curious about the two of them. With potholders secure on both hands, Sammie pulled down the oven door and lifted the roasting pan onto a cooling rack. “Yeah, we are.”

“He’s got a good head for business. With your smarts and his backing, you’ll both do well with Boot Barrage.”

“Thank you,” Sammie said cautiously, trying not to prolong the conversation. She didn’t want to lie to Callie. Sins of omission were bad enough.

“I mean, Jackson’s a good guy and all and he’ll make a great partner.”

“Uh-huh.” Sammie lifted aluminum foil off the roast and steam shot straight up in the air. She waved at it with her potholder. The pungent scent of onions, herb seasonings and brisket filled the room. “This looks delicious.”

“It’s Jackson’s favorite. My brother-in-law gets a bad rap sometimes, but he’s really good-hearted.”

Callie wouldn’t let it rest, so Sammie felt obligated to add to the conversation. “Well, I know one thing for sure—I wouldn’t have a business if it wasn’t for the two of you. I owe both of you.”

“You’ve thanked me enough, Sammie. You don’t owe anyone anything. And if Jackson didn’t think you had a shot here in Arizona, I doubt he would have gone into business with you.”

“Oh, yeah? I thought it was your arm twisting that finally convinced him.”

Callie had the good grace to laugh. “That, too. He doesn’t mess with pregnant ladies. At least he’s said so a dozen times. I pretty much have carte blanche with him.” She covered a basket of thickly sliced bread with a red paisley napkin and finished assembling the salad. “I’ve come to love Jackson like a brother actually, and you know how much I care about you. I figured you two could work together without a problem.”

Sammie’s brows furrowed and curiosity got the best of her. “What kind of problem?”

Callie tilted her head to the side and picked up the bread basket. “The you’re-too-smart-to-get-involved-with-him kind of problem.”

“Oh, that.” Sammie refrained from saying more. Callie handed her a large fork and knife and Sammie focused on slicing the roast.

Callie continued, “He’s gorgeous to look at and has a devil’s worth of charm, but he’s—”

“Not my type.” Sammie rationalized that her admission wasn’t a lie. Jackson was so out of her league it was laughable.

Callie blew out a breath. “I’m glad to hear that. Jackson’s intentions are good, and he never sets out to hurt anyone, but he’s pretty much a heartbreaker. It all has to do with some girl he was crazy about in high school—Blair Caulfield. Ever since she left him when he was seventeen Jackson has had commitment phobia. He’s never had a long-term relationship. Women love him though. I mean, what’s not to love? But he’s never wanted to settle down with anyone. So any woman that gets serious about him stands to be disappointed.”

What happened in the past between her and Jackson was done and there was no going back to change things. Heck, she couldn’t remember the good parts of that night anyway. And even as guilt wormed its way into her stomach, she had to reassure Callie that all would be well. “If you’re warning me about Jackson, you don’t have to. I get it.”

Sammie was dying to know what had happened between Jackson and Blair, but now wasn’t the time to delve into it.

“It’s just for your own good, honey. After what happened with that loser Allen and, uh …”

“Losing my father.” Sammie finished her sentence so her sensitive friend wouldn’t feel uncomfortable bringing it up. The pain of her dad’s death was buried deep in her heart. Sammie struggled each and every day not to think about how much she missed him. And when she did think of him, she tried to remember the happier times, before he’d taken ill.

“Yes, after losing your father. I’d hate to see you get hurt again. After all, you’re part of the family now.”

Sammie released her uneasy feelings. Being accepted as a member of Callie’s family was what she really wanted. Hearing her say it put a glow in her heart. “I am?”

Callie nodded. “Yes, of course you are. Let’s go serve those hungry Worth men. They get grouchy when they’re not fed.” Sammie and Callie picked up their dishes and brought them into the dining room.

“C’mon you two, get up and dance.”

Callie’s plea made Jackson chuckle. He took his gaze off his sister-in-law to glance at Sammie and then shook his head. The last time he’d danced with the slender brunette they’d ended up in bed together. “No, thanks. I think Tagg and I will just sit here and watch the show.” Jackson leaned back on the parlor sofa and stretched out his legs.

“You’ve got yourself a better dance partner than me now, sweetheart,” Tagg added.

Callie laid a hand on her belly and swung her body to the country music sounds echoing in the room. “I think you’ve got a point, honey. Sammie and I rocked back in college.” The girls gave each other a nod in agreement.