A Matter of Trust by LazyDay Publishing Read Free Book Online

the one he lived in – and wouldn’t that be a definite
plus, especially if his plan succeeded, and he could move a step
closer to starting a relationship with her.
    Jake had been thinking about getting
together with Trish almost since the time she came back into his
life. He hadn’t seen her much since she and Callie went to school
together, but what he saw now, he liked. Not only was she
beautiful, she was smart, successful, and had a heart of gold. She
was also a great mother, and someone he could picture pursuing a
future with. He loved her kids already.
    He knew a lot of guys would think him
crazy to be interested in someone who came as a package deal, but
that didn’t bother him at all. He’d lost his parents as a teenager,
and his grandparents had raised him without a thought to the
hardship and sacrifices to be made. He had no problem with that
scenario applying to him.
    He’d wanted to settle down for awhile
now. He was the oldest in the family, and his brother and sister
had settled already. Josh and Eva might not be officially married
yet, but in their hearts they were totally committed to each other.
He wanted what they had. He felt ready for a family and wanted to
settle down. He had a pretty good idea that Trish was the one he
wanted to settle with. Now, he just had to convince her of that, or
at the very least to give it a try.
    They left the rental, and went back to
her parents’ house, so she could throw together a salad to take to
the barbecue. Jake helped her chop some of the veggies, and they
decided they might as well ride together.
    When they arrived at the ranch, they
walked right in the front door, through the kitchen and out onto
the back patio where everyone congregated. Hello’s were exchanged,
and Josh handed Jake a beer.
    “ What’ll you have, Trish?”
Josh stood over an ice chest as he asked her the
question.
    “ I think I’ll stick to
water tonight, thanks.” Trish smiled ruefully.
    “ That’s funny, Eva and
Callie said the same thing. This wouldn’t have anything to do with
girls’ night out last night, would it?” Josh smiled along with the
other men.
    “ It could. I think I’ve
had my share of margaritas for the next year. We did have fun,
though, didn’t we ladies?” Trish held up the water bottle Josh had
given her and toasted her friends.
    Eva smiled as Josh put his arm around
her. “We sure did. Callie and I were a little worried about you.
Cade and Josh waited up for us to make sure we made it to bed
alright. We knew you were home alone last night with everyone on
vacation. I guess you made it okay, though.”
    Trish could feel the heat rise to
color her cheeks. “Oh sure. Jake took me home. And left. I mean, he
made sure I got home safely and made it to bed. Alone. Right,
Jake?”
    All eyes were on Jake. “I was a
gentleman the whole time, so stop looking at me like
that.”
    “ Well, of course you were,
Jake. Nobody thought differently.” Cade covered a smile as he
commented. “Say, why don’t the three of us guys head over to the
barn for a minute and look over the petting zoo. Your granddad’s
thinking about expanding, and we wanted your opinion. He’s out
there now feeding the animals.”
    “ Sure.” The three men
headed toward the barn, and the ladies stayed behind.
    “ So… what have you two
been doing all day?” Callie looked eagerly at Trish for her
answer.
    “ Jake took me to look at a
rental property that I’m going to move into as soon as I can get it
furnished. By the way, he said y’all had some furniture you wanted
to part with. I’d like to look at it and possibly buy it from you,
if you still have it and want to move it.”
    “ As a matter of fact, Josh
and I were just talking about replacing some of his furniture. It’s
kind of bland, but it’s in good shape. You can just have it.” Eva
took another gulp of cold water.
    “ No, I’ll buy it from
you.” Trish set her shoulders as she replied.
    “ I really don’t know