Of Yesterday by Alta Hensley Read Free Book Online

Taylor already had prepared.
    "Taylor? Do you like my brother?"
    Mandy's question startled Taylor with how direct it was. "Yes,
of course. He's a very nice man. He seems to really want to give you the best."
    "No," Mandy stated.
    "No?"
    "No. He wants to give us the best. You're
included in this family too, Taylor. He really likes you."
    Taylor smiled. "I hope so. I haven't really ever had a
sense of family before. I really like this idea of your brother's. The town and
community, I mean."
    Mandy shrugged. "He has big dreams. But I worry that
sometimes he is trying to build happiness...when what he really needs to
do, is find happiness."

Chapter Eight
     
     
    Taylor was lost in her thoughts as she kneaded the bread
dough for the evening's supper. Since arriving on the ranch, she had cooked,
cleaned, chopped, planted, picked, milked, peeled, and washed everything in the
way an old-fashioned woman would be expected. She was so exhausted she could
barely see straight at the end of each day.
    Jason was just as busy. He was gone each morning before her
or Mandy woke and only returned for supper, fatigue weighing down his
shoulders. Conversation focused around the project, the development, and of the
ranch.
    Thinking of Jason as she kneaded the dough, Taylor wondered
if the fire they once had had simmered down. Jason avoided her, and Taylor did
her best to do the same. She had never worked so hard in her life, so by the
time sunset fell she could barely keep her eyes open long enough to undress and
collapse into bed. Fantasies were replaced with chores, and sexual need
substituted with exhaustion.
    She paused a moment and brushed a brown ringlet from her
forehead with the back of her flour-encrusted hand. She lifted her shoulders up
and down a few times, in an attempt to loosen her aching muscles.
    "I warned you it was going to be hard work."
    Taylor jumped at the sound of Jason's voice. Turning her
head, she saw he'd come into the kitchen. His jeans were dirty and his sweat-stained
shirt clung to his chest. His cowboy hat rested on his head just enough to
shield the depths of his eyes. Even filthy, he exuded sex appeal.
    "And I told you I wasn't afraid of it." She turned
her attention back to her bread making.
    Jason walked up to her and placed both of his hands on each
side of her shoulders and began to give a gentle massage. "I know how
tired you are." He continued to massage as he spoke, causing Taylor to
close her eyes and relish in the delightful feeling. "I know I haven't
told you, but I couldn't ask for more. You've been amazing these past few days.
You truly are making this place a home."
    Taylor turned and faced him, her eyes meeting his. Any
question before, of whether or not the fire between them had extinguished, had
been answered. She wanted to melt into his body.
    Jason took a deep breath and a large step backwards. "I
want to take you somewhere. Clean up and meet me outside in five minutes."
    "What? What about supper and Mandy?"
    "Mandy's at the neighbor's house helping with their
little ones, and I decided to surprise you with a picnic supper. It's the least
I can do for all your hard work."
    Taylor stood in disbelief. "A surprise?" She could
not believe he had taken the time to plan it all out.
    He smiled. "Just go get cleaned up."
    A few minutes later, Taylor found Jason standing by a horse
outside. He smiled at her warmly. "I'll help you up onto my horse and we
can ride there together. If that's all right with you."
    "I've never been on a horse before. I'm not really sure
if—"
    "Well, get ready for your first experience," he
interrupted. "I love taking a gal's virginity," he chuckled.
    "Haha, very funny."
    He turned and put his boot in the stirrup, swinging his jean-clad
leg over the saddle. Leaning over, he pulled Taylor onto the horse before she
could even prepare herself. Her heart skipped and fear paralyzed her body as
she desperately clung to the saddle horn. She closed her eyes and tried her
best to