Stern. Brenda Jackson

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      Zane chuckled. “We’re talking about JoJo, Stern. The same woman who can hit a target with a gun or a bow and arrow with one eye closed. The same woman who has a black belt. You and I both know she can take care of herself, so that means there’s something else bothering you. What is it?”

      Stern frowned as he stared at the floor and mumbled, “Nothing.”

      Zane didn’t say anything for a minute. “There is something, Stern. You didn’t come here because you wanted to see my pug face. There’s something bothering you, so come clean. I can only help if you do that.”

      Stern paused. “I’m afraid, Zane.”

      Zane lifted a brow. “Afraid? What are you afraid of?”

      “That I’m going to lose my best friend. What if she gets serious with this guy and he has a problem with our relationship? You’ve said enough times that you wouldn’t want any woman of yours to share the kind of relationship with a man that JoJo shares with me.”

      “You won’t lose her,” Zane said, trying to reassure him.

      “You can’t be certain of that, and I can’t take that chance.”

      Zane shook his head. “You’re going to have to trust her judgment.”

      “I trust hers. I just don’t trust his.”

      Zane rolled his eyes. “But you don’t know him.”

      “Exactly,” Stern said, standing. “That’s why I need to find out who he is and check him out.”

      “I think you’re going at it all wrong.”

      “I don’t,” he said, heading for the door. “Bye, Zane. You’ve given me a lot to think about.”

      “No, I didn’t. I suggest you examine your own feelings for JoJo,” Zane replied. But Stern was already out the door and didn’t hear what his cousin had said.

      * * *

      The next night JoJo stepped onto her porch and inhaled deeply to fill her lungs with crisp mountain air. She had put her hair in a ponytail before placing her favorite Denver Broncos cap on her head, but instead of her usual jeans and T-shirt, she was wearing a blue blouse and a pair of black corduroy slacks. She’d also grabbed a jacket because the evenings were turning cool.

      She heard a sound, turned and then smiled at the man coming up the steps. Her heart raced. Stern’s well-toned physique was displayed in a pair of jeans, a blue Western shirt and a Stetson. He looked way too handsome for his own good.

      She checked her watch. “You’re on time.”

      “Aren’t I always?” Stern said, glancing around. “I hope you don’t stand out here on the porch waiting for all your dates.”

      JoJo adjusted her cap. “You aren’t a date. Come on,” she said, grabbing his arm and heading down the steps. “I’ve already locked up and turned on the alarm. The movie starts in twenty minutes.”

      “Whoa, what’s the rush? There’s not much traffic out so we’ll make it.”

      She knew he was right, but she was looking forward to tonight. Any time she got to spend with Stern made her all giggly inside. She was certain those feelings would pass once she knew more about Walter. And speaking of Walter...

      “I’m going to get that makeover this weekend,” she said as she got into the car and buckled her seat belt.

      Stern glanced over at her after buckling his own. “Why?”

      She felt the huge smile that spread across her face. “I found out where my guy hangs out on the weekend and I plan to show up.”

      Stern held her gaze for a moment and then asked, “Where?”

      “I’ll tell you only if you promise not to show up.”

      “Not making that promise, JoJo.”

      She rolled her eyes. “Then I won’t tell you. Why are you being difficult about this, Stern? Do I show up at places where I know you’ll be taking your dates?”

      “No. But I’m not the one asking for advice on how to reel someone in. Besides, I want to make sure he doesn’t get disrespectful with you,” Stern said, pulling out of her driveway.

      She frowned. “Dammit, Stern, I can take care of myself. If I can catch his attention, we’ll talk, listen to music and dance. It shouldn’t be hard to tell if he’s interested.”

      He turned to her when the car came to a traffic light. “But he’ll be interested for the wrong reason.”

      “I can handle it.”

      He grunted. “So you’re really going to go through with this?”

      “Yes. Of course. I thought we cleared up the issue of how serious I was last week.” He was acting too much like a big brother to suit her.

      A couple of hours later, to her way of thinking, Stern was not in the best of moods. The movie was good and she had enjoyed it, but each time she stole a glance at him, he was frowning.

      “That sour look will get stuck in place if you don’t get rid of it, Stern,” she teased as they walked out of the theater.

      He looked over at her. “Funny.”

      “You don’t see me laughing. The movie was your idea, but I don’t think you enjoyed being here,” she said, sliding into the car when he opened the door for her.

      “I enjoyed the movie, and I enjoyed your company.”

      JoJo wasn’t convinced. She glanced at her watch. “It’s early. You want to drop by McKays for coffee?”

      “That sounds good.”

      At least he wasn’t in a rush to get her home, she thought. “I talked to Megan about the guy that does her hair, and she suggested I talk to Pam, so I’m doing that tomorrow. I hope she’ll be able to recommend someone who can do my makeover. She always looks good. In fact, all the women your cousins and brothers married look great.”

      Pam was married to his oldest brother, Dillon. A former movie star who’d been a regular on one of JoJo’s favorite soaps years ago, Pam had given it all up to return to her home in Wyoming to raise her three younger sisters when her father died. That was when she’d met Dillon.

      “What if I told you I like the way you look?” Stern said, intruding on her thoughts.

      She rolled her eyes. “You would since you’re my best friend. Besides, I’m not trying to impress you, remember? However, I appreciate the fact that you gave me some advice at the lodge. It’s advice that I’m putting to good use since I consider you an expert on what men like. I’m going shopping on Friday, and after talking to Pam I’ll be contacting someone who can perform miracles on my hair and help with my makeup.”

      He СКАЧАТЬ