Firefly Duet: New Beginnings and Lasting Love Page 16

  “Hey.” Jim leaned in, stealing a quick kiss only his sister witnessed.

  “Careful, you might catch flies that way.” He walked past Kai as she snapped her gaping mouth closed. At the swinging door between the kitchen and living room, he turned back. “See you.”

  Sofia felt the skin on her neck heat at the triumphant smirk on Jim’s face.

  Holy shit. That was hot.

  “Is the chicken ready, Sofia?”

  “What?”

  “Are you okay, honey? Your skin is blotchy.”

  “I could get you some water,” Kai offered.

  “I’m good.” Sofia gave a wave and turned to the counter, picked up the bowl of diced chicken and brought it to her mom. She leaned behind her mother’s back sending a cross-eyed look to Kai who pressed her lips together in silent laughter.

  It was after the meal, when Sofia and Jim were cleaning up the kitchen, when Jett’s black pickup pulled into the driveway.

  “Crap,” Jim grumbled.

  Sofia took the pan he was holding so she could dry it as they stood at the sink together. “He was invited.”

  “Then why wasn’t he here on time for the meal?”

  “I don’t know. Did he ever tell you why he didn’t show up at the lodge yesterday?”

  “Just that he had a situation and he’d explain later.”

  Out the window, Jett walked toward the house. “He looks all right. Let’s give him a chance, okay?”

  “What fucking choice do we have?” Jim opened the door. “Hey, bro, mighty big of you to grace us with your presence.”

  “This must be Jett.”

  Sofia turned at the sound of her mother’s voice as she came through the swinging door.

  “You look so much like Jim.”

  Sofia held her breath.

  “I didn’t know your sister was coming to visit, Sofia. I thought it was going to be your mom.”

  “That’s very charming.” Mia laughed. “And silly. Of course, I’m Sofia’s mother.”

  Sofia flinched when Jim shut the door with a bang.

  “I’m Jim’s younger brother. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I apologize for my late arrival. An emergency came up and I couldn’t get away until now.”

  “There are plenty of leftovers.”

  “Well, only if it’s not too much trouble.”

  “It’s no trouble at all.” Mia put her hand on Jett’s arm. “You remind me of my son. Tall and lean. I bet you have a hollow leg when it comes to eating.”

  “It’s a rare treat to have a home cooked meal, that’s for sure.”

  “Oh look, Rafe is leaving, would you excuse us for a moment?” Sofia grabbed Jim’s hand and opened the back door, pulling him along. “We need to say goodbye.”

  Outside, she walked down the steps ahead of Jim.

  “What’d you do that for? Rafe’s not leaving.”

  “You looked like you were going to strangle Jett. Now, go get your friend and tell him he has to go home.”

  “I’m not making Rafe leave as a cover for my asshole brother.”

  “Shush!” Sofia giggled.

  “This must be your sister. Seriously?” Jim pointed over his shoulder. “Does your mom really find that bullshit charming?”

  “Maybe. Come on, let’s leave Mom to fuss over your brother. It’s harmless.”

  It was late in the evening when the shouts and hollers coming from the front of the house caught Sofia’s attention. “Excuse me a sec. I’m going to check if the basketball game the guys are playing is still civil.” She stood, leaving the circle of lawn chairs where Ben, Kai, Leo, and her mother were sitting as the kids ran through the yard playing tag.

  The night fell dark, the croak of frogs coming from the nearby pond as she walked around the house.

  “Hey, is the game over?” she asked, running into Jett walking toward her. Before he could answer, she put her hand up, quieting him at the sound of an argument.

  “You need to tell her what happened,” Rafe shouted.

  “She won’t understand. I shouldn’t have ever told you. It’s my business.”

  “Give her a chance.”

  “It would be better if she never came here,” Jim responded angrily.

  “Come on, man. Don’t be like that.”

  Sofia walked quickly up the stairs to the house, picked up her jacket from the hook near the door and headed back outside.

  “Where are you going?” Jett said from the bottom of the steps.

  “For a walk.”

  “Alone, in the dark?”

  “Yes.”

  She set off at a fast clip, moving down the driveway and out onto the dirt road. The light from the house and the barn would only get her so far before she’d have to rely on moonlight. With Jett following, she picked up the pace, making it a good distance toward the main road.

  Something small and dark ran in front of her and she stopped.

  Don’t try to scare me, animal!

  She marched forward three steps before noticing another small movement near the side of the road.

  “I am fed up with all these stupid creatures running around out here!”

  Jett jogged to catch up with her. She glanced at him, tears stinging her eyes, and hung her head.

  “Come on now.” He took her into his arms. “What happened back there is not what you think.” He gave her a squeeze and stepped back, putting his hands on her shoulders. “There’s something between Rafe and Jim, and I guess they mean to have it out tonight.”

  “It would be better off if she never came here,” Sofia repeated Jim’s words.

  “That can’t be about you. And if it is, he doesn’t mean it. He’s mad about something.”

  “That part I got.”

  “Don’t write a whole story in your head, okay?”

  She took a deep breath, trying to absorb his gentle scolding.

  “Anybody can tell Jim’s crazy about you. Hell, he’d be a fool not to be.” Jett took both her hands. “Hey, when did you get the cast off?”

  “A few days ago.’

  Jett gently massaged her wrist then placed her hand in the crook of his arm in a gentlemanly gesture. “Let’s walk. I was coming around the house earlier to see you anyway.”

  “When did you become so gallant?”

  “I’m trying.” He laughed. “It’s time to grow up and lose my demons.”

  She could see his white teeth as he grinned at her under the darkening sky.

  “I’m having trouble giving up the familiar. Yukon Jack and I go way back.”

  “Maybe you just haven’t found the thing you want more than drinking, something good that waits for you on the other side.”

  “You’re right. But actually, I think it has found me.”

  “Like religion?” She glanced at the expression on his face and smirked.

  “No. Like a son.”

  Sofia pulled him to a stop and faced him. “You have a son?”

  “Apparently I do. He’s four and his mother dumped him at my house a couple days ago and took off. His name is RJ.”

  She hugged him spontaneously and stood back. “Jett. Oh my God.”

  “I know. I’m going to have a paternity test done—it will take a while, but the kid, well, hell, he looks just like me.”

  “Who else have you told?”

  “Doc Cindy. She’s been helping me. She’s babysitting him tonight.”

  I was right.

  “I wanted to tell you first.”

  “Me?” Sofia couldn’t have been more shocked. “Why me?”

  Jett linked their arms, turned them around on the road and began walking again. The light from the barn came into view again.

  He’s leading me back.

  “Why did you let me take you fishing?” He glanced sideways at her. “I thought so. You did it for me. And that day, for the first time in a long time, I was with a friend. You gave me that.”

  When they reached the driveway, Jett took her hand.


  “You’re the person who can best understand I need to reinvent myself. Sort of like what you’re doing. Aren’t you giving yourself a second chance now?”

  Sofia smiled. “Is RJ why you didn’t show up at the lodge yesterday? You need to tell Jim.”

  “I will. When the time is right. Soon.”

  “Thank you for coming after me and for telling me about your son.”

  “My pleasure, baby girl.”

  “You know it’s not helping your relationship with Jim to call me baby girl. It drives him nuts.”

  “Does it?”

  “Come on, you know it does,” Sofia scolded. “Why do you do that?”

  “I like you.” He swung her hand playfully.

  “Jett, that’s not…we’re not…I mean, you are very handsome, but…”

  “You done?” Jett stared at her. “I like you as a friend. I just told you that. It’s a new thing for me.” He grinned at her frown. “You can’t have it both ways. Besides, if I wanted you, I’d have you.” He lifted her arm and spun her as if they were dancing.

  “Stop it.” She pushed him, laughing.

  “How old are you?” His abrupt change of topic caught her off guard.

  “Twenty-nine, why?”

  “That’s what I thought, you’re younger than me. The way I figure it, when you join this family then I’m no longer the youngest. I’m thirty, so you’ll be my little sister, baby girl.”

  What do you mean “join the family”?

  “Aw, shoot. I didn’t mean it like that. Sofia, I’m sorry.” He put his hand on her arm and squeezed. “No one could ever replace your brother. I guess I want nothing more than to have someone like you look up to me like an older brother, that’s all. You have something, a grace, it pulls me up with you.”

  It had to be one of the nicest things anyone ever said to her.

  “I bet you never saw yourself fishing with a guy like me, did you?”

  “I didn’t see any of this coming.” Her response came out part sob, part laugh.

  “Exactly. That gives me hope for my future.”

  “Did you ever think you’d be a father?”

  Her gaze followed his across the darkness to where only the faint rise of the pasture remained visible by moonlight.

  “I’ve dreamed of it. Even hoped for it, someday. But I always thought Jim would get there first and show me how it’s done.”

  “Not this time. You get to lead the way.” She hugged him once more, letting out a yelp when he lifted her feet off the ground and swung her.

  “I’m known for my bear hugs, baby girl.”

  “Stop, you’re squishing me!” She laughed and squirmed until he set her down. Hearing footsteps she turned toward the driveway as Jim steamrolled toward her and Jett.

  Chapter 20

  “What the hell? Every time I turn my back, you’re pawing at her. ‘Baby girl’ this and ‘baby girl’ that,” Jim said.

  Rafe caught up standing next to him. “Dude, relax. It seems innocent.”

  “Shut up, Rafe. We’re talking about Jett touching Sofia.”

  “She gave me a hug as a thank you. I talked her into giving you morons another chance.” Jett looked around. “Hey, where’d she go?”

  “Damn.” Jim turned to face the house when the back door slammed.

  “She overheard part of your argument in the barn, after I left,” Jett said. “I’m walking up the path and here she comes, right when Rafe says you should give her a chance, and you, big brother, spout off that it would be better if she never came here. It was priceless. You’re lucky she didn’t take the truck and head to the airport.”

  “Then what happened?” Rafe asked.

  “She took off down the road and I followed. I told her not to write a whole story in her head.” Jett turned away, heading toward his truck.

  “Thanks, man,” Rafe said.

  “You’re the one who should be thanking me, brother,” Jett called over his shoulder. “You better make your move with that woman before it’s too late.”

  “Is that a threat?” Jim smiled when Jett stopped in his tracks. He didn’t like the cocky sound to his brother’s voice. It was high time they got down to it.

  “I’m saying, do right by her.”

  “Do right by her? What the hell is he talking about?” Jim directed his question at Rafe.

  “You did invite her to stay longer.” Rafe put his hands up in surrender at Jim’s glare.

  Stalking back, Jett stood two feet in front of him. “She’s trying to gather up courage to get on with the rest of her life. Has the thought ever crossed your thick brain that she may be in love with you?”

  “She may think she is.”

  Could she be?

  “You’re a stupid son of a bitch.”

  Jim stepped a foot closer to Jett. “All I see is you trying any way you can to get near her. Maybe she feels sorry for you.”

  “Yeah, you’re right.” Jett laughed with anything but humor. “You know the difference between you and her? She sees something in me, and you don’t.”

  “I’m supposed to feel responsible for you growing up to be a drunk, is that it?”

  “Un-fucking-believable.” Jett swiped his hat off and smashed it back on his head. “You’ll never let me be anything more, will you?”

  “It’s pretty convenient how you’re always nearby to comfort her.”

  “That’s enough!” Ben appeared out of nowhere and stepped between his sons preventing whomever might close the gap first with a fist. “Jett. Go. Home. Now.”

  “I’m not the bad guy! She was crying.”

  “Stop.” Sofia put a hand up. “Please. There’s something important that Jett wants to tell…”

  “Nah, Sofia. Really. I’m not worth it.” Jett walked away and climbed into his truck. The engine roared to life and he backed up in a wide turn, his tires kicking up dust and gravel when he drove away.

  It was Sunday and early, so Jim hit the ignore button when his phone vibrated. He lifted the covers over himself again and snuggled close to Sofia, her leg thrown over his, her breath soft on his neck.

  I must be dreaming because she’s not here. Hell, I’m going for it anyway.

  “You are beautiful, Sofia,” he imagined himself saying when she opened deep brown eyes. His good morning kiss grew. She mimicked his groan when he lifted, draping her over his body so she lay directly on top of him.

  His phone vibrated a second time and he reached to put it on silent mode.

  Kai. She can wait.

  He drifted back into the dream. Running his hands down the middle of Sofia’s back, he cupped her bottom as she peppered kisses on his chest.

  At the sudden and rapid knocking at his back door minutes later, Jim got up, wrapping a blanket around his waist.

  Damn it.

  Rafe held the door open and Leo followed his sister into the living room.

  “Jim,” Kai said.

  “It’s five in the morning. What’s going on? Is it Dad? One of the kids?”

  “It’s Jett,” Kai sobbed.

  “What happened?”

  “He was in a car accident overnight,” Leo said. “He flipped his truck several times. He’s in critical condition. About two-thirty this morning, he was air lifted to Rapid General.”

  Kai walked his way and wrapped her arms around him. “I tried to call.”

  “When did you hear?” Jim answered, looking over Kai, his hand on her back.

  “Your father got a call about an hour ago,” Leo said. “They had trouble figuring out who to contact, plus Jett’s been in surgery for the last several hours.”

  His sister leaned back looking up at him with watery eyes. “We have to pick up Dad, we have to go.”

  Jim smoothed his hand along her hair. “It’s going to be okay, Kai. You go. I’ll get ready and meet you all at the hospital.” He walked Kai and Leo to the door closing it softly behind them.

  “I’m sorry,” Rafe said.

  “Son of a
bitch.” Jim went to the desk in the living room, opening the top drawer and pulling out a set of keys. “Here are keys to everything. The house, ranch, Kai’s house. Can you check on things at the ranch? Maybe look in on Kai’s kids later?”

  “Of course,” Rafe said. “Go get ready so you can get on the road. Anything you want me to do about Sofia and her mom?”

  “After last night’s fiasco, I don’t know if she’ll even speak with me.” Jim grabbed the back of his neck. “All of this is my fault.”

  “Don’t do that to yourself.”

  “I’ll call when I have news and we’ll figure it out from there.”

  “What if he doesn’t make it?” Sofia said to her mother, pacing the cozy breakfast nook at the B&B.

  “Honey, don’t get too ahead of yourself. When did Rafe say he’d hear from Jim?”

  “We should have heard from him by now.” Sofia’s phone in her purse vibrated. She furiously scrambled through her bag and answered.

  “Jim?”

  “Hi, Sofia. I’m glad you’re taking my calls after last night.”

  “Of course, I am. I’m so sorry. What’s happening, how’s Jett?”

  “He’s out of surgery and in recovery. He broke near every bone in his body. He’s got a collapsed lung, so they’re keeping a close eye on that.”

  “Oh, no. Will he be okay?”

  “The doctors are hopeful. He’ll have a long recovery, months, a year, who knows. Lots of physical therapy. Guess this is one way to detox from alcohol, although I wouldn’t recommend it.” She recognized his shock in the situation at his out-of-place laugh.

  “There’s more we need to talk about,” he continued.

  Signaling that she needed a minute, Sofia stood and walked away from the table for a moment to speak with Jim privately. “I want to talk more too. Are you coming back tonight?”

  “Not today. I’m going to stay at the hotel near the hospital. So is Kai. Leo is bringing Dad back to the ranch later today.” Jim cleared his throat. “Sofia, last night…”

  “Let’s not do this on the phone.”

  “I never wanted to hurt you, sweetheart.”

  Her eyes teared at the crack in Jim’s voice. “I know. We can talk soon. Rafe is coming in about thirty minutes. Mom wants to visit Kai’s kids so Will isn’t on his own with the whole crew today.”