Sheri WhiteFeather – The Texan's Future Bride (страница 8)

“You’re not blabbing. I asked you about your family and you’re answering my questions.”

In way too much detail, she thought. But it felt good to get some of it off her chest. “The American dream was lost on my family.”

“How common is that, really? How many people get to live that kind of life?”

“I don’t know. But someday I want to create a family of my own, one that will be bonded and true to each other.”

“Husband, kids, picket fence?”

She nodded. “I want a man who shares my love of the country. I feel blessed that I inherited part of this ranch. It’s everything to me now, and I want it to be everything to my future husband.”

“That stands to reason.” He paused. “So, what was your grandfather like?”

“He went by the name of Tex. He was an ornery old guy, but charming, too. I regret not having the opportunity to know him better, but I’m grateful that he welcomed me into his life when he did.” She thought about everything that had transpired recently. “Doc was his private physician. That’s how he and Tammy met.”

“And then they had dreams about each other that came true?” He glanced toward the bedroom. “If you don’t mind me asking, what were those dreams?”

She’d avoided mentioning them earlier, but she supposed it didn’t really matter since Doc and Tammy spoke openly about their experiences. “Tammy dreamed that she and Doc had a romantic evening in this cabin before it actually happened.”

Clearly, J.D. wasn’t impressed. “That’s not very groundbreaking.”

“Tammy worked hard to catch Doc’s eye. In fact, I helped her with a makeover. She was a tomboy for most of her life and didn’t know how to doll herself up.”

“Doc doesn’t seem like he’s from around here.”

“He isn’t. He’s originally from Philadelphia, and he came here to pay a debt to the man who put him through medical school, and that debt involved caring for our grandfather.” She shifted on the sofa. “Doc was planning on leaving afterward and going back to his life in the city, then he fell in love with Tammy. He dreamed that they were happily married with three kids.”

He frowned. “That’s not a magic dream. They’re not even married yet, and there aren’t any kids.”

“They’re going to be married, and the kids will come later. Besides, they both dreamed about the same little dark-haired girl.”

“Really?” He was obviously surprised.

“Yes, and someday that little girl is going to be born to them.” Jenna was certain of it.

J.D. didn’t respond, but she was glad that they’d had this discussion. Offering him a break, she said, “You should probably rest again.”

“I won’t be able to take another nap.”

“You can watch TV.”

“I don’t like TV.”

“So you do know something about yourself.”

“I’m only saying that because when I turned on the TV in the hospital, it bored me.”

“Then it probably bored you before you got amnesia, too.”

“I don’t know, but the man next to me sure liked to watch it.”

“Yes, he did. I didn’t care for his taste in shows.” Especially the game show that reeked of her childhood. Jenna had always been sensitive about her youth, but even more so now that she was dealing with the Savannah Jeffries issue and her dad’s part in it.

“What do you watch?” J.D. asked.

She pulled herself back into the conversation. “The news mostly. I like Animal Planet, too. Sometimes I watch romantic comedies.”

“Is that what’s called chick flicks?”

She nodded.

He got up and stood beside the living-room window. “So, how long have you had that list of yours?”

Dang. He was back to that. “Awhile.”

“How long is awhile?”

“Since I was twenty-five, and I’m thirty now.”

“Five years? That is awhile. Have you been refining it?”

“I added a few things about the ranch since I came here.”

“About your future husband loving this place?”

“Yes.” Restless, she reached for the clothes she’d loaned him. “But the list is mostly the same as it was five years ago. I knew what qualities I wanted in a man then, and I still want him to have those same qualities now.”

“I couldn’t begin to make a list. I don’t know what I expect out of myself, let alone someone else.”

“You’ll know all about yourself once your memory comes back.”

“I still can’t imagine making a list.”

“Then you’re probably not a type-A personality like I am.”

“I suppose not.” He motioned to the clothes. “Is that part of your type-A nature?”

She glanced down. Apparently she’d been folding and refolding the same pair of jeans. “I’m just …”

“What?”

Nervous, she thought. But she said, “I’m just trying to help you get organized.” She quickly folded each article of clothing, then went after the toiletries, dropping them back into the bag. She made sure the condoms went first, keeping them out of sight and out of mind. “I’ll put all of this away for you.”

“Sure. Okay. Thanks.” He smiled a little. “I was going to leave everything there until I needed it.”

So much for blocking the condoms from her mind. He wouldn’t need those while he was staying at the Flying B, would he? Not unless he found a local girl to mess around with once he started feeling better.

Jenna frowned and headed for the bedroom.

He tagged along. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“You seem flustered. If I’m too much work for you, just leave that stuff, Jenna. I’ll take care of it.”

“I’m not flustered.” She just didn’t like envisioning him with another woman.

As opposed to him being with her? She reprimanded herself. She shouldn’t be entertaining those sorts of thoughts. J.D. could have sex with whoever met his fancy.

Trouble was, he met the physical requirements on her list. Of course she knew that being sexually attracted to someone wasn’t enough to sustain a relationship. Every piece of the puzzle had to fit.

While she put his borrowed clothes in the dresser, he sat on the edge of the bed.

“You should stay in this cabin after I’m gone,” he said.

“Why?”

“So you can sleep here.” He patted the bed.

Her pulse went haywire. “I already told you there’s nothing I need to dream about.”

“I was talking about the comfort factor.”

“I have a comfortable bed in my room.”

“Do you have an old feather mattress?”

“No.”