Falling for Texas. Jill Lynn

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      The open-air Jeep Wrangler jerked and dipped as Cash drove toward the new pasture site, hands rumbling on the steering wheel. His meeting with Coach Grayson— Olivia—had eaten enough time out of the afternoon that the guys most likely had the portable electric fences in place.

      He shoved the stick shift into first gear, pulled on the parking brake and turned off the engine. Leaving the keys dangling in the ignition, he jumped out.

      “How we doing?” Cash approached Frank, adjusting the brim of his hat to better shade against the sizzling mid-August sun.

      “Just about ready to move them over.” Frank studied the grazing cattle, his face weathered from a lifetime of outdoor work. He’d been the foreman at the Circle M for as long as Cash could remember. Frank didn’t say much, but when he did, that usually meant it needed to be said. He had a wise, level head on his shoulders and had helped Cash keep the ranch running after Dad died. Frank knew more about ranching than twenty experienced ranch hands roped together.

      A wet snout nosed his hand and Cash looked down into Cocoa’s happy face. “Ready to move some cattle, girl?” The Australian cattle dog gave a happy bark, head nodding in agreement. She was as much of an institution around the Circle M as Frank. Mouth painted in a permanent smile, Cocoa looked up at him as if to say, What are we waiting for? Cash laughed at the dog’s silly grin and leaned down to rub her head. Her eyes squinted shut as if she was enjoying a fancy massage, tongue lolling out the side of her mouth. “Hang on a minute. We’re almost there.” At Cash’s words, Cocoa settled into the grass, laying her black head and contrasting white snout on her tan paws with a pout.

      Cash headed for the water trough connected to wells by pipelines that spanned the ranch. While he waited for the trough to fill, he took off his hat and swiped his brow with the back of his arm. Frustration over Rachel’s grades boiled up as quickly as the afternoon heat. He knew she wasn’t applying herself—knew she had it in her to do better. But he didn’t know how to make her. Losing their parents had shaken her to the core. She’d struggled in the four years since their deaths, but lately her attitude and grades seemed even worse.

      Blake Renner probably had something to do with that, though Cash had yet to convince his sister that the boy did not have her best interests at heart.

      Frank took a wide stance next to Cash, the sun squinting off his larger-than-life belt buckle as Rants and Noble hopped in the ranch truck with a wave, heading back to the barn. The ancient vehicle boasted an impressive oil leak, but it still managed to function for any work that needed to be done on the ranch.

      “Sorry I had to take off before we were done.”

      “No problem. Rachel comes first.” Frank’s brow crinkled with concern. “Everything okay?”

      “Yeah.” If he didn’t count his sister’s failing grades or the volleyball coach he should be avoiding who would be spending Thursday nights at the ranch. “Rach needs to get her grades up to stay on the team.”

      A slow nod proved Frank had heard. “She’ll be all right. Reckon she’s had a tough time of it the last few years.”

      That was an understatement that made Cash’s inadequacies as a guardian rear up.

      “You’re doing the best you can.” Frank whacked Cash on the back. “Enough of that now. Let’s get the horses and move these cattle.”

      Hours later, Cash strode from the barn in time to see Rachel’s Wrangler bumping into the yard with typical teenage flair, somehow landing in her parking spot. The vehicle abuse made him wince, though he’d be more concerned about her relaxed habits if he hadn’t taught her to drive himself.

      Dinner would have to be sandwiches tonight. They’d worked too late for him to defrost anything. But at least his little sister had decided to show up. He had to look for the silver lining with her.

      The sun touched the trees to the west, setting the green leaves aflame with gold and orange. Cash tipped his head back, stealing a moment of peace before the storm.

      After a deep breath, he headed for Rachel, knowing he needed to tell her about Coach Grayson offering to tutor her. He almost laughed out loud. Offering might not be the right word. He’d sensed that Olivia had planned to say no. But then he’d pushed a little harder, hoping she’d give in. Was it for his sister’s benefit or his own? He didn’t want to think about the answer to that question.

      What would his parents have done in this situation? As usual, the thought left Cash feeling ill equipped. In the moment, asking Olivia to help had seemed like the best option. But now the thought of spending time around the coach gave him a bit of panic.

      He squared his shoulders. He’d just have to keep any attraction he felt tucked away where no one could see it. Surely he could handle Thursday nights without going back on his promise.

      Rachel hopped down from the Wrangler and reached back in to grab her bag. She turned, greeting him with a defiant toss of her ponytail, and he cringed. Like taming a wild mustang.

      Somehow, he needed to get through to her. Make her understand that she’d get kicked off the team if her grades didn’t improve.

      No matter the reason, he knew one thing for sure. She was not going to like it.

Chapter Two

      “You agreed to what?” Janie Smith’s voice came out as a high-pitched squeak, reminding Olivia of the few months in junior high she’d attempted the clarinet.

      So much for the relaxation of a pedicure.

      “I’m a little shocked myself.” Olivia shifted her feet in the hot, bubbling water, took a sip of her blended mocha and tried to get back to a place of calm. Saturday morning girl time with Janie was supposed to be the perfect ending to her first week of all-day practices. And after the stress of yesterday’s final team cuts—never an easy decision—she desperately needed some relaxation. Olivia was still praying for the girls she’d had to move to the JV team.

      Janie rubbed her hands together, copper eyes sparkling. “I think someone has a little crush on you and wants you around.” The massage elements rotated up and down behind her as she did a dance in the oversized chair, sandy-brown hair swinging around her chin.

      “Ha. He offered to pay me. I don’t think that constitutes a crush.” Olivia turned to better face the woman who already felt like an old friend even though they’d only met eight days ago. “I can see the wheels turning in your head, and you need to let that idea go. He finagled me into helping a struggling high school girl get her grades up—one of my best players, too. No harm in that.”

      Janie’s face perked with interest. “Did you know he’s Jack’s best friend? You two would be perfect for each other!”

      The smell of high-voltage perm wafted over Olivia as the woman on her right leaned closer, tight curls covering her head like bright red caterpillars. She pursed coral-colored lips as she pretended to read a magazine.

      “Did you hear anything I just said?” Olivia lowered her voice, leaning closer to Janie. “This is exactly why I should have said no in the first place. Not only are you jumping to conclusions, pretty soon the whole town will be talking about it.” She scooted back, letting the thump-thump-thump of the massage chair chisel into the tension radiating through СКАЧАТЬ