Educating the Cowboy

Raising his orphaned teenage sister isn’t easy for Texas rancher Cash Maddox. The girl tests his parenting—and patience—at every turn! But when he asks new teacher Olivia Grayson for help with his sister’s grades and attitude, Cash realizes he’s facing the toughest trial of all. He made a promise that he wouldn’t date and get distracted from his mission of being a good father figure. Yet Olivia’s quick wit is drawing him unexpectedly closer to the caring beauty every day. Could it be time to make a new vow…one that’ll last a lifetime?

“You have to help me with my sister,” Cash said.

Olivia had already agreed to tutor Rachel. What more did the man need?

“I don’t have a clue how to help her,” he added. “How to deal with a teenage girl, and you have all of this experience. You’d be perfect.”

Perfect was not the word that came to Olivia’s mind.

“It would be so great if you could give me advice. I’m desperate to figure out how to help Rachel out of this rebellious stage she’s in.”

Cash flashed a charming smile, and Olivia’s resolve weakened.

“I’m not sure what kind of help I would be. It’s not like I have a counseling degree or anything.”

“It doesn’t matter. You are a woman.” He cleared his throat, looking at the trail in front of them before glancing back to her. “If tonight’s any indication, I obviously need help with her.” Cash punctuated the quiet statement with a shake of his head, then grew silent, leaving Olivia to her own thoughts.

She needed to say no. She didn’t need to add another thing that forced her into spending time with Cash. Plus, the thought of helping Cash with Rachel only reminded Olivia of her own mistakes.

But how could she say no?

JILL LYNN is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers group and won the ACFW Genesis award in 2013. She has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Bethel University. A native of Minnesota, Jill now lives in Colorado with her husband and two children. She’s an avid reader of happily-ever-afters and a fan of grace, laughter and thrift stores. Connect with her at jill-lynn.com.

Falling for Texas

Jill Lynn

www.millsandboon.co.uk

MILLS & BOON

Before you start reading, why not sign up?

Thank you for downloading this Mills & Boon book. If you want to hear about exclusive discounts, special offers and competitions, sign up to our email newsletter today!

SIGN ME UP!

Or simply visit

signup.millsandboon.co.uk

Mills & Boon emails are completely free to receive and you can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email we send you.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

—Jeremiah 29:11

To my mom—thank you for always being

my biggest supporter, a wise counselor

and a tenacious prayer warrior.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

About the Author

Title Page

Bible Verse

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

His sister’s skill for getting into trouble would be impressive if it weren’t so discouraging.

Cash Maddox’s abused leather cowboy boots echoed down the empty school hallway, the smells of industrial cleaner and mildew transporting him back a decade to his own high school days. At least the scents were better than manure, the cologne he most likely boasted after taking off in the middle of ranch work and not leaving enough time for a shower.

Usually he didn’t get called into school until a few weeks into the fall semester. But this year? School hadn’t even started. Rachel had only been on school property for one day of preseason volleyball practice yesterday, yet Cash had come in last night to find a note scrawled in his housekeeper’s handwriting about meeting the new coach after practice today.

He didn’t know what Coach Grayson wanted to meet with him about, but if he had to guess, his sister wasn’t going to be winning any awards. Unless there was a gold medal for eye rolling or hair tossing. She’d win those faster than an amateur could get bucked off a bull.

But despite the tension that had invaded their house lately and the way Rachel wanted nothing to do with him, Cash loved his little sister. He’d do just about anything to give her the same great upbringing he’d had. He owed her at least that much.

Catching his reflection in the glass trophy case, Cash paused to pick out a much younger version of himself in the old football team photos. He and his best friend, Jack Smith, had that stoic look in the picture, as if smiling meant they weren’t tough.

He shook his head and started walking again, remembering parading down these same hallways. Man, he’d been full of himself back then. Not more than any other football player in this town, but still. At least he and Jack had finally grown up. Cash’s maturing had come a bit quicker than most, but then, parenting would do that to anyone.

He paused in the doorway to the French room, where his message said to meet.

“You must be Rachel’s father. Please come in.” Coach Grayson waved, not looking up from working at her desk. “I’m just finishing up some class notes.”

Cash opened his mouth to correct her assumption, then clamped his jaw shut at her look of concentration. Warm cocoa hair scooped into a ponytail hung down over one shoulder as Coach Grayson nibbled on her lip.

Jack. Cash wanted to grab an old-fashioned branding iron and lay one on his friend. Jack and Janie Smith were neighbors with the new woman in town, and they’d had her over for dinner on Sunday night. But while Jack had mentioned that his wife and two-year-old son had seemed equally smitten with the new coach, he’d failed to mention that she looked nothing like Coach Pleater—the woman in her sixties who’d retired last year after two decades with the school.

Coach Grayson wore a fitted pink T-shirt and had tiny stud earrings in her earlobes. Athletic and yet still...professional. Right. That was the word he was going for.

Cash settled his long frame into the high school desk across from her and released a pent-up breath. Didn’t matter if the woman was the Gillespie County Fair queen. She was off-limits for him.

He removed his hat, scraping a hand through his hair and causing a cloud of dust to settle on his shoulders. Yep. Definitely should have showered.

“Sorry about that. I didn’t want to lose that thought for the first week’s lesson plan.” Coach Grayson set her pen down and looked up, gracing Cash with breath-stealing blue eyes framed by dark lashes and plenty of reasons to escape from the room right now. Like a heart-shaped face, with a chin that jutted out just enough to emphasize the smooth curve of her cheeks and the line of her lips.

Mercy. What was wrong with him? Had he never seen a woman before?

“No problem.” At his raspy voice, he cleared his throat and tried again. “You wanted to see me about Rachel?”

Coach Grayson’s eyebrows pulled together and she looked down at the front of her shirt—searching for words or embarrassed about her clothing, Cash wasn’t sure. He only knew the coach didn’t look anywhere near as messy in her volleyball gear as he did in grubby ranch clothes. In fact, she looked pretty cute.

Not that he should be looking.

Cash forced his concentration back to his sister instead of the surprising distraction in front of him. After all, he had a promise to keep and a girl who needed him to keep it.

The rest would have to wait.

* * *

So far, Olivia Grayson considered her escape from Colorado a success. In one weekend, she’d managed to move across the country, unpack her apartment, become friends with her new neighbors and fall in love.

If that last one happened to be with Jack and Janie Smith’s two-year-old son? All the better. Olivia had no intention of meeting a guy in the sleepy little town of Fredericksburg, Texas.

Which was why she absolutely did not care that a head-turning cowboy sat across from her while she wore a coffee-stained T-shirt boasting the lovely smell of a productive day in the gym.

Olivia hadn’t thought much of it when she’d pictured meeting Rachel Maddox’s father. But if the man in front of her was a parent to the seventeen-year-old blonde on her volleyball team, Olivia would swallow her tongue.

She kind of already had.

“You’re Warren Maddox?”

“Actually, I’m Cash.” He ran a hand through dark hazelnut hair speckled with a few sun-kissed golden highlights. “Warren’s my father’s name. Technically I’m Warren C. Maddox, but everyone’s called me Cash since I was a kid. Warren is probably listed as my legal name on the parent list. Sorry about that.”

Olivia waited for some further explanation, but it didn’t come. Huh. Maybe he’d had Rachel at a very young age. Or something.

Was it really her business?

“So, what’s my sister done this time?”

“Your sister?”

He nodded. “Suppose you wouldn’t know the story, being new and all. Rachel is my younger sister by ten years. Our parents died in a car crash a few years ago and I was old enough to take legal guardianship of her.”

That made a lot more sense. Except...what a horrible story. “I’m so sorry.” Olivia straightened the stack of papers on her desk, floundering for more appropriate words to express her sympathies. She quickly discarded everything that popped into her mind.

Cash raised a hand. “You don’t have to stop talking to me now or analyze everything you say before you say it.”

She smiled as his mesmerizing hazel eyes turned playful, the color reminding her of leaves changing in the fall.

“I can’t believe you thought I was old enough to be Rachel’s father, Coach Grayson. Now that’s just offensive.”

“I didn’t think that.”

Her gaze traveled from his T-shirt that sported evidence of a hard day’s work, down to his dusty jeans and brown leather boots. The way his legs covered the distance between his chair and her desk, he must be over six foot. Which meant he was taller than her...not that that mattered in the least.

He skimmed a hand over strong cheekbones. “I apologize for my appearance, but I had to come in the middle of ranch work to meet with you.”

Had he noticed her perusal? Heat rushed to her cheeks. Dust might permeate the man’s appearance, but he definitely didn’t need to apologize. He looked far too attractive for his disheveled state.

“I’m sorry for pulling you away from work.” She glanced down at her clothes. “And I just came from practice, so I completely understand.” Olivia swiped her mouth to check for the presence of any chocolate left from her after-practice snack. With the way she was acting, she’d probably find a bit of drool, too.

“It’s not a problem, Coach Grayson. Rachel always comes first.”

“Call me Olivia, please.” If Rachel came first...did that mean Cash wasn’t married? He had to be around her age. “Was that your wife that I spoke to on the phone to schedule our meeting?”

An amused grin slid across his face, making Olivia’s stomach bounce like one of the volleyballs she’d put away after practice.

“I ask Laura Lee to marry me all the time, but she always says no. Probably because she’s already married to my foreman, Frank.” His eyes danced. “Laura Lee helps out at the house. She’s really more of an aunt or a mother than a housekeeper. She works a few hours a week cleaning and making meals. Freezes a bunch at a time so we have something to eat. If Rachel or I were in charge of meals, it would only be fast food or frozen pizzas.”

Olivia let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding. Of relief? Did it really matter if he was married or not? She didn’t have plans to go anywhere near another man. Not after the mess she’d left behind in Colorado.

She glanced down, the papers on her desk bringing the reason for their meeting back into focus. “Now that I’ve figured out who you are, I guess we should talk about Rachel.” That came out sounding so professional she almost cheered.

Cash leaned back, linking fingers behind his neck and crossing one leg over the other. “I am curious what Rachel did to warrant a meeting this time. Usually it’s a few weeks into school before I get the first phone call.”

The girl sounded like a bit of trouble. Good thing Olivia had a soft spot for struggling teenage girls. Hoping Cash wouldn’t get too upset about what she had to say next, she leaned forward and softened her voice. “She didn’t do anything wrong. Yet.”

When Cash mirrored her smile, Olivia ignored the way her disobedient legs swam under the desk.

“I’ve been going over last year’s grades, and I’m concerned that if Rachel doesn’t make some changes this year she won’t be eligible to play due to her GPA. I don’t know if you realize this, but your sister’s very good.”

She paused, wondering how much to share with him. The man probably needed some encouragement if he had to deal with a teenage girl all on his own. “In two days of practice I can tell she’s the best player I’ve ever coached. And if you think I look too young for that to matter, you’re wrong. I have enough experience to know what I’m saying. She definitely has the potential to play in college and could easily earn a scholarship. I’d hate to see her lose out on that because of her GPA.”

A line cut through Cash’s forehead, and Olivia pressed her lips together. Had she pushed too far?

“I’m not sure what to do with that girl. Ever since our parents died she’s had trouble, but never to this degree. I try to talk to her, but she won’t open up to me. It seems her grades and behavior keep getting worse instead of better.”

“What about a tutor or someone to help her complete her class assignments during the school year? I looked up her test scores and I’m pretty sure from what I saw that she’s just not applying herself. The scores show she’s smart, which makes me think she doesn’t care enough to do the work her classes require.”

Cash let out an exhale that turned into a laugh as he shook his head. “That sounds like my sister.” His arms slid around the cowboy hat on the desk as he shifted forward.

Sensing openness, Olivia’s tense muscles relaxed. If only all parents were so receptive.

“Have any free time on your hands, Coach Grayson? Any chance you’d be interested in tutoring one of your new players?”

That was not what Olivia had expected to hear. A small part of her found the idea intriguing. In practice, she could see the hurt hiding behind Rachel’s eye rolls and teenage attitude. But Olivia didn’t need to get involved with this family. Not when the man across from her had a melt-her-resolve grin that could get her into serious trouble. Again.

“I...might be able to work something out.” She wanted to jump out of her chair, grab the words and stuff them back into her mouth. Why would she offer to help Rachel? She absolutely did not have the time. And she needed to stay far, far away from the magnetic Cash Maddox.

“I’d be happy to pay you for your time.”

Did he sense her reluctance? “I can’t accept payment for tutoring one of the students. It’s against the rules and I wouldn’t take it anyway.”

Olivia frowned. Quit making it sound like you’re still considering it. Open your mouth right now and tell him you can’t do it.

“Volleyball has games on Wednesday nights, right?” Cash barely waited for her nod before continuing. “How about Thursdays after practice you come out to the ranch and help Rachel? We’ll pay you by feeding you dinner. Don’t worry, I won’t make it myself. I’ll warm up whatever Laura Lee has in the freezer.”

Take back your semioffer and say no.

But...

What if digging up twenty-six years of roots in Colorado and roaring into this Texas town with a trail of dirt behind her wasn’t just about running away from her past? What if God had brought her here to help a young girl?

For such a time as this... The verse she’d read in Esther last night pounded through her head and Olivia sighed, resisting the urge to close her eyes or crawl under the desk to escape. “Guess I could swing that.”

“Great.” Cash’s eyebrows shot up as if her answer surprised him. Kind of like it had her. He extracted himself from the desk and she found out the truth to her theory. Definitely taller than her.

“I’ll see you the first week of school, then. I hope you know how much we appreciate this.” Cash returned the cowboy hat to his head, tipped the brim in her direction and exited the room, leaving Olivia wondering about the state of her decision-making skills.

What had she been thinking agreeing to help? Better yet, what was God thinking?

If anything, God should want to keep her far away from Cash Maddox. Five minutes with the man and Olivia already felt a tug of attraction—to Cash’s personality, not just his looks. But she would just have to bury any thoughts of him under her spinning tires. Moving to Texas was all about starting over and leaving the past behind...which meant no dating, no more mistakes.

She might have arrived in Fredericksburg with memories clinging to the trunk of her car and an empty ring finger stripped of all hope, but she refused to repeat the past here.

No looking back. It could be her Texas motto.

* * *

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 her shoulders.

“Okay, okay. I’ll let it go.” Janie raised an unmanicured hand in defeat. Being a nurse, Janie had agreed with Olivia and opted out of getting her nails done. Both used their hands too much in their jobs for the polish to stay on longer than a day or two without chipping.

“For now.” Janie added the last part under her breath as she picked up a magazine, smirk in place.

Olivia went back to perusing the latest fashions in hers. The smell of sample perfumes leaked from the pages, fighting off the chemical smell from the fake nails being done across the room.

She toyed with the tips of her mocha hair, wondering if she should add a new cut or color to her new life. After the shattering of her heart a year ago, she’d done a makeover and ended up with longer layers. She’d kept the style because she liked it and felt as if it softened her face—not because she still had something to prove.

“Just so you know, he hasn’t dated anyone in years.”

Olivia glanced at the black-and-white clock on the wall with amusement. For three and a half glorious minutes, Janie had managed to stay quiet on the subject of Cash.

“And it’s not from a lack of women trying, either. Good-looking. Owns a ranch. Took custody of his little sister. What’s not to want?” Janie peeked out from behind her magazine shield.

“He only asked me to tutor his sister. He did not ask me out.” Olivia ignored the disappointment that crawled up her spine. She could not, would not, have any interest in Cash. And now she sounded like a Dr. Seuss book. But she felt certain that writing a new beginning in Texas meant that one of these days, her hurt would ebb away and she’d be able to move forward. One of these days, she’d forgive herself for making the biggest mistake of her life.

Unfortunately, those new feelings didn’t rush in with the pedicure water bubbling around her feet.

Janie leaned closer and Olivia felt Perm Lady do the same.

“I’m just saying that it’s been a long time since he’s shown interest in someone. You can think the tutoring is only for Rachel, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he has ulterior motives.”

Olivia shifted quickly to the right, giggling with Janie when Perm Lady readjusted her position so fast she almost fell out of her pedicure chair.

“Fine.” The only way to end the conversation would be to give in—a little. “Here’s my compromise. At this point it’s strictly business. If anything changes you’ll be the first to know.” And nothing is going to change.

Janie flashed a smile laced with victory—as if she could read Olivia’s mind and accepted the challenge. She tapped her plastic coffee cup against Olivia’s. “I’ll toast to that.”

* * *

The young girl behind the coffee counter yawned as she took Olivia’s money the next morning. Tell me about it. Olivia glanced at her watch. Seven a.m. on a Sunday—a day she could sleep in—and yet she’d found herself up at six. Haunted. Just like she’d been in Colorado.

She hadn’t had the dream since a week before she moved. She’d hoped and prayed it wouldn’t follow her to Texas, but it had. Brown curls. A little girl running. Always out of reach.

Olivia shuddered and moved to the end of the counter as the barista steamed the milk for her mocha. She was supposed to ride to church later this morning with the Smiths, but after waking early from the jarring images, she’d had to get out of her apartment.

The barista handed her a bright yellow mug and matching plate with a blueberry muffin perched on a paper doily. Olivia migrated toward the back of the coffeehouse, snatching a rumpled copy of the Fredericksburg Standard from an abandoned table along the way.

She settled into a comfy armchair and took a sip of her mocha, eyes closing in relief as the combination of sugar and caffeine rolled across her tongue. Olivia propped open the paper and ate her muffin, reading about the local pool being fixed, the proposal to plan an alternate truck route around Fredericksburg and the race for city council. Advertisements for the quaint bed-and-breakfasts that permeated Texas Hill Country filled the pages, along with an announcement for an upcoming German festival.

She stopped to text Janie that she’d meet them at church and then moved on to the sports section.

It already held talk about the approaching football season. Olivia perused the opinions, wondering how Jack handled all the pressure as the high school football coach. Made her thankful that Texas football would be at the forefront of everyone’s minds, leaving her to manage her team with much less scrutiny.

“Excuse me.”

Olivia looked up into the face of a man she didn’t recognize. “Yes?”

“I’m sorry to bother you, but are you the new French teacher and volleyball coach?”

Back in Denver, no stranger would ever walk up to her like this, let alone actually know her. Olivia took a deep breath. She was still reeling from the dream. No need to take her frustrations out on the poor guy in front of her.

She said yes and introduced herself, shaking his outstretched hand.

“Gil Schmidt. I’m the counselor over at the high school.”

Dressed in khaki shorts and a short-sleeved, button-down shirt, he was just the preppy type her younger—and much shorter—sister would consider attractive. But guys who towered over Lucy only came to Olivia’s chin. Not that it bothered her anymore. She’d long ago accepted that she would never own a closet full of fashionable heels.

Unless she met a man like Cash—as tall as Cash, she corrected, stopping that train of thought before it got way off track.

Olivia glanced around the shop, surprised to find it had filled. “Would you like to join me?” She regretted the words the instant they came out of her mouth.

Gil checked his watch. “Thanks, but I’ve been here for a bit and now I’m headed over to church. Just thought I’d stop and introduce myself. I’m sure I’ll be seeing more of you once school starts.”

She said goodbye and waved as he walked away, kicking herself for being so judgmental. Gil seemed like a nice guy. She’d have to get used to living in a small town.

Shocked at the time, Olivia grabbed her purse, depositing her mug and plate in the bin for dirty dishes on the way up front.

Gil stood looking out the glass door at the front of the shop, watching the rain that now covered the sidewalks and street. When had it started raining? Guess she’d been lost in her own world, tucked in the back of the shop.

Cars whooshed by, splashing through puddles with a sizzling noise that made Olivia think about bacon. She probably should have had more than a muffin with her coffee.

She glanced at Gil. “Everything okay?”

He motioned outside with a wry grin. “I hadn’t been expecting this. I rode my bike this morning.”

“Do you need a ride? I’m going to Cedar Hills Church.” They stepped to the side as a couple entered, shaking the water from their clothes.

“That’s where I go, too.”

“Can you put your bike in my trunk?”

When she pointed out her car, Gil laughed. “I don’t think it will fit. It’s not a problem, though. I’ll wait it out.”

“Why don’t I give you a ride back after? Surely it will be done raining by then. Can you leave your bike here?”

He nodded slowly. “I don’t think they’d mind. Are you sure?”

Olivia studied Gil’s brown eyes, smiling in relief when she didn’t see a spark of interest. “Absolutely. Let’s go.”

They chatted about school on the short ride to church and Olivia relaxed. She could use more friends in this town. But during the service, Gil turned attentive—holding open the Bible for them to read together, sitting just a little closer than she’d like.

Had she led him on by offering him a ride? Her no-dating rule applied to everyone in this town, not just the entirely too-attractive man sitting one row behind her with his sister.

Maybe Gil didn’t mean anything by his actions. Olivia’s instincts could be way off. They had been in the past.

Olivia stood for the closing song, Gil’s arm pressing against hers, and the pastor closed with her favorite benediction: “The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”

Amen.

Olivia followed Gil into the aisle, then waited for Janie. She and Jack had sat farther down in the same row.

“I’ll meet you in the narthex. I need to find someone.” Gil squeezed Olivia’s arm, then made his way down the aisle.

She resisted the urge to rub away his touch as Janie came out of the row and latched onto her. “Gil Schmidt?”

The church emptied as Olivia explained her morning—minus the dream.

“Hmm.” Janie’s brow furrowed. “Guess Cash better get his behind in gear.” Her face brightened. “Might light a fire under him, knowing he’s not the only admirer you have in town.”

“I thought we agreed yesterday to leave things alone in that department.”

“You agreed to that. Not me.” Grinning like a puppy who’d demolished a shoe, Janie linked arms with Olivia and directed them to Jack and Cash, standing together in the narthex.

“Jack, we need to get Tucker.” Janie slid away from Olivia and tugged on her husband’s arm.

Matchmaking woman. Olivia resisted the urge to roll her eyes like she’d seen the girls on her team do more times than she could count.

Jack didn’t budge. “Can you run and get him? I need to talk to Cash.”

Janie’s copper eyes flashed as she braced a hand on her slender hip. “Fine. I’ll go myself.”

“I’ll go with you.”

Janie greeted Olivia’s offer with a wave of her hand, turning sweet as cherry pie. “No, Liv, don’t worry about it. I’ll be right back.”

Jack watched his wife walk away until she disappeared. When a gorgeous redhead approached Cash, Jack pulled Olivia to the side. “I need to ask a favor. Our anniversary is coming up and I want to surprise Janie and take her to San Antonio for dinner. It’s a drive, so it would be a late evening. Usually my parents or Janie’s would be available, but they’re all attending a church function that night. It’s the first Saturday in September.”

“And you want me to chauffeur?” Olivia laughed at the scowl on Jack’s face. “I’d love to hang out with my favorite little man.” Even if it breaks my heart a little every time.

“Thanks, I appreciate it. We owe you a dinner.”

She waved off Jack’s thanks. “You don’t owe me a thing.”

“Guess I’d better go find my wife.” Jack grinned. “She’s going to kill me for not leaving you here alone with Cash.”

Olivia’s chin dropped. So the man only pretended innocence. She shoved him on the arm, then spotted Gil across the way talking to an older gentleman.

After only a few steps in his direction, Olivia felt a warm hand wrap around her arm. Goose bumps spread in waves across her skin, leaving no doubt whom she’d turn to find. Her mind might have made a decision not to have any interest in Cash, but her body didn’t seem to accept the verdict as easily.

“Coach Grayson, wait up.”

She steeled herself before facing Cash. The supermodel, thankfully, was no longer attached to him. He sported a much cleaner version of the outfit he’d worn Tuesday: nice jeans, newer-looking boots—though they still had that worn, casual look—and an untucked button-down instead of a T-shirt.

“I didn’t give you directions to the ranch for tutoring next week. That is, if you’re still planning to start the first week of school.”

Olivia snapped her attention back to his face. “I am.”

Cash didn’t answer right away. In fact, he didn’t seem to realize she’d answered him. The man was completely distracted. Probably still thinking about the beauty he’d just been talking to.

Frustration coursed through Olivia. Could he not listen to her for two seconds? Why had he even chased her down? Because he cares about his sister, that’s why.

Janie couldn’t be more wrong in her assessment. And the sooner Olivia got her head straight, the better. Thursday nights would be about tutoring Rachel and nothing more.

How many times would she have to remind herself that’s exactly what she wanted?

* * *

Cash let his gaze travel down from Olivia’s flushed face, enjoying the view more than he should. He’d seen her in volleyball gear, but this was the first time he’d seen her together and styled. He wasn’t sure which of the looks he liked best. Each had its own particular appeal.

Today she wore a skirt, showcasing legs as long as Texas that tapered into strappy sandals. Her toes were painted the color of pink cotton candy and her arms—what a strange thing to be attracted to—were somehow toned and feminine at the same time.

Seeing Olivia in church this morning only made her more appealing. But watching her with Gil Schmidt? That he could do without. Gil had even held the Bible out for Olivia, as though the two of them were a couple. Who knew, maybe they were. Cash didn’t have any right to get involved. Any right to care. But that didn’t make it any easier to watch.

Her foot tapped while she studied him with an expectant look. Had she said something to him?

“I’m sorry, what was that you said?”

She crossed her arms. “I’m still planning on it.”

“Great.” That was a good thing, right? Then why did she look as though someone had broken into her apartment? Spitting mad, eyes flashing. She even tossed her hair. It fell in layers past her shoulders today instead of being up in a ponytail. Her shampoo wafted over. Something mint. She probably wouldn’t appreciate it if he leaned in for closer examination.

What exactly had he done to make her so mad? Or maybe it wasn’t him that had her all fired up. Maybe she didn’t appreciate Gil’s advances. That thought made a slow smile spread across his face.

A breath whooshed out from Olivia, filled with enough frustration to spark the room into a raging inferno.

“Where’s your phone?”

He slid it from his pocket and she snatched it, her fingers flying across the keys.

“There’s my number.” She snapped it back into his palm and he resisted the urge to grab her hand and keep her there. “Text me directions later.”

Olivia took off, leaving Cash in a strange wake of confusion. After talking to Gil for a minute, the two of them walked out the doors together. Cash rubbed his chest, wondering why it felt as if one of his longhorns had speared him. He only had enough room in his life to deal with one girl at a time. Olivia being mad at him or even dating Gil should be a good thing.

Too bad it didn’t feel that way.

Chapter Three

Cash shook the thoughts of Olivia from his mind, scanning the narthex for his sister. Tera Lawton’s eyes gleamed from across the room, reminding him of a jungle cat about to strike its prey. He’d already dealt with her once this morning and he didn’t care to do it again.

Why couldn’t the woman get the fact that he was taken? At least in one sense of the word. And even if he could date, it wouldn’t be her again.

Not after what she’d done.

When Jack reappeared, Cash met his friend by the doors.

“Janie and Tucker must have already gone outside.” Jack pushed out into the bright sunlight and glanced at Cash. “Trying to escape the Tera-dactyl?”

He laughed. “You know it. What is that girl thinking? As if I’d ever entertain that idea.”

Jack shrugged. “She probably just wants you for your money.”

Cash snorted. “You mean she’s attracted to the hundred bucks in my bank account? And here I thought she couldn’t resist my stunning good looks.”

Jack slapped him on the back. Hard. “Must be thinking of someone else there. You never had any of those.” Jack’s slow drawl brought out the Texan in him, flashing Cash’s mind back to their younger days. Both had grown up here, and both had returned after college. Living in Fredericksburg without Jack would be like a football game without a pigskin.

“How’s the football team looking?”

“I’ve got a few boys hoping for scholarships, which usually means I can mold them into the kind of players I need. When they want to get out of here bad enough, they work pretty hard.”

“True. But I’m not sure why anyone would want to leave this place.” Cash glanced at the Texas sky, now a mixture of clouds and a striking blue color that reminded him an awful lot of a certain volleyball coach’s eyes, which had just been flashing at him inside the church.

“I know what you mean.”

It took Cash a minute to remember what they’d been talking about. He scanned the still-damp parking lot until he saw Janie and Tucker near Jack’s car. He must have searched too long, because Jack’s laugh sounded next to him.

“She already left with Gil. Didn’t you see?”

Annoying that Jack could read his mind like that. And yeah, he’d seen. Cash’s hand itched to adjust the brim of a hat. Any hat that would shade a bit of his face.

“I was in church this morning, if you recall.” Jack’s amusement increased. “Probably wasn’t the only one who witnessed the way you tracked her every move.”

Cash winced. He had thought he’d done a better job than that of hiding his attraction to the new volleyball coach and French teacher. French. A sophisticated woman, who not only spoke but taught French, would surely never stay in a little town like this. Probably just passing through. Maybe he could tamp down his interest by thinking of her as a hoity-toity French teacher. Although on Tuesday she hadn’t seemed too high-and-mighty. She’d seemed sweet. And this morning? Feisty. Unfortunately both of those things appealed to him.

Time for a subject change. “While you’re at it, why don’t you get a scholarship going for Renner? Hopefully he’s got plans that don’t involve this town.” Or my sister. The star running back had a reputation for raising a ruckus, and Jack had just as little patience for him as Cash.

“Couldn’t agree more. Are you coming over to watch the Rangers game this afternoon?”

They approached the car and Cash went down in time to receive the direct hit from Tucker, his little body creating a surprisingly strong tackle. “Planning on it,” Cash answered Jack and then spoke to Tucker. “Has your daddy been teaching you to tackle?”

Tucker grinned, head bobbing.

“Do you want to go way up?”

At Tucker’s nod, Cash hoisted the boy onto his shoulders. Tucker clapped, then settled in by squealing and gripping Cash’s hair like a handlebar.

He ignored the blood rushing to his scalp as Janie looked up to greet him. The tiny woman looked like a wind might blow her over, but she handled Jack—and the whole football team—with ease. Jack hadn’t figured out how amazing Janie was until college, but then he’d asked her out and never looked back.

Cash smiled at the best thing that had ever happened to his best friend. “How’s my favorite girl?” He only said the phrase to annoy Jack, who promptly elbowed him in the gut.

He grunted and laughed, and Janie shook her head, the sun dancing off her cute little bob of a haircut as she ignored them both.

“Speaking of favorite girls, is Rachel coming over today, too?”

Cash shook his head, forgetting Tucker’s grip and quickly regretting it. “Don’t think she’s planning on it.” Annoyance rose up. Rachel had been spending as little time as possible in his presence. He didn’t know if it was typical girl stuff or something more. Not that he knew what typical girl stuff was. He wished she’d go over to the Smiths’ with him today. Janie would be good for the girl.

They said goodbyes and Cash deposited Tucker in his car seat, leaving the confusion of buckles for Jack to sort through. He headed for his dark blue extended cab truck a few spots away, got in and pressed the horn to make Tucker laugh.

That boy had stolen his heart from the first time Cash saw him in the hospital. He knew he’d done the same to Jack. Watching his friend be a father was pretty touching, but Jack and Cash didn’t usually get into sappy conversations like that. The two of them didn’t need to say much to know what the other was thinking. For instance, right now, Jack was probably thinking about getting in a quick nap before the Rangers game. Too bad Cash couldn’t do the same.

Cash drove up to the church entrance and texted his sister. Minutes later, Rachel came out and hopped into the truck. She messed around on her phone during the fifteen-minute drive home, leaving Cash to process his day and week.

It was his turn to handle the barn today, but that shouldn’t take too long. A few chores and he could grab a sandwich and head over to Jack’s. But of the list of things that came to mind that he needed to accomplish during the rest of the week, only one thing really mattered. And that was keeping his concentration on his sister instead of the completely distracting volleyball coach who happened to be a Christian.

* * *

Olivia stood in the middle of the H-E-B grocery store parking lot on Saturday morning, her team spread around her. The girls had really jelled during the second week of preseason practice—a good thing, since school started on Monday and their first game was on Wednesday. But first, they had to deal with the all-important business of raising money for fall sports, starting with today’s car wash.

“There’s one rule. No dumping water on the coach. If you think I’ve already made cuts, think again.”

Laughter threaded through the team.

“Come on, Coach! Mom said she’d get doused if we earn enough.” Valerie Nettles’s silver-braces smile widened when the rest of the team cheered in agreement with her.

Olivia turned to her assistant coach. Trish Nettles hadn’t been able to take the two preseason practice weeks off from her job, so she planned to start working with the team once they began after-school practice. Bless the woman for being willing to work the Saturday morning fund-raiser, too.

At first Olivia had been concerned about having a parent as assistant coach, but Trish had assured her she’d be there to help—not control. Including her daughter’s playing time. That had given Olivia peace. Truthfully, she was thankful for the help. Trish had a relationship with the girls from years past and twenty-five years’ playing experience. From the conversations they’d already had about the team—and life—Olivia thought they’d get along well.

“It’s true.” Trish shrugged, her eyes dancing with mischief. “It’s tradition. But they do need to earn a lot of money.”

Olivia’s lips curved up. “How much money?”

“A thousand?” At Trish’s answer, the team screeched and complained, causing Trish and Olivia to share an amused look.

“A thousand it is.”

Dispersing in grumbles, the girls started filling buckets with water and soap. With the sun already baking them, Olivia made sure everyone had sunscreen on, then stationed herself with a hose for rinsing. She welcomed the mist that drifted across her sizzling skin as she sprayed each car down.

Soon a line of cars snaked around the back of the parking lot. The town of Fredericksburg made supporting high school sports an art form.

Janie and Tucker rolled through, then parked after their wash and walked over. Olivia handed her job off to one of the girls and headed over to meet them near the water bottles.

“Hey, little man.” Olivia’s heart hiccuped when Tucker barreled into her legs. A hug or a tackle, she wasn’t sure. Either way, she’d take it. She scooped Tucker up and pushed aside all of the remorse that rushed in with his sweet baby smell.

“Girl, it is hot out here. Are you dying?”

“A little.” Olivia took a long swig of her water and wiped the back of her hand across her forehead. She must look a mess. “Where’s Jack?”

Janie motioned to the line. “Right behind me. He drove his own car so he could get it washed too. Oh, there’s Cash in his truck.”

Olivia shaded her eyes, waving at Cash along with Janie. She imagined her friend’s pulse didn’t race as if she’d just run lines in the gym.

And you’re planning to spend time with that man? Not your best move, Liv.

She hadn’t seen Cash since last Sunday at church, when she’d let her initial attraction grow into a moment of jealousy. Thankfully she’d had a week to collect herself since then. Olivia had come to the realization that she couldn’t avoid the man. She not only coached his sister but she also planned to tutor the girl. And Cash was friends with Jack and Janie. So Olivia had decided that she could hang out with Cash in those various settings, but she wouldn’t let her heart get involved. That barely beating organ had been trampled, so keeping it tucked away until it healed only made sense.

Olivia would think of Cash as Rachel’s older brother or Jack and Janie’s friend and nothing more. How hard could that be?

When Jack parked and joined them, Tucker squealed. Olivia deposited him on the ground, and he toddled over to his dad. Jack snapped him up, making him giggle.

“I’ve noticed almost the whole football team seems to be in line.” Olivia nudged Jack. “School spirit?”

He snorted. “More like girl spirit.”

At the sound of screams, Olivia glanced over. One of the football players had jumped out of the passenger seat of a car and stolen a bucket of water. Girls and suds went everywhere as he doused the nearest members of her team. Two more football players emerged from their cars and Olivia groaned.

“Jack.” Janie took Tucker and pushed her husband toward the chaos. “Stop them.”

Before Jack could take a step, more car doors than Olivia could count opened and shut. One football player climbed out of a sunroof while the rest looked like ants swarming a lemonade spill.

Olivia ran for the hose, securing that. Jack tried yelling for them to stop, but only got himself doused with a bucketful of suds by his players. White bubbles clung to his eyebrows and nose, his look deadly.

“That’s it.” Jack growled and sprinted for the hose located across the car from Olivia. He opened fire and the boys ran for cover, trying to find protection from the water spray.

Janie screeched and Olivia looked behind her to see her friend’s cute capris and tank top dripping with water, her formerly swaying brown bob now plastered to her head. She pointed at her husband. “Jack Edward Smith. You are a dead man.”

From next to Janie’s legs, Tucker clapped his hands and chanted, “Wa-wa, wa-wa.”

Trish swooped in, claiming Tucker and allowing Janie to run for cover.

Using the hood for protection, Olivia ducked down. Nobody messed with her friends. She closed one eye and aimed the nozzle, then waited for the right moment. Jack’s grin evaporated when the cold spray reached his stomach. He caught sight of her and she ducked, but not before a line of water shot across the top of her head.

She wasn’t going down without a fight. Bracing for cold water impact, Olivia stood, aiming for Jack. But when Cash bounded around the hood of the car, she quickly switched her aim to him, hand poised on the trigger.

He stopped a foot in front of her, his grin making her stomach do crazy things. “The way I see it, Coach Grayson, you can give up now.” Cash glanced around at the chaos, shoulders lifting. “Or I can’t do anything to help you.”

“You boys really are oversized teenagers, aren’t you?”

Eyes narrowing under the brim of his white University of Texas baseball hat, Cash lunged for the sprayer at the same time she squeezed. Water bounced off his rust-orange Longhorns T-shirt, spraying everywhere. He switched tactics, wrapping boa constrictor arms around her from behind. Her grip on the sprayer weakened. Though she prided herself on being in shape, she was no match for him.

“Ready to give up yet?” The proximity of Cash’s voice sent tingles down her neck.

Olivia risked a glance over her shoulder. Laugh lines rimmed Cash’s eyes, and unlike Sunday, all of his attention was on her. She was enjoying it way too much. Though the phrase Rachel’s brother sounded like a referee’s whistle in her mind, Olivia just shook her head in answer to Cash’s question, letting her legs go out from under her. The self-defense move allowed her to drop down and out of Cash’s hold.

Janie yelled for Olivia to get out of the way, then threw a bucket of water at Cash. Olivia popped up laughing. Janie only came up to Cash’s chest, so most of the water landed on his previously dry cargo shorts.

“Jack, get your woman,” Cash yelled to his friend as he resumed the tug-of-war over the hose with Olivia.

Feeling the sprayer slip once more, Olivia shouted for Janie to run as Cash gained control of the hose. Instead of escaping, her friend lurched onto Cash’s back, not accomplishing much in the way of help but totally getting points for effort.

Cash let loose, spraying Olivia point-blank. Water ran from her face and neck, soaking her red tank top and athletic shorts. She sputtered, coherent enough to see Jack peel Janie off Cash’s back and throw her over his shoulder.

Not above using a ploy when the need called for it, Olivia sank to the ground and cradled her foot. She didn’t whine—no need to overdo it. The water stopped and Cash dropped to one knee beside her.

“Are you okay?”

Ugh. Did he have to look so irresistible? Water dripped across his cheeks, wet eyelashes accentuating one of his best features. His neck and shoulders tensed, ready for the water that might come at them from any direction.

It sounded as though a war raged around them, but Olivia didn’t see anything but him.

His hand paused inches from her face, as if he intended to wipe the water from her cheeks. Her breath stalled in her chest, then came out in a whoosh of disappointment when his hand lowered.

“Did you hurt your foot?” Cash slid callused hands along her bare skin, her flip-flops doing little to interrupt the current that flowed between them.

His touch was too much. Olivia lunged forward, tackling Cash while screaming for her team at the same time. Though he could easily throw her over his shoulder like Jack had done to Janie, she managed to catch him off balance. Cash fell back onto the asphalt, taking her down with him.

With a war cry, her team descended, Rachel in the lead. Though they aimed for Cash, they managed to get Olivia just as bad. By the time the onslaught ceased, Olivia found herself cradled on Cash’s left side, water running into her ears, hair plastered to her head and neck, clothes soaked through again.

Cash’s hand tightened around her arm, holding her captive as his head dropped to the ground. “Shh.” He whispered against her hair. “If we’re quiet, they won’t know we’re down here. Play dead.”

Shaking with laughter, Olivia left her head in the crook between Cash’s arm and chest.

“Well, Coach Grayson.” His casual drawl made her grin. “I think that one backfired on you.”

She peeked up from his chest, and he returned her smile with one of his own. Olivia hadn’t had that much fun in...she didn’t know how long.

“I wouldn’t say it was a total loss.” Olivia laughed as Cash ran a hand through his hair and water flew out in every direction. Sometime during the scuffle, he had lost his baseball hat.

Janie and Jack approached as she and Cash moved to a sitting position. The Smiths sat beside them, and the four of them caught their breath while the students finally called a truce.

Jack shook the water from his hair like an overgrown puppy. “What are you guys up to tonight? Do you want to come over for dinner?”

Hadn’t she just talked to herself about this very scenario?

Cash stiffened beside her and found his soaked cap on the ground behind them. He snapped it on his head, then stood. “Thanks, but I can’t. I’ve got to run.”

The three of them stood, too, the confusion Olivia felt mirrored on Jack’s and Janie’s faces.

“But you didn’t get your truck washed.” Olivia squeezed a hand down her ponytail, releasing a barrage of water.

He dug out his wallet and pressed a somehow still-dry twenty into her damp hand. “For the team.” Then he jogged to his truck and pulled out of line.

Olivia stared after him, not quite sure what to do with the feelings coursing through her. The hurt from Colorado flashed back, memories of Josh walking away almost suffocating her. She could still see the positive pregnancy test and the two that followed with the same little plus signs. And then...the stress, the shame, the miscarriage.

Olivia had strayed from God’s waiting-for-marriage plan. She’d walked away from God. And her decisions had ended in heartache and regret.

Watching Cash drive away—experiencing that tinge of hurt at his quick disappearance—for the first time in her life, Olivia actually felt momentarily thankful for her jaded past and all those regrets. They kept her from letting her heart get involved with a man who didn’t even know it existed.

Just like the last time.

Chapter Four

Cash stirred the chili bubbling in the pot, then checked his watch again. The first day of after-school practice had been over for hours and still no sign of Rachel. And of course she hadn’t responded to his call or texts. He sighed, laid the wooden spoon on the holder and headed for the cordless phone. He dialed Trish Nettles’s number, hoping the girls had lost track of time and were holed up in Valerie’s room doing homework.

Yeah, right.

“Hello?” Trish sounded hurried. And why wouldn’t she? It was dinnertime. For normal families.

“Hey, Trish, any chance Rachel’s at your house?”

“I haven’t seen her since practice.” And now she sounded sympathetic. “I’ll walk down to Val’s room to see if she knows anything.”

A seed of worry planted itself in Cash’s gut. Trish’s voice mixed with Val’s as a stench filled the kitchen. Cash hurried back to the stove and clicked off the burner for the now-scorched chili, turning on the fan over the stove to help remove the awful smell.

“Val doesn’t know where she is.” Trish paused and he slid open the window behind the sink. “Last I saw Rachel, she was talking to Blake Renner after practice.”

The seed in Cash’s stomach twisted into a full-grown ash tree.

Before they hung up, Trish made him promise to call if he needed any more help finding Rachel. The Nettles family joked that Rachel was their second daughter because of all the time she and Val spent joined at the hip. Maybe they should keep her full-time. Trish would be a much better parent than Cash.

He set the chili pot into the sink, flipped on the water and gripped the edge of the counter.

Renner. What did Rachel see in the cocky boy? He only wished her whereabouts were more of a surprise.

Cash scrounged up some leftovers and tried to distract himself with the Monday-night Rangers game, but nothing held his attention. Each tick of the clock increased his anxiety, and the food sat like a rock in his stomach.

He and Rachel had one steadfast rule between them—always let me know where you are and where you’re going. The stipulation wasn’t that hard to follow. He’d had a similar rule with their parents, but he’d never pushed the way Rachel did. Mom and Dad hadn’t known how good they’d had it.

When the Rangers game finished, Cash checked the time again. Almost ten o’clock. His phone showed three reception bars, but still nothing from Rach. He texted her again. He’d give her another ten minutes before he got in the truck and started looking. Cash’s fingers slid down his contact list, landing on Coach Grayson’s number.

The out-of-town area code flashed on the screen and then disappeared as he contemplated making the call. She was Rachel’s coach. Maybe she knew something he didn’t.

Though Olivia probably wasn’t very happy with the way he’d acted at the car wash on Saturday. He’d had to run, had to get away from how simple it would be to let her in. Jack and Janie loved her. Being with her was too easy. So he’d scrambled out of there, needing some distance.

She’d been in church again yesterday—without Gil—but Cash hadn’t talked to her. Somehow, he needed to figure out a way to be friends with her and nothing more. When his parents passed away, he’d promised himself that he’d give Rachel his undivided attention until she graduated from high school and went to college. No dating. No distractions. He owed Rachel the same great upbringing he’d had, the same love and support he’d received from their parents. After all, if Cash hadn’t believed Tera the day of his parents’ deaths, Rachel’s life would have had a different outcome.

The familiar mixture of responsibility and determination weighed down his shoulders, and Cash let out a slow breath. He’d managed not to date for the past four years. Surely he could handle one more.

Cash pressed the send button for Olivia’s number. He wasn’t going to throw away all of those years of effort in one phone call.

“Hello?” A door closed in the background as she answered. Had he interrupted her evening? What was he thinking? Of course he had.

“Hey, this is Cash. I—”

“Oh, hi.” Her voice held curiosity, and surprisingly after how he’d acted on Saturday, a hint of warmth that stopped his train of thought for a few seconds. “Is there anything I can help you with?” She filled in the silence, but she didn’t have to fill in the rest of the sentence. Cash could hear the words as if she’d said them: at ten o’clock at night...on my cell phone.

“Rachel hasn’t come home yet tonight. Any chance you might know where she is?” A commercial flashed on the TV at a high volume and Cash grabbed the remote to mute it.

“Sorry.” Sympathy laced the word. “I haven’t seen her since the end of practice.”

Disappointment clogged his throat. “Sorry to bother you on your cell.”

“It’s not a problem.”

“How was the first day of school?”

At Olivia’s silence, Cash checked the cell to make sure they hadn’t gotten disconnected. He pressed the phone back to his ear. “I’m giving Rachel a few more minutes to show up. Distract me. Tell me about your day.”

“Oh.” Olivia paused and Cash envisioned her shrug. “It was the typical craziness of the first day. The kids were hyper and excited, and I got very little done besides handing out a list of assignments for the quarter. I did tell my advanced class that we’d be speaking only French in the classroom this year.”

“How’d that go?”

“They all complained.” A smile echoed in her words. “So, tell me about your day.”

He ignored the way his heart hitched. “I did a bunch of work in the office. I needed to get the website updated with what cuts we currently have available.”

“No roping and riding today?”

He laughed. “Nope. Just office work. Have you ever even been to a ranch?”

“I’ve driven past one. There’s a bunch of them in Colorado.”

Cash waited.

“But no, I can’t say I’ve ever visited one on a field trip or anything.”

Sassy thing. “I’ll give you a tour when you come on Thursday night, city girl.” Cash checked the clock. “I better go. Rachel still hasn’t shown up. I’m going to call Jack and Janie and see if they’ve seen her.”

“Wait. I was just over there for dinner and they were both home.” Her voice lowered. “So...I don’t think they’ve seen Rachel either.”

He hated the relief that flooded through him when he realized she’d been at the Smiths’. Instead of what? Out on a date with Gil? Did it matter? He certainly couldn’t ask her out himself. Obviously his attention needed to remain on his sister.

Cash grabbed his red Circle M baseball cap perched on the back of the couch and tugged it on his head. “Guess I’ll hop in the truck and start looking.” After clicking off the TV, he went in search of his keys.

“I’ll help.”

He stopped midstride, suspended in a strange time warp as Olivia’s words hugged him. “You don’t need to do that. I don’t want to keep you out late and—” Rachel’s my responsibility.

“I won’t take no for an answer. She’s my player.” Her words halted for a moment. “And your sister.”

Maybe it wasn’t all about Rachel. Maybe it had something to do with him. Cash moved again, collecting his keys from the kitchen counter and a flashlight he hoped he wouldn’t need from the drawer.

Since his parents’ deaths, he’d only focused on Rachel and the ranch. It felt like basking in warm sunlight to think Olivia might possibly be interested in him.

Cash tamped down his rampant thoughts. One offer to help and he went crazy with ideas he should not be entertaining.

Time to head back to Friend Land, Maddox.

On that note, he should say no to Olivia’s help, but he couldn’t resist the idea of someone keeping him from thinking worst-case-scenario thoughts while he looked for Rachel.

“I’ll swing by and pick you up.”

“Um, how do you know where I live?”

Cash laughed. “I’m not a stalker. You’re three houses down from Jack and Janie in Mrs. Faust’s above-garage apartment. If you wanted anonymity, this isn’t the town for it.”

At Olivia’s silence, Cash checked the connection again. He put the phone back to his ear in time to hear her quiet, forced-sounding laugh.

“Right. Wasn’t thinking about the size of this town. I’ll head down when I see your lights.”

Cash stepped onto the porch, locking the door behind him. “Make sure it’s me. I don’t need to go searching for two girls tonight.”

She laughed for real this time, the sound bringing a smile to his lips despite his rising level of stress.

“Are there even criminals in this town?”

“Yes, city girl.”

Another laugh set his heart racing, but he ignored it as her words brought comfort of a different level. She was right about there being very little crime in Fredericksburg.

Cash strode across the yard to the garage, pausing when he saw round Wrangler-style headlights about a half mile down the road.

“Cash?”

“Hold on. I see some lights coming.”

“Oh, good.”

The Wrangler downshifted as it eased into the yard, and Cash’s shoulders dropped a mile at the flash of sunshine-blond hair behind the steering wheel.

“It’s her. Thanks for keeping me sane.”

“No problem.”

Cash couldn’t resist checking. “I’ll see you Thursday?”

“I’ll see you Thursday.” Olivia hung up and Cash disconnected.

If only his gut didn’t roll with anticipation. Because despite the interest Olivia Grayson stirred in him, Cash wouldn’t let his feelings progress beyond friendship.

He might be a poor substitute parent, but he would do everything he could to make up for that...including giving up any thoughts of a relationship with Olivia.

Tonight only proved his promise to keep his attention on Rachel and not on his own love life was right on the mark.

Maybe in a year he could ask Olivia out.

Right. As if she’d still be single by then. Someone as attractive as Olivia moving into this little town was front-page news. He wasn’t the first man to notice her and, unfortunately, he wouldn’t be the last.

* * *

On Thursday, Olivia turned when she saw the sign for the Circle M, taking a long dirt drive that led to a toffee-painted house with white trim. Off to the left, a line of trees bordered the house and to the right, a barn and garage were painted to match.

After parking to the side next to Rachel’s Jeep, Olivia walked up the stairs, flip-flops echoing across the wide, wooden-planked porch that ran the length of the front of the house. Since the Texas heat and humidity didn’t have an off button, she’d pretty much adopted a different version of the same outfit every day—shorts, T-shirt or tank, flip-flops or tennis shoes.

Guardrail spindles cast shadows onto two rocking chairs that moved in the breeze as she knocked.

“Hey, come on in.” Cash greeted her at the door dressed in jeans and a black T-shirt, hair wet. He smelled like some kind of men’s soap. Who knew such a simple thing could be so attractive?

Hands off, Liv. After their phone conversation the other night, Olivia felt as if she and Cash had moved into new territory—one where their focus centered on Rachel. Exactly where Olivia needed it to be. And she didn’t plan to mess up this newfound harmony with any remnants of buried attraction to Cash.

“I’m warming up one of Laura Lee’s lasagnas.” Cash motioned to the table where Rachel had her homework spread out. “Have a seat and I’ll grab you a glass of lemonade.”

An expansive living room with high ceilings connected with the kitchen and dining space that held a round oak table. Summer evening sun came in through large front windows, playing upon the dark burgundy sofas that flanked a stone fireplace stretching all the way up to the second-story ceiling.

Olivia sat at the table next to the girl she’d seen at practice a half hour before. The one who had dominated in their first match last night with five kills and helped them win in only four games.

Rachel tossed her hair. “I can’t believe Cash conned you into helping me.”

Girl, I’ve dealt with plenty of teenagers like you in the past. You won’t get rid of me that easy.

“It’s all selfish.” Olivia pretended nonchalance—though she couldn’t stop a smile. “I just want you to keep playing volleyball.”

A hint of a curve touched Rachel’s lips, but she quickly quelled the movement. After rearranging her pencils and notebooks, she huffed and rolled her eyes. “I need help with algebra the most.”

Perfect. Olivia’s worst subject. “Then let’s get started.”

While Rachel pulled out her book, Olivia glanced up and shared a small victory grin with Cash.

An hour flew by as Rachel and Olivia switched from algebra to English and then got in a bit of world history before Cash put a stack of plates on the table next to Rachel’s papers.

“Ready in a few.” He added silverware and napkins.

“I’m almost done.” Rachel quickly scribbled in two more answers to her history homework before stacking up her books and papers and dumping the pile onto the floor near her chair.

When Cash put the lasagna on the table and took a seat, laying his palm up next to Olivia’s plate, she stared at the callused hand. Rachel accepted the other hand Cash offered her without an eye roll—shocking—and Olivia made herself do the same, trying not to think about how small her hand felt wrapped up in Cash’s during the prayer.

They dug into the delicious meal, and after finishing off two full plates of food, Rachel disappeared from the table, cell phone in hand.

Cash leaned back and stretched his arms over his head, plate cleaned a few times over. “So, are you ready for that tour?”

“Sure.” Olivia loaded the dishwasher while Cash put away the leftovers.

Cash slid on his boots, and they walked out the front door and over to the barn, the first signs of dusk seeping into the evening.

“Did you always plan to ranch?”

“Pretty much. Dad would have been fine with me doing something else, and I went to college open-minded, but I missed it. I moved back right after to work with him. Of course, I didn’t know at the time that I’d end up doing it all myself. Except for Frank. Every day I thank God for Frank.”

“How can you talk about your parents so openly? Doesn’t it...”

“Hurt?” Cash filled in the word as his gaze swung in her direction. “Yep. But it gets a bit easier with time.” He slid open the massive barn door and flipped on the lights. The fluorescents flickered before kicking on with a buzz. An organized wall of tools lined one side of the barn and the other housed a long row of horse stalls. By the names etched into wooden signs on the gated doors, it looked as though only a few of those were occupied.

A whine sounded from another area of the barn and Olivia paused, waiting to see Cash’s reaction. Maybe it was nothing...or normal. She didn’t have a clue.

His eyebrows pulled together, and he walked in that direction. Olivia followed, thinking everything Cash did had a calculated calm to it. The way his legs covered the distance communicated his concern, but he didn’t rush, even waiting for her to catch up. Once she did, he turned and stepped through a small doorway and flipped on the lights. A desk pushed against one wall and rows of cabinets filled the squared space that Olivia could walk off in a few long strides.

“This is Frank’s space.”

When the whimper sounded again, Cash strode to the desk and dropped to his knees. “Hey, girl.” His quiet soothing continued as he reached into the foot space of the desk and gently maneuvered a beautiful black-and-brown dog out into the light.

The dog’s breathing seemed labored, and scratches marred her nose and face, including one eye that looked almost swollen shut.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m not sure.” Cash ran his hands over the animal. “What happened, Cocoa?”

She answered with a high-pitched whine.

Olivia sank to the cement floor next to Cash, stomach churning when he swiped over the dog’s shoulder and his hands came away covered in bright red blood.

“She must have gotten into a tussle with something. She’ll be all right. I just need to clean her up and then wrap up that spot on her shoulder.”

“You’re going to do it yourself?”

When Cash grabbed a rag from one of the cupboards above them and wiped his bloodstained hands on it, Olivia pressed her lips together and looked away.

“Yep.” He looked at her, amused. “But that doesn’t mean you have to stay.”

Cocoa whimpered and scooted over, depositing her head in Olivia’s lap. Any reservations Olivia had about staying were forgotten. She took over for Cash’s soothing, running her fingers over the soft fur behind Cocoa’s ears and along her back—anyplace she didn’t seem injured. “If you’re staying, I’m staying.”

Cash disappeared into the other part of the barn, coming back with a handful of supplies. He cleaned the wound on the dog’s shoulder first.

“See? It’s not very big. I think I can wrap it up tight instead of doing stitches.”

Olivia slammed her eyelids shut when Cash attempted to show her what he was doing.

He chuckled. “Not much for blood?”

“You could say that.” Again. Olivia continued to soothe Cocoa as Cash applied topical anesthetic and then ointment to each of the scratches across the dog’s face. Cocoa didn’t flinch or move at Cash’s gentle and efficient movements. But when he moved to the open wound, she whimpered and looked up at Olivia with one good eye, pain evident.

“It’s okay, sweet girl. In no time at all you’ll be running around again. He’s almost done.” Olivia glanced at Cash. “Aren’t you?”

Cash continued his ministrations. “Yep, but if you keep up all that sweet talk, Cocoa’s going to milk this thing some more and find a few more injuries to complain about.”

Olivia ignored the warmth cascading through her at Cash’s words and his close proximity, instead focusing on the beautiful animal in her lap.

After wrapping a bandage around Cocoa’s shoulder, Cash secured it with medical tape. “There. All done. Now we just have to make sure she keeps the thing on.” Cash rubbed Cocoa behind the ears. “Do you hear me, girl? No chewing.”

The world tilted. Olivia threw a hand out to the cool cement floor, hoping to steady herself. Surely she wouldn’t faint now.

Cocoa moved her head to the floor as if she could sense Olivia’s unease.

“Olivia?” Cash knelt in front of her, studying her much like he had Cocoa only minutes before. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” She forced a smile to her voice and her face. “You have two heads, but other than that, I’m good.”

She needed to get out of this barn and find some fresh air. Olivia popped up and the walls swirled and spun. She imagined shoving her feet down through the cement floor in order to steady her swaying body, but instead, two warm arms wrapped around her. She let her face rest against Cash’s soft T-shirt and rock-hard shoulder as the scent of that soap surrounded her.

How many times could she end up in this man’s arms by accident?

She was afraid the answer to that question was not nearly enough.

* * *

Cash should let go. Olivia seemed better, but his own pulse raced as though he’d just run across miles of ranch land. What was it about this woman that messed with him? He’d been attracted before, but not like this. It unnerved him the way she seemed all soft and sweet one second and then toed up to his sister in attitude the next.

Wanting to comfort, Cash allowed himself to slide a hand down her satin hair one time, releasing the scent of her mint shampoo.

“Doing better?” He ducked to look into her face.

She nodded, not meeting his gaze, then stepped away. He clenched his fists to keep from reaching for her again.

“I need to go.” Olivia walked outside and Cash followed, turning off the lights and sliding the barn doors shut behind them.

Under the newly darkened sky sprinkled with stars, Olivia paused and took a few deep breaths. The vastness of the charcoal backdrop and the quiet night left Cash feeling as though they were the only two people in the world.

Not exactly what he needed right now.

“Thanks for dinner.” Olivia’s quiet voice interrupted his off-limits thoughts.

“Thanks for helping my sister.”

“You’re welcome.”

Cash decided she looked a little less green. “Do I need to drive you home? Or follow you?”

She laughed. “I can drive myself home and no, you don’t need to follow.”

“Are you sure? Because I don’t want—”

“I’m fine.” Olivia ran a hand through her hair, sending the tips dancing across her light blue V-neck T-shirt. “It usually only takes me a few minutes to recover. I can drive. I promise.”

They walked to the house and Olivia retrieved her purse. Cash stood on the front porch and watched as she drove away, thinking the new volleyball coach had revealed something to him tonight that he’d never realized in all the years he’d lived on the ranch.

He could be jealous of his dog.

Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.