Her Texas Cowboy

Rachel slipped her cell phone from her pocket, hoped the reception would work and called her friend Val. The two of them had been best friends since junior high, and the fact that Val still lived in Fredericksburg was, for Rachel, a definite plus in being home. They’d kept up their friendship over the years—one of the only people Rachel could claim that about. Val had always been levelheaded back when Rachel had been anything but. Now she hoped the two of them were on a more similar plane. Except, at the moment, level was not a feeling Rachel was experiencing.

“Hey,” Val’s voice sounded in her ear. “Connor is eating mac and cheese, which means I’ll probably have to go in a sec when he puts a piece of it up his nose even though I’ve tried to teach him not to do that a million times.”

“Okay.” Not for the first time, Rachel thought what a strange thing motherhood was. “You are never going to believe what Hunter did.”

“Ooh, what?”

She explained about finding the deserted old ranch house, running into Hunter and the conversation that had ensued. “And now he’s started fixing it up after I told him no. I didn’t even know he’d been out here and a bunch of stuff got done.”

“Huh.” Prolonged silence came from Val’s side of the conversation. “That’s...horrible?”

“It is horrible! I don’t want him involved in my life.”

“Technically he’s not involved. You weren’t even there when he did anything.”

“Whose side are you on, anyway?”

A stifled cough-laugh combination answered her. “I mean, how could he just help you like that when you didn’t even give him permission?”

“Your sarcasm is impressive.”

“Thank you. I learned it from you. So, do you want my old-married-lady advice?”

“You’ve been married two years, so I don’t think that qualifies you as headed out for pasture yet, but sure.” Rachel’s mouth curved despite her annoyance with Hunter. “Hit me with it.”

“Let him help. You’re out of space at the house. I’d offer to let you stay here—”

“You guys don’t have room for me, either.”

“That’s why I’m telling you to accept his offer. At some point, you need to let go of what happened between the two of you. This is the perfect opportunity.”

“No.”

“Just...no? That’s all you’ve got?”

“Yep.” Rachel might be using toddler logic right now, but she didn’t care to adjust her maturity level. She didn’t have to explain her feelings, did she? How could she, when she didn’t even understand them herself? “Why would he do this?”

“Maybe he likes you.” Val stretched out the phrase, sounding as though she was imitating one of the second-grade students she taught.

“Ha.” Rachel swallowed, mouth suddenly devoid of moisture. “That’s not funny.”

Laughter floated into her ear, then stopped abruptly. “Oh, no.” Resignation laced Val’s tone. “There went the mac and cheese. Gotta go.”

They disconnected and Rachel glanced at the pile of supplies. What was Hunter thinking? Could Val’s joking insinuation be true? Was Hunter trying to...? No way. He couldn’t have feelings for her. Could he? He had talked to her more in the last few days than he had in years. Was he trying to rekindle things? It made no sense, especially since he always seemed annoyed or offended by her presence. At least, he had before this visit home.

Rachel didn’t know what to think. It couldn’t be. But why else would he do something like this?

It wasn’t like he hadn’t gotten a crazy idea regarding them before. His suggestion they get married had been completely unexpected.

Back in high school, Rachel had made some stupid decisions about guys. She’d dated one she would rather forget and had done a number of things she regretted during her teenage years.

In the last part of her senior year of school, when she and Hunter had first started hanging out, she’d been wary of making another mistake. Another stupid decision about another guy. But she’d quickly noticed the differences in Hunter. He’d been genuine. Always respectful. He’d made her laugh. He was one of the few people she’d talked to about her parents and he’d talked to her about his mom.

They’d hung out a long time before they’d even so much as held hands. Their first kiss had been...heart pounding. They’d been on a walk. He’d been teasing her about something, and the next thing she knew, he’d stopped, buried his hands in her hair and kissed her. Kissed her as though she was oxygen and he needed to breathe. After, he’d backed away. His grin slow. Easy. “I knew it.” Then he’d grabbed her hand and kept walking while she stumbled to find coherent thought again.

She’d fallen for him. Hard.

Falling for him had been the easy part. But even back then, they’d known she was moving for school. The knowledge had hung over them like a storm cloud that followed their every step. At first it hadn’t been menacing—just something to deal with in the future. But as the time for her to leave had neared, the cloud had changed from might-rain-sometime into a dark, severe-weather thunderstorm.

They’d avoided talking much about her looming departure for college, neither of them knowing what to do about it.

The week before she’d been set to move, they’d been sitting on the porch swing at his dad’s house, concern over the future stealing their words, when Hunter had squeezed her hand. “Don’t go,” he’d said. Her head had snapped in his direction. “Stay. I know people will say we’re young, but I don’t want to do life without you. Marry me.” At first, his eyes had flashed with surprise at his words, but then he’d leaned toward her as if the idea had gained momentum. “We should get married. We could elope.”

Rachel remembered precisely how she’d felt. Like a car had rammed into her. She’d loved Hunter, but had known instantly that she couldn’t. As much as the thought of leaving him had hurt and refusing him had felt like the hardest thing she’d ever do, she’d been certain she had to follow through with her plans.

Her stomach had tied itself into thousands of knots. She’d tried to tell him how much she cared about him...but that she couldn’t stay. Couldn’t marry him. Not at eighteen.

In the middle of her explanation, he’d shut down. His eyes had hardened. And then he’d told her to go. That if she didn’t feel the same way about him as he did about her, she might as well leave immediately. In the next week, before she’d left, they hadn’t even seen each other. It had been so painful.

She couldn’t do that again. Rachel didn’t know what Hunter was thinking, but she had to talk to him. They were going to be working together with the youth. They’d be seeing enough of each other that she had to make sure she was clear with him about her future plans and that nothing could happen between them. They couldn’t go back down the road they’d once traveled.

It was Wednesday. Tonight was the first night of working on the float with the teens. She’d head over early and have a conversation with him.

She had to. Because, despite having moved on from their younger years, she knew she couldn’t survive that experience twice.

* * *

“Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”

Autumn was perched on the desk in the barn office/storage area while Hunter rummaged through the bins the church had given him for float decorating.

When he glanced up, her pointed look told him she expected an answer. His sister packed a lot of punch for five foot two. But despite her petite size, she’d always played and fought just as hard as the boys.

“Yes, I know what I’m doing.” He set aside two bins. “Just because you’re older than me doesn’t mean you’re wiser.”

“You are correct.” She twisted her light brown hair over one shoulder. “Age doesn’t matter, but I am wiser.”

He didn’t bother answering that sassy comment.

“You do remember what happened the last time? I mean, I think Rachel’s great and all, but you were a mess when she left.”

He didn’t need the reminder. “I wasn’t a mess.” He might have been a small version of that word. “But that’s not going to happen again. This is about being a friend. What I should have been to her in the first place before I let stupidity cloud my judgment. She needed someone to be there for her, and back then I made it about me and what I wanted. She deserves to be treated well, and while I didn’t accomplish that the last time, I am going to this time.”

“So, you’re just going to help her with this house whether she wants it or not?”

“Pretty much.”

“And you’re trying to prove...”

“That I’m not Dad.” The words slipped out, and Hunter almost rolled his eyes. How did Autumn always pull information out of him he didn’t plan to give?

Her eyebrows stitched together. “Hunter, you’re nothing like Dad. You work hard, so I guess you have that in common, but that’s about it.”

Except for the part where he’d asked Rachel to stay and he shouldn’t have. And the next part, where he’d been a jerk and reacted badly when she’d said no. Autumn didn’t understand because she and her husband Calvin had met when they were older. Dating...marriage...it had all just fallen into place for them without any stupid decisions to atone for.

“Think about it this way. If you knew you couldn’t have Calvin as anything more than a friend, wouldn’t you want that? And if you’d hurt him, wouldn’t you want to rectify that?”

Autumn studied him. Finally, she nodded, but her brow remained pinched. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”

He tapped a fist on his chest. “I’m practically a superhero with all of these muscles.”

She groaned in response, then stood and rubbed a hand over her growing belly. His nephew was coming in about three months, and Hunter was more than ready. It had been a rough pregnancy, and Autumn had been sick for much of it.

She might be his older sister, but he still felt protective of her. Which meant he understood her concern about him. But she was just going to have to trust him. Hunter had prayed over this decision, and he felt peace about it. Moving on and regaining a friendship with Rachel was the right thing to do.

Autumn stretched her arms over her head, accompanying that with a huge yawn. “I’m hungry.”

“What’s new? It’s been an hour since you last ate.”

“Jerk.” Humor puckered the skin around her eyes. “I’ll see you later.”

She let herself out through the office door, and a few seconds later he heard her car start. Hunter grabbed the extralarge gray tote filled with float-building supplies and strode toward the open end of the barn where the flatbed trailer waited.

Rachel stood just inside the large sliding doors. She looked fighting mad. Gorgeous—no surprise there—but not happy. He changed course, walking in her direction.

Was she just here early for the first night with the youth? Or had she found out he’d been at the house? Based on her expression, he’d say the latter. Hunter had hoped helping make the place livable for her would work in his favor, but he was starting to doubt his plan.

Rachel wore a green sleeveless shirt with pressed flowered shorts. Coupled with sandals that daintily looped around her ankles, she looked perfectly put together, yet she still had that edge. The one that said, I don’t belong in this Podunk town. I’m meant for more and don’t you forget it.

Though he read her message loud and clear, it didn’t stop him from appreciating the sight. He’d thought jeans, a T-shirt and boots might do him in the other day, but as it turned out, it didn’t matter what she wore.

Caused a bit of trouble, that. He wasn’t supposed to be noticing how she looked—though, really, it would be impossible for him not to. He was supposed to be renewing their friendship. And he wasn’t off to a great start by the look of it.

He set the large tote on the ground by their feet. “Hey, you’re here early.”

“I need to talk to you before the kids arrive.”

“About the float?” He could only hope.

“No.”

Ah. So she’d found the stuff.

“I assume it was you who started working on the house?”

He didn’t have anything to hide. “I did.”

“I wasn’t even serious about it. It was just a passing thought. Why would you do something like that?” Her breath hissed out. “It doesn’t even make sense. I’m only going to be here for a month or two.”

“What’s Cash planning to do with the house?”

“I don’t know. I asked Olivia what happened with it. She said the last renter trashed it, and Cash hasn’t had time to deal with it since.”

“So after you live there for the summer, he can rent it out again. If none of his ranch hands want to lease it, one of ours might. We’re not talking about remodeling the place. Just cleaning it up and making it livable so you can stay there while you’re home.”

Silence reigned. Rachel opened her mouth, then closed it. Finally, she lifted one freckled shoulder. “I guess that makes sense.” Just that movement made his mouth go dry. Pesky attraction. At least he’d had a lot of practice shoving it down and ignoring it over the years.

“But why are you helping me?” Her forehead crinkled. “Why would you do that? I don’t know if you’ve forgotten, but you and I aren’t on the best of terms. It makes no sense. Unless...” She might as well spit it out since he didn’t have any idea what she was trying to say. “Hunter...” Her voice lowered as though someone was hiding around the corner and might overhear them. “You’re not trying to restart anything between us, are you?”

What? She thought he was...oh, man. He hadn’t even considered that working on the house would make it look like he wanted something more with Rachel. Partly because the idea hadn’t even crossed his mind. But, of course, she couldn’t read his thoughts.

“We can’t.” Her lips pressed together. “I can’t.”

He agreed with her. He couldn’t, either. “I’m not trying to start anything between us. I was just sick of—” he raised his hands “—fighting. Not being able to be around each other. Figured it was time to move on. I knew you could use a hand, and this is what friends do.”

“So you’re not...”

“Nope.”

“Oh, good.” Distress dropped from her frame, her sigh audible. And a little bit offensive. Did she have to be so relieved about it?

Whatever. It didn’t matter. Hunter wasn’t on the hunt for a wife, anyway. What had happened with his mom and then Rachel had tainted that idea for him. He just wanted a quiet life on the ranch. No drama. No women who didn’t want to be there. If he found someone, that would be great, but he wasn’t going to do backflips to make it happen. He could be content on his own.

“I’m not trying to pursue anything more than friendship with you, so you can relax. I wouldn’t do that to you.” Or to himself. “I would never ask you to stay again, Rach. I know you don’t belong here.” Silence swirled between them, the past rearing up with ugly memories. “Promise. You can trust me.”

Her pained glance told him she wasn’t so sure about that.

“Will it put you at ease if I’m not the only one working on the house? Because Brennon called and said he and Val want to pitch in. They’re planning to come out Saturday.”

“What?” Exasperation laced the word. “When did you talk to them?”

“Just a bit ago. Why?”

Sounded like she muttered traitor. “What is up with all of you? I didn’t even ask for help. This is crazy.”

“Are you really surprised? Don’t you remember what it’s like living in a small town? This is how it is. When someone needs something, everyone pitches in. That’s the deal. You’ll just have to adjust to the idea.”

“And what if I don’t want to?”

Hunter knew the answer to this question. His life had taught him this truth numerous times. “You can’t always get what you want.”

Chapter Four

Somewhere along the way, her plan had backfired. Go over there and tell Hunter to back off. Rachel pictured herself doing that “go to the mattresses” punching move like Meg Ryan in You’ve Got Mail, fists jabbing into thin air. And then failing miserably—also just like the character in the movie.

Of course she wasn’t going to let her friends work on the house without pulling her own weight, which meant she’d be spending even more time with Hunter. Rachel had definitely lost the battle to avoid him while home. He’d said he didn’t want anything more than friendship with her—and she believed him—but she still didn’t relish being in his presence. Even the friendship he wanted felt too far out of reach for them. Their bridge had washed out years before, and it was too late to rebuild.

Get used to having people intrude in your life, he’d told her.

Well, she didn’t plan to. Rachel wasn’t about to let her guard down and have him and a whole town rushing in.

Was. Not.

Liv had agreed that Rachel staying at the house was a great idea. Which meant now she just needed to broach the subject with her brother.

They’d just finished dinner, and Grayson had run off to play.

Olivia collected Ryder from his high chair. “I’m going to change his diaper.” She shot Rachel a look, as if to say, do it, already, then headed up the stairs.

Fine. “Cash, what are you planning to do with the little ranch house?”

Her brother finished a long swig of milk. “Not sure. T.J. took off about three months ago. He quit without notice and made a mess of the place. I haven’t had the time or energy to deal with it.” His back pressed into his chair. “I might just let it sit there. Not a real fan of being a landlord, anyway.”

“What if someone got it back in functioning order for you? And then lived there for a little bit and then you could rent it out again?”

His forehead creased. And why wouldn’t it? She was talking in circles.

“I want to live there while I’m home. It will give you guys your house back—”

“This is your house, too, you know.”

“Technically it’s yours.” When they’d settled things with their parents’ will, Cash had bought out her portion of the house. She hadn’t wanted it.

“This will always be your home. You are always welcome.”

The strangest prick of emotion touched her eyes. “Okay.” She heard him. But no matter how many times he said it, she would always feel like a leaf scraping along the pavement in a gust of wind. Rachel didn’t really belong anywhere.

When she moved to Houston, maybe she’d settle in. Put down roots.

“If I can stay at the house, I’ll be close by. My friends are going to help me get it cleaned up and functioning, and then when I leave, you can rent it out again. If you want to. Hunter even mentioned that one of his ranch hands might want to rent it if you’d rather not deal with knowing the tenant personally.”

“I don’t know.” Cash pushed his plate forward and propped his arms on the table. “I just don’t know how safe that would be for you.”

She laughed.

He scowled.

“Oh, you were serious? I thought you were kidding around, because it’s in the middle of two ranches where I know both families. The only visitors would be crickets and frogs.” And hopefully not mice.

Her brother did remember she’d been living on her own for the last six years, right? In a city much bigger than this one. A bit of that old friction radiated between them. Rachel had been excellent at pushing Cash’s buttons in high school. Admittedly, she’d enjoyed every minute far more than she should have. But she really didn’t want to fight with him now. She wasn’t that girl anymore. Or, at least, she made a serious effort not to be.

Liv came back downstairs with Ryder on her hip and paused at the edge of the table, glancing between Cash and Rachel. “It’s weird how Rachel rarely comes home to visit. Here she has all of this tension waiting right here for her and she doesn’t even take advantage.”

Rachel couldn’t help it. She laughed, earning another frown from her brother.

Ryder bounced in Olivia’s arms and Rachel reached for him. He came right to her, and she lifted him in the air, earning a flash of baby teeth, a sloppy grin and a bit of drool. When she settled him on her lap, he grabbed the R pendant she wore on a simple gold necklace and gave it a firm tug. Thankfully the chain withstood his efforts.

Grayson might be her favorite nephew for adventuring, but Ryder was the best at snuggles. His hair was a few shades lighter than Gray’s. Almost had an auburn shade to it. No one knew where that had come from. His cheeks were squishable, and the boy was as solid as a summer day was long. Liv talked about percentiles and other momish mumbo-jumbo, but Rachel just knew her nephew was built like a one-year-old linebacker.

Oliva dropped into the chair next to Cash. “Rachel and I talked about the house earlier today, and I think it’s not such a crazy idea. In fact, I think it’s a good one. How many times have we said we need to get it cleaned up, even if we don’t decide to rent it out again? You don’t have the time. Rachel and her friends will have it done in a few days. We could even use it as a guesthouse if you don’t want to rent it. My parents could stay there when they visit. And Rachel would have a place to crash when she comes back to see us.”

Every time Rachel thought she couldn’t love Olivia more, she was proven wrong.

“Rachel staying there makes perfect sense,” Liv continued. “I’m surprised we didn’t think of it earlier.”

Cash looked part contemplative, part concerned. “I don’t know why she’d want to live in that hunk of a house, anyway. It’s as big as a cracker. And old.” And Rachel didn’t know why her brother was talking about her as if she wasn’t in the room.

“And quiet. And quaint.” Liv sat up straighter in her chair. “Maybe I want to move out there.”

“Ha.” Cash’s eyes narrowed. “Not funny.”

She stacked their empty dinner dishes. “Who says I’m joking?”

A shaking head–grin combination came from Cash. “You’d miss me, city girl.”

Before Liv could retort—and Rachel had the utmost confidence her sister-in-law would have had a good one—Cash turned serious again. “I don’t know that it’s a good idea for you to be out there by yourself, Rach. Something could happen.”

“And now this sounds like when Rachel was in high school.” Liv jumped in, compassion evident despite the disagreement. “She’s twenty-four. Not seventeen. Besides that, by the end of the summer she’ll likely be living in Houston by herself.” If anyone could talk her stubborn brother into something, it would be Liv. “Ryder cries at night, and even though he’s going back to sleep, he’s waking up Grayson who’s crawling into bed with us. I, for one, am exhausted. I’d like to sleep without a foot in my mouth.” Olivia scooted closer to Cash, placed her elbows on the table and propped her head in her hands. “Do you see this face? This is a tired face.”

In answer, Cash leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her lips. “It’s a beautiful face.”

“Flattery will get you everywhere.”

While Rachel appreciated Liv having her back, she wasn’t sure how much PDA she could handle. The house might not be worth it. “I like to think I’ve evolved into a mature version of myself, but you two are kind of grossing me out right now. Somehow you are just as annoyingly sappy as you were when you first got married.”

They laughed.

Rachel glanced at the time on her cell, which was lying on the table. She’d told Hunter she would meet him at the house tonight so they could start working, assuming her brother wouldn’t have any issue with it. She should have known better. The two of them had always been like rams, crashing into the other until one of them won. Though they had gotten better over the years since she’d been gone. Rachel appreciated her brother far more now than she had when she’d been a teen. She’d pushed and clawed at him in high school, but he’d never backed away from her. Even at her snarky teenage best.

She could do the house without his agreement; she knew that. He’d come around eventually. But it wasn’t about permission. It was about getting along. She liked the idea a whole lot better without her brother being upset. They’d been down that road one too many times before, and she had no desire to repeat history.