Falling for Texas

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.