Page 34 of Wrangling a Texas Hometown Hero

She wasn’t finished yet.

“You look a little indecisive, Jace Carson. And maybe I can help you with that.” She picked up a pack of cigarettes and tapped one out. He thought she was going to light it. Which wouldn’t have surprised him, even though there was a strict no smoking policy in public buildings in Wilder—not to mention the No Smoking sign sitting on her desk—Mrs. Stokes had always ignored the rules and done exactly as she pleased. But she didn’t light the cigarette. Like she’d done the night of the wedding, she only placed it in her mouth and inhaled deeply before she continued.

“While I’ve never been a gossiper.” She sent him a pointed look. “And I’d never purposely mention something I might have accidentally overheard. I’m an old woman and sometimes things slip out of my mouth without my brain paying much attention.”

Jace stared at her, unsure of what she was saying. “Excuse me?”

She shrugged. “I’m just saying I’d hate for you and that sweet little Hallie Holiday to be the center of bad gossip.”

When her words sunk in, he squinted at her. “Are you blackmailing me, Ms. Stokes?”

“Blackmail? Now that’s an awful harsh word.” She smiled. “I’m more like persuading you to do something that I think will not only be good for Coach Denny and this town, but also for you. According to what I hear, you miss football as much as Denny does. If that’s the case, you’ve just been offered a wonderful opportunity to get back into it.”

“And if I don’t, you’ll tell people about me and Hallie.”

“Did I say that? I don’t think I said that.” She stood. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I think I’m going to head on over to Nothin’ But Muffins and get me some coffee and one of those Pumpkin Harvest muffins. I heard Sheryl Ann made the first batch of the season this morning.” She took her ratty mink stole off the coat rack behind her and swept it over her shoulders. “You want to come with me, Jace Carson? My treat.”

“No, thank you,” he said.

She shrugged. “Your choice.” She turned and headed for the door.

He knew she was playing him. The chances of her gossiping about his and Hallie’s morning together at Nothin’ But Muffins were slim to none. She might be a sly old woman, but she wasn’t vindictive or hurtful. But was he willing to take the chance? That was the question.

The answer was no. He was sick and tired of people talking about him. He had been the center of gossip in this town for as long as he could remember. Most of it was about him failing—failing to keep his daddy, failing to keep his girlfriend, failing at his football career. He was sure that if word got out about him and Hallie, people would think the same thing Hallie had thought: he was still in love with Sweetie and had used Hallie as a temporary replacement. And he wouldn’t be the only one hurt by that gossip. Hallie would be hurt and so would Sweetie, Decker, and the rest of the Holiday family.

He hopped up and rushed after Mrs. Stokes.

She was waiting just outside the door with a smile that said she knew he would follow. “Change your mind?”

He scowled. “Fine. I’ll coach. But only for one month.” He held up his finger. “You have one month to find another coach. And Coach Denny stays on the coaching staff—even after I’m gone.”

“I think I can convince the board to agree to that.” She pulled a key out of her purse and handed it to him. “That’s the key to my guesthouse. I figure you’ll want a place to stay that has room for the occasional guest.” She winked at him before she glanced down. “And your cat.”

“My cat?” He followed her gaze and saw Jelly Roll sitting by the door of the bank looking like a bedraggled feral street cat. “Oh, that’s not my cat. That’s Mel—” He cut off when the cat walked over and started rubbing against his legs and purring loudly.

“Looks like your cat to me,” Mrs. Stokes said before she turned and headed across the street to Nothin’ But Muffins.

Jace picked up the cat and walked into the bank to look for Melba. But Melba wasn’t in the bank. Nor was she at the sheriff’s office where she worked. Or Nothin’ But Muffins. Or anywhere else around Wilder.

Which could only mean one thing.

Two townsfolk had suckered him today.

Chapter Eleven

As soon as Hallie stepped into the Holiday Bed and Breakfast, she was overwhelmed by the transformation. It looked like Liberty and Belle had used all their event-planning skills, not to mention a buttload of money, to transform the foyer and the front parlor into an English garden filled with potted plants and huge flower arrangements. Along the bannister hung a garland of flowers with two signs in gold and soft green: Baby Carson. Baby Remington.

It wasn’t just the baby shower decorations that took Hallie by surprise. It was the renovations Liberty and Jesse had done to Mrs. Fields’ old mansion. Last time Hallie had been there, the house had been a crumbling death trap. Now it looked like an expensive southern hotel that made Hallie feel as uncomfortable as the dress Noelle had insisted she wear.

“Oh my God!” Noelle gushed as she looked around. “This is stunning. I am so getting married here.”

Hallie rolled her eyes. “I thought you wanted to get married in the barn.”

“That was before I saw what Jesse and Liberty have done to Mrs. Fields’. This is so much better than a stinky old barn.”

“Gee thanks.” Liberty came out of the parlor. “I’ll be sure to tell Jesse you think our bed and breakfast is better than a stinky barn.”

Noelle gave Liberty a hug. “So much better. And I expect you and Belle to do my wedding shower just as extravagantly as this one.”

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