Page 40 of Wrangling a Texas Hometown Hero

Pink tinted her cheeks. “I don’t know if I’d call what I saw on social media dating. It looked more like partying.”

He laughed. “You’re right. There were girls, but I wouldn’t call it dating. I was too focused on football to date . . . I’ve always been too focused on football. Maybe after this month, I’ll completely forget about football and become a travel magazine photographer.”

“A photographer? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you take a picture—even with your phone.” She hesitated. “A month? You’re only staying a month?”

“That’s the deal I made with Mrs. Stokes. Did you think I was moving back permanently?”

“Of course not. I just thought you were staying the entire season. It kind of stinks that the team will just get used to your coaching style and you’ll leave.”

“I never planned to take over the team. I’m just helping out until the school board can find another coach.” He hesitated. “Just like you’re only helping out until Corbin hires a foreman.” He watched her, looking for any signs that he’d been right and Hallie really didn’t want to leave. She did the same. It was like they were both waiting for each other to give in first.

He should have known it wouldn’t be Hallie.

She lifted Jelly Roll off her lap and stood. “Speaking of the ranch, I should get going.”

He had been in such a hurry for her to leave, but now he felt a pang of disappointment. He’d enjoyed watching the game with her as much as he’d enjoyed sitting on Decker and Sweetie’s porch with her. Or having her tag along behind him at the Holiday Ranch. He liked being with her. Talking with her made him feel like . . . he belonged.

The sun had just started to set when they stepped outside. It washed the entire backyard in its flaming burnished colors and turned Hallie’s ponytail into a gold-streaked pendulum that swung back and forth as she headed for the side gate.

“What are you doing?” he asked. “I don’t have a key for that lock.”

“Then I guess I’ll have to make do.” She grabbed on to the fence and started climbing.

“Dammit, Hallie!” He hurried over to stop her, but he was too late. She’d already reached the top and was swinging her leg over. He sucked in his breath at the view she flashed him, then held it until she was safely over the top. “Don’t rip that jersey.”

Her eyes twinkled through the chain link. “Don’t tell me you loaned me your favorite jersey, Jace the Ace.”

“I don’t have a favorite jersey.”

At least he hadn’t.

But as he watched her strut to her truck with his name stretched across her back, he realized he did now.

Chapter Thirteen

“Can you try giving this cowboy the benefit of the doubt, Daddy?” Hallie looked over at her father who was standing outside the barn with her and Corbin, waiting for the foreman applicant she’d invited to the ranch.

“What do you mean?” Daddy said. “I’ve given all the foremen we’ve interviewed the benefit of the doubt.”

Corbin coughed and when Daddy shot him a look, he shrugged. “Gnat flew into my mouth.” He glanced at Hallie. “Although I wish you would’ve talked with me before you invited the man here.”

“Exactly,” Daddy said. “You’re gettin’ a little too big for your britches, Hallie Holiday.”

“I came by that naturally,” she said. “Feeling too big for your britches is a family trait.”

Corbin held up his hands. “Now let’s not start the day off with an argument. Reid Mitchell has already been invited so we might as well give him a fair chance.” He looked at Hallie. “That’s if you’re sure you want to.”

“Why wouldn’t I want to?”

Corbin shrugged. “I was just asking. You’ve been pretty picky about foremen too and I’m wondering why the sudden change.”

It was a good question. She had a good answer. “I’m ready to start my own brewery.” She wanted it to be true, but deep down she knew it wasn’t the real reason she was pushing so hard to hire a foreman so she could leave.

The real reason was Jace.

She hadn’t seen him for going on two weeks and he still held permanent residency in her mind. She went to bed thinking about him and she woke up thinking about him. Their last meeting had only added more memories to try and forget.

Like the way the sunset had painted his blond hair different shades of gold. And how his hot gaze had felt as he’d stared at her breasts. The feel of his strong hands on her legs when he’d kept her from falling. And the heat of his neck that had scorched straight through her panties and left her breathless and feeling like she was going to fall all over again.

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