Page 10 of Wrangling a Texas Hometown Hero

“The Texas Rang—?” Noelle started, but Hallie shot her a warning look that cut her off. She brushed at the droplets of champagne clinging to the bodice of her too-tight dress and smiled at the people staring. “Yes. The poor Texas Rangers lost. What a shame. I was hoping we’d win that basketball game.”

Hallie hissed under her breath, “Baseball.”

“Right. Baseball.” Once everyone had returned to their conversations, Noelle lowered her voice and spoke. “What was that all about, Hal? You’ve been acting weird all day.”

“I’m just tired of listening to you salivate over Jace Carson. I thought you were in love with Kenny.”

“I am, but that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate a good-lookin’ man. Kenny is as cute as a bug’s ear, but he’s no Jace Carson.”

She had a point.

Very few men could compete with Jace.

Not only could he throw a football with the accuracy of a bullet, but he could also make a three-pointer from half court and pitch a no-hitter. And he wasn’t just a gifted athlete. He was a nice guy. The type of guy who would help little old ladies cross the street, always stop to pet a dog or scratch a cat, and never seemed to mind when his girlfriend’s little sister tagged along behind him during those summers when he worked at the Holiday Ranch.

Then there were his looks.

His hair went from platinum blond to rusty penny brown like the colors cast by a tall glass of beer in full sunlight. His eyes looked soft baby blue in full sun and sexy smoky gray in shadow. His features were a mix of rugged man and boyish charm. Charm that could lure a snake right out of his skin . . . or a woman right out of her panties.

“So what do you think he’s doing here?” Noelle asked.

Hallie couldn’t keep her gaze from going to the dance floor where Jace was two-stepping with the mayor. He even two-stepped better than any man on the floor. Although he didn’t look like he was having a good time. No doubt because the mayor was talking a mile a minute. If the pained look on Jace’s face was any indication, it was about football.

Hallie couldn’t help the pang of sympathy that settled in her stomach. She had gotten after him for feeling sorry for himself, but she understood why he was so depressed. She knew what it was like to have something taken from you when you thought you’d have it forever.

She looked away and answered her sister. “This is his hometown, Elle. Why wouldn’t he come back? His cousin lives here.”

“I don’t think he came back to see Decker.”

Hallie tensed. “What makes you say that?”

“Because Decker stole the love of his life.”

Hallie relaxed. “I’m sure Jace is over Sweetie as much as Sweetie is over Jace. If he had been that in love with her, he wouldn’t have let her go so easily.”

“Oh, Hallie, your inexperience with men is showing. Men have extremely delicate egos. Sweetie broke up with him. He couldn’t chase after her and save any kind of face with the folks of Wilder. Why, they would have pitied him until his dying day. So he had to act like he didn’t care. But I bet he’s still pining for her.” Noelle sighed. “That’s just how true love works.”

Hallie snorted. “Really? You’ve been in love with at least a dozen guys, Elle, and I don’t see you pining away for any of them.”

“Because it wasn’t true love. True love is different than regular old love. I think Jace truly loved Sweetie. Otherwise he’d be married by now. Or at least have a girlfriend. But I follow him on social media, and while he doesn’t post, there are a lot of women who tag him. From what I can tell, he’s not serious about any of them. They are just his sex buddies.”

Hallie choked on the bite of cake she’d just taken.

“Oh, come on, Hal.” Noelle thumped her on the back. “Don’t tell me you haven’t heard of sex buddies.”

She set down her plate and picked up Noelle’s glass of champagne and took a big gulp. She shivered as the bubbly alcohol slid down her throat. She hated champagne with a passion.

“I’ve heard about sex buddies. I just didn’t think my virgin sister had.”

Noelle’s eyes widened as she glanced around. “Would you hush up? I don’t want the entire town knowing I still have my blossom.”

Hallie rolled her eyes. “For the love of Pete, Elle. Would you stop calling your virginity that? What are you, thirteen?”

Before Noelle could answer, Mama came hustling up. Mama was always hustling. The woman never sat still. She pulled Hallie into her arms for a tight hug. Darla Holiday gave the best hugs, but Hallie didn’t know why her mama was hugging her like she’d just arrived, until she spoke.

“Mimi told me about you moving home. I’m tickled pink, honey. Just tickled pink.”

“Wait a second.” Noelle said. “You’re moving home?”

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