Page 12 of Wrangling a Texas Hometown Hero

“My feet are hurting. Why don’t you do it, Elle?”

“Because Kenny would break up with me if word got back to him that I danced the night away with a handsome ex-football player. And since when do cowboy boots hurt your feet, Hal? You do everything in them.”

She opened her mouth to continue arguing, but closed it again when she noticed Mimi watching her intently. All she needed was her matchmaking grandma figuring out something was going on between her and Jace. Mimi might have accepted Hallie wasn’t interested in getting married, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t jump on the chance to see Hallie hitched. Sisters’ oaths meant nothing to Mimi.

She pinned on a smile. “You’re right. Dancing with a handsome cowboy is worth a little foot pain.” She turned and headed toward the dance floor. Sure enough, when she weaved her way through the dancers, she heard Mrs. Stokes in full-out small-town football mode.

“. . . that final touchdown pass you made to win the game was so damn beautiful, Jace, that there wasn’t a dry eye in the stadium. That just goes to show you how football can touch a person’s heart. It’s not just a game. It’s a religion. And you, my boy, were the preacher that saved our souls.”

Hallie rolled her eyes before she reached out and tapped Mrs. Stokes on her ratty mink stole. “Excuse me, Ms. Stokes. Do you mind if I cut in? I haven’t seen Jace in forever and wanted to chat with him before he disappears on us again.”

Mrs. Stokes shot a glance at Jace. “You do have a habit of disappearing, Jace Carson.”

Jace shrugged. “So many places to see and so little time, Ms. Stokes.”

Mrs. Stokes snorted. “Ignorant young folks.” She pointed at Hallie. “You need to learn from this one. She went and sowed her wild oats, but now she’s coming back home where she belongs.”

“Only for—”

Mrs. Stokes cut her off. “I need a cigarette. Hopefully, I can sneak one without Corbin catching me. That boy is too controlling for his own good.” She released an exasperated huff before she turned and weaved through the dancers.

Once she was gone, Jace didn’t hesitate to pull Hallie into his arms and join in with the other people two-stepping in a wide circle. If she’d thought talking to him had brought up images, it was nothing compared to having his hand curved around her waist and his warm fingers cradling hers. It took strong willpower to push those images out and concentrate on following his lead.

“Thanks for saving me,” he said as he skillfully maneuvered her around a couple.

“It wasn’t me. It was Mimi who sent me. I figured a big, bad ex-football player could handle a woman half his size.”

Jace looked down at her and grinned. “I’ve never been able to handle teeny weeny women.”

She scowled. “I’m not that teeny.”

“Says the woman who doesn’t even reach my chin.”

Before she could argue the point, a pointless point since she didn’t reach his chin, the song ended and a much slower song began. She thought that would be the end of their dancing, but Jace pulled her closer and changed his steps to a waltz. She had never been a perfume or cologne girl so she didn’t know her scents, but Jace smelled good. Real good. His skin gave off an earthy scent that reminded her of fresh-cut hay and lazy late summer days.

“Be sure to tell Mimi I owe her.” His voice rumbled close to her ear, sending a shiver of awareness through her.

She squeezed her eyes shut and took a deep breath before answering. “You can’t tell her that. Owing my grandmother is a sure way to end up doing something you don’t want to do.”

He laughed, the heat of his breath ruffling her hair. “So you’re moving back to Wilder?”

“Just for a little while.”

He nodded, his chin brushing her head. “You belong here.”

“Now you sound like Mrs. Stokes.”

“No, really. You love the ranch. Anyone with eyes can see that.”

Her daddy never had, but she wasn’t about to go there. “And where do you belong? And don’t give me that song and dance you gave Mrs. Stokes about so many places to see and so little time. You never talked about living anywhere but Wilder after you were finished with your dream of playing pro football.”

“Dreams change.” Suddenly, his shoulder muscles stiffened and she drew back to see a pained look in his eyes as he stared at something behind them. She followed his gaze and saw Sweetie and Decker dancing only a few feet away. They were looking into each other’s eyes, not paying any attention to the other dancers around them.

Or to the man watching them with hurt . . . and envy.

Hallie’s eyes widened as the truth hit her.

She turned back to Jace. “You are still in love with my sister.”

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