Page 17 of Wrangling a Texas Hometown Hero

“Yep.”

He groaned as he unsnapped his shirt and started re-snapping it. “And I thought he was really starting to like me.”

“He does like you. You’re the man who saved his ranch.”

He finished snapping his shirt and looked at her. “I’m also the man who took it.” He squinted his eyes in thought. “I believe your exact words were lowdown snake and villainous ranch thief.”

It seemed Corbin had a good memory. “Sorry about that, but that was before you fell in love with my sister and put everything to rights.”

He frowned. “I haven’t put everything to rights. I want this ranch to be successful and I’m not sure I’m the man for the job. There’s so much I don’t know about ranching.”

“You’ll learn.” She set down the shovel and went to grab the handle of the wheelbarrow, but Corbin stopped her.

“I got it.”

She stared him down. “Please don’t tell me you’re one of those men who won’t let women handle certain jobs.”

He held up his hands. “No, ma’am. You want to haul horse poop, I’m more than happy to let you.”

They worked together on the rest of the stalls. Once they had them cleaned out and fresh straw put down, they were both sweating like pigs and it was a relief to get out of the hot barn and move under the shade of the big oak. Although once there, she couldn’t help remembering the last time she had stood there. Just the thought of Jace Carson had her face flushing with anger.

“You okay?” Corbin asked. “You’re probably not used to working in this heat.”

She pulled out a bandana and wiped the sweat from her flushed face. “Living in the city, I did forget how hot a barn gets in the summer.”

“So did you get all moved in?”

She had just arrived at the ranch the day before after being in Austin for three weeks finishing out her lease and packing. “I didn’t have that much to move. The furniture came with the apartment. I just have some clothes and my brewing equipment.”

“Belle told me you make your own beer.”

This was the opportunity she’d been waiting for. “I sure do. I’d love for you to try it.”

“Of course. But I’ll be honest. I’m not much of a beer drinker.”

“Because you haven’t tasted mine. It will change your mind.”

He laughed. “You sound like Mimi with her elderberry wine. She thinks it cures everything from lovesickness to depression.”

“My beer doesn’t cure anything but thirst. How about I go get a couple and meet you on the porch?”

It took her a while to get the beer. Mama wouldn’t let her set foot in the kitchen until she’d washed off with the hose and taken off her boots. When she finally made it to the porch, Corbin was sitting in a chair talking on his phone.

“. . . I’m sure Gilley will be fine, Bella. Dogs eat lots of crazy things and it doesn’t kill them. If it makes him sick, he’ll throw it up. But if you’re still worried about him when I get home, I’ll take him to the vet . . . yes, I love you too, baby.” He hung up and took the bottle of beer Hallie handed to him. “I guess Gilley decided that chewing one of his chew toys wasn’t as much fun as eating it whole.”

Hallie laughed as she sat down in the porch swing and gave it a push. “That huge furry dog eats everything. At the wedding, he was snatching things off people’s plates right and left—that’s when he wasn’t chasing Melba’s new foster cat around, wanting to play. I had to rescue the cat numerous times from the overzealous dog.” She sighed. “Which convinced Melba that I’d be the perfect adoptive mama for Jelly Roll.”

Corbin raised his eyebrows. “Since I don’t see a new cat, I figure you didn’t let her bamboozle you.”

“I refuse to adopt a solid black cat with my name.”

He grinned. “I see your point.”

“It was hard to say no. Jelly Roll is the sweetest thing. But I can’t take a pet until I’m settled.” She watched as Corbin took a sip of the beer. “So what do you think? And be honest.”

“I think it’s good.”

She frowned. “I was hoping for a little more enthusiasm.”

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