Page 32 of Wrangling a Texas Hometown Hero

“Thanks, but I need to get going.”

“Will you come back?”

He placed a hand on Decker’s shoulder. “Of course I’ll be back. I love you. I didn’t realize how much until I almost lost you. You’re more than just a cousin to me. You’re my brother. And I want you in my life always. So no more attempting to take on an armed robber without backup. And wear your damn bulletproof vest. You’re not Superman, Deck.”

“Believe me, I know. I’ve already gotten this lecture from Sweetie . . . and every other Holiday.” He pulled Jace in for a hug. “I love you too, brother. Thank you for all you’ve done for us.”

“You’d do the same for me.”

“You bet I would.” Decker drew back and grinned. “As soon as you find a woman and start having babies, I’ll be right there to help you put together the crib.”

There was a time Jace hadn’t been able to see himself married and starting a family, but now he didn’t rule it out. He figured that was progress. “I’m counting on it.”

It was hard leaving Decker standing in the front yard of their grandparents’ house looking so sad. Jace was sad too. Almost losing his cousin had made him realize how important family was. He promised himself that he’d be back . . . just as soon as Hallie left town.

Hallie.

He couldn’t get the woman out of his mind. After seeing her yesterday, it was even harder. While she and Sweetie had been helping Mimi and their mama get the food ready, Jace hadn’t been able to stop himself from making comparisons. They were close to the same height with blond hair and green eyes, but that was where the similarities ended.

Sweetie’s hair had been curled in soft waves while Hallie’s had been braided and tied back with an old bandana. Sweetie wore tight jeans, a soft fluttery shirt, and designer boots. Hallie’s jeans fit her legs and butt real nice, but they weren’t skintight or a designer brand. They were Wranglers that had been worn well with faded spots and a frayed hem. Her T-shirt had had another beer logo on it and her cowboy boots hadn’t been made by some designer who didn’t understand ranch work. They had been working boots—with a low heel and no fancy colors or stitching. Sweetie had worn makeup and looked as fresh as a daisy. Hallie had worn no makeup, her face sweaty and flushed with heat.

Yet, Hallie had looked like the most beautiful woman in the world. And every time those lush earthy eyes had settled on him, he hadn’t been able to breathe. It was like he’d been sacked from behind. All the air left his lungs and he couldn’t pull it back in. He was right to think he needed space and time to get over his strong sexual attraction to Hallie.

A lot of space and a lot of time.

Jace didn’t plan on stopping in Wilder on his way out of town. But when he saw the sign in the window of Nothin’ But Muffins stating that Pumpkin Harvest muffins were now available, he didn’t hesitate to pull into an empty park space in front of the cafe. Pumpkin muffins were his weakness and Sheryl Ann made the best.

Being that it was well after ten o’clock on a Tuesday morning, Nothin’ But Muffins wasn’t crowded with townsfolk. Which meant Jace could slip in and out without having to rehash old football memories.

“Hey, Jace!” Sheryl Ann greeted him as soon as he stepped in the door. “I heard you were back in town. I hope you’ll be staying for a while.”

“Actually, I’ll be heading back to Galveston as soon as I get me a coffee and a Pumpkin Harvest muffin. Make that two—no make that a dozen. I’ll take some to my mama.”

“Sure thing. I’ll wrap them up so she can freeze the ones y’all don’t eat.”

“No need. They’ll be gone within a few days.”

She grinned, but her grin faded when the door opened. “Hey, Denny.”

Jace cringed. There was no way his former high school coach wouldn’t want to talk football. Although what was his coach doing there when school and football season had already started?

He turned to greet his coach and was taken back by his appearance. Coach Denny looked like he’d just rolled out of bed. And where was his whistle? He never went anywhere without his whistle.

“Hey, Coach.”

Coach Denny usually greeted him with enthusiasm and a hearty hug and slap on the back. Today, he only lifted a hand. “Hey, Jace. Just coffee for me, Sheryl.”

“Coming right up as soon as I take care of Jace.” When Jace looked at her in question, she whispered under her breath. “He lost the first game of the season last Friday and got fired.”

Fired? Jace couldn’t believe it. Coach Denny had coached the high school football team since Jace was a kid. There was no way Jace could slip out without making sure his old coach was okay. Once Sheryl had filled his order, Jace took his coffee and boxed muffins over to Denny’s table and sat down.

“I heard what happened. I can’t believe it.”

Coach Denny shook his head. “I only have myself to blame. The school board has been warning me for years that I have to start winning games. I knew it was coming. But seeing as how Mrs. Stokes is head of the school board and a good friend, I thought she’d be able to sway the rest of the board. I guess that was just wishful thinking.”

Ms. Stokes did have a lot of pull on the school board. It was her money that paid for everything taxes didn’t. New desks, computers . . . the football stadium. Her desires swayed a lot of people. But she was still only one vote. If the rest of the board wanted Coach Denny out, Fiona Stokes’s wishes wouldn’t make a difference.

“Well, this will give you time to do all that fishing you used to talk about,” Jace said in the hopes of cheering Denny up. “In fact, next time I’m in town, you and I have a date with fishing poles and a cooler of beer.”

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