Page 42 of Wrangling a Texas Hometown Hero

Wanting to see his work ethic, she took him to the barn and asked him to help her muck out the stalls. He didn’t hesitate to grab a shovel and get to work. He cleaned his stall in half the time it took Hallie to clean hers. When they went to saddle the horses so she could see how he rode and show him more of the ranch, it became a bit of a contest to get her horse saddled first. She won, but only because Reid took extra time talking with Homer and getting the horse used to him.

Once they were mounted, they headed out to a pasture where the small herd of longhorns was grazing. She had to admit Reid sat a saddle like he had been born in it. His grip on the reins was light, and yet he had no trouble communicating his wishes to Homer. When they reached the cattle, she had him demonstrate his roping skills. They were good. Damn good. Once again, she found herself pulling out her own rope and wanting to compete with him.

The same thing happened when she asked him to cut a few cows out of the herd. After he did it, she had to prove she could too. On the way back to the ranch, she urged Sadie into a gallop. When Reid grew abreast, she urged her horse to go even faster. He was a man of few words, but when he caught up to her the second time, he didn’t hesitate to voice his thoughts.

“I don’t know what you’re wanting me to prove, Ms. Holiday, but I’m done pushing an animal in this kind of heat.” His chastisement made her realize what a jealous idiot she was being. Reining in, she patted Sadie and praised her before glancing at Reid.

“You’re right. I guess I still have that immature little girl inside me who doesn’t want to be outdone by a boy.”

He shrugged. “You don’t need to compete with me, Ms. Holiday. I’m the one who will be working for you.”

“Not me. My daddy and Corbin. I’m only here helping out until we hire a new foreman.” That was the cusp of her jealousy. Daddy might have needed her help the last few months, but he would never look at her as being good enough to run the ranch. She needed to accept that and move on. She might not love brewing beer as much as she loved this ranch, but she liked it and she was good at it. “I’m moving to Austin to start my own brewery.”

“Brewery?” He tipped his head, looking confused. “I wouldn’t have guessed that in a million years.”

Her spine stiffened. “Why? Because I’m a woman?”

He shook his head. “No. Because you’re such a damn fine cowgirl.”

The compliment made her feel like even more of an idiot. It was time to release her ego and her screwed-up relationship with her daddy and do the right thing. “And you’re a damn fine cowboy who I think will make a fine foreman. While I can’t offer you the job, I can put in a good word for you.”

“I’d sure appreciate that, Ms. Holiday.”

“Hallie.”

He smiled. It was the first smile she’d seen out of him. “Short for Harriet? That was my grandma’s name.”

She sighed. “I wish it was short for Harriet. But let’s not go into that. Hallie is just fine.”

When they got back to the ranch, it was getting dark. Reid helped her cool down the horses and get them bedded down for the night.

“I’m sorry I made you miss the football game,” he said as they headed out of the barn. “Although if you hurry, you might be able to make it by halftime.”

“I’ll probably just eat some leftovers and call it a night.” She glanced at his truck and trailer. “You can park your trailer for the night anywhere on the ranch. I’d recommend Cooper Springs. You’ll see the sign to it on your way out.”

He nodded. “I appreciate that. Any recommendations for dinner?”

“Tito’s Tacos is good. But I prefer the brisket at the Hellhole. Thick bark and fall-apart tender.”

“That sounds perfect.” He hesitated. “You want to join me?” He held up a hand. “I’m not trying to come onto you. I’d just like to hear more about the ranch.”

Hallie hesitated for only a second before she nodded. “Sure. I’ll meet you there in around an hour.”

When she got in the house, she turned on the radio to the local station. She might not go to the games, but that didn’t mean she hadn’t listened to all of them. Once again, the Wildcats were losing. By the time she got out of the shower, the second half had started and they were down by seven. While she was getting dressed, they scored a touchdown that had her almost ripping her panties with excitement. Her excitement fled when they went for the extra point and missed it wide.

She was on pins and needles the entire drive into town, listening to the game and hoping they’d score another touchdown. By the time she reached the Hellhole, the third quarter was over with the Wildcats still down by one. She wanted to stay in the truck and finish listening to the game, but when she saw Reid’s truck in the parking lot, she realized she was already late.

Due to the fact that most of the townsfolk were at the football game, the Hellhole was almost empty. Even Bobby Jay, the owner and head barbecue master, was absent from the kitchen when Hallie walked past on her way to the table Reid sat at.

Like her, it looked like he’d showered and changed clothes. Damn, he was good looking. He wore a light blue western shirt and a black Stetson that matched his hair. The waitress who was taking his order was flirting up a storm and looked thoroughly disappointed when Hallie took a seat.

“I’ll take a Lone Star in the bottle not a glass,” she said. “And your brisket dinner with baked beans and potato salad.”

“Same for me,” Reid said as he handed the waitress the menu. If Hallie had any doubts about why he had invited her to dinner, they evaporated as soon as the waitress walked away and he started firing off questions. “So how long has your family owned the ranch? How many acres? Why longhorns and not Angus? Why don’t you have a website? Do you grow your own feed?”

They talked all through dinner about the ranch. She shared some of her ideas for making the business more profitable. Like Jace, Reid seemed to be impressed and wanted to hear more about them. By the time their peach cobbler skillet dessert showed up with the huge scoops of cinnamon ice cream on top, Hallie had already decided she was going to move heaven and earth to get Corbin to hire Reid.

“Holy smokes.” He stared at the dessert. “I’m not sure there’s room in my stomach for this.”

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