Page 43 of Wrangling a Texas Hometown Hero

“Well, there’s room in mine.” Hallie picked up a spoon and dug in. She had just swallowed her first bite of peach heaven when the door opened and a group of cheering, hollering townsfolk entered the bar. She didn’t need to ask to know why they were so happy.

A big smile spread over her face and she pumped a fist in the air. “Go, Wildcats!”

Reid laughed. “So that’s what the commotion is about. And here I thought you didn’t care about silly football.”

She shrugged and dipped her spoon into the ice cream and cobbler. “I wouldn’t be a Texan if I didn’t love football.” She took the big bite and then almost choked on it when Jace walked through the door as a loud cheer rang out.

It was strange to see him in the team polo shirt. And even stranger to see him so happy. His smile was huge as the townsfolk surrounded him, handing him beers and thumping him on the back.

“I guess that’s the coach?” Reid asked.

Hallie didn’t take her eyes off Jace. She couldn’t. Jace happy was a sight for sore eyes.

“Yes. That’s a coach.”

Chapter Fourteen

Jace didn’t know if he was buzzed on the beers people kept handing him or the game. All he knew was he felt happier than he had in a long time. It hadn’t been a pretty game. They’d fumbled three times and thrown four interceptions. But, unlike the other two games, the boys hadn’t given up. Maybe because he’d stopped looking at them like only pawns in the goal of winning and started looking at them as kids who had more things to worry about than just winning a game. School and getting into the right college. Girlfriends and hormones. Parents and home issues. They were just kids, like he had once been. They were scared, insecure, and just wanting to please the people they loved most. They didn’t need a coach yelling at them to win. They needed a mentor telling them that they’d be okay.

Right before they’d scored the touchdown in the final seconds to win, he’d rallied the team around and told them that—win or lose—he was proud of them. He was. So damn proud of them that he’d hugged each and every one as they headed out of the locker room to no doubt party their asses off.

They had earned it.

And so had he.

He hadn’t had so much to drink since his night with Hallie. But she wasn’t there tonight. He knew she was avoiding him. Which was for the best. Still . . . he wished she’d been sitting in the stands when he’d won tonight. It was a foolish wish. But one he couldn’t shake.

He downed the rest of his beer and another one immediately appeared in his hand. He glanced at the person who had handed it to him and grinned when he saw Decker.

“Hey, Deck!” He gave him a gentle hug and a soft thump on the back. “What are you doing here?” According to the doctors, Decker was healed up and could go back to work on Monday. Decker was more than ready, but Jace couldn’t help still being concerned for his cousin. “You sure this isn’t too much excitement?”

“I’m ready for a little excitement. If I had to stay in that house one second longer with Sweetie mothering me, I was going to go crazy.”

“Hey.” Sweetie moved up next to Decker. Every time Jace saw her, her stomach looked bigger. “Watch it, mister. This mother hen has a mean peck.”

Decker pulled her in for a quick kiss. “You can peck me all you want, Sweets. But please stop worrying about me. I’m fine.” He winked. “And I’ll be happy to prove it to you later tonight.”

“Too much information.” Jace said, which made Decker and Sweetie laugh. He joined in with them before he held up his beer. “To Decker healing up. To your new addition arriving soon. And to winning football games.”

“Amen.” Decker clinked his beer bottle.

Sweetie held up her glass of water. “And to finally finding a foreman for the ranch.”

Jace lowered the bottle of beer he’d just taken a drink from. “What?”

“I was sitting over there with Corbin and Belle when Hallie walked up and started telling Corbin he would be an idiot if he didn’t hire Reid Mitchell. Although with the way the man looks, she might just be letting her libido take over her good sense.”

“Her libido?” Jace squinted at Sweetie. “What do you mean?”

“Yeah, Sweets.” Decker sent his wife a wounded look. “Just what do you mean?”

Sweetie laughed. “No one is as good looking as you, Decker Carson . . . but Reid Mitchell isn’t what you’d call hard to look at either. And Hallie isn’t known for ignoring good-looking cowboys. Which probably explains why she headed right back to their table after she got finished bullying Corbin into hiring him.” She pointed over Jace’s shoulder. “She’s sitting right over there with Reid.”

Jace followed her finger, but he couldn’t see anything with the crowd. He should continue to drink his beer and celebrate with his family and friends. He shouldn’t care Hallie was there with a good-looking cowboy.

But he damn well did.

“I need to head to the bathroom.” He got up and weaved his way through the crowd. Everyone stopped him to talk about the game. When he finally made his way out, he wished he hadn’t. Just the sight of Hallie sitting at a table with her head tipped back in laughter made him want to hit something.

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