Page 29 of Wrangling a Wild Texan

Sunny tried to keep her face completely devoid of emotions. “Do you know who did it?”

Noelle shook her head. “Just like last time, the culprit got away with it. But I’m sure it’s teenagers again. Although whoever did it before was a much better painter. This time, thetlooks more like anjand they splattered paint everywhere.”

“Too bad,” Liberty said. “If it looked like at, I’d convince you to keep it. It’s damn funny.”

Noelle scowled. “It’s not funny when you had to spend all morning filling out a police report with Decker when you should be baking. And are you comparing my baking to a butt, Libby?”

“Never.” Liberty held out her hands. “Now give me.”

Noelle held the box back. “Sunny first. I don’t want you eating Sunny’s Strawberry Sweet Cakes in a pregnancy hunger frenzy.”

Sunny graciously took the muffin from the box Noelle held out to her, even though her stomach felt like a jar of nervous bees. “A police report? Are you sure that’s necessary? I’ll be morethan happy to repaint the sign for you. Like you said, it was probably just an innocent prank.”

“Thank you, Sunny. That would be awesome. And maybe it was an innocent prank, but we can’t just let it go. Last time, when Sheryl Ann let it go, whoever was responsible just kept right on causing problems. And I can’t see our mayor being thrilled if her underwear ends up flying from the town hall flagpole. Especially when we all know she wears Spanx.”

Unable to sit still a second longer, Sunny jumped to her feet, startling both Noelle and Liberty.

“I just remembered. I have a . . . nail appointment.” She waggled the fingers of the hand not holding the muffin. “I think it’s about time to cover these unsightly things with acrylic.” With her brightest smile, she turned and headed for the closet to get dressed.

It didn’t take her long to get to the high school. Just stepping into the halls brought back all the inferior feelings she’d had when she’d gone there. Once again, she felt like an outsider who would never really fit in—especially when she found herself standing in front of Miss Burrows.

The office receptionist hadn’t changed at all. She was still as skinny as a pencil, still wore the same large black-framed glasses . . . and was still as mean as a rattlesnake.

“If you want to talk to the principal, you’re out of luck.” She continued to type away on her computer keyboard, not even glancing in Sunny’s direction. “He’s busy.”

Sunny fidgeted. “Actually, I was hoping to talk with Sophie Mitchell.”

Miss Burrows stopped typing and sent her the same look she’d sent her years before when Sunny had come into the office—like she was an airhead who didn’t understand the simplest of rules. “I’m sorry, Miss Whitlock, but we don’t just let random people take our students out of class to talk to them.”

“I know that, Miss Burrows, but I just need to talk to her for a second. And I’m not random. You’ve known me since I was a freshman. Remember?”

A distasteful look crossed her wrinkled face. “Oh, I remember you. I constantly caught you in the halls when you should have been in class.”

“I had passes.”

Miss Burrow scowled. “Ones I’m sure you finagled from your teachers. You fooled a lot of people with your sweet smile, young lady. But you never fooled me. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have work to?—”

She cut off as Jace walked into the office wearing his coaching polo shirt and carrying a clipboard. Sunny hadn’t known Jace in high school. He’d already left for college by the time she and Corbin had come to town and had only recently returned—much to the entire town’s happiness. He had been, and still was, the hometown football hero. Only now he was coaching instead of playing. Hallie said he’d been one depressed grumpy Gus when his professional football career had ended. He wasn’t depressed or grumpy now. Every time Sunny ran into him, he looked like a man who had everything he wanted in life.

A man who had no trouble fitting in.

A big smile spread over his face when he saw her. “Hey, Sunny. What are you doing here?”

“I just stopped by to talk to Sophie Mitchell.” She glanced at Miss Burrows. “But I forgot that . . . random people can’t take students out of class.”

Jace nodded. “Yeah, that is frowned upon.” He flashed a smile at Miss Burrows and Sunny was shocked to see the woman blush. “Thank you, Miss Burrows, for protecting our students. I know everyone at this school feels safer with you sitting behind that desk with your strict guidelines and lovely smile.” MissBurrows’s blush got even brighter. “Sophie has English this period, right?”

“No, History. But I can’t let?—”

Jace held up a hand. “Of course you can’t. I’ll be happy to walk Sunny out.” Except as soon as they were out of the office, he led her in the opposite direction of the front doors. He stopped a few feet away from a classroom and turned to her.

“Hallie told me about the sisters’ plans to make Sophie feel more welcome here. She also told me that Reid made it perfectly clear he didn’t need the help. And if Reid doesn’t want help, Sunny, maybe we should leave things alone.”

Sunny wished she could. But it was too late for that. She’d butted her nose in where it didn’t belong and now Sophie was going to pay the price. She couldn’t let that happen.

“I totally agree, Jace, but I just need to talk with Sophie for a second.” She gave him the same pleading look she’d given all her teachers when she’d gotten antsy in class and wanted out.

A twinkle entered Jace’s eyes. “Now I know why Corbin gives you everything you want. Okay, I’ll get Sophie for you. But I still don’t think it’s a good idea. Reid doesn’t seem like the type of man who will put up with people interfering in his life.”

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