Page 33 of Wrangling a Wild Texan

Decker got to his feet. “Then if that’s settled, I’d like to talk to Sophie alone and make sure she understands that if she causes any more trouble, I won’t be as lenient.”

Reid stood and held out his hand. “Thank you, Sheriff Carson. I appreciate you giving Sophie a second chance.”

Decker shook his hand. “Everyone deserves a second chance. And call me Decker.”

When Reid stepped out into the lobby with Sunny, he found Sophie sitting on the floor with a kitten curled on her lap. Since getting Patsy Cline, Reid had learned that his niece was an animal person. She and Patsy had taken to each other like ducks to water. Sophie was rarely without the rabbit tucked in her arm. Even now, she seemed reluctant to let go of the cat. She held it close to her chest as she got to her feet, her attention focused solely on Sunny.

“You didn’t have to tell the truth. I wouldn’t have tattled.”

Sunny reached out to pet the kitten. “I know, but I couldn’t have lived with myself if I let you take all the blame. I shouldn’t have told you about the pranks.”

“You just wanted me to feel better. You didn’t make me do it. It was my decision.” Sophie hesitated and finally looked at Reid. “What’s gonna happen to me?”

Before Reid could answer, Decker spoke. “I’ll be happy to answer that. Come on in to my office, Sophie.”

Sophie nodded solemnly and placed the kitten back in its crate. She started for Decker’s office and then stopped and threw her arms around Reid.

“Please don’t let them take me to jail, Uncle Reid! Please! I promise I’ll never do anything bad again.”

It was the first time she’d ever hugged him and he didn’t know what to do. He awkwardly patted her back as his hearttightened with an emotion he couldn’t describe. “It’s okay. You’re not going to jail, Soph.”

She drew back, her eyes tear drenched and heartbreaking. “And you’re not gonna get rid of me? You’re not gonna put me in foster care?”

Emotion welled up inside him and it was a struggle to keep the tears from his own eyes. “Hell, no. Where would you get that crazy idea? We’re family, Soph. Family sticks together through thick and thin.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “We’re in this together, kid. You’re not going anywhere . . . and neither am I.”

Chapter Twelve

On Saturday morning, Sunny woke to rhythmic knocking on her attic room door. It was a knock she’d recognize anywhere. Ever since she had met Jesse, he rapped out “You Are My Sunshine” whenever he knocked on her doors. It always made her smile.

And this morning was no different . . . even though she had lots of reasons for not smiling. Mainly, the fact that everyone in town would soon find out she was the devious prankster who had destroyed signs and caused all kinds of trouble for them.

So far, Jesse was the only family member who knew. Since he had been a little bit of a rascal himself growing up, she figured he would understand her devious side. That, and she’d needed help taking down the Nothin’ But Muffins sign the night before and bringing it here so she could start painting it.

Jesse hadn’t been surprised to hear about her misdeeds. Apparently, he was like Miss Burrows and knew there was more behind Sunny’s bright smile than met the eyes. Unlike Corbin, who thought Sunny hung the moon and never did anything wrong. He’d soon find out how wrong he’d been and she was not looking forward to his look of hurt and disappointment.

The knock came again and she lifted her head and groggily called, “Come in, Jess!” before snuggling back in her pillow. There was a click of boot heels on stairs. A lot of boot heels. She popped up like a Jack in the Box worried that Corbin had come with Jesse. But it wasn’t her brother who followed Jesse up the stairs.

It was Reid and Sophie.

Sunny was relieved and also embarrassed about being caught looking like a sleep-wrinkled hot mess when Reid looked like every woman’s fantasy in his black Stetson, muscle-popping white T-shirt, and form-fitting Wranglers. She wasn’t sure if she blushed from embarrassment or the way his champagne eyes slid over her.

But she had decided that Reid was one wicked desire she couldn’t give in to. Not only because she worried about hurting him and Sophie, but also because she worried about getting hurt herself.

The desire she had for Reid was much stronger than anything she’d felt before. In Decker’s office, she’d been seconds away from throwing herself at him just like she’d done in the middle of town. Her intense feelings scared her enough to want to stay away from him. Thankfully, he was only dropping Sophie off to help her paint the sign.

Sunny climbed out of bed. “Sorry. I overslept.” She sent an annoyed look at Jesse for bringing them up without making sure she was awake and dressed, but he was too busy laughing to notice.

“Nice jammies, Sunshine Brook.”

Too late, she realized what pajamas she’d thrown on last night. She felt her cheeks heat once again as Reid took in theElfonsie Noelle had gotten her for Christmas. He pressed his lips together as if he was trying to keep his own laughter in as Sophie exclaimed,

“I love Buddy! Those are the cutest pajamas ever!”

Sunny ignored the men and smiled brightly at Sophie, who was cradling Patsy Cline in her arms. “Thank you, Soph. I love them too.” She reached out and slid her hand over the rabbit’s soft ears. “It will just take me a second to get dressed. You and Patsy make yourselves at home.” She glanced at Reid. “I’ll drop her off at the ranch when we’re finished here.” She expected him to nod and head for the door. Instead, he took off his hat.

“I think I’ll stay if it’s all the same to you.”

It wasn’t the same to Sunny. He was pure temptation and she had never been good at ignoring temptation. But she couldn’t be rude. Especially when she understood perfectly why he wanted to stay. He didn’t want her putting any more bad ideas into Sophie’s head.

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