Page 37 of Wrangling a Wild Texan

She couldn’t really argue with the bird. This was bullshit. And all her fault. She shouldn’t have opened the window and let the cussing parrot fly in. Of course, she’d made a lot of mistakes today . . . including kissing Reid when she’d vowed to avoid him.

“Sorry, honey,” Melba said. “But birds aren’t really my specialty. And if you and Reid couldn’t catch it, I doubt I can. But I can call my friend at the Austin animal humane shelter and see if he knows of someone who could come get Jimmy Buffett.”

“Jimmy Buffett?”

“You have to give the poor thing a name and I think it’s fitting, don’t you? And until someone can get there, you might want to get a cage. If you place his food and water in it, he’ll probably fly right in.”

Sunny sighed. “Fine. But I’d appreciate it if you’d call your friend as soon as possible.” Once she’d hung up, she turned to Reid who was standing there with a smug smile on his face. “You think this is funny?”

“You have to admit it’s a little funny.” His smile got even bigger. “Jimmy Buffett?”

“You know Melba and her names.”

“Who’s Jimmy Buffet?” Sophie asked. She had roused from her nap during the chaotic bird chase and was now sitting on the bed, cuddling Patsy, who was watching the parrot as skeptically as Sophie. “Do parrots eat rabbits?”

“No,” Reid said. “I’ve concluded from all the food I’ve put out for him that he loves sweet potatoes and apples, but hates lettuce and blueberries.” He glanced at Sunny. “So I’d steer clear of those.”

She shook her head. “Oh, no. I’m not keeping him. Y’all are taking him with you as soon as we catch him in a cage.” She tapped her phone and pulled up Amazon to order one. “After all, you were the one he followed here. Probably because you’ve become his main food source.”

“Sorry, but you’re the one who let him in. Besides, I already have a rabbit . . . and a teenager.” He glanced at Sophie. “You feeling up to finishing the sign, Soph?”

Sophie turned out to be an enthusiastic, if not a little sloppy, painter. She wielded a paintbrush like it was a wizardry wand and she was Hermione trying to save Harry. But Sunny had never believed in stifling people’s creativity so she kept her thoughts to herself . . . and a rag at the ready. When Sophie ended up being so thrilled with the finished product, Sunny was glad she’d given the teenager free rein.

“It looks awesome!” Sophie exclaimed as they all three stared down at the swirling black letters intermingled with tempting baked goods.

“Awesome, shithead!” Jimmy Buffett squawked from his perch on the angry art.

Reid rolled his eyes at the bird as he draped an arm over his niece’s shoulders. “You’re right, Soph. We did do a good job, didn’t we? I wonder if I should become a painter instead of a rancher.”

“Stick with ranching,” Sunny said. “Believe me, it’s much more lucrative.”

Reid studied her over Sophie’s head. “Maybe it’s not about money. Maybe it’s just about doing what you love.”

There had been a time when Sunny hadn’t cared about making money on her art. She’d just loved doing it. But somewhere along the way, she’d lost that love. It wasn’t so much about the money as much as it was about people liking her work . . . liking her.

That’s what it boiled down to.

She was her art. If people and critics didn’t like it, they didn’t like her.

The clatter of multiple heels pulled Sunny from her thoughts and she turned to the stairs. She hoped it was Melba and her friend coming for the parrot. She wasn’t that lucky. Talk about the fear of people not liking her. That fear swelled to overflowing as all six members of the Secret Sisterhood stepped into the attic.

She knew why the Holiday sisters were there.

They were there to kick a lying prankster out of their club. Thankfully, they were distracted from their mission by Jimmy Buffett.

“Where did that parrot come from?” Liberty stared at the bird in confusion.

Hallie looked at Reid. “Is that the parrot you’ve been telling me about? I see you finally got it down from the tree.”

“He followed me from the ranch.” He flashed a smirk at Sunny. “And apparently took a liking to the Sunshine Room. He flew right in when Sunny opened the window.”

“Don’t worry, Libby,” Sunny said. “Jimmy Buffett isn’t staying. Melba is sending someone to get him.”

“I don’t care if he stays.” Liberty stepped closer to the bird. “He’s kinda cute.”

“Bullshit!”

Liberty jumped back at Jimmy’s outburst. “Or not.”

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