Her Texas Cowboy

Which was why, if he really didn’t want her to live in the little house, she wouldn’t.

“Well?” The toe of Rachel’s flip-flop tapped under the table, her gaze steady on Cash. “What are you thinking?”

His hands rubbed his eyes as he leaned back in the chair. “Are you actually waiting to hear my opinion?”

Ryder shifted on Rachel’s lap, as though he wanted to get down. “I’m a docile version of my old self. Sweet. Compliant.”

Cash snorted as she deposited Ryder on the floor, and he toddled toward the couches and toy bin. He’d only recently started walking, and every few steps he’d tumble to the floor and crawl a little before pulling himself back up on a piece of furniture.

An accusing look flashed from Cash to Rachel and Liv, though it was tempered with amusement. “If I even attempt to say no, the two of you will conspire and do it, anyway.”

Liv’s hand landed on her sternum. “Rachel and me, scheme? That would never happen.” She shot a grin in Rachel’s direction. “Plus, you heard Rach. She’s the picture of innocence these days.”

In the past, her name and scheme in the same sentence would have offended her, even though it likely would have been true. But now Rachel could embrace the humor instead of the embarrassment.

“I’d never forgive myself if something happened to you,” Cash continued. “I know you can make your own decisions and take care of yourself. It’s just having you here makes me think you’re my responsibility again.”

“We’ve been over this.” He’d struggled so much with protecting her after their parents passed away. Over feeling responsible for things that weren’t in his control. “God’s got me covered. I’ve always been in His hands.” And it was true. Rachel didn’t always understand the way God answered prayers, but she did know what-ifs got a person nowhere. “Something could just as easily happen to me in Houston as it could here. There are no guarantees.”

“Well, that’s not helping anything.” A reluctant tilt claimed one side of his mouth. “At least promise me you’re going to fix the broken latch and put the best lock known to man on there. In fact, I’ll get the replacement lock. I’ll spring for whatever supplies are needed to get it functioning again. Only makes sense if we’re going to benefit from your work.”

She whooped and ran over, hugging him.

“Who did you say was going to help you?”

The feeling of excitement plummeted as she straightened. “Val and Brennon on Saturday, and...Hunter.”

“He’s a good kid.”

The kid part made her mouth lift. Hunter was eight years younger than Cash.

Her brother’s head cocked to the side. “Didn’t the two of you—”

“Yep. We did. But that was then. Nothing to do with now.”

Cash raised palms in defense. “Okay. Just...be careful.” He began to drone on about safety with power tools and being sure to ask Hunter about the sink, because it was leaking. And how they should wear masks when they painted. But Rachel was already light-years ahead of him.

They might have slightly different takes on his warning, but Cash didn’t have to tell her to be careful twice. Because that’s exactly what she planned to do.

* * *

Hunter left the door of the house open while he worked. The summer heat clung to him, and the light breeze brought in much-needed relief. He swiped the back of his arm across his forehead. Sweat changed places and he winced. Good thing he wasn’t trying to impress Rachel this time around. He was pretty sure he looked a mess. He’d come straight from the ranch, only stopping to nuke two of those sorry excuses for frozen burritos for dinner. He’d wolfed them down in his truck on the drive over, then wished he’d have made three.

He heard Rachel’s vehicle approach and turn off. A few seconds later, her footsteps sounded on the porch.

“Hey.” She paused inside the doorframe as though waiting for an invitation to come in.

“Hey.”

Hunter grabbed the water he’d brought along from the counter and took a long swig while Rachel stepped inside.

She wore a yellow T-shirt, cut off jean shorts and flip-flops. Her toenails were painted with bright blue polish, the color of one of those slushy drinks kids loved.

She walked over to the bedroom and peered in before facing him.

“You got a lot done.”

“Mostly just removed all the trash. It’s not so bad without the junk.”

“Sorry I’m late. Cash threw a hissy fit about me living out here alone. Like I’m not old enough to take care of myself or something.”

Eye roll. Hair toss. Hunter bit down on his amusement since Rachel wouldn’t take kindly to it. He might doubt his fair share of things, but he was certain of that.

“You’re fine. I just got here. Did you work it out?”

She’d bent down and started looking through the paint cans he’d brought over. “Yep. Where’d you get all of this paint? I should pay you for this. Cash said he’d cover supplies since he’s the one benefiting. Said to tell you thanks for helping out.” She paused. Let out an audible breath. “And that anyone who puts up with me should get a medal for it.”

Quiet laughter shook his chest. “He did not say that.”

She met his eyes, a smile tracing her lips. “He was joking. He did say thank-you, though.”

Hunter nodded toward the supplies. “There’s no need to pay for any of that. I had some stuff left over from my house. Didn’t buy a thing.”

“Your house?” Her tone carried surprise.

“Yeah, I built a few years back.”

“Don’t you live with your dad?”

“Nope. My house is on the west side of our property. Not too far from here.” Hunter knelt to look through the tool bag he’d brought. “You know my dad. He had his fists wound so tight he would never have let me have any ownership of the ranch until he left this earth. I threatened to work somewhere else if he didn’t let me buy in. I wouldn’t have, but he didn’t call my bluff.”

Rachel’s mouth swung open as if on a hinge. What had she thought? That he’d just sat around pining for her all of these years? Hunter grabbed an adjustable wrench, dropped to the floor and scooted the upper half of his body under the sink, wincing at his thoughts. Those old hurts always seemed to pop up with her when he least expected it. Friendship didn’t hold grudges.

“Cash said that’s leaking.” Her voice sounded hollow from his perch inside the cabinet.

“I can tell. That’s what I’m working on.”

Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.