LITMIR.BIZ

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there even criminals in this town?”

      “Yes, city girl.”

      Another laugh set his heart racing, but he ignored it as her words brought comfort of a different level. She was right about there being very little crime in Fredericksburg.

      Cash strode across the yard to the garage, pausing when he saw round Wrangler-style headlights about a half mile down the road.

      “Cash?”

      “Hold on. I see some lights coming.”

      “Oh, good.”

      The Wrangler downshifted as it eased into the yard, and Cash’s shoulders dropped a mile at the flash of sunshine-blond hair behind the steering wheel.

      “It’s her. Thanks for keeping me sane.”

      “No problem.”

      Cash couldn’t resist checking. “I’ll see you Thursday?”

      “I’ll see you Thursday.” Olivia hung up and Cash disconnected.

      If only his gut didn’t roll with anticipation. Because despite the interest Olivia Grayson stirred in him, Cash wouldn’t let his feelings progress beyond friendship.

      He might be a poor substitute parent, but he would do everything he could to make up for that...including giving up any thoughts of a relationship with Olivia.

      Tonight only proved his promise to keep his attention on Rachel and not on his own love life was right on the mark.

      Maybe in a year he could ask Olivia out.

      Right. As if she’d still be single by then. Someone as attractive as Olivia moving into this little town was front-page news. He wasn’t the first man to notice her and, unfortunately, he wouldn’t be the last.

      * * *

      On Thursday, Olivia turned when she saw the sign for the Circle M, taking a long dirt drive that led to a toffee-painted house with white trim. Off to the left, a line of trees bordered the house and to the right, a barn and garage were painted to match.

      After parking to the side next to Rachel’s Jeep, Olivia walked up the stairs, flip-flops echoing across the wide, wooden-planked porch that ran the length of the front of the house. Since the Texas heat and humidity didn’t have an off button, she’d pretty much adopted a different version of the same outfit every day—shorts, T-shirt or tank, flip-flops or tennis shoes.

      Guardrail spindles cast shadows onto two rocking chairs that moved in the breeze as she knocked.

      “Hey, come on in.” Cash greeted her at the door dressed in jeans and a black T-shirt, hair wet. He smelled like some kind of men’s soap. Who knew such a simple thing could be so attractive?

      Hands off, Liv. After their phone conversation the other night, Olivia felt as if she and Cash had moved into new territory—one where their focus centered on Rachel. Exactly where Olivia needed it to be. And she didn’t plan to mess up this newfound harmony with any remnants of buried attraction to Cash.

      “I’m warming up one of Laura Lee’s lasagnas.” Cash motioned to the table where Rachel had her homework spread out. “Have a seat and I’ll grab you a glass of lemonade.”

      An expansive living room with high ceilings connected with the kitchen and dining space that held a round oak table. Summer evening sun came in through large front windows, playing upon the dark burgundy sofas that flanked a stone fireplace stretching all the way up to the second-story ceiling.

      Olivia sat at the table next to the girl she’d seen at practice a half hour before. The one who had dominated in their first match last night with five kills and helped them win in only four games.

      Rachel tossed her hair. “I can’t believe Cash conned you into helping me.”

       Girl, I’ve dealt with plenty of teenagers like you in the past. You won’t get rid of me that easy.

      “It’s all selfish.” Olivia pretended nonchalance—though she couldn’t stop a smile. “I just want you to keep playing volleyball.”

      A hint of a curve touched Rachel’s lips, but she quickly quelled the movement. After rearranging her pencils and notebooks, she huffed and rolled her eyes. “I need help with algebra the most.”

      Perfect. Olivia’s worst subject. “Then let’s get started.”

      While Rachel pulled out her book, Olivia glanced up and shared a small victory grin with Cash.

      An hour flew by as Rachel and Olivia switched from algebra to English and then got in a bit of world history before Cash put a stack of plates on the table next to Rachel’s papers.

      “Ready in a few.” He added silverware and napkins.

      “I’m almost done.” Rachel quickly scribbled in two more answers to her history homework before stacking up her books and papers and dumping the pile onto the floor near her chair.

      When Cash put the lasagna on the table and took a seat, laying his palm up next to Olivia’s plate, she stared at the callused hand. Rachel accepted the other hand Cash offered her without an eye roll—shocking—and Olivia made herself do the same, trying not to think about how small her hand felt wrapped up in Cash’s during the prayer.

      They dug into the delicious meal, and after finishing off two full plates of food, Rachel disappeared from the table, cell phone in hand.

      Cash leaned back and stretched his arms over his head, plate cleaned a few times over. “So, are you ready for that tour?”

      “Sure.” Olivia loaded the dishwasher while Cash put away the leftovers.

      Cash slid on his boots, and they walked out the front door and over to the barn, the first signs of dusk seeping into the evening.

      “Did you always plan to ranch?”

      “Pretty much. Dad would have been fine with me doing something else, and I went to college open-minded, but I missed it. I moved back right after to work with him. Of course, I didn’t know at the time that I’d end up doing it all myself. Except for Frank. Every day I thank God for Frank.”

      “How can you talk about your parents so openly? Doesn’t it...”

      “Hurt?” Cash filled in the word as his gaze swung in her direction. “Yep. But it gets a bit easier with time.” He slid open the massive barn door and flipped on the lights. The fluorescents flickered before kicking on with a buzz. An organized wall of tools lined one side of the barn and the other housed a long row of horse stalls. By the names etched into wooden signs on the gated doors, it looked as though only a few of those were occupied.

      A whine sounded from another area of the barn and Olivia paused, waiting to see Cash’s reaction. Maybe it was nothing...or normal. She didn’t have a clue.

      His eyebrows pulled together, and he walked in that direction. Olivia followed, thinking everything Cash did had a calculated calm to it. The way his legs covered the distance communicated his concern, but he didn’t rush, even waiting for her to catch up. Once she did, he turned and stepped through a small doorway and flipped on the lights. A desk pushed against one wall and rows of cabinets filled the squared space that Olivia could walk off in a few long strides.

      “This is Frank’s space.”

      When the whimper sounded again, Cash strode to the desk and dropped to his knees. “Hey, girl.” His quiet soothing continued as he reached into the foot space of the desk and gently maneuvered a beautiful black-and-brown dog out into the light.

      The dog’s breathing seemed labored, and scratches marred her nose and face, including one eye that looked almost swollen shut.

      “What’s wrong?”

      “I’m not sure.” Cash ran his hands over the animal. “What happened, Cocoa?”

      She

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