LITMIR.BIZ

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problem. Rachel comes first.” Frank’s brow crinkled with concern. “Everything okay?”

      “Yeah.” If he didn’t count his sister’s failing grades or the volleyball coach he should be avoiding who would be spending Thursday nights at the ranch. “Rach needs to get her grades up to stay on the team.”

      A slow nod proved Frank had heard. “She’ll be all right. Reckon she’s had a tough time of it the last few years.”

      That was an understatement that made Cash’s inadequacies as a guardian rear up.

      “You’re doing the best you can.” Frank whacked Cash on the back. “Enough of that now. Let’s get the horses and move these cattle.”

      Hours later, Cash strode from the barn in time to see Rachel’s Wrangler bumping into the yard with typical teenage flair, somehow landing in her parking spot. The vehicle abuse made him wince, though he’d be more concerned about her relaxed habits if he hadn’t taught her to drive himself.

      Dinner would have to be sandwiches tonight. They’d worked too late for him to defrost anything. But at least his little sister had decided to show up. He had to look for the silver lining with her.

      The sun touched the trees to the west, setting the green leaves aflame with gold and orange. Cash tipped his head back, stealing a moment of peace before the storm.

      After a deep breath, he headed for Rachel, knowing he needed to tell her about Coach Grayson offering to tutor her. He almost laughed out loud. Offering might not be the right word. He’d sensed that Olivia had planned to say no. But then he’d pushed a little harder, hoping she’d give in. Was it for his sister’s benefit or his own? He didn’t want to think about the answer to that question.

      What would his parents have done in this situation? As usual, the thought left Cash feeling ill equipped. In the moment, asking Olivia to help had seemed like the best option. But now the thought of spending time around the coach gave him a bit of panic.

      He squared his shoulders. He’d just have to keep any attraction he felt tucked away where no one could see it. Surely he could handle Thursday nights without going back on his promise.

      Rachel hopped down from the Wrangler and reached back in to grab her bag. She turned, greeting him with a defiant toss of her ponytail, and he cringed. Like taming a wild mustang.

      Somehow, he needed to get through to her. Make her understand that she’d get kicked off the team if her grades didn’t improve.

      No matter the reason, he knew one thing for sure. She was not going to like it.

Chapter Two

      “You agreed to what?” Janie Smith’s voice came out as a high-pitched squeak, reminding Olivia of the few months in junior high she’d attempted the clarinet.

      So much for the relaxation of a pedicure.

      “I’m a little shocked myself.” Olivia shifted her feet in the hot, bubbling water, took a sip of her blended mocha and tried to get back to a place of calm. Saturday morning girl time with Janie was supposed to be the perfect ending to her first week of all-day practices. And after the stress of yesterday’s final team cuts—never an easy decision—she desperately needed some relaxation. Olivia was still praying for the girls she’d had to move to the JV team.

      Janie rubbed her hands together, copper eyes sparkling. “I think someone has a little crush on you and wants you around.” The massage elements rotated up and down behind her as she did a dance in the oversized chair, sandy-brown hair swinging around her chin.

      “Ha. He offered to pay me. I don’t think that constitutes a crush.” Olivia turned to better face the woman who already felt like an old friend even though they’d only met eight days ago. “I can see the wheels turning in your head, and you need to let that idea go. He finagled me into helping a struggling high school girl get her grades up—one of my best players, too. No harm in that.”

      Janie’s face perked with interest. “Did you know he’s Jack’s best friend? You two would be perfect for each other!”

      The smell of high-voltage perm wafted over Olivia as the woman on her right leaned closer, tight curls covering her head like bright red caterpillars. She pursed coral-colored lips as she pretended to read a magazine.

      “Did you hear anything I just said?” Olivia lowered her voice, leaning closer to Janie. “This is exactly why I should have said no in the first place. Not only are you jumping to conclusions, pretty soon the whole town will be talking about it.” She scooted back, letting the thump-thump-thump of the massage chair chisel into the tension radiating through her shoulders.

      “Okay, okay. I’ll let it go.” Janie raised an unmanicured hand in defeat. Being a nurse, Janie had agreed with Olivia and opted out of getting her nails done. Both used their hands too much in their jobs for the polish to stay on longer than a day or two without chipping.

      “For now.” Janie added the last part under her breath as she picked up a magazine, smirk in place.

      Olivia went back to perusing the latest fashions in hers. The smell of sample perfumes leaked from the pages, fighting off the chemical smell from the fake nails being done across the room.

      She toyed with the tips of her mocha hair, wondering if she should add a new cut or color to her new life. After the shattering of her heart a year ago, she’d done a makeover and ended up with longer layers. She’d kept the style because she liked it and felt as if it softened her face—not because she still had something to prove.

      “Just so you know, he hasn’t dated anyone in years.”

      Olivia glanced at the black-and-white clock on the wall with amusement. For three and a half glorious minutes, Janie had managed to stay quiet on the subject of Cash.

      “And it’s not from a lack of women trying, either. Good-looking. Owns a ranch. Took custody of his little sister. What’s not to want?” Janie peeked out from behind her magazine shield.

      “He only asked me to tutor his sister. He did not ask me out.” Olivia ignored the disappointment that crawled up her spine. She could not, would not, have any interest in Cash. And now she sounded like a Dr. Seuss book. But she felt certain that writing a new beginning in Texas meant that one of these days, her hurt would ebb away and she’d be able to move forward. One of these days, she’d forgive herself for making the biggest mistake of her life.

      Unfortunately, those new feelings didn’t rush in with the pedicure water bubbling around her feet.

      Janie leaned closer and Olivia felt Perm Lady do the same.

      “I’m just saying that it’s been a long time since he’s shown interest in someone. You can think the tutoring is only for Rachel, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he has ulterior motives.”

      Olivia shifted quickly to the right, giggling with Janie when Perm Lady readjusted her position so fast she almost fell out of her pedicure chair.

      “Fine.” The only way to end the conversation would be to give in—a little. “Here’s my compromise. At this point it’s strictly business. If anything changes you’ll be the first to know.” And nothing is going to change.

      Janie flashed a smile laced with victory—as if she could read Olivia’s mind and accepted the challenge. She tapped her plastic coffee cup against Olivia’s. “I’ll toast to that.”

      * * *

      The young girl behind the coffee counter yawned as she took Olivia’s money the next morning. Tell me about it. Olivia glanced at her watch. Seven a.m. on a Sunday—a day she could sleep in—and yet she’d found herself up at six. Haunted. Just like she’d been in Colorado.

      She hadn’t had the dream since a week before she moved. She’d hoped and prayed it wouldn’t

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