To Marry a Texas Cowboy

by Julie Benson

  For months Erin’s latest live-in boyfriend had pocketed her share of the rent money, stiffing their landlord. Then he’d run off with anything he could carry to pawn. Erin was on the verge of eviction, and when Mr. Jenkins handed her a wad of cash, she’d seen it as the answer to her problems. She’d meant to pay the money back eventually. Honestly.

  Erin broke down when McKenna encouraged her to tell the truth. She’d lose her job, and how would she find another with only a high school education if she was fired for stealing? No, she couldn’t return the money. She’d paid her landlord. Couldn’t McKenna help her? She’d learned her lesson. She’d never let a man scam her again.

  No amount of reasoning, cajoling, or intimidating changed Erin’s mind about coming forward, leaving McKenna in an untenable position. Turn in her sister or take responsibility for the shortage since she’d been the senior staff member that day. She’d chosen the latter, and spent the next year, six months, and twenty-four days out of work and unable to collect unemployment because she’d been fired.

  Now Erin wanted to quit, making what McKenna had gone through for nothing? No way. “You don’t know how awful unemployment is. Trust me it’s not something you want to experience. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.”

  “You don’t understand how horrible it was at work after you left. Darby’s always riding me. She complains about everything I do. There’s no pleasing her.”

  McKenna’s hand shook with her anger, sending coffee sloshing from her cup onto her pants. “Call Darby tomorrow. Say you were in shock, and you’ve changed your mind. Ask if you can come back.”

  “I don’t want that crappy job. The pay was lousy, and I hated being her assistant. She’s a bitch. Do you know she made me pick up her dry cleaning, prescriptions, and take her cat to the vet?”

  “I sympathize. I really do. That doesn’t sound fulfilling, but it’s easier to find a job while you have one. Work for Darby, but look for a new job, and when you find one, then quit.”

  Erin leaned back against the couch. “Actually, I have great a plan.”

  McKenna inwardly cringed. Why did her sister’s words fill her with dread instead of confidence? “What?”

  “You remember Jeff?”

  “No.” Without keeping a spreadsheet, she couldn’t track Erin’s relationships.

  “We broke up when he went to rehab.”

  McKenna nodded. Had Jeff been the boyfriend before Lance the abuser or had there been someone in between? Not that it mattered.

  “He’s doing great since rehab. He called because he misses me.” Erin’s face lit up. “He’s a blackjack dealer at the Bellagio in Vegas and makes tons of money. He wants me to join him. Jeff says he’ll get me a dealer job, too. Once the money starts rolling in, I’ll be set.”

  “It’s wonderful he’s doing well, but are you sure moving somewhere because of a guy is wise? What if it doesn’t work out? What if the job falls through?”

  “Then I’ll be in Vegas making good money, and I can take care of myself,” Erin said, ignoring the job pitfalls.

  While apprehension and doubt over Erin’s plan twisted inside McKenna, her sister was an adult and it was her life. But instinct insisted Erin hadn’t gotten to the real issue yet. “Then why aren’t you heading to Las Vegas?”

  “My car barely made it here.”

  Now they had gotten somewhere. Erin needed money. Rather than asking how much or offering money as she would’ve before, McKenna waited.

  “I don’t expect you to buy me a car.” A nervous, brittle laugh bubbled out of Erin. “I need money to fix mine, for gas, and my half of this month’s expenses.”

  McKenna stared at her sister. Had she ever been that naïve? She never would’ve asked for help. She’d have gotten a second job and saved the money. Stubbornness radiated from her sister’s eyes and her posture. She didn’t want to hear what McKenna had to say, and if she listened it wouldn’t change her mind.

  Helping Erin, ensuring her safety when Lance beat her had been one thing, but this situation wasn’t urgent or life threatening. If Erin wanted to move to Las Vegas, she should save the money.

  McKenna placed her coffee mug on the end table and folded her hands in her lap to still her nervousness. The water wings were coming off, and Erin wouldn’t be happy about it. “I was unemployed for a year and a half.” Because of your actions and refusal to come forward with the truth. “I’m in debt to my armpits. I can’t loan you money. If you wanted to get to Las Vegas, you shouldn’t have quit your job until you’d saved the money.”

  Her eyes wide with shock, Erin swallowed hard. “What? Seriously? You won’t give me the money?”

  The fact Erin had changed McKenna’s loan to a gift irritated McKenna further. “It’s not that I won’t. I can’t.”

  “What am I gonna do? I asked Mom and Dad, and they both said no, too.”

  From the time they were children, McKenna watched out for Erin. She’d wanted to spare Erin the fear of being completely on her own without a safety net. But she realized her well-meaning assistance prevented her sister from learning self-reliance.

  “Unless Jeff will loan you the money—”

  “I tried that, too.”

  “Then as I see it, you have two choices. Call Darby, get your job back, and stay until you’ve saved the money.”

  Erin shook her head before McKenna finished her comment. “Or? And tell me this suggestion’s better.”

  “Get a job in Wishing, stay with me without having to contribute toward expenses, and save the money.”

  *

  Since McKenna and Zane made love, work again became a place of teamwork and success where she felt confident and enjoyed spending her days. Together they devised and implemented a new social media strategy. They also tackled other avenues of advertising. With the increased number of venues available to area brides, Ginny’s word of mouth and positive reviews approach needed reinforcing and broadening. McKenna shared her ideas for expanding to include corporate retreats and end of life celebrations. To her surprise, Zane said to create a proposal to discuss.

  Zane often took a break during the day to hike around the ranch and cajoled her into joining him. McKenna learned afterward her productivity and focus improved. When she went into workaholic mode, Zane reminded her not to stress over what she couldn’t control. He even bought her a votive candle with that saying for her desk. She learned balance. Her career shouldn’t be all she had. While it gave her satisfaction, purpose, and confidence, it should allow her to live her life.

  A few times after work or on the weekend, she and Zane went horseback riding. McKenna discovered he’d been right about that, too. Nothing gave a person a sense peace, clarity and put the world into perspective the way riding did. One day, they rode to his favorite spot on the Lucky Stars, an enchanting, secluded area with huge live oaks and red cedar trees. There the ranch’s small creek started as a spring. They ate the picnic lunch she’d packed, waded in the spring, and made love under a canopy of trees.

  Once they went bowling with Zane’s friends and another time, they played miniature golf. For the first time, McKenna had a circle of friends. She tried not to think about if she’d have them when Zane returned to California. While she might not be invited to couple get-togethers, she hoped she could go out with Cassie, Grace, and Cheyenne for lunch or a girls’ night out.

  But most nights, Zane spent with Ginny. He tried to cajole McKenna into joining them, but positive her eagle-eyed boss would realize the change between her and Zane and nervous about Ginny’s reaction, she declined. Zane countered saying his grandmother knew he wasn’t a monk, but she insisted that was different than Ginny knowing he wasn’t a monk with her employee.

  Work and Zane couldn’t be better. If only McKenna could say the same about home. Though better since Erin started working at the hardware store, living together and their differences strained their relationship. McKenna’s orderly, clean kitchen became littered with dishes. How hard was it to
put them in the dishwasher rather than the sink? Clean clothes sat for days in her favorite living room chair. Empty Diet Coke cans stood on her coffee table. The TV or Erin’s phone playing videos blasted almost nonstop.

  Her sister had only been in Wishing two weeks, and already McKenna was considering revamping her budget to loan Erin money.

  At least tonight she wouldn’t be stuck around the house with Erin. She’d finally gotten the courage to attend karaoke night at the Horseshoe. Zane was picking her up and they’d meet Cooper and Cheyenne at the restaurant.

  When McKenna entered the house after work, she discovered Erin on the couch, watching YouTube videos. A bag of tortilla chips and a jar of salsa sat open on the coffee table. “What’s the plan for dinner?”

  “I’m going to the Horseshoe for karaoke night.”

  “That sounds fun.”

  At her sister’s expectant look, a guilty twinge pinched McKenna’s conscience. Part of her insisted she should be a good big sis and invite Erin, but she couldn’t get the words out. All her life people looked past her to Erin. Her time with Zane was running out, and she wanted to savor every moment without being overshadowed by her sister. “You’re on your own for dinner. Now I’ve got to change.”

  In her bedroom, she traded her skirt for jeans and slipped on a dusty rose floral top, with a neckline that sloped to leave her right shoulder bare. Of all the items Rosalie selected for her, this top was her favorite. Wearing the garment made her feel feminine and daring. She smiled, wondering if Zane would like it. As she sat on her bed tugging on her boots the doorbell rang.

  “Hello. I’m McKenna’s younger sister, Erin, and I can’t wait to hear who you are.”

  McKenna grimaced at her sister’s bright, sultry voice. Would meeting Erin affect how Zane viewed her? Would she appear less in comparison? Would he be like their father and push her to the side for a more beautiful woman?

  Stop it. When they were together, Zane’s attention didn’t stray. But then, how often were they out in public other than weddings?

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Good to meet you, Erin. I’m Zane.” While pleasant, his voice lacked the excitement and enthusiasm he used with McKenna.

  “How do you know my sister?”

  Not wanting to hear how he’d respond, McKenna raced to the living room. “Zane’s grandmother owns Lucky Stars Weddings. We’ve been spending a lot of time together since her surgery.”

  After finishing her explanation, she turned to greet Zane and froze. Her sister’s dark hair, pale, translucent skin, and wide blues eyes stood in sharp contrast to Zane’s blond tanned good looks. Two beautiful people who made a striking pair. No one would ever ask what Zane saw in Erin.

  McKenna glanced down at her top. Adventurous? Compared to her sister she appeared tame. What did Zane see in her? Was she simply nearby and when she threw herself at him, he figured why not?

  No, there had to be more between them. Her old insecurities wouldn’t paralyze her. Determined to appear unflustered, McKenna smiled and announced she was ready to leave.

  Zane flashed her a brilliant smile and walked around Erin to greet her with a kiss on the cheek. “That’s some shirt.” He trailed a finger over her exposed collar bone, sending shivers racing through her. “Remind me to show you how much I like it later.”

  Heat rushed into her face as multiple fantasies of them together appeared in her mind. He hadn’t been mesmerized by her beautiful sister. That was a first. “I’ll gladly remind you.”

  Zane’s hand slid to her waist as they walked toward the door.

  “I hear it’s karaoke night. Do you enjoy singing, Zane? I bet you have an amazing voice,” Erin said, her voice dreamy and inviting.

  “I’m not the singer McKenna is, but I can belt out a tune fair enough.”

  “I bet it’ll be fun.” Erin paused. “My father always said it was too bad I didn’t get McKenna’s great singing voice. He said with my looks and her voice, I could’ve been a star.”

  McKenna tensed. She’d forgotten Erin’s talent for getting in little digs.

  “Everyone’s got something to bear,” McKenna said. No matter what someone’s troubles, Erin believed her situation proved worse. “We’re off. Don’t wait up.”

  After closing the door behind her and Zane, McKenna inhaled deeply, exhaled, and sloughed off the pain her sister’s comment dredged up. She refused to let anything spoil tonight.

  “After meeting your sister, I understand why you come into work stressed out,” Zane said as they walked to his pickup. “I pegged her as having pretty girl syndrome the minute she greeted me.”

  He explained that meant she expected the world should cater to her whims because she was attractive.

  What? Zane really hadn’t been impressed with Erin. Not only that, but he’d seen through her sister’s performance? McKenna stumbled, and his arm slid around her waist to steady her. “I’ve wondered if loaning Erin money would be worth it to get her on her way while I’m still sane.”

  “Could be that’s her plan.”

  McKenna straightened. “If that’s what she thinks, then that pretty girl’s going to be disappointed.”

  “Atta girl. My money’s on you.”

  Zane held the door as she climbed into his truck. Once he sat behind the wheel, she said, “She hinted, hoping I’d invite her tonight, but—”

  When she paused not wanting to admit she hadn’t wanted to share Zane or compete with her sister, Zane said, “She’d suck up all the oxygen in the room?”

  She laughed and nodded.

  “Being roommates doesn’t mean you have to invite her.” He paused. “Your sister and your father are wrong, you know.”

  “About what?” she asked, despite being fairly certain what he meant. The voice comment.

  “Saying she should’ve gotten your voice. That’s a pile of shit. You’re pretty enough to have a singing career, if you wanted, and don’t let anyone make you think otherwise.”

  Her heart expanded. Euphoria exploded inside her, filling every empty nook in her soul. Zane believed in her as no one had before. How could she not love this man and how would she bear it when he left?

  *

  When McKenna and Zane arrived at the Horseshoe, they found Cooper and Cheyenne already seated. After a quick dinner, they moved closer to the stage.

  McKenna chewed on her lower lip and scanned the room. “I didn’t expect this many people. Maybe I’ll watch tonight.”

  As Zane pulled out her chair, he said, “It’s karaoke night. Not America’s Got Talent. No one judges and definitely no buzzers.” He nodded toward Cooper. “Good thing for Coop because he’d get three Xs.”

  “I’m not that bad.”

  “You’re not that good either,” Zane teased, hoping to put McKenna at ease.

  “That’s your opinion,” Cooper countered.

  Zane glanced at McKenna, finding her back board-stiff and picking at her nail. Had what her sister said kicked in her stage fright?

  What father put one daughter on a pedestal while tearing down the other? One who was an ass. Something else he and McKenna had in common. Whether she sang didn’t matter. It was her choice, but whatever she decided, he’d help any way he could.

  Cheyenne placed her hand on her Cooper’s arm. “I love you dearly, but I’ve heard you sing in the shower. Zane’s right.”

  “What do you say, McKenna?” Cooper asked.

  McKenna smiled and her posture relaxed. “Sounds like judging to me, Cooper.”

  “Thank you. It certainly sounded that way to me.”

  Zane turned to McKenna. “Sing if you want or don’t. It’s your decision. What’s important is having fun.”

  “Got it,” McKenna said.

  The waitress appeared at their table. She turned to Cooper. “Can I get you a drink?” After he ordered a bottle of Shiner Bock, she glanced at Cheyenne. “You?”

  “A margarita, on the rocks, please.”

  “You?” the waitress as
ked McKenna.

  “The same for me.”

  Then the waitress glanced at Zane. “How’re you doing tonight?”

  He nodded to everyone at the table. “We’re great, thanks. I’ll—”

  “That’s good to hear. What can I do for you?”

  Zane ordered a Shiner Bock, too. The waitress nodded, her gaze still on him, and said, “I’ll be back right quick with your drinks. My name’s Rhonda. You let me know if you need anything else.”

  After the waitress left, Cooper shook his head and turned to Zane. “After all these years, I’m used to getting slighted when we’re out somewhere, but I can’t believe the waitress did that when you’re here with McKenna.”

  “What’re you talking about?” Zane asked.

  “You mean women do that all the time?” Cheyenne asked.

  Cooper nodded. “Rhonda was pretty tame. You wouldn’t believe how obvious I’ve seen some females be.”

  “Someone want to clue me in?” Zane asked, still looking baffled.

  “You really didn’t notice?” McKenna asked. Zane shook his head, and she continued. “With you, she wet her lips, smiled, and leaned toward you. Her entire conversation with me consisted of one word.”

  “Mine, too,” Cheyenne added.

  “I got an entire question,” Cooper said.

  Were they right? He’d barely paid attention to their waitress. Hell, he couldn’t remember what color hair she had. But as he replayed the scene in his head, he realized she’d dropped a few subtle hints. Damn. With the way McKenna’s father treated her mother, that was the last thing he needed. He turned to her. “I didn’t realize. I’m sorry if her actions hurt you.”

  “There’s nothing to apologize for because you did nothing wrong.” McKenna chuckled. “The good news is we should get great service tonight.”

  McKenna no sooner finished her sentence before their waitress returned. Again, she stood near Zane’s right shoulder. When he covered McKenna’s hand with his, weaving his fingers with hers, the waitress thunked his beer bottle on the table in front of him, sending foam over the rim. Then she turned and stalked away.