To Love a Texas Cowboy

by Julie Benson

  Oh, no. What did I say that spoiled everything, and how do I fix this? Cassie crouched beside Ella and wrapped her arm around her niece’s tiny shoulders. “What is it? How can I make it better?”

  Ella bit her lip and squeezed her eyes shut, but tears trickled down her cheek.

  The therapist’s directions rattled in her head. Don’t make a big deal out of things. Ask closed ended questions to figure out the problem. Take it slow and easy. “Are you scared?”

  Ella shook her head.

  Boot clicked against the cement floor as Ty joined them. They both peered up at the man towering over them, a carrot in his hand. “Here you go.”

  The child grabbed the vegetable, clutched it to her chest as she dashed to the stall, and held the treat out. The pony snatched it up, the sharp crunching the only sound in the barn.

  When Cassie stood Ty leaned over to whisper in her ear. His warm, sweet breath brushed over her skin, sending an unexpected shiver through her. “Jack always brought a treat for Ella to give Crunchie.”

  “Thank you,” she said, touched by his thoughtfulness. “I thought I knew so much about her, but there are so many little things that trip me up. Small parts of her daily life mostly.” Details like this one, and it hurt more because Ty knew about the treat while she hadn’t.

  “You’ll learn.”

  “I hope so.” But would that be enough? Would there come a time when the Ella’s memories wouldn’t hurt so much?

  “One day the memories will make her smile, but it’ll take time.”

  She nodded, and wondered how he’d known what she’d been thinking.

  Ty walked to Ella and pointed toward the black bike helmet resting on a saddle. “Get your helmet. Remember, safety first.” When she had the helmet on he continued. “Grab Crunchie’s pad and blanket, and we’ll get him saddled up.”

  “You sure she’d old enough to help with that?” Cassie asked.

  “Round here if you’re old enough to ride, you’re old enough to help see to your horse. Right, Ella?”

  Ella nodded as she raced to scoop up the items, while Ty lifted the saddle and bridle. The muscles in his arms flexed in an enticing all man way and his worn Wranglers molded against his hard thighs. Cassie smiled at the sight. Maybe there was something to be said for the rugged, used to hard physical work type.

  You’re not here to ogle Ty. You’re here to bond with Ella and find a way to bring her out of her shell. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy the view from a safe distance.

  Emphasis on safe.

  She’d work with him because she had to, but that was as far as things would go. She refused to rely on anyone. She’d seen how vulnerable that made her mother. How a little part of her died every time Cassie’s dad left for another assignment. Needing someone that much made a person weak, and that was something she couldn’t afford right now.

  Once outside, the gentle April breeze brushed across her skin, but the pungent rural smell brought with the wind stung her nose. Where was the fresh country air everyone talked about? She’d take cab fumes any day.

  She glanced at the two horses waiting in the corral, one a large, dark glistening chocolate color, the other a rich tan. The larger horse with the proud carriage and almost aloof nature had to be Ty’s. Two peas in a pod there. She walked over to the smaller horse and scratched the animal behind the ears. “My you’re a pretty girl. Don’t be too rough on me today. This is my first time riding.”

  “Bryn’s a sweet. You two should be fine.” He turned to Ella. “Show your aunt Cassie how to mount up.”

  As she watched, her niece slipped her booted foot into the stirrup, grabbed hold of the saddle horn, and up she went. “That looks easy enough.”

  She raised her right foot.

  “Wrong foot.”

  Apparently she’d missed that little detail. Embarrassed, she shifted her stance and managed to get her left foot in the stirrup, which took way more dexterity than she expected. When she tried to pull herself up her shoe slipped. Instead of ending up in the saddle, she kind of dangled in space, her leg caught, her hand still holding the saddle horn.

  Giggles erupted out of Ella. Cassie froze. An actual sound? One loud enough for someone else to hear. Cassie’s heart soared. Looking like an uncoordinated contortionist in front of Ty was worth the embarrassment to hear the vibrant, carefree sound from Ella. “That wasn’t how I planned things to go at all.”

  Ty’s eyes widened in shock as if he couldn’t believe what she’d done and wasn’t quire sure what to do.

  “Thank you Ty for not laughing. Unlike someone else who’ll remain nameless, but is related to me and seated on a horse named Crunchie.” Cassie tossed a mock outraged glare Ella’s way and was greeted by another round of giggles. What a precious sound. “I’m not quite sure what to do now, but I think I need help getting unstuck.”

  “Not so fast. I say we take a picture first. What do you think, Ella?” When her niece giggled and nodded, Ty pulled out his cell phone.

  Balancing on one foot, Cassie tried to detangle herself. “And here I thanked you for not laughing. I take it back. You wouldn’t take a picture. You can’t—”

  “That sounded like a dare.” The click as he snapped the picture echoed through the barn. Then he sauntered toward her and held up the phone for her to view. “I think we’ll use this in our next brochure. Don’t worry if you’ve never been on a horse. We can teach anyone to ride.”

  Ridiculous didn’t begin to describe how she looked with her foot stuck in the stirrup, hanging onto the saddle horn for dear life, but she refused to laugh. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. Not when he was having such a good time. “You’ve had enough laughs at my expense. How about you help me out?”

  His gaze zeroed in on her exposed leg, and all she could think about was how hairy were her legs. When was the last time she shaved? Worse yet, when was the last time she’d needed to worry about that because of a man? She swallowed hard and tried to shove her nervousness aside.

  When his warm calloused hand wrapped around her calf, a jolt of awareness shot through her, making her shiver. Oh goodness. She thought when he’d held her the other night had been bad. This was so much worse. And so much better.

  This wasn’t how she imagined today going. Not at all. Sure, some flirting and maybe a quick fling might be a welcome distraction, but Lord her body picked the wrong man to feel something for.

  Talk about a complication she didn’t need.

  Keep thinking that rather than how you want him to move his hand up to that sensitive spot behind your knee.

  His movements quick and efficient, and apparently not feeling an ounce of the wild tingles coursing through her, he guided her leg back through the stirrup. With the task finished, he released her, cleared his throat, stepped back, and shoved his hands in his pockets. “I’ve got to say I’ve never seen anyone manage to get tangled up that way before.”

  “Finally I’m first at something.”

  He chuckled. “You need a good pair of boots for riding. That way the stirrup hooks under the heel and things like this don’t happen.”

  “Guess I learned something new. Boot manufacturers should add that to their advertising campaigns. Don’t let this happen to you. I’m going to buy a pair of boots as soon as I get a chance.” She knew she was rambling, but anything beat thinking how close he still was and how his eyes had little flecks of gold that made them sparkle. “Maybe Ella and I will go shopping when we leave.”

  The horse shifted beside her. Ty cleared his throat. “Let’s try that again. Put your foot in the stirrup. I’ll hold it in place while you mount.”

  “Sounds like a plan. The last thing I want is a repeat of my first graceful attempt.” She did as he suggested, while he placed his hand on her shoe, this time careful not to touch her skin, and she found herself disappointed. As she reached for the saddle horn, more giggles floated toward her. Ella. She’d forgotten they had an audience. Yet another example of her gr
eat parenting skills. How could she have forgotten her main reason for being here? “All right over there. I haven’t done anything that’s funny.” Yet. “It’s would be nice if you had a little faith in me.”

  This time when she pulled herself up she landed in the saddle and couldn’t help but grin at her accomplishment. “Anything else I need to know before we head out?”

  “Bryn will follow Chance anywhere, so don’t worry. If you want her to stop pull back on the reins. That’s about it.” Then Ty mounted his horse in one fluid, graceful motion. The man could move.

  Once out on the trail, the beauty of the endless green from the canopy of trees surrounding them and the rolling hills called to the artist in her. Her palms itched to capture the images. Why hadn’t checked for her phone before they left? Then she almost laughed. As if she could take photos while riding. She’d end up falling and knocking herself senseless.

  For the first time since arriving in Wishing, she envisioned the paintings she could create. The sharp angles of the forests jutting out from the smooth hills and the glassy lake in the distance possessed a natural architecture. But anything she created would be vastly different. Her previous work focused on aspects of urban life and possessed a darker tone, but when she’d searched through photos from previous trips of stark architecture and urban sprawl hoping for inspiration, she’d felt hollow. Those images tapped into the darkness in her she was fighting to control, but this scenery buoyed her sagging spirit.

  Her mind wandered to other artistic options that would appeal to locals and tourists. Maybe she should pick up a camera again. Photos would have a lower price point than paintings, but she could make it up in volume. Or maybe prints. Watercolors were also an option.

  The gentle rhythm of the horse under her and Ty’s smooth Texas drawl as he spun a tale for Ella, about a cowgirl with a magic lasso she used to catch the bad guys in a small Texas town, soothed Cassie’s taut nerves and she started relaxing. Between working late and Ella’s nightmares she was chronically sleep deprived. How long could she keep this up? Bits and pieces of Ty’s conversation drifted back to her as he now told Ella about his first adventure horseback riding, his voice mixing with the distant cows mooing and birds calling to each other.

  He told Ella how alone he’d felt when he moved to Wishing and how much he’d missed his stepfather. Then he told the child how much better the world looked from on top of a horse. How his horse always listened to his problems, but never judged. Cassie had to admit, the man possessed hidden depths. Still waters and all that. And his voice. A warm glow spread through her as she listened to him talk. Now this soft, soothing voice she could get used to hearing. It made a girl think all kinds of wicked thoughts.

  Chapter Four

  ‡

  A firm hand shook her shoulder. “What?” Cassie’s eyes sprang open. She jerked upright, wobbled and groped for the saddle horn.

  Ty reached out to steady her, but the irritated leave me alone glare she flashed him made him pull back. “What are you doing?”

  “You were asleep and about to topple off your horse.”

  She huffed in indignation, irritated that he pointed out the fact. “I was not. I was resting my eyes.”

  “And people say Texans have too much pride.”

  She tried, but couldn’t keep from smiling. “Oh, all right. I admit it. It was a long night. Ella had a bad round of nightmares.”

  At her words he stared at her long and hard. “You do have some pretty dark circles under your eyes.”

  “Why you sweet-talker. Thanks for noticing.”

  “Don’t get all out of joint.”

  Too late.

  “I remember how tired my mom was trying to do it all after Aubrey’s dad died, but she had her parents to help out. If you need a break or a chance to catch forty winks, call me. Ella can spend the afternoon at the ranch.”

  He thought she couldn’t hack it as a single parent? How dare he insult her that way? She stiffened, and tilted in the air. She leaned toward him and though her voice remained barely above a whisper, she made sure the irritation came through loud and clear. “I love my niece, very much and don’t ‘need a break’ from her. Other women are single parents. If they can do it, so can I. It’s just taking me a while to adjust.”

  “You’re the most unpredictable, prickliest woman I’ve ever met. I wasn’t judging you. Being from New York City maybe you didn’t realize, but I was being neighborly. That’s what we do around here. Help each other.” Then he dug his heels into his horse’s flanks and rode off to rejoin Ella.

  Cassie stared at Ty’s back as she rushed to catch up with him and Ella, and fought the childish urge to lob spitballs at his head. Lucky for him she didn’t have any paper handy. She might be “prickly” but she wasn’t the only one.

  A minute later they rode into a clearing. The tall grass swayed with the breeze as they rode toward an area marked off with a white picket fence. The only evidence of its significance was the iron plaque on the fence beside the gate and the four worn, chipped headstones. Such a simple place. She’d expected something more impressive, and yet, the rough limestone well with the weathered roof and battered bucket drew her. Energy hummed in the air.

  “So this is the famous wishing well,” she said.

  “You’ve never been here?” Ty asked as he dismounted.

  She shook her head and slid out of the saddle, thankfully finding getting off the horse easier than getting on. “I’m not the touristy type.” While she’d been here over the years and thought the area picturesque enough, she hadn’t spent much time outdoors, except for Chloe and Jack’s backyard, and even then she’d been focused on her family and she hadn’t taken time to notice much else. The familiar ache unfurled inside her. Now those memories had to last a lifetime. “I’m one of those people who’s lived in New York for years and hasn’t visited the Empire State Building.”

  Ty waved his hand around the area beyond the space marked off with a small white picket fence. “In the 1860s, the land as far as the eye could see belonged to Anne and Sam Watson. In the 1960s, the last of their descendants sold everything but this small parcel with the well. When he died, he donated it to the town for a historical park.”

  She joined Ella at the well and linked her hand with her niece’s, Cassie could imagine Chloe standing in this very spot, spinning tales for tourists.

  “Anne’s sister Alice is the first person known to have made a wish. After the Civil War ended—”

  “You can skip the history lesson. I said I’d never been here,” Cassie said. “But I do know a little about the legend. I’ll find whatever else I need to know online.” If she decided to keep the inn, but she’d save that little tidbit for later.

  “The Internet is fine for the basics, but talk to Mary Ann at the historical society. She’s got the sister’s journals and letters. You need to talk to the locals who say their wishes have come true. That’s what the people who come on the tour want to hear about. You have to sound like an expert because the well tours are a big part of our business.”

  Our business. The words hammered in her head. She bit her lip. There was time enough to correct his assumption later. Now wasn’t the time for that discussion, especially since she suspected the conversation would get heated. After all, everyone one between her and Ty seemed to go that way, and Ella didn’t need to get caught in the middle of that.

  Apparently having become bored with the adult conversation and the lack of attention, Ella tugged on her skirt, held out her hand and then pointed to the well. “I left my purse in the car. I don’t have any coins with me.”

  “I think I’ve got a one or two,” Ty said as he dug into his jeans front pocket.

  Of course he would. Just like a boy scout, he always seemed to be prepared.

  He picked up a coin and showed it to Ella. “My grandfather gave me this. He collected silver dollars, but this one was his lucky silver dollar because my grandma Mabel gave it to him on their wedding day.” He
tucked the coin away. “He carried it in his pocket, just like I do.”

  After he handed Ella another quarter, he effortlessly picked her up so she could reach past the top of the well. Biceps bulged and flexed, pulling the rolled up sleeves of his plaid button down tight against his skin. Cassie smiled and resisted the urge to sigh in feminine appreciation. Talk about nice guns. Who would’ve thought good old-fashioned hard work produced results any gym trainer would envy.

  “Remember for your wish to come true, you have to make it for someone else,” Ty said.

  Coin clutched in her little fist, Ella pinched her eyes shut so hard her nose scrunched up and then Cassie’s earlier thoughts rippled through her. What about all the people whose wishes didn’t come true. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea. Wishes led to hopes, dreams, and expectations. How would Ella cope when the disappointment set in?

  Why hadn’t she thought of this before they arrived at the well? That was her job now—to anticipate these things and head them off.

  “Sweetie, look at me, for a minute.” Cassie placed her hand on Ella’s back. When she had her niece’s attention, she continued. “Before you make your wish I want to talk to you. If it doesn’t come true right away, that doesn’t mean it won’t. Some wishes take longer than others. Isn’t that right, Ty?”

  He nodded, his gaze filled with understanding. “Sure is. I’m glad you brought that up.”

  She thought about the other part of the legend, that after the wish came true, the wisher would receive good fortune as well. What should she say about that? Deciding she could only handle one problem at a time, Cassie smiled. “Wish away.”

  The coin tumbled out of Ella’s hand and pinged against the limestone on its way. The plop as the coin hit the water echoed around them.

  Ty set Ella back on her feet. “I’ve got some of my mom’s killer brownies and a blanket in my saddle bags. How about you get that, and we’ll have a snack.”

  As she watched the child race toward Ty’s horse, Cassie said a prayer the well did indeed bring good fortune and blessings into Ella’s life.