Her Hill Country Cowboy

by Myra Johnson

  Seth leaned across the table. “What are you writing in there?”

  Grinning, she showed him. “Just collecting ammunition in case I ever need it.”

  “That’s just plain mean.” With a feigned pout, he flicked a chip crumb at her. “And after I apologized and everything.”

  She liked this playful, funny side of Seth Austin. Liked it very much. She wished he’d let it out more often.

  He crossed his arms. “Now what are you smiling about?”

  “I was thinking what a nice guy you can be when you really try.”

  * * *

  Long after lights-out that night, Seth lay awake replaying the day’s events. He’d been so ready to cut Christina out of his life completely, and then she disarmed him, first with the line about the crotchety old hag, but most of all, with the undeniable goodness of who she was.

  He was falling hard, way too hard, and it terrified him.

  On Friday, with the Finches still in residence, weekend guests arriving after lunch and another lakeside barbecue to prepare for, Seth ran himself ragged. First up were barn chores, then the Finches’ daily riding lessons and trail ride. After lunch, he hauled a wagonload of table decorations down to the picnic area for Christina before checking on Opi and the meat smoker.

  The tempting aroma of mesquite-smoked brisket filled the air as Seth watched his grandfather tend the meat and add more mesquite chips. “You need to teach me your secret.”

  Opi banged down the smoker lid. “I ain’t at death’s door yet, sonny-boy.”

  The uncharacteristic bitterness in his grandfather’s tone made Seth wince. “I didn’t mean anything. I’d just like to learn.”

  Lips pursed, Opi lowered his head. “And I’m getting too tetchy. It’s all this talk about me retiring. First the doc, and now your grandmother—nag, nag, nag. I s’pose you’ll be after me next.”

  “Nagging’s not my style.” Seth gave his grandfather an affectionate pinch to the back of the neck. “However, if it’ll keep you alive and kicking a good while longer, I’m willing to give it a try.”

  “You do and I’ll knock you clean into the next county.” With a frustrated shake of his head, Opi sank into a plastic patio chair. “Can’t help it. The idea of being put out to pasture like a washed-up ol’ cow pony doesn’t appeal.”

  “Nobody’s blaming you for that.” Seth pulled another chair over and slouched down next to his grandfather. Hands folded across his belt buckle, he gazed out across the hills, the only home he’d known since his dad was killed and he and his mom came to live at her parents’ ranch. Then a few years later, Mom had taken up with a nice widower from church, and after they married, her new husband’s company transferred them to Denver. A sophomore in high school by then, Seth had begged to stay with his grandparents in Juniper Bluff, and Mom had reluctantly agreed.

  This was his life now, and he loved every minute of it. This was why he’d begged Georgia not to leave, why he’d resisted so hard following her to Minneapolis. So he understood exactly why his grandfather didn’t want to let the ranch go.

  And after working with the accounts yesterday, he understood even better the uphill battle they faced to keep Serenity Hills in the black.

  After a few minutes, Seth rose with a tired sigh. “Guess I’d better make sure the kids aren’t driving Omi up the wall while she’s trying to cook.”

  “Or...” Opi cast him a one-eyed smirk. “You could go help your sweetie with the picnic setup.”

  “She’s not my—” Teeth clamped together, Seth looked toward the lake. He didn’t see Christina anywhere, just the utility wagon parked at an odd angle and gingham tablecloths flapping in the breeze.

  His legs propelled him down the hill before he could think twice, while his gaze swept back and forth for any sign of Christina or her dog. What if she’d had another cramp, or a panic attack? What if she’d gotten so dizzy that she stumbled into the lake and drowned? A million bone-chilling scenarios bombarded his brain.

  Slowing as he neared the picnic area, he called out, acutely aware of the ragged sound of his voice. “Christina! Where are you?”

  “Dad!” Joseph’s shout rang out from the far side of the lake. “We’re over here!”

  Seth spotted his son near a copse of live oaks and cedars. Heart pounding, he yelled, “What are you doing? Is Christina with you?”

  “Yeah, come see! We found a baby possum.”

  “Don’t touch it. You know better.” Seth covered the distance between them and arrived out of breath, as much from release of anxiety as from the jog.

  Grabbing Seth’s hand, Joseph tugged him into the shade of the trees, where he found not only Christina and Gracie but Eva and the three Finch boys. They stood in a circle around a small gray creature curled up in a ball.

  Seth grabbed the two nearest boys by their shoulders. “Step back, kids. Let me take a look.”

  Christina held firmly to Gracie’s collar. “Can you tell if it’s hurt?”

  “Doesn’t look like it.” Dropping to one knee, Seth gave the possum a visual once-over, noting the animal’s chest flutter with its quick breaths. “It’s not a newborn, so if we leave it alone, it should be fine. Right now it’s just scared.” Like I was two minutes ago.

  “You heard the man.” Christina spoke with authority as she herded the children away and into the open. “You should never, ever approach a wild animal unless a grown-up is with you and knows what to do.”

  “Exactly.” Seth sent the Finch brothers on ahead, then seized Joseph’s and Eva’s hands and made them face him. “What are you kids doing down here, anyway? I thought you were inside with Omi.”

  “Bobby asked us to come out and play,” Joseph said. “Omi said it would be okay if we stayed...out of...” Mouth flattening, he glanced away.

  “Stay out of trouble? With the Finch boys?” Seth rolled his eyes. “Fat chance.” He should be glad his children were having fun with kids their own age for a change instead of traipsing after their dad or hanging out with their great-grandparents. But the children’s newfound confidence brought a whole new set of worries, because away from Seth’s or his grandparents’ direct supervision, who knew what kind of dangerous situations they might fall into?

  A light touch on his arm drew his attention to Christina. She looked up at him with a quirky smile. “No harm done. The kids were just being their curious selves.”

  Seth grimaced. “Right, a learning experience.” For the kids and for him. He needed to get used to a whole different side of parenting. “I guess you’re going to tell me I overreacted.”

  “It’s okay, Dad.” Wisdom beyond his years lit Joseph’s eyes. “We know you can’t help it. Anyway, we worry about you, too, sometimes.”

  His son’s words hit him like a punch in the chest. “What?”

  “Yeah, you know.” Facing away from Christina, Joseph lowered his tone to a raspy whisper. “’Cause you need a girlfriend.”

  Seth cast a stunned look in Christina’s direction. She and her dog had moved several steps away, and Seth couldn’t tell whether she’d overheard Joseph’s remark or not. Throat thickening, he dropped to his haunches and drew both children into his arms. “Hey, you two, the last thing you need to worry about is my, uh...dating arrangements. Besides, I’ve got plenty on my plate just keeping y’all out of trouble.”

  Eva’s tiny fingers tugged on the hair at Seth’s nape. “But Daddy, don’t you like Miss Christina?”

  “Sure I do.” He forced down a swallow. Good grief, first his grandmother, then the dog and now his kids were pushing them together? He was doomed.

  Christina softly cleared her throat. “Excuse me, I’d better finish with the picnic setup.”

  “Wait.” Seth pushed to his feet. “Kids, go on back to the house. You can ask Omi for a snack.”

 
As the children cheered and raced up the hill, Christina folded her arms and shot Seth an uneasy smile. “One thing the accident didn’t affect was my hearing. Believe me, I’m not reading anything into last night. I’m just happy we cleared the air and can hopefully be friends now.”

  The dreaded friends word. Seth gnawed the inside of his lip. “What if I might be ready for more?”

  She looked at him like he’d just sprouted another head. “Wh-what are you saying, Seth?”

  “I don’t know.” Pivoting a quarter-turn, he mauled the back of his head while staring across the lake, its calm surface contrasting sharply with his turbulent state of mind. “Ever since I lost Georgia, I never once felt the need to bring someone new into my life.” His gaze shifted to Christina, and one corner of his mouth drifted upward in a bewildered grin. “Until you came along, anyway.”

  “Oh, Seth.” Christina tilted her head, and Seth couldn’t tell whether her smile spoke sympathy or regret.

  Except now he couldn’t stop looking at her. Stepping closer, he stuffed his hands deep into his jeans pockets, the only way he could resist taking her in his arms. “Yeah, I know it’s crazy. But nothing’s the same since you got here. Not me, not the kids. And scared as I am about all these changes, I’m liking them, too. So I’m wondering—”

  Christina lifted a hand, palm outward, in a clear signal to stop. “You’re my employer, Seth. It wouldn’t be right. Anyway, this is a vulnerable time for you. You’ve shaped your whole life around your children, and now that they’re separating from you a little bit, you’re grappling with unfamiliar feelings. You shouldn’t be rushing into any new relationships.”

  Seth snorted. “Don’t you dare use your social-worker psychobabble on me. You think I don’t know my own mind?”

  “I think you just need time to sort things out.” She lowered her gaze. “That’s all I’m saying.”

  He stared at her long and hard, breaking off only when her fingers dug deep into Gracie’s ruff and a nervous twitch started in her jaw muscles. He blinked and took a breath. “We’ve both got jobs to do. Best get after it.”

  As he strode past her, he thought he heard the tiniest of whimpers, but he couldn’t afford to stop and offer comfort. She was a social worker, after all. Let her figure it out for herself.

  * * *

  Gracie’s insistent whining and pressure against Christina’s leg finally broke through. Striving for calm, Christina forced her breathing into a slow, deliberate rhythm.

  She should have known better than to haul out the Psych 101 jargon with Seth. Worse, she didn’t know what unnerved her more—Seth’s interest in pursuing a relationship, or that she might actually like the idea.

  Face it, you’re no more ready for romance than he is. They both needed to get their lives, and their emotions, straightened out first. And by then, Christina would be on her way back to Little Rock and the fulfilling career she missed so desperately. There was no possible way Seth fit into her future.

  With a final exhalation, she squared her shoulders and patted Gracie’s head. “All better now, girl. Let’s finish setting up for the barbecue.”

  She was starting to get the hang of putting those bluebonnet centerpieces together. Once all the silk flowers, greenery, candles and hurricane globes were in place, she stepped back to admire her handiwork. Next came the task of loading the plastic crates into the wagon and dragging it to the storeroom. Bracing herself for the inevitable ache in her hip, she gripped the wagon handle and started up the hill. No chance of Prince Charming coming to her rescue this time. Seth had disappeared into the barn, and she doubted she’d see him again before the evening festivities began.

  The glacial crevasse she’d created between them brought a clutch to her chest. Why couldn’t he leave well enough alone? Besides, there was a charming and highly motivated young woman in town who clearly would like nothing more than to snag Seth’s affections. The unwelcome memory of Diana Matthews’s overt flirting at the chili cook-off made Christina’s stomach clench with an emotion she refused to acknowledge as jealousy.

  Envy, maybe, because she longed for the freedom and self-confidence to live life on her own terms again. And Diana certainly exuded self-confidence. She’d make a great mom and role model for Seth’s kids. He should wake up and smell the coffee, a big ol’ mug of it at Diana’s Donuts.

  After parking the utility wagon in the storeroom, Christina was ready to relax in her cabin with a cold drink. As she exited the storeroom, an unfamiliar rumble drew her up short. Mouth falling open, she stared at Gracie. “Are you growling at me?”

  If dogs could glare, Gracie was doing just that. The growl deepened, not really a menacing sound, but apparently the dog had begun to take her job a tad too seriously.

  Hands on hips, Christina shook her head. “I don’t know what’s got into you lately, girl, but it has to stop.”

  “Problems?”

  She looked up to see Marie coming her way. “I think Gracie may need some retraining.”

  Tail wagging, Gracie spun around and trotted over to greet Marie, who bent to fondle the dog’s ears.

  Christina harrumphed. “See what I mean? She doesn’t even remember when she’s supposed to be on duty anymore.”

  “My fault.” Marie offered an apologetic smile. “I should know better than to pet her without your permission.”

  “No, it’s okay.” Heaving a sigh, Christina tightened her ponytail. “Did you need me to do something else before I take a short break?”

  “Actually, I was about to invite you inside for some raspberry iced tea and cookies—and a chat,” Marie added with a meaningful lift of one brow. “I was hoping you’d be a little more forthcoming than Seth about how last night went—and what’s going on with you two today.”

  Christina’s stomach twisted. She really didn’t want to get into a discussion with Marie about where things stood with Seth. Mainly because she wasn’t so sure herself. It would be awfully hard to continue working here if they couldn’t come to a comfortable understanding.

  She toed a clump of grass at the edge of the path. “The tea sounds great, but I don’t know what I could add to what Seth already told you.”

  “Are you kidding? Anything you tell me will be more than I’m getting from him.” Marie hooked her arm through Christina’s. “Let’s go, young lady, because my curiosity is not to be denied.”

  Naturally, Gracie already trotted ahead of them toward the porch, tongue lolling and tail wagging as if she’d known the plan all along. Smarty-pants.

  In the kitchen, Marie filled two tall tumblers with crushed ice from the fridge dispenser, then poured fresh-brewed tea rich with the sweet scent of raspberries. After handing the glasses to Christina, she carried a cellophane-covered plate of oatmeal-raisin cookies to the trestle table. They sat down kitty-cornered from each other.

  Peeling aside the cellophane, Marie laid a cookie on a napkin and passed it to Christina. “First of all, I’m real sorry for the way Seth found out you’re a social worker. He doesn’t usually spend much time in the office, so I never expected he’d go snooping through the files.”

  Christina gave a tired shrug as she broke off a small bite from the cookie. “He was bound to find out sooner or later.”

  “Once he told me what happened, I made him keep his date with you. Figured if y’all hashed it out face-to-face, he’d realize what a pigheaded horse’s rear he was being.”

  Christina stifled a chuckle at Marie’s unlikely metaphor. “He mentioned your threat of no more strawberry-rhubarb pie.”

  “I know how to fight dirty when I have to.” Marie traced a line of condensation on her iced tea glass. “So what’s up with y’all today? Seth was in a mighty good mood this morning, but last time I saw him, he was spitting nails. Gave me all kinds of what-for because I let the kids go out and play.”

 
; “He was scared, that’s all.” Christina liked and respected Marie too much to shift back into social-worker mode. This conversation called for friend-to-friend honesty. “And I...I think I hurt his feelings.”

  “Now, that makes more sense.” Marie cast a furtive glance toward the hallway. “What I told you yesterday, well, it sure would put my mind at ease to know Seth was moving on with his life, too. For his sake and for the kids. They’re getting attached to you, Christina. All of them. And I’m praying... I’m just praying you’ll give Seth a chance.”

  Christina sucked in a tiny gasp. “Oh, Marie, you don’t know what you’re asking.”

  “Oh, but I do, sweet girl.” A wistful smile turned up one corner of her mouth. “I first laid eyes on Bryan when he beat the record-holder’s time bustin’ a bronc at the county rodeo. My girlfriend and I had both ridden in the Grand Entry that afternoon, and after Bryan won his event, all the pretty cowgirls were crowding around asking for his autograph. I was a shy one back then, but my girlfriend dragged me to the front of the line. When I handed Bryan my program, he looked straight into my eyes and smiled like I was the only one there, and that’s when he stole my heart. We started dating, then got married exactly three months later, and I’ve never had a moment’s regret.”

  “I’m happy for you,” Christina murmured, her throat tight with emotion. She gave Marie’s hand a squeeze. “But my situation is different. I’ve got—”

  “Baggage. I know. And so does Seth. But when it comes to emptying suitcases, the job goes a lot faster and easier if you have help.” Marie’s gaze became pleading. “You two could be so good for each other. And those kids—why, honey, you’ve got them wrapped around your little finger. If you’d only—”

  The back door opened, and Seth strode in, boots clomping on the tile floor. He stopped at the end of the bar, his glance flitting between Christina and his grandmother. “Where are the kids?” he asked gruffly.