by Kadie Scott
“Cathy Smith. High school kid who watches her sometimes. Sophia likes her.”
“Oh.” She had no idea what else to say to that, but she really wished the proverbial cat would give her tongue back soon.
“Sophia likes you too,” he murmured after a beat of silence.
Holly smiled. “She’s a little sweetheart. I wish I could have spent more time with her the last few years, rather than watching her grow up in pictures and videos Georgia sent.”
“You had to concentrate on school three hours away. Georgia understood that.”
“Yeah.” Georgia had. Mostly. Then again, after sleeping with Cash when she’d known how big a crush Holly had on him, Georgia had been happy Holly had forgiven her at all. Holly’s brother and sister had been less understanding of her studies. However, she’d also abandoned them to go off to school.
Cash turned the truck into the entrance of the county Community Hall which, for tonight, would be the county dance hall. Memories of other events here piled up in her brain. With Holly ever the wallflower, Georgia had always dragged her to these things and made sure she participated.
He parked in the gravel lot and came around to her side, opened the door and put his hands at her waist to lift her down. An act that was particularly appreciated since sliding out of the truck, as was her custom, would likely yank her skirt up to her waist.
Then again, at the feel of his hands on her, the fluttering started back up. Decadent images of those hands on her skin invaded her mind, replacing those old memories. Holly wanted to tell her body to quit it already. This was getting silly. She was a smart girl with a solid future ahead of her. Flights of fancy weren’t really her thing. Cash had never been interested. Why would he start now?
As soon as her high-heeled feet touched the ground, she stepped back but immediately lost her balance on the uneven footing. Cash put out a hand to keep her from falling over then let go and moved away as soon as she was stable.
Holly rolled her eyes at herself and tried to focus on the task at hand. Funny, she’d been agitated all day about the dance, but now facing all those people seemed like a cakewalk after the five-minute car ride with Cash. Oddly, the silence hadn’t been awkward, just wrought with tension. Was it one-sided or could he feel it too?
Light and music and chatter spilled out of a pair of doors. Several men stood around outside, talking. Holly pulled her shoulders back.
“Get it over quick,” Cash said, closer than she’d expected.
She startled then tipped her head to grin at him. “Like ripping off a Band-Aid?”
He grinned back. “Exactly. I take it you’re not comfortable in crowds.”
That’s what he thought she was worried about? Granted, crowds were part of it, but Marcus and her history were more. Not that he knew about Marcus. She’d stick with Cash’s excuse though. “Your law enforcement skills kicking in again, Sheriff?”
He shook his head. “No. Just an impression. You seemed…a little overwhelmed…by my family the other night.”
Why did the fact he’d even noticed have her heart going double-time? Holly grimaced. “I hope no one else noticed. You have a lovely family.” She put her hand on his arm in a reassuring gesture. She flicked a glance back toward the hall. “I’m just…better with horses.”
Cash laughed. A rich, deep sound that sank into her heart and made her want to laugh with him. “You warmed up and relaxed with my family the other night. You’ll do fine tonight. I promise to not leave you alone, if that makes you feel better. Okay?”
Somehow, knowing he’d be keeping an eye on her made Holly feel cared for, rather than nervous. Odd…but nice. “All right. Let’s get on with it.”
*
Cash glanced at the woman beside him. He could sense her nerves by the twitchy way she moved and the constant shifting of her eyes, but he doubted anyone else in the room noticed. To them she would appear to be smiling, pleasant and confident.
He had no idea why he found it endearing that Holly was as uncomfortable as she was. She had a shy side, and that, in combination with her feisty determination to put up a brave front, was strangely appealing. He hadn’t remembered that about her in high school. Mostly he remembered a studious girl who hung out with bubbly, popular Georgia. Holly’d even tutored him at one point. He’d almost forgotten about that.
Cash was still irritated with his initial reaction when she opened her front door this evening. He hadn’t been able to stop his gaze from wandering down the curves displayed beautifully in that dress. When he’d caught her wide-eyed, watchful gaze, he’d deliberately blanked his expression and put up his mental walls. He was there to do his mother a favor, and that was it.
But the next thing he knew, he hadn’t been able to resist the urge to crowd her a bit as he helped close the stuck front door. She’d smelled of strawberries and fresh-cut hay and sunshine. He’d wanted to bury his face in her hair and inhale.
He didn’t like that.
He wasn’t supposed to think she was adorable or smelled amazing. She was Georgia’s closest friend, which meant she was probably just like his wife. Look at how she’d left her brother and sister to fend for themselves when they were still kids, so she could chase her dream of being a vet. Yup. Selfish. He had to remember that.
So he’d tried to keep distance between them on the short drive over. Not that he’d been all that successful—squeezing her hand had been colossal idiocy. Here was a woman made from the same cloth as his wife—someone who’d demonstrated zero family loyalty already—and all he could think about was her softly kissable lips and the effect of her husky laugh on his body. What was worse was the only thing that had eventually applied the brakes was the spark of jealousy when she mentioned his brother, Will. Cash was not a jealous person.
Then good manners had dictated he help her down from the truck. She was so tiny that his hands almost spanned her waist, and her incredible unique smell hit him again. All he could suddenly picture was having her scent surrounding him as they made love. The images had been so real, so immediate, he’d started getting hard and had to step away quickly, willing his body to stop.
Honestly, Cash was so mixed up about one Miss Holly Jensen that he didn’t know whether he should scratch his watch or wind his butt. Now, here he was, escorting her around as she reacquainted herself with the locals. Why on earth had he volunteered when his mother asked her sons to step up? Any of the others would’ve been happy to do the honors.
Cash glanced at the group of folks gathered around them. Some of them already knew Holly or remembered her from one of her visits to Georgia. Others were interested in meeting the new lady vet in town. A few around them had glanced her way with disdainful sneers, but they didn’t come over. He had to hold back a smile or two each time she sent one of those sort a cheerful smile and wave.
Trouble. That’s what Holly was.
Of those who had come to say hello, Holly appeared quite at ease with them, chatting and smiling. Technically, he could walk away now. After all, she was far from alone. But he was a gentleman—his mama had raised him right and he’d promised.
Besides, Marcus Jones and his two brothers, Mason and Matt, had joined the group. In high school they’d been buddies, but the guy had always hovered around Georgia, even after they married. Now he knew why.
“Oh we already know each other,” Marcus commented as someone else introduced Holly. “In fact, we had lunch together yesterday.”
Cash didn’t like the way Marcus hugged Holly, as though he had the right, but that last comment had his head swinging down to gauge her reaction. He couldn’t read much from her polite expression, though.
She scooted closer to Cash, linking her arm through the crook of his. “Which reminds me, I didn’t ask. How’s your horse, Marcus? Walking better now?”
“Fine, thanks to you.” Marcus reached over to squeeze her arm. Her grip on Cash’s arm tightened almost imperceptibly. Cash was so tuned in to her that he noticed and wondered what
it was that had her on edge.
Before he could suggest they leave, Marcus continued. “I hear you’ve gained a reputation as something of a witch doctor. Guess it all started with your visit to our place.” Marcus gave a smirk, seeming to imply that her growing reputation had something to do with him personally.
Holly tipped her head and put her other hand on her hip. “Oh? Funny what rumors people start.”
Beth, one of the ladies standing there with them, spoke up. “Oh, you know small towns. I heard that you have a real way with horses. That’s probably what Marcus means.”
Holly waved her hand as if waving off all the talk. “I’m a vet. Animals are my business.”
Everyone grinned and seemed inclined to let it go.
Except Marcus. “I’ve heard it’s more than that. I’ve heard you’re some kind of horse whisperer. They listen to you. Like you have secrets to share. Maybe you could share some with me.”
Cash was getting irritated now. Marcus was obviously out to imply some deeper relationship with Holly. But why was he pushing it so much? He was about to say something when Holly spoke.
“Well…then, I guess you’d better take care of your animals. Otherwise, I might hear about it through my horse ESP.” She waggled her eyebrows and grinned.
It broke the tension as everyone chuckled…even Marcus, though more forced. At least he dropped it.
“How are Kris and Noel?” Beth asked.
No ill intentions laced Beth’s voice, and she appeared sincerely interested. All the same, Holly’s grip on his arm tightened painfully. So she was sensitive about her siblings. Did that mean she felt guilty? Or did she just not want the negative attention?
“They’re doing great. Kris is a Navy SEAL, and Noel is in law school in California.”
“That’s great!” Beth enthused.
“I’m really proud of them both,” Holly murmured.
She gave Cash’s sleeve a tug and he looked down to find her lovely face tilted up to his, a vulnerability in her green eyes. The protective side of him kicked in hard, and he resisted the sudden urge to step around and block her from the view of the group.
She tipped her head toward something over his shoulder. “I think your mother is signaling us to go over there.”
He blinked. Maybe he’d misread that vulnerability? Cash turned in the direction she’d indicated. His entire family had gathered together at some of the tables put out at these shindigs. He raised a hand in acknowledgment.
As he turned back to Holly, Brian McCain snagged her attention. “May I have this dance?”
And that darn stab of annoyance, because it damn sure wasn’t jealousy, struck again. Brian was a good guy. They’d been the same year in high school, and Holly could do worse.
She gave Brian a pretty smile, tinged with regret. “We’re headed over to say hello to Cash’s family, but please come by and ask me again later.”
Nodding to Brian, Cash resisted the urge to give the guy some signal to back off, reminding himself, yet again, that he wasn’t interested. After Georgia, no woman would get that close to him ever again. Especially not Holly Jensen.
*
Holly shivered, and this time it wasn’t from Cash’s touch. Marcus wasn’t going to give up, was he? Not that she entirely blamed him. The fact that he wanted to take responsibility for Sophia, and have a relationship with her, if he was her father, was commendable. But not if it ripped Sophia from the only father she knew. And what was with his attempt to imply some kind of friendship between the two of them? Some weird form of coercion?
Time to stop waffling and tell Cash everything. She glanced at the man at her side and thought about saying something to him, but a crowded dance hall wasn’t any better than in the middle of a family dinner. She made a mental note to go to his office first thing Monday morning.
“Don’t you look beautiful!” Evaline enthused as Holly and Cash walked up to the tables his family had commandeered. She wrapped Holly up in a big hug. “I just love that dress.”
“Thank you! And thanks for sending Cash to give me a ride.”
The older woman gave her arm a pat. “Even I wouldn’t brave this crowd on my own, and I’ve known most everyone for ages.”
Holly smiled then turned to the rest of the Hill crew for a quick round of hugs and hellos. As soon as they settled, the boisterous family got right to teasing each other.
Autry started it. “Hey, Cash, I heard you pulled over Tiffany Jackson the other day.”
“I wouldn’t mind being sheriff if I got to pull her over,” Jennings commented.
Carter rolled her eyes. “Brothers. Not a lick of taste among them.”
Holly vaguely remembered Tiffany, who’d been a few years behind her in school. “I take it you’re not a fan?” she asked Carter, who sat beside her.
Carter snorted inelegantly. “You could say that. She’s so stuck-up she’d drown in a rainstorm, but my brothers are like every other guy. They think with a different part of their anatomy than their brains.”
“What do you have against Tiffany?” Evaline asked.
“She stole Brian McCain right out from under Carter’s nose,” Jennings said before Carter could answer.
Carter threw a balled-up napkin at him. “Brian and I never dated, squirt. There was nothing to steal, but he always was too good for her.”
“Carter Hill! I raised you better, young lady,” Evaline gasped, scandalized. However, she winked at Holly as she said it.
Holly chuckled.
“So what did you pull Tiffany over for?” Jennings asked Cash.
“As an officer of the law, I can’t—”
Jennings held up a hand. “Never mind.”
The whole family laughed, and Holly guessed Cash must pull out that line frequently. He laughed with them, though. And got a similar reaction as Sophia when she giggled. Had Cash also shut down after Georgia died?
None of my business.
She liked his family—fascinated by the rapid-fire exchange of commentary on each other’s lives. She’d grown up with siblings, of course, but family time hadn’t quite been like this. Besides, she’d hardly seen her brother or sister in eight years. Only visited a couple times and exchanged stilted phone calls and a couple of e-mails, cards at Christmas. Other than Georgia, she’d been mostly alone.
Carter jumped up and grabbed Cash by the wrist. “Come on, Mr. By-the-Book, give your big sister a dance.” She dragged him off.
Holly glanced at Evaline. “Big sister?”
“Carter’s older by nine minutes,” she explained.
“Hey, Angelica Noyce just walked in. I’m going to go ask her for a dance.” Autry suddenly hopped up.
Jennings wasn’t far behind.
At Holly’s raised eyebrows, Jennings grinned. “Gotta be quick or you get left behind.”
“Well, Mama, I think that’s my cue.” John stood and offered a hand to Evaline.
They moved onto the dance floor, leaving Holly alone with Will. He scooched over to take Carter’s empty seat beside her. “I’d ask you to dance, but I’m awful at it. Believe me, your feet will thank me for not offering.”
Holly shook her head. “I’m fine sitting right now. So, how’s that little filly doing?” The mare she’d had to put down had recently given birth. The filly would need a lot of care for a while.
Will gave Holly a smile, maybe the first one the quiet Hill brother had ever displayed in her presence. “We got lucky.” He leaned back and crossed one booted foot over the other. “One of the other nursing mares adopted her.”
“That’s great!” Getting another nursing mare to take on a baby that wasn’t her own didn’t always work.
They talked about the successful technique he’d used until the song ended and several of the Hills returned to the table.
Holly tensed slightly when Cash decided to sit right next to her, taking Evaline’s earlier spot. “What’re you two talking about?”
“That filly that lost her mama,”
Will informed him. Then he turned to Holly. “When are you going to come out to the ranch with your horses?”
She shrugged and managed to turn her back to Cash with the movement, excluding him from the conversation. “I’m on call for emergencies all next week, so that’s out. What about the week after that?”
“Hold on.” Will slid his phone out of his pocket and fiddled with it before he shook his head. “Nope. I’m taking some of my rodeo stock up to Oklahoma for a competition. Week after?”
Holly pulled out her phone to check her schedule, but before she could say anything, Will suddenly said, “No…that won’t work.”
“Why?”
“Don’t you have that big seminar on breeding techniques in College Station that week?”
Holly blinked at him in surprise. “How did you know about that?”
“Yeah,” Cash said behind her, voice dry. “How did you?”
“Word gets around. Luke mentioned it. I was thinking of going.”
At a school of over forty thousand students, it’d been easy to blend in and go unnoticed. She’d forgotten how into everyone else’s lives people got around here. Small-town Texas. Luke seemed to be playing some sort of matchmaker role with her and Will. Holly made a mental note to kindly tell Luke to butt out.
Before she could comment, a young man, whose name she couldn’t quite recall—Jeremy maybe—tapped her on the shoulder. “Care for a dance?”
“Um, I’m sorry, but I’m right in the middle of something. If you come back in a bit, I’d love a dance.” She gave him her best smile, the one Grams had once said would charm the coat off a mink in the middle of a blizzard.
Jeremy smiled back. “Will do.”
Before she could turn back to Will, she caught Cash’s now speculative gaze.
“What?”
“Do you not like dancing? Or are you afraid? You keep avoiding it without actually saying no.”
Holly’s eyebrows winged up. She was surprised he’d even noticed. “Neither. Your instincts are way off this time, Sheriff.”
He chuckled. “Prove it.”
