by Dylann Crush
Jinx bit her lip. “I had no idea.”
Cash shrugged. “How could you? I don’t talk about it. I went for full custody, and she let me have it. A few months after that, I got a call she overdosed. Her folks were interested in keeping in touch for the first year or so, but I haven’t heard from them since. Kenzie deserves more, you know?”
“She’s lucky she has you for a dad.” Her arms went around his waist, and she held tight.
Before she could say anything else, Kenzie reappeared. “I got marshmallows. Can we go ride the Ferris wheel?”
“Sure. Just give us a minute, okay?” He ruffled Kenzie’s hair with one hand while holding Jinx against him with the other.
“What’s wrong with Jinx?” Kenzie tugged on her jacket. “Daddy, did you make her cry?”
Jinx lifted her head, wiped her cheeks, and leaned down toward Kenzie. “It’s okay. Your daddy didn’t make me sad. He said something that made me happy.”
“He did?”
Jinx nodded.
“Then why are you crying?” Confusion furrowed Kenzie’s brow.
“It’s complicated. Should we grab a gingerbread funnel cake before we ride the Ferris wheel?”
“With powdered sugar?”
Thank goodness his daughter could be easily distracted with the promise of sugar.
“Extra powdered sugar,” Jinx promised. Eyes bright, she faced Cash. “I know I’m kind of messed up, and I don’t have a real good sense of what it takes to be a family. But I want to get there. Will you help me?”
Now he was the one held hostage by raw emotion. “Absolutely. We’ll get there together.”
Kenzie thrust a hand to her hip. “No more grown-up stuff. Are we getting a funnel cake or not?”
“Let’s go, Tadpole.” Cash wrapped an arm around Jinx’s shoulder and scooped Kenzie up in the other. “Whatever my girls want tonight, it’s all yours.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
The next several days passed in a blur. Jinx spent almost every waking moment either with Kenzie and Cash or at work. Charlie was due any moment, and with each passing day, she piled more and more responsibility for running the Rambling Rose on Jinx. The newfound sense of purpose agreed with her. It’s not like she hadn’t done a good job before, but she’d always had one foot out the door. Now that she’d decided to stay, she had a vested interest in the town, the Rose, and especially anything that had to do with the Walker family.
Surprisingly, it didn’t scare the hell out of her. With Cash at her side, she could do almost anything. She spent her days working on the scenery for the upcoming Christmas play and her nights either at the Rose or on Cash’s couch, snuggled up with him and Kenzie, watching Christmas specials. She’d never had that experience with her parents, so it was like getting a second chance to enjoy the holiday season. Seeing the magic of Christmas through Kenzie’s eyes was something she especially enjoyed. And this morning, if she could get her butt in gear, they had plans to go cut down a tree.
Cash and Kenzie had never had their own Christmas tree, and neither had Jinx. This would be the start of a holiday tradition for all of them, something they could truly call their own. Jinx couldn’t wait to see the look on Kenzie’s face when she stepped back to see a fully decorated tree. It had been a long time since Jinx had hung an ornament or draped tinsel on a pine bough. It had to have been before her dad died.
She gathered the shoebox full of ornaments she and Kenzie had made on her way out of the bunkhouse. They’d strung popcorn kernels, wrapped yarn around Popsicle sticks to make snowflakes, and created angels out of paper doilies. At least they’d have something to get them started.
Cash met her at his front door. “We still on for tree shopping? Kenzie’s been up for an hour already, talking my ear off about whether we should get a Leyland cypress or a Virginia pine. How the hell does she know so much about trees?”
Jinx laughed. “We looked them up online. She wanted to see what kind of trees you have in Texas.”
“You eat anything yet?” He helped her take off her coat and tossed it on a hook by the door. “Kenzie’s finishing up some pancakes in the kitchen. We’ve got plenty if you want some.”
She’d just left his place a few hours before. Putting Kenzie to bed together, then bunking down in Cash’s room had become routine. She always made sure to be gone before Kenzie woke up though. Cash assured her his daughter would be able to handle it if Jinx moved in permanently, but she still needed her own space—even if it meant sneaking out in the middle of the night and trying to fall back asleep on the thin bunkhouse mattress instead of nestled against Cash.
“Pancakes sound good.”
“Jinx!” Kenzie scrambled out of her chair to wrap Jinx in a pint-size hug.
“Hey, kiddo.” Jinx leaned over, folding her arms around her. She might not be able to admit her feelings for Cash yet, but Kenzie had infiltrated her heart, and Jinx was powerless against her. “I just saw you last night.”
“I know. But I missed you.” Kenzie smiled up at her, then snuggled her head into Jinx’s stomach again.
Truth was, Jinx had missed her too. More than she’d ever expected. Cash had been trying to get her to move more stuff over to his place. Maybe after the holidays, they could talk about it.
“I taught Hendrix a new trick. Wanna see?” Kenzie jerked away, heading back to the table, where Hendrix sat on a place mat.
“Hey, he shouldn’t be on the table while you’re eating,” Jinx warned.
Kenzie rolled her eyes. “That’s what Daddy says. But he’s keeping me company.”
Cash set a giant plate of pancakes down on the table. “Come eat.”
Jinx swept Hendrix up in her arms. Since she’d been spending so much time at Cash’s, she’d been leaving him in Kenzie’s care. It didn’t make sense to have him living in the bunkhouse by himself all the time. “Where’s his crate?”
“It’s up in Kenzie’s room.” Cash reached for Hendrix. “Let me get him. I’ll go put him back while you eat. Kenzie, you can show us your trick after breakfast, okay?”
“Okay,” she grumbled.
Jinx took a seat next to her and dug into Cash’s pancakes. It was nice to know that Hendrix had carved out a special place in Kenzie’s heart. A few minutes later, they’d started making plans for a morning out at Kermit’s Christmas Tree Farm.
“So who’s Kermit, exactly?” Jinx asked between bites.
“Kermit the Hermit.” Kenzie nodded, then stuffed another huge bite of pancake into her mouth.
“Kenzie, that’s not nice.” Cash tapped her on top of her head.
Sufficiently shamed, her shoulders slumped. “That’s what everybody calls him.”
“Doesn’t make it right.” Cash turned his body toward Jinx. “He owns a slice of land out past the Rose. Doesn’t come to town but maybe once or twice a year.”
Jinx took another bite of pancake. Cash didn’t do much in the kitchen, but holy buttermilk, the man had serious pancake-making skills. “So does this Kermit guy live out there all by himself?”
“Yep. He just opens up the back gate to his property and lets people cut down the trees he’s marked. It’s all honor system. He doesn’t come out much, so I doubt we’ll actually see him there.”
“Sounds cool.” Jinx shoved another bite into her mouth. “Let’s go.”
“Can Hendrix come with us?” Kenzie asked. “Nana made him a new coat, and it’s perfect for cutting down a Christmas tree.”
“When does your nana have time to sew clothes for Hendrix?” Jinx asked.
Kenzie shrugged. “She likes it. Nana said she’s going to make him pajamas for Christmas that match mine.”
Jinx shook her head. She could barely get a collar around his neck, but Kenzie appeared to be able to dress him up like a Barbie doll, and he still loved her. If even the dog was settling in a
nd feeling at home, Jinx was more convinced than ever that she’d made the right decision.
* * *
The truck bumped over the deep ruts carved into the dirt road leading toward the Walker’s horse barn. Jinx, Kenzie, and a well-dressed Hendrix bounced up and down and side to side while Cash eased the truck to a stop next to a rusty old tractor. “Ready to find the perfect Christmas tree?”
“I thought we were going to a Christmas tree farm.” Jinx eyed the barn with suspicion. “Are you hiding trees in the barn?”
Cash grinned. Oh, this was going to be fun. “Not exactly. I thought it would be fun to do it the old-fashioned way.”
Kenzie hopped over the seat to land between them. “It’s a surprise. Daddy told me not to tell you we’re riding horses, so I didn’t.”
Cash shook his head while he patted his daughter on the head. “You kinda just did, kiddo.”
Realization washed over her. She clapped a hand to her mouth. “Oops.”
“It’s okay. We’re already here. Jinx is going to find out soon enough what we have planned.”
Jinx hadn’t moved, just sat frozen in place, one hand on the door handle, the other flat on the dash in front of her.
“Come on, Jinx. Daddy says you get to ride Lou today.” Kenzie shook her shoulder, jostling Jinx out of whatever trance she’d fallen into.
“We’re cutting down a Christmas tree,” Jinx said.
Cash nodded.
“On a horse.” She twisted to face him.
“Not exactly. I think we’ll have to dismount to actually cut the tree down,” Cash said.
Kenzie’s head pivoted back and forth, tracking the conversation.
“You remember the last time I was on a horse it didn’t end so well, right?” Jinx crossed her arms across her chest.
“Right.” Cash bit back a grin. “But you’ve got to admit, those were extenuating circumstances.”
Her mouth gaped open. “I almost died.”
Cash stepped down onto the running board and offered Kenzie a hand. “That’s stretching it a bit. Besides, you told me you wanted to learn how to ride. Kenzie and I thought this would help. If you don’t want to do it, you don’t have to, right, Kenz?”
Kenzie nodded. “That’s right.”
“Someday. I said I might want to learn how to ride someday.” Her jaw clenched, Jinx climbed out of the truck and fell into step beside him. “I don’t think I can get back on a horse.”
“I figured you might feel that way.” Cash ducked into the stall where they kept the saddles. “Kenzie, come get your helmet, and grab one for Jinx too.”
He was under no illusion that strapping a helmet to her head would alleviate her anxiety of getting back up on a horse. But he didn’t want to offer her the easy out yet. Better to see if she’d push past her fear first.
“Cash, I can’t—”
“I don’t buy that for a minute. You can do anything you set your mind to. I’ve seen you do it. Now, if you decide to ride today, you’ve got three choices. You can ride Star—she’s Charlie’s horse. Wouldn’t hurt a fly.” He stepped in front of Star’s stall and offered the mare an apple he’d picked out of the barrel in the saddle room.
“She looks gentle.” Jinx reached a tentative hand out to rub it along Star’s nose. The horse sniffed, then nuzzled her palm, looking for another treat.
“Gentle but greedy.” Cash took a few steps to stand in front of the next stall. “Option two is I can saddle up Melvin for you.”
Jinx moved next to him. “What is that?”
The donkey hung his head over the stall door, nudging Cash’s shirt pocket.
“I want to give it to him.” Kenzie climbed onto the bottom rail and thrust a carrot at Melvin. “Here you go.”
“Melvin might not look like much, but he was a blue-ribbon winner in the Conroe County Fair two years ago.” Cash scratched Melvin behind the ear. The donkey pawed at the dirt and let out a bit of a whinny. “I think he likes you.”
“Yeah, but what is he?” Jinx brushed a hand over Melvin’s cheek.
“He’s a donkey,” Kenzie chimed in.
“A donkey. You want me to ride a donkey?”
Cash shrugged. “Not just a donkey. A blue-ribbon-winning donkey. Not every jackass can add that to his résumé.”
Jinx cast a glance upward, muttering something under her breath.
“Ready for option three?” he asked.
“Sure. I can’t wait.” Sarcasm dripped from her voice like molasses from an overfull spoon.
Cash moved to the stall at the end. “Meet Lou.”
“No. Give me the donkey.”
“What’s wrong with Lou?” He pulled on a mask of mock innocence. “Lou’s an icon around here.”
“Hi, Lou.” Kenzie opened the stall door and stepped in with the giant Texas longhorn.
“Oh my gosh, don’t let her do that. She’s going to get stabbed or impaled or…oh hell, what’s that word?” Jinx made a move to grab for Kenzie’s arm.
“Don’t spook him.” Cash flung an arm around her waist, jerking her backward as Lou turned his head to find out what all the commotion was about. His left horn missed Jinx’s face by a mere inch.
“Gored. She’s going to get gored.” Jinx struggled to get to Kenzie, who held a handful of hay out to the giant horned beast.
Lou sniffed the hay, then gently took a nibble. “He’s not going to hurt her. We raised that one by hand after his mama died during birth. It’s fine. He’d rather be around people. We keep the door to the pasture open for him, but he likes to hang out in the barn and keep an eye on things.”
“You’re crazy, Cash Walker. There’s no way I’m getting on the back of that cow.”
“Oh, honey. Your roots are showing.” Cash hung a hand over the rail of the stall.
Jinx’s hand went to her hair. “I was wondering if I should dye it back to brown.”
Cash gave her a blank look until it dawned on him they were talking in circles. “Not those roots. I was talking about your West Coast roots. You really are something, you know. Besides, I like your hair blue. Kenzie would be devastated if you changed it.”
“I’m so glad I provide the fodder for your amusement.” She turned to go.
He caught her hand and twirled her around. “Lou isn’t a cow. He’s a Texas longhorn. And yes, we’ve ridden him before. He’s slow and reliable. He won’t bolt on you, and trust me, he’d be more eager to get back to the barn than you would.”
“I doubt that.”
“You wanna feed him some, Jinx?” Kenzie held a handful of hay out to Jinx.
“That’s okay. I’m good. Tell you what. Why don’t you and Kenzie go get the tree, and I’ll just wait right over here in the truck?”
“Jiiiiiiiinx.” Kenzie coupled her whine with a pout. “You have to come with us, or it don’t count.”
“Doesn’t,” both Jinx and Cash corrected at the same time.
“Are you sure I can do this?” she asked Cash.
Before he could respond, Kenzie reached through the fence and tugged on Jinx’s jacket. “You told me it was okay to be scared but it’s not okay not to try. Remember?”
Jinx closed her eyes and took in a slow breath. “That was about reading, not flirting with death.”
Cash let out a low laugh. “It’s okay. We can drive the truck to the tree farm. Kenzie, say goodbye to Lou.”
Jinx shook her head. “Give me the damn horse.”
Kenzie’s mouth opened, but before she could say anything, Jinx put up a hand, palm out.
“Yes, I know I owe the curse jar. Now get me on the horse before I change my ever-lovin’ mind.”
Cash and Kenzie raced around the barn, running a quick brush over the horses before getting them saddled up.
“You ready for this?” Cash led Star
out to the front of the barn where Jinx stood, probably cursing him with every four-letter word she knew.
“If I crack my head open again, it’s on you.” She pushed off the split-rail fence and approached the horse.
He handed her a helmet. “This ought to help with the head cracking.”
She plopped it on top of her head. “I feel so much better now.”
“You don’t have to do this, you know.” He held Star’s reins with one hand while he secured the helmet under Jinx’s chin.
“I’m not going to say you’re right, but I want to. I’ve got to get past what happened.”
“Atta girl.” He lifted his hat to lean down and kiss her. Star wouldn’t stand for being ignored. She tried to nibble on the brim of his Stetson. “Oh hell no, you don’t.”
Jinx laughed. “Wouldn’t hurt a fly, huh?”
“She’s eager to go. Charlie hasn’t been over to ride for a while, so she hasn’t been getting the exercise she needs. If the two of you hit it off, maybe you can take her out from time to time.”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Are you going to help me mount this thing?”
“Just put your foot in the stirrup, and I’ll boost you up.” He draped the reins over the saddle horn.
Jinx lifted her foot into the stirrup and pulled herself up and into the saddle. He barely got to palm her ass before she’d slung her leg over and straddled the large mare.
He squinted against the early morning sun as he peered up at her. “You’re a natural.”
“We’ll see about that.”
Within a few minutes, he’d helped Kenzie into the saddle of the pony his dad had bought her and had taken a seat on his own mount.
