The Trouble with Texas Cowboys (Burnt Boot, Texas #2)(16)

“After our last twenty-four hours, it is pretty nice to be in a peaceful place where Gallaghers and Brennans aren’t welcome.”

“Let’s make a pact.” She yawned. “Even if you like one of those brazen hussies who got a beer bath tonight, don’t bring them into the bunkhouse.”

He kissed her on the forehead. “And if you fall for one of those sumbitches, you don’t bring them here either.”

She snuggled down tighter. “I’m not going to fall for one of them, but I promise I won’t bring anyone into our sanctuary.”

“Me, either,” he said.





Chapter 5


Jill found it impossible to keep a few inches of space between her and Quaid. That side of the church was packed with Brennan families, settled into the pews so tight that daylight couldn’t get between them. If church services lasted past the customary hour, she feared she’d smother plumb to death right there on the fourth pew between Quaid and Kinsey.

“We’re so glad you are coming to Sunday dinner,” Kinsey whispered. “It’s been a long time since my cousin was interested in someone. We’ll have to talk about him later, and I’ll tell you how sweet and kind and wonderful he is.”

Quaid leaned over and spoke softly in her other ear. “You were such a big help in the Sunday school class. I sure wish you would consent to help me out every Sunday. The girls in there really took to you.”

“I need to get settled in before I make any commitments, but thank you for making me feel so welcome,” she said.

The section on the other side of the church was filled to capacity too. She was thinking about Sawyer and how lucky he was that he hadn’t gotten roped into Sunday school, church, and dinner when she looked past him sitting in the center section. She was actually looking for red hair to see if Betsy came to church that morning, when Tyrell caught her eye. His bright smile and sly wink reminded her that the day was still young.

The Sunday school secretary took his place behind the podium, held up a hand, and all conversation stopped. “We broke our Sunday school attendance record this morning. We haven’t had this many people in church since the Christmas programs more than a decade ago. I’m hoping you all made it your New Year’s resolution to attend church every Sunday this year.” He went on to tell about the Sunday school offering that morning and to make the announcements for the past week concerning births and deaths. Then he covered the events for the coming week: visits to the nursing home in Gainesville, a youth rally in the middle of the week that included supper in the fellowship hall, a baby shower, and a wedding shower.

Jill caught Sawyer’s gaze when the man mentioned the youth rally. The unspoken message couldn’t be clearer. Thank God she had agreed to help man the bar all week. That would give her a damn fine excuse for not going to the rally. As if on cue, Kinsey cupped her hand over Jill’s ear and said, “I’m one of the supervisors of the youth group. I’d love to have your help at the rally. Quaid and I get pretty rushed at these things.”

Jill mouthed, “I have to work.”

“We could find someone else to help Sawyer at the bar for one night,” Kinsey pressed.

Jill shook her head. “Sorry, but I can’t do that.”

Kinsey pouted. “But I thought you could bring one of your apple pies.”

Jill stuck to her guns. “Can’t.”

Two days and the whole town already knew about her baking skills. Holy hell, by the end of the week would they know what color underbritches she wore and where she ordered them from?

It was the music director’s turn next. A tall, willowy blond, with big brown doe eyes and a red knit dress that left little room for underwear and even less to the imagination, took her place behind the podium. “Some of you might not have heard the news, but Polly Cleary broke her ankle yesterday. She’ll be in the hospital a couple of more days, and then she’ll be staying with Gladys for a while. Keep her in your prayers. Now let’s sing ‘Victory Ahead’ before the sermon is delivered.”

Jill’s eyes settled on Sawyer while she sang that by faith she saw victory ahead. Would he stand his ground with those two women, or would they wear him down? Just how strong was he when it came to determined women? She felt sympathy for him, almost as much as for herself. By summer, he might be wishing she had shot him when they first met.

She was glad there wouldn’t be test questions on the sermon that morning, because she hadn’t heard half a dozen words. She thought he mentioned something about starting over, and she did hear the name Ruth a few times, so possibly she could fake her way through part of the test if it meant going to heaven or being sent straight to hell. She spent most of the time stealing glances over toward Sawyer. Eight times he’d been looking at her at the same time. Three of those he grinned; two of them he winked. It gave her confidence that she could get through the day and that tomorrow would start a brand-new week. Hopefully with no Gallaghers or Brennans to plague them.

*

“Back the truck in slow like, right up to the chute. Me and Hart will herd them into the truck. Won’t take thirty minutes,” Eli Gallagher said.

Randy nodded. “This is the first job Granny has trusted us with. Y’all better not mess it up. She said every single one of them hogs, babies and all, was to go in this truck. I’ll get parked right up next to the chute and come help y’all herd them, but I’m tellin’ you, if there’s a single problem, I’ll whip both y’all’s asses.”