To Marry a Texas Cowboy

by Julie Benson

  “What did you do?”

  “When AJ told me about the theft and McKenna’s firing, I confronted her.”

  Her gaze remained judgment and disappointment free. Instead, her eyes shined with the same love he’d seen there all his life. “Then you need to do whatever’s necessary to make amends the way your granddad and I taught you.”

  “There’s no fixing this.” His accusations, the vile words he’d hurled at McKenna, rang in his ears. The image of her with her shoulders rounded, her pretty face clouded with defeat and anguish haunted him. Even if he apologized, those vicious words would be with her forever. “Not after what I said and how cruel I was.”

  “It’s never too late. You wouldn’t believe the arguments your grandfather and I had.”

  Zane’s brows furrowed. He remembered them holding hands and dancing. Their disagreements when they happened were small, calm discussions. Hardly a brawl like his and McKenna’s. “I don’t remember you fighting.”

  “By the time you moved here, we’d learned to let little stuff go. For bigger issues, we kept them private. But our marriage wasn’t easy at first. Living with another person, being that close emotionally, is hard. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, especially for two strong-willed people.” Ginny chuckled and her eyes twinkled, making her look years younger. “But, goodness, the making up was delicious.”

  “Geez, I don’t want to hear that.” Zane’s ears and cheeks grew hot. He couldn’t believe their conversation had drifted to make-up sex. Hell, some things were just plain wrong, and that topped the list.

  “You heard about McKenna’s past and didn’t assume the worst. Why did I?” he asked, hoping her wisdom could make sense of what he’d done.

  “You know the answer to that.”

  “You think it’s because of my father? That happened when I was a kid. I got over that years ago.”

  Ginny crooked an eyebrow.

  No. She wasn’t right. His father choosing his other family over him had nothing to do with assuming McKenna was guilty and what he’d said. “I won’t waste my time talking about him.”

  He had to do something to make this up to McKenna. But he realized while he couldn’t fix what he’d done, he could atone. He remembered her telling him how scared she’d been as a child because of her father’s unemployment.

  He needed to find McKenna. He could at least restore her future. “Promote McKenna to wedding planner. She’s incredible at events.” She was incredible period. Only he hadn’t realized soon enough. “She spotted potential problems and dealt with them before anyone noticed. No matter what happened, she had a solution, and she cares about your business almost as much about you.”

  “That’s an excellent idea.”

  “But give her more responsibility. You work too hard. Travel or take a weekend off now and again.” He stood and kissed his grandmother’s cheek. Her subtle rose perfume floated over him.

  “I will.” She patted his cheek. “Go see McKenna.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  McKenna made it halfway down the Lucky Stars’ driveway before tears consumed her. A major miracle considering how Zane’s last comment, thrown at her with such venom, almost destroyed her. By the time she reached her house, McKenna’s chest ached, and she felt dehydrated from crying.

  She’d loved Zane. Trusted him with her secrets, respected him and believed he’d felt the same about her. Not loving her maybe, but at least caring and trusting her. How could she have been so wrong? Otherwise how could he have assumed the worst about her?

  Okay. Their relationship had ended sooner than she expected, and he wasn’t the man she thought. No big deal. She’d move on and learn from her mistakes. The most important lesson being never, under any circumstances, get involved with a man at work.

  Work. Her breathing accelerated and she grew dizzy. She’d quit her job. She was unemployed. Again. After working less than six months. How would she find a job this time? She wouldn’t. No one in the wedding industry would hire her. She’d be relegated to flipping burgers, and who could live on minimum wage? She couldn’t go through being unemployed again.

  Wait a minute. Zane was her temporary boss. Ginny was her permanent one and Lucky Stars’ owner. No one else could accept her resignation or fire her. What if she pled her case to Ginny? If she admitted Darby had fired her, explained how Erin had confessed to the theft, and they could discover what happened to the pin, maybe she could get her job back.

  She was crazy. Why would Ginny believe her about Erin when Zane hadn’t? She needed proof. When she pulled into her driveway, she realized evidence of her innocence currently lived with her.

  Erin had to admit she’d stolen the money. When McKenna unlocked her front door and stumbled inside, the creak and bang of drawers opening and closing greeted her. Staggering down the hallway, when she reached the spare bedroom, Erin stood tossing clothes into the open suitcase on the bed.

  “You’re leaving?”

  “Yup, for Vegas as soon as I’m packed,” Erin said without looking at McKenna as she grabbed lace panties from the dresser. “I can’t wait to brush off the dust from this hole-in-the-wall town.”

  Her sister had only been working two weeks. She hadn’t even received a paycheck. How could she have enough money to leave?

  Erin glanced up and gasped. “You look horrible. What happened?”

  “My boss found out what happened in Houston.”

  “You got fired?”

  “I quit before I before that happened.”

  “I’m sorry. That’s horrible, but you’ll be fine. You always are.” Erin returned to the dresser, grabbed her bras, and tossed them in the suitcase.

  McKenna’s hands clenched into fists to keep from grabbing everything nearby to hurl across the room. A scream welled up in her throat threatening to choke her. How could Erin say she’d be fine? Her world had collapsed, leaving her with nothing. Less than nothing this time because she’d been happier than she’d ever been. She’d had a future. A place to call home. A man she loved.

  “How can you say I’ll be fine, as if what I’m going through is nothing?” At McKenna’s harsh, furious tone, Erin froze and stared wide-eyed. “I’m tired of taking care of myself and being fine. I don’t think I’ll be all right this time.”

  “You could come to Vegas with me. I bet Jeff could get you a job at the Bellagio, too.”

  “I don’t want to go to Las Vegas. I want you to clear my name. I want my life back.” Saying the words, demanding what she deserved since Erin confessed to stealing the cash, released the pain McKenna had kept pent up for almost two years.

  “I’ve finally got a shot to make good money and be happy. Don’t spoil it for me.”

  “Spoil it for you? What about me? I’m still paying for what you did.” If it hadn’t been for being fired at her last job over suspicion of theft, Zane might not have assumed she stole the shadow box. She could’ve talked to him. Together they could’ve investigated what happened to the pin.

  “How long are you going to hold that over my head?” Erin accused, her hands defiantly on her hips.

  “Again, I’ve lost everything, while you haven’t suffered a single consequence for your actions.”

  “What do you expect me to do? Destroy my life, too?”

  No more thinking she deserved less than her sister because their father loved Erin more. “I want you to fix this. You need to tell my boss what you did. You also need to call Darby and offer to repay the money. If you do, she’ll probably let the incident go with that.”

  Erin shook her head. “Darby won’t cut me a break. She’ll want me thrown in jail.”

  “At least tell my boss, so I can get my job back.”

  “I can’t risk she’d turn me in.”

  “If you don’t, I’ll contact Darby.”

  Her sister’s eyes turned stormy making McKenna shiver. “You go right ahead and tell Darby. Without evidence, it’ll be my word against yours. It was cash. I didn’t deposit it in
an account. I gave it to the management company for my rent, and I didn’t get a receipt. That’s not much of a paper trail.”

  McKenna’s knees wobbled, threatening to buckle under her. She collapsed onto the edge of the bed. The sister McKenna had cared for and protected would step over the shattered pieces her life without a shred of guilt or a backward glance to move on with her own. Note to self—if you need a kidney don’t count on one from Erin. McKenna glanced at her sister, who’d returned to packing. Erin believes she settled the issue. She believes I’ll do what I always have and protect her no matter what it costs me. McKenna pushed off the bed and stood, regaining her energy. Amazing what dumping emotional baggage could do.

  “I hope Las Vegas works out for you. I really do, Erin, because I love you, and I always will because you’re my sister. But if it doesn’t go well, don’t call me. I’m done. Don’t come here or contact me in any way unless you’re willing to clear my name.”

  *

  Despite Erin’s refusal to clear her name, McKenna decided to admit the truth to Ginny starting with the theft and ending with her lying about leaving her previous job on good terms. If Ginny failed to believe her or fired her, at least McKenna’s conscience would be clear.

  As to Zane, she’d survive their disastrous breakup and eventually the consuming pain would fade to a dull ache. Please let the saying time heals all wounds be true.

  When she turned onto the old blacktop highway heading for the Lucky Stars Ranch, a truck in the oncoming lane came into view. Was it parked? She slowed. Could the driver be having car trouble? Granted, he couldn’t pull onto the shoulder since it was only a foot before a ditch drop-off, but he should’ve moved off to the side some.

  As she continued at a slower speed, a man exited the truck. When he stood in her lane, his stance reminded her of…

  “No, it can’t be.”

  The heart she’d sworn had shriveled to nothing this morning fluttered to life.

  Stop it. Why would he be anything other than heartless like he was the last time they spoke?

  Her hands tightened on the steering wheel. Please, let it be anyone other than Zane. But as the distance closed between them, there he was.

  He shifted his stance and shoved his hands in the front pockets of his jeans. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Her heart pinched over what they’d lost.

  She honked, but he refused to move, forcing her to stop. After putting her car into park, she rested her head against the steering wheel. She couldn’t bear this. What he’d said when she’d last seen him rushed over her. An emptiness started in her heart and soul crept outward as if someone had scooped out her insides with a shovel.

  The urge to turn around, to avoid the confrontation, and escape her consuming pain overwhelmed her.

  No, she refused to run. Instead, she rolled down her window and stuck her head out. “Move.”

  “Thanks for not running me over, though I deserve it.” Zane stood in front of her car, preventing her from leaving. “I was coming to see you when I spotted your car.”

  Her University of Texas orange car. No way a Texas A&M Aggie would miss that. Wait, he’d been coming to see her? Her hands shook. What if…

  “We need to talk.”

  The tiny bubble of hope inside her burst hearing those four little words. Lord, she hated them. “After everything you said last time, I don’t have the strength for another conversation.”

  “I was an ass. The things I said to you were—” His voice cracked, and he swallowed hard. “When AJ told me you’d been fired and then when the shadow box was gone, my first instinct was you wouldn’t steal pens from work, much less Ginny’s pin. Then I remembered how well my father lied. I doubted you and then betrayal took over. I was deliberately cruel because I wanted you to make you hurt as much as I did.”

  “You succeeded.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t believe you. I’m sorry for what I said and how I hurt you.”

  He apologized. What had happened since their last discussion? Then he’d been rigid, almost unwilling to listen. He said he’d felt betrayed and doubted her. But now he almost sounded as if he believed her? She got out of her car and stood by the door. Something had to convince him she was innocent. “Why the change? Did you find the shadow box?”

  He shook his head.

  “But you believe I didn’t take the pin or the money? Without evidence?”

  “I realized the woman I loved who’d return a dollar of extra change couldn’t steal from me or anyone else.”

  He hadn’t found evidence to prove her innocence. He’d taken a leap of faith because he loved her. Euphoria burst through her. She had to be sure. “You love me?”

  “I do, but I’ll never be worthy of you. There’s too much of my father in me. My assuming the worst about you and my cruelty today proved that.”

  “Listen up, Zane. You aren’t like your father any more than I am my mother.”

  “You don’t know what he did.” His face pained, his eyes dark, the story tumbled out of him. “It was a Tuesday night. Mom had made my favorite dinner, spaghetti and meatballs. Dad was traveling again.” He shook his head and laughed. The bitter, brittle sound tore at her. “I remember being excited when he came home early. Then he said he was moving out. He wanted to live with his other family.”

  McKenna gasped. “Other family?”

  Zane nodded. His shoulders hunched and he gazed over her at the hay fields. Her heart ached for what he’d endured. For the child who’d been tossed aside by a selfish father.

  “Turned out when he said he was traveling for work, he was living with his girlfriend and their two children. They have a son four months younger than I am and a daughter. I also have three other half-siblings from my father’s third marriage.”

  No wonder Zane insisted everyone lied and something was either true or not. Gray areas would be dangerous for him and require trust. And yet, he’d let her in. He’d trusted her and let her see him. Finding out from AJ that she’d lied about her work history must have made him feel as gullible as the night he’d learned about his father’s second family.

  She rushed toward him, but he raised his hand halting her. Wanting to comfort him, but keeping her distance, she said, “Some people shouldn’t raise puppies, much less children.”

  “I can’t promise I won’t one day be just like him.”

  “Life doesn’t come with a guarantee, but I’m as sure as I can be about anything that you won’t ever be like your father. What he did speaks of his character flaws, not yours. Unlike him, you’re loyal and giving. Look at all you’ve done for Ginny. Not many grandsons would run a wedding planning business for their grandmothers.”

  “She and my granddad saved me.”

  McKenna stepped forward, and this time when he tried to stop her, she brushed his hand aside. Instead, she placed her hand on his cheek. “And their blood runs through you, too. From what I’ve seen and heard from Ginny, I’d say stronger than your father’s.”

  “But—”

  “Shh. I’m not blameless in what happened, you know. We’ve both made mistakes, and we certainly will again. Hopefully, we’ve learned to talk about them next time.”

  “Next time?”

  “I’ve loved you since I sang at Katharine and Rainy’s wedding.”

  “How can you after what I’ve done?”

  “Are you fishing for compliments?” she teased as he once had with her.

  “You’re amazing. Thank goodness Ginny had the sense to hire you after she talked to Darby.”

  “What? She knew? When did she tell you that?”

  “Later. I want to ask you another question.” He knelt in the middle of the pothole ridden black top and clasped her hand. His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he swallowed repeatedly.

  Her mouth went dry. Spots flashed before her eyes as she grew dizzy. No, she wouldn’t faint. She gazed into Zane’s handsome face, unable to believe what was happening.

  “I love you and
can’t imagine my life without you in it. I’m selling my share in Big Stake Games and want you to live with me on the Lucky Stars Ranch. The only home I’ve ever had. The only place I’ve been happy. Will you marry me?”

  “Yes.”

  He scooped her into his arms and swung her around. His love surrounded her, pushing out the pain. His mouth found hers, almost shyly at first as if he too couldn’t believe what had happened. She deepened the kiss as her heart hammered out a staccato beat in her ears.

  “Should we share the good news with your grandmother?”

  “Speaking of Ginny, she’s still your boss because I refuse to accept your resignation. I also told her to promote you to wedding planner, and she agreed.”

  Her promotion. She’d achieved the goal she’d been certain would lead to her security. How wrong she’d been. Security came from family she could count on when times turned difficult. With Zane, Ginny, and his friends, now hers too, she had that. While she couldn’t count on a kidney from her sister, she bet her new family would be lining up to get tested.

  “I just can’t believe I’ve gone from the lowest point in my life, to head in the clouds overjoyed all in one day.”

  “Another car just turned onto the road. We’d best get moving before someone calls the police.”

  A few minutes later McKenna and Zane joined Ginny on her patio. Gazing at the land spread out in front of her, a sense of serenity and peace once again flowed over her. From the moment she stepped on the ranch, she’d felt being here was right. Who’d have thought when she accepted the job as Ginny’s assistant, she’d receive a home and family along with it? How could she be so blessed?

  “I can’t tell you how happy it makes me seeing you two together,” Ginny said, pulling McKenna back from her thoughts. Then she patted the rocker beside her. “McKenna, sit here. Zane, pull up a chair. I’m getting a neck crook staring up at you.”

  They both chuckled but did as directed, and Zane said, “Do you want the good news or the bad?”

  “With how happy you look, how can there be bad news?” Ginny asked, her face filled with confusion.