To Catch a Texas Cowboy (Wishing, Texas Book 2)

by Julie Benson

  “Technically he’s the chief of police,” Coop corrected.

  “Speaking of your job, can you take care of a speeding ticket I got on the way here?”

  Which job? The one I’m pretending to have or the career I tanked to keep my word to a woman with the prettiest brown eyes?

  AJ shook his head, and turned to Coop. “Why did you let him drive?”

  His friend shrugged. “It’s easier than arguing, and as long as he pays the tickets, it’s no big deal.”

  “So can you fix—”

  “No. Pay the damn fine, Zane,” AJ snapped as he knocked on the back door of the Main House.

  A minute later, Grace appeared, dressed in the killer jeans she’d bought on their day in town, and a simple white blouse. The late afternoon sun bounced off her wavy brown hair flowing over her shoulders, turning it almost auburn. Simple perfection.

  “Come in.” Grace said after she introduced herself, a welcoming smile on her glowing face, as she stepped aside for them to enter. “You’re my first guests, and I’m a little nervous.”

  “We’re more like family than guests,” Coop said, putting her at ease.

  “As long as you don’t treat me like a brother,” Zane added.

  Out of the corner of his eye, AJ caught a familiar gleam in Zane’s gaze, and his gut tightened. He knew it meant Zane was imagining the thrill of a new challenge. With Grace as his target. Couldn’t the guy ever turn it off? AJ clenched his jaw so tight, he worried everyone could hear his teeth grinding.

  Hold the horses, and back up the wagon, you’re heading for trouble going there, pal. You’ve got plenty of women dangling on your line. You don’t need mine.

  “Yeah, you have to worry about women treating you like a brother, all the time,” AJ snapped, his voice filled with sarcasm.

  “You don’t remind me of my brothers at all. If you did, you’d be arguing already,” Grace teased.

  “Give it time,” Coop predicted.

  As Grace led them through the house into her office, she told them a little of the town and the inn’s history. “I plan on emailing guests information on the tours we offer before their arrival, and here’s where I’d say if you’re interested in visiting our town’s historic wishing well, we can arrange a time for a tour that fits in with the rest of your plans. The well really shouldn’t be missed. Even if you don’t make a wish for someone, seeing the well and hearing the legend alone make the trip worthwhile.”

  “Sounds great,” Zane said, his patented I-can-captivate-a-women-in-five-minutes-or-less smile on his face. “Sign me up.”

  “You won’t have time,” AJ snapped.

  “Grace said she could work around my busy schedule, didn’t she, Coop?” Zane countered.

  “Leave me out of this.”

  Grace turned to Coop. “Now they remind me of my brothers.”

  “That took longer than I expected,” Coop responded dryly.

  Grace slid a guest book across the desk, and asked Cooper and Zane to sign in. “Normally, I’d show you to your room, but since AJ is here with you, I assume you’ve been to the Carriage House.” After his friends nodded, she continued. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. Otherwise I’ll see you at breakfast tomorrow. It’s served between seven and nine.” She handed Coop and Zane their keys, and smiled. “How’d I do? Is there anything I didn’t cover that I should have?”

  “You did a great job. I’d never know we were your first guests,” Coop said.

  “Thank you.” Relief filled Grace’s delicate features. “Normally guests don’t have access to the kitchen, but you’re a special case. Since no one else is staying here, you’re more than welcome to make lunch and dinner here. AJ can show you where everything is.”

  “Thanks for the offer, but tonight we’re heading to The Horseshoe for dinner. Want to come?” Zane asked before AJ could issue an invitation.

  “I’m sure you have a lot of catching up to do, and I don’t want to impose.” Grace tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

  “You wouldn’t be,” AJ said, a little too quickly. “I saw these two at our retreat a couple of months ago. If you don’t come, we’ll likely run out of things to talk about.”

  “Then I’d love to,” she said as she grabbed her purse, and the four of them headed for the front door.

  When they reached his truck, Zane rushed to hold the door for Grace. AJ frowned. Much more of this and smoke would roll out his ears.

  Yup, his time alone with Grace had ended, but maybe that was good, considering the crazy notion plaguing him the last few days. Houston was only three hours away. If he could swing buying a place here, maybe the old Wilson place, he could spend his weekends here. With Grace.

  But then he remembered he no longer had a job in Houston.

  Grace laughed at something Zane said, and AJ cringed. What if Grace reacted to Zane the way most females did? Women damn near started a stampede trying to get at him. His friend had already proved he intended to turn on the charm, determined to monopolize Grace’s attention. Then add Coop as an additional buffer, and Grace wouldn’t notice AJ was there.

  Unfortunately that thought didn’t set well with him either. In fact, it left him wanting to wipe the confident look off his playboy friend’s face. With his fists. Dinner should be an interesting test of both his patience and his friendship.

  Chapter Thirteen

  By the time they stepped inside The Horseshoe, AJ wanted to haul Zane into a dark corner and tell him to back off where Grace was concerned. While he loved Zane like a brother, the guy’s biggest fault was being a major commitment phobe, and Grace deserved better. She deserved a man who understood the trauma she’d endured, appreciated her courage, and would help her rebuild her life. Zane wasn’t that man.

  He’d no sooner told the hostess the number in their party, when The Horseshoe’s owner, Gabriel Ramirez, dashed out from behind the bar, nearly barreling over the teenager in his haste to reach them. “I’ll take care of this party.”

  After mumbled a yes, sir, the teenager turned her attention to the party behind them.

  “Hey, Chief,” Gabe said, without glancing at AJ. Instead the restaurateur’s interest remained glued on Grace. Great. As if Zane and Coop vying for her attention wasn’t enough.

  “I’m Gabriel Ramirez, but you can call me Gabe. Welcome to my restaurant.” The businessman waved his hand around the room in a gesture meant to impress. Then he flashed Grace a bright smile and grabbed menus. He motioned for the rest of them to follow as he walked beside Grace.

  Sure, we’ll follow along behind like lap dogs.

  Gabe hooked his thumb back at AJ and his friends. “How do you know this crew?”

  AJ recognized what the question was code for. What the man wanted to know was if Grace was involved with one of them.

  “The guys are staying at the inn, and we’re in Ty and Cassie’s wedding party. We thought we’d have dinner and get to know each other,” Grace replied.

  As they kept weaving through the restaurant, AJ almost asked Gabe if he meant to seat them in the kitchen.

  “Here you go,” the owner said when they reached a table in a far, dim corner. He placed the menus on the table, and before AJ could scoot around him, he held out a chair for Grace. “Your dinner tonight is on me to welcome you to town.”

  “Does everyone new in town get a free meal? Did you get one when you moved here, AJ?” Zane asked. From the annoyed look on his friend’s face, he wasn’t pleased with Gabe’s interest in Grace either.

  AJ shook his head, not trusting his voice. Until he solved his case, he still had a front to maintain, which meant not telling local business owners to go the hell away no matter how good it would feel.

  “Guess we’re chopped liver,” Coop interjected.

  “You three aren’t a pretty woman who improves the atmosphere, and is good for business. Besides, you’ve been coming here for years.” Gabe laughed, obviously trying to make a joke out of the now awkward
situation. “And you, Chief, aren’t so hot for business. No offense, but nights when you’re around, my bar business nosedives.”

  Gabe’s tone may have been joking, but more than one truth had been delivered that way, and they both knew it. Now the table in the far, dark corner made sense. Gabe hoped AJ would be less conspicuous.

  Biting his tongue and forcing down his urge to put the man in his place, AJ told himself it wasn’t worth the effort, even if a sharp comeback wouldn’t put his ass in a sling with the town council. But before he could say anything, Grace said, “It’s odd you don’t appreciate having AJ here.”

  Despite her mild tone and brows furrowed in confusion, fire blazed in Grace’s brown eyes. She straightened, crossed her arms over her heaving chest, and stared down the man as if waiting for an apology. AJ leaned back in his chair to watch the show. He bet it’d be as good as any on Broadway.

  “My father’s a New York City police officer,” she continued. “Businesses there are thankful when officers stop by. They realize it makes employees think twice about stealing, and reduces the risk of other trouble.”

  Not looking so impressive are you, big fella? She’s as quick as a rattler, and when ticked, about as deadly. Nothing gets past her, and you made a big mistake.

  “My apologies, Chief.” Gabe’s face flushed with embarrassment. Then he wished them a pleasant evening and made a quick exit. AJ almost felt sorry for the guy. He’d tried so hard to impress Grace, and instead, ended up getting chastised in front of three other men. Even the strongest man’s ego took awhile to recover from a hit like that.

  “I’m sorry I jumped in,” Grace said to AJ after Gabe left. “It wasn’t that I thought you couldn’t handle the situation. I know some officers think they have the right to blast somebody after a comment like that, but that’s not your style. You hold yourself to a higher standard.”

  “No apology needed,” he said, hoping his chest wasn’t puffing out too much over her praise. “It was nice having someone say what I couldn’t.”

  “I wondered why you let that ass’s comment slide,” Zane said. “Now I get it. I’d make a lousy cop, because I’d have blasted him with both barrels.”

  “Most times all that does is escalate a situation.”

  “People overanalyze everything the police say and do. I saw that with my father a couple of times, but AJ’s job as chief makes the situation tougher.” Grace’s face flushed as her irritation picked up steam. “We were in town one day, and you should’ve seen how many people forgot he’s a real person, and not just the job.”

  In completely unchartered waters—women usually complained about his career or pumped him for information on cases, but they never defended it—AJ sat there speechless, toying with his fork.

  “All I know is, I never want to get on your bad side, Grace,” Cooper said. “Did you see the way that guy’s tail was tucked between his legs when he slinked off?”

  No kidding. AJ had been there, and it wasn’t a great vacation spot. “And she did it with a smile, in the sweetest voice, as if she had no idea she was cutting the guy off at the knees.”

  She flashed him a you-got-that-right smile, making him want to reach for his sunglasses. His heart rate kicked up a notch. “One thing I learned that day in town as I listened to everyone was you can get away with saying harsh things. All you have to do is have a big smile on your face, use a honey-sweet voice, and a look somewhat clueless.”

  His gaze locked with hers as a deep laugh rattled out of his chest, making him feel almost light-hearted. He could get used to the feeling. “Most times a body has to add a sweetheart to the comment.”

  “Or a bless your heart,” Cooper added.

  Zane nodded. “She’s got exceptional talent.”

  They were still laughing when their perky teenage waitress arrived to take their order. “Looks like ya’ll are having a good time tonight.”

  AJ couldn’t remember the last time he’d had this much fun. Other than the annual retreat, did he ever have fun? Really let loose?

  When the waitress left, Zane turned to AJ. “Has it been tough making the transition to chief?”

  The charade grew more tedious by the minute. At least this situation he knew how to deal with. “I can’t tell other people in town to lay off the shop talk, but that doesn’t go for you two. No more work talk. I’m here to have fun.”

  “Fine with me. We can talk about my work,” Zane said, a stupid grin on his face.

  “That was a smooth way to pull the attention back to you,” Cooper said.

  “You didn’t think he’d let an opportunity like that get past him?” AJ quipped.

  Completely ignoring them, Zane focused on Grace. “My partner and I run a computer gaming company. We’re developing a new action adventure game geared to women, and you’d be the perfect model for our heroine. How about later I take photos of you to send to the concept artist.”

  Both AJ and Cooper groaned. Fun? With the way tonight was going, that was about as likely as Ty’s prize bull giving milk.

  Grace wanted to groan at Zane’s comment. What was with the men around her tonight? Or was it her? First Gabe ignored the rest of her party to hit on her, and now Zane pulled out the model for me ploy. She was tempted to check to see if someone had stuck a hit-on-me-I’m-easy-and-lonely sign on her back without her realizing. “How many times have you used that line?”

  “Today?” Cooper asked between bouts of laughter.

  Tall and lean, he reminded Grace of Harry Connick Jr. in the movie Hope Floats. Good-looking, but strong and steady with a sharp wit. And an equally sharp mind.

  When AJ stopped laughing enough to speak, he said, “The truth hurts, doesn’t it, pal?”

  “Enough said.”

  Zane sobered, and crossed his arms over his chest. “I’ve never said that line to another woman.”

  “He’s right.” AJ grinned mischievously at his friend, and Grace waited for the zinger to fly. “He hasn’t used that exact phrase.”

  Cooper nodded. “Usually he tells a woman he’ll name a character after her.”

  “Ouch.” But she couldn’t help but laugh at the great volley. “Busted.”

  Zane scowled. “Some buddies you are, ratting me out.”

  “You should know better. If you throw down a pile of manure, we’re going to say it stinks,” AJ said, and Cooper nodded.

  With a practiced wounded male look on his face, Zane said, “You can’t blame a man for pulling out his best line.”

  Actually she could.

  The thought zoomed at her out of left field. Had she changed that much? Zane couldn’t be more her type. He was a life-was-too-short-to-be-taken-seriously-and-risk-missing-one-minute-of-fun guy, who more than likely ran at the hint of commitment. To top it off, attractive didn’t begin to describe him. Six two and built nothing like any computer gaming geek she knew, with golden hair and green eyes, the man belonged on a magazine cover. Nuns would start cat fights trying to gain his attention. Put all those qualities together and Zane had been what she’d once thought was perfection. The problem now was he wasn’t...AJ.

  When had she started preferring his direct honesty, sturdy dependability, and rustic good looks?

  During the remainder of dinner, while the jokes and jabs flew fast and furious between the three friends, unlike her brothers, the genuine affection flowed as freely. Not only that, but their comments lacked her brothers’ underlying desperation to conquer and decimate. But what she appreciated more was how they treated her like one of them. Yup, she was fair game, and she loved it, dishing out as good as she got, more than holding her own.

  “I’m sorry to butt in, but I wanted to thank the Chief,” a middle aged man, dressed in sharply creased jeans, and a white western snap front shirt, said when he stopped at their table. After tipping his cowboy hat to Grace and introducing himself, he continued, “I won’t keep you long, Chief, but I wanted to thank you for what you did for Ethan.”

  “All part of th
e job, Cason.”

  Somehow she doubted that.

  “Maybe to you, but it was a big help to us,” Cason continued. “Getting named an all-American, and being recruited by the likes of Alabama, A&M, and Ohio State went to the boy’s head. His mom and I tried talking to him, but kids don’t listen to their parents.”

  “That’s for sure,” AJ said.

  “Chief Weston would’ve said boys will be boys.”

  Out of the corner of her eye, Grace noticed AJ stiffening ever so slightly. Yet another reminder of how he differed from his beloved predecessors, and obviously the fact was wearing on him.

  “I did what I thought was best,” he said, his voice flat.

  “No, you’re misunderstanding me. My wife and I are glad you did. Coming down hard on Ethan was the kick in the ass he needed.” Cason turned to Grace. “Excuse my language ma’am.”

  “No apology needed.”

  He turned back to AJ. “We’ve seen a change in Ethan since your talk.”

  AJ flashed the man a miniscule smile. “I’m glad.”

  “I wanted to make sure I told you.” Then Cason nodded to Zane and Cooper, tipped his hat to Grace, and left.

  “What was that about?” Cooper asked.

  “His son got into a little trouble, and I had a talk with him. That’s it. No big deal.” When Zane opened his mouth to ask another question, AJ cut him off. “This discussion qualifies as work talk, and is off limits.”

  AJ’s tight tone and stiff posture made it seem as if someone had tied his back to the chair. Why was he uncomfortable with what Cason said when AJ had obviously made a difference for the family? Instead, he should be proud of helping the parents get Ethan back on track. Whatever the reason for his unease, wanting to make sure everyone let the subject go, she turned to Zane and asked him about his company’s latest game. The lively discussion of video games, the best ones, and ideas for Zane’s newest, took them through the rest of dinner.

  After settling the check, AJ asked, “Darts or pool?”

  “Whatever we decide, I call Grace as a partner,” Zane said.