To Love a Texas Cowboy

Author

Dedication

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To the 2012 class of Squadron 21 in the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M University. It was a privilege watching you grow from wide eyed fish to the amazing young men you are today. The idea for this series never would’ve come about without ya’ll. Gig ’Em and Whoop 12!

Acknowledgements

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Thanks to Nancy Haddock, JD Tyler and Jane Graves, excellent writers all, and friends extraordinaire, for their encouragement, brainstorming and general help keeping me sane. My gratitude goes to the Starbucks staff past and present at Custer and Renner in Richardson, especially An, Angel, Nate, Jason, Courtney, D’Ann, Natalie and Saem for their support and keeping me caffeinated. Thanks as always the amazing Jennifer Jacobson for so much there’s not space here to list everything. John Milano, Jr. I can’t thank you enough for your help with this venture. You left me speechless. Special thanks to Kelli Lovelace for her advice on real estate issues, her friendship, and her support. Any mistakes in that regard are mine, not hers. I owe you one, girl! Last, but certainly not least, thanks to my youngest son Nathan for his help naming places in Wishing during our long, long drive to and or from Clovis, New Mexico. I’m not sure which. Thanks for sharing it with me.

Dear Reader

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Dear Reader,

The first time I stepped on the Texas A&M University campus with my oldest son Alex, I knew it was a special place. At A&M people say howdy instead of hello, students stand during the entire football game no matter what the score, and cowboy boots are the norm rather than the exception.

There’s a saying at A&M. From the outside looking in you can’t understand it. From the inside looking out you can’t explain it. Aggies swear it’s true, and I have to agree. That Aggie Spirit and the hardships endured during their freshman year in the Corps of Cadets forged a bond between my son and his squadron buddies and the friends in this book.

I started with Ty’s story because he remained at the East Texas ranch he and his friends spent time at during their college years. He values order, structure and predictability. Then fate brings Cassie Reynolds into his life, and this cowboy’s life is thrown into complete chaos. These two strong willed people see the world differently, but one thing they agree upon is they both want what’s best for the orphaned child they’re responsible for. Now if they can only decide what that is.

I hope you enjoy Ty and Cassie’s story as much as I did writing it. Let me know what you think and read more about my inspiration at julie@juliebenson.net. I love hearing from readers.

Blessings,

Julie

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Prologue

Brothers could be a royal pain in the ass. No one knew that better than Aubrey Rogers. She had thought that of hers numerous times and that was just this week. But as she stood at the town’s old wishing well, the rough, native limestone under her palms, she knew she owed Ty more than she could repay. He deserved so much, starting with being happy, but something told her marrying Lauren in two days wouldn’t accomplish that.

Wishing, Texas wasn’t known for much. Cattle and horse ranching, a factory that manufactured components for medical devices, a lake that fishermen thought was the closest to heaven a man could get on earth, and a small park with a wishing well that more than a few people swore granted wishes.

Common sense told Aubrey making a wish couldn’t change the future, but she’d been dreaming about Grandma Mabel. Then yesterday, she’d been digging in her closet for an errant running shoe and came across the book she’d made after her grandmother told her the wishing well’s legend.

Aubrey closed her eyes and felt Grandma Mabel’s arms around her as they sat on the porch swing gliding back and forth. Her smooth Texas drawl echoed in her ears.

Long ago there were two sisters Anne and Alice, who grew up as close as sisters could be. People used to joke that they were attached at the hip. Then one day Sam Watson started courting Anne. The more time the couple spent together, the less people saw Alice. She was always a shy, quiet thing and without her outgoing sister, she stayed home. Eventually, Anne and Sam married, moved here to Texas and built a fine life for themselves.

Anne considered her life in Texas with her husband and three children perfect except for one thing. She missed Alice, who lived back east with their parents. Anne kept asking her sister to move to Texas or visit, but Alice refused. Unlike Anne, Alice wasn’t an adventurer. Plus her aging parents counted on her to care for them.

Then the Civil War broke out, changing everyone’s life. Anne’s husband Sam enlisted, leaving her to run the farm and care for their children. Overwhelmed, Anne begged Alice to come to Texas to help. This time Alice agreed.

Together the sisters managed to feed the children and hold onto the land through that terrible war. When it ended and the men that survived started coming home, Sam wasn’t among them. As more time passed without word about Sam, Anne became despondent and eventually took to her bed.

Alice wanted to help her sister, but didn’t know what to do. Finally, one day she stood by the family well, her heart breaking for her sister. As she leaned over the well, her tears fell into the water as she tossed in a coin and wished for Sam’s safe return to the family who loved and needed him. A few days later, Anne’s husband returned with a stranger. On his way home, Sam had fallen ill. When Jasper Higgins found him half dead by the side of the road, he carried Sam to the nearest town and cared for him until he recovered. But Anne wasn’t the only one to receive a blessing because eventually Alice and Jasper married.

Over the years people have made wishes for themselves. Not a one of those have come true. Only those wishes made for someone else, with the purest of heart, out of the deep and abiding love like Anne and Alice shared have come true.

Aubrey tossed the coin into the well and heard it ping off the stone walls on its decent, finally landing with a plop in the water. I wish for Ty to have the kind of marriage he deserves. One that will truly make him happy.

Chapter One

"To Jack. A damn good man gone way too soon." Losing a friend was never easy, and Ty Barnett had lost enough people in his life to know, but this one? Tragic didn’t come close, Ty thought as he raised his beer.

His three college buddies, in town for their annual retreat, seated at a table at The Horseshoe Grill followed suit. How many hours had they and Jack spent in this small east Texas watering hole watching sports, playing pool, and tossing back beers?

That man was good enough to be an Aggie, AJ Quinn, Ty’s best friend said. Damn, I’ll miss him.

While Jack Mitchell hadn’t gone to Texas A&M as the rest of them had, they’d accepted him into their fold. Ty smiled, remembering when Jack showed up at The Bar 7 to borrow a wheelbarrow after buying the Jacobson place across Hope Lake. When Jack discovered Ty and his buddies, lounging in foldable camping chairs, on the dock fishing, a cooler of Shiner beside them, he pulled his gear from his Chevy truck bed, joined them and had every year since. Until this one.

Fishing won’t be the same without him, Cooper added.

It’s hard to believe he and Chloe are gone, but in a plane crash? Zane shook his head.

Ty nodded and took a long drink of beer. The cool liquid hit his stomach hard and the cold spread outward. A simple spring break vacation with his family, and now a sweet, six-year-old was an orphan.

Is there anything else you need, Ty? The Horseshoe Grill’s waitress Tiffani, a woman he’d known since middle school, asked as she leaned forward showing off her recently enhanced cleavage.

We’re good, he said, staring at the pool table as he sorted out his shot.

Let me know if you change your mind about anything, Tiffani said before she sashayed away.

Cooper, Ty’s eight ball partner, elbowed him in the ribs and nodded toward the departing waitress. Are you going to take her up on the invitation?

While easy on the eyes, with long, blonde hair a man would love to run his hands through, tall, curvy in all the right places, and good-natured enough, with her marital track record—oh for three—Ty doubted the good sense of any man who took Tiffani up on her offer.

Anyone else notice she didn’t care if the rest of us needed anything? AJ asked.

Mind if I throw my hook into the water? Zane asked his gaze locked on the waitress as she flitted around the restaurant. She looks like she knows how to have a good time.

Come on. Give someone else a chance. Like maybe me. Of all of them, AJ craved the connection and belonging that came with a serious relationship. After a six year stint in the military and traveling around the world, he was more than ready to put down roots, but most of the women he met were leery of getting involved with an FBI agent. Poor schmuck.

You’ve got more women on the line that you know what to do with.

After sending the three ball into the side pocket, Zane turned to AJ. Weren’t you thinking about going exclusive with Megan? Though why any sane man would do that is beyond me.

Ty shook his head and smiled, feeling like the ring master of a three ring circus. Despite that, he wouldn’t trade one of his friends for fifty yard line tickets to an A&M /Alabama game in Kyle Field. Good friends like these could get a man through just about any rough patch.

We broke up, AJ said referring to Megan.

Before anyone could comment, Chicken Fried by the Zac Brown band rang out.

Next round’s on you, Zane, Ty said even before his cousin reached for his phone.

They’d instituted the cell phones on vibrate rule and the violations penalty two years ago when Zane’s girlfriend of the month drove them nuts with constant calls and texts. The man always had a woman desperate to claim, keep, or regain his attention. Hell, usually more than one. Zane was a master juggler, but that didn’t mean the rest of them wanted to be part of the act.

Damn. I always forget to put it on vibrate.

You’d think with the money you’ve spent buying rounds you’d learn, Coop said, shaking his head.

He’s always been a little slow on the uptake. He’s not as smart as the rest of the family.

Very funny, Ty. Zane pulled out his phone and glanced at the screen before turning off the ringer. Why don’t some women take the hint?

What’s this one done? Ty asked more out of habit than out of real curiosity.

I bet she asked to leave stuff at his place, AJ said.

Five bucks says she wanted him to meet her friends. Cooper reached into his pocket, dug out a bill and tossed the money onto the pool table. What’s your guess Ty?

Ya’ll would wager on what day of the week it was. But even as Ty said that, he dug out his wallet, located a five and added it to the pot. I say she hinted at being exclusive.

Cooper wins, though he wasn’t exactly right. Zane picked up the cash and handed it to the victor. She wanted me to go to her parents’ anniversary party.

Didn’t she know asking to introduce you to friends or family was the kiss of death?

Obviously not, Cooper responded in his droll that-was-a-ridiculous-question tone.

I don’t get it. When I start dating a woman I tell her all I’m looking for is a good time. I don’t want anything serious. Zane called out his shot, but instead of sinking the seven ball in the corner pocket it bounced off the cushion. Every one of them says she’s okay with keeping things casual, but the next thing I know she’s fitting me with a GPS collar while I’m asleep.

That’s better than the friendship speeches I keep getting, AJ said. That’s what I got from Megan when I brought up us going exclusive.

The dreaded friend zone. That’s brutal. Cooper sank the two ball in the side pocket.

Tell me about it. I’m starting to get a complex. AJ leaned on his pool cue. There’s nothing worse than the friend speech.

Yes, there is. Getting dumped after the wedding rehearsal for one. The minute the words left his mouth, Ty wished he could snatch them back.

Sorry, man, I didn’t mean to open that wound. AJ turned to him, wearing the same pitiful look he had when Ty announced his wedding was off.

If you ask me, you dodged a bullet with Lauren, Zane said. You’re better off without her. I never liked her.

The rest of his friends nodded like damn bobble heads and Ty stared at them, dumbfounded. Since meeting as freshman in Squadron Twenty-One in the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M none of them had kept their opinions to themselves on anything. He’d always appreciated that about them. They called a spade a spade. So why hadn’t they said anything about Lauren?

She’s got pretty girl syndrome. She thinks the world owes her, and people will forgive anything if she flashes an aren’t-I-pretty smile.

AJ was right about the entitlement, but wrong about the reason. That attitude came from Lauren’s father who indulged her every whim. At least up to a point.

But the worst thing was she got pissed when you spent time with us. She thought we were a bad influence.

She might’ve had a point there, Ty said, seizing the opportunity to change the subject. Remember when your truck got stuck four-wheeling and I came to help? I got in trouble with the police because you were trespassing.

That wasn’t my fault. I thought we were still Angela’s property. Zane shoved his hands in his pockets. How long are you going to hold that over my head?

I don’t think there’s an expiration date on that kind of stupidity, Coop said, a big grin on his face.

We thought about saying something.

Why the hell didn’t you, AJ? I count on you— Ty stopped. To keep me from making stupid ass mistakes such as marrying the wrong woman.

It could’ve saved a hunk of his pride. One of them not liking his fiancé? No big deal. All three? Major red flag.

We figured the fringe benefits made putting up with her worth it, Zane said.

In another attempt to steer the attention away from his disastrous engagement, Ty turned to Cooper. Zane can’t get rid of his latest fling. Megan broke up with AJ. And they all knew his situation. What’s up with your love life, Coop?

Are the fish biting? his friend asked.

Ty laughed at Coop’s lame change of subject. Your love life’s that bad, huh?

I haven’t had enough to drink to touch that question, Cooper said before he finished off his beer.

What had happened to the four of them lately?

Ty spotted Tiffani near the bar. What was wrong with having a little fun with her? Going out didn’t mean he intended to walk the aisle with her. Maybe Zane had the right idea. Love ’em and leave ’em and Tiffani was as good a place to start. I’ll be back. I want to see when Tiffani gets off.

About time you tested the waters again, Zane said, a stupid grin on his face, and the rest of his buddies did the bobble head routine again.

You need a wing man? AJ asked.

No thanks. Zane would waltz off with her and any other available woman within ten feet. AJ would end up making her his new BFF and offering to help her out of whatever crisis she was in the middle of, and Coop, well, who knew what the hell he’d do.

Ty headed for Tiffani, but had only gone a few feet when a pink blur charged toward him, her lopsided golden ponytails bobbing up and down. Ella, Jack and Chloe’s daughter and his goddaughter.

He remembered almost word for word what Jack said when he’d asked Ty to be Ella’s financial guardian should anything happen to him and Chloe. Sure, Cassie loves Ella, and it’s not like we have other options for a guardian since mom has all she can handle with dad. The thing is, we need someone to keep Cassie grounded. She’s a creative type who makes decisions based on emotions and she handles money about as well as teenager. You’re a great guy with his head on straight, and you’ve got your priorities right. I need you to make sure Ella’s provided for. That she has a roof over her head and enough money for college. Promise me, if anything happens to me and Chloe, you’ll make sure Cassie does right by her.

How could Ty say no after that? Of course he never thought anything would happen to both Jack and Chloe.

Guilt came on the heels of the memory. While he’d met with Cassie a few times since the funeral and kept a close eye on finances, he hadn’t spent time with Ella. That needed to change.

As he scooped up the little girl, he forced himself to smile. His heart tightened at the thought of how alone she was. He’d lost his father, but unlike Ella, he’d had his mom to count on. Ella had one grandmother overwhelmed with a husband in the late stages of Alzheimer’s and a world traveler artist-type aunt.

And him.

Where’s your aunt?

His gaze followed where Ella pointed toward the cash register at the end of the bar.

If someone asked him to describe his ideal woman he’d say one with long flowing hair he could run his hands through. She’d be tall enough he wouldn’t get a crook in his neck from bending down to hear her, yet not so tall she looked him straight in the eye. She’d have some meat on her bones so he wouldn’t worry a stiff Texas breeze would carry her off.

Basically he’d describe a woman nothing like Cassandra Reynolds, and yet there was something about her. Her short blonde hair—dang near as short as his—lessened the sharp angles in her features and accentuated her large, expressive green eyes. Despite the fact she looked as if she’d gotten dressed in the dark with the odd color combinations, layers and large flowing skirts, the style had an appeal and fit her personality. The woman was a bundle of energy and femininity that would drive a man to distraction if she didn’t drive him crazy first.

Does your Aunt Cassie know you left to come see me? When he glanced into Ella’s clear eyes, she shook her head, her ponytails swinging from side to side, nearly slapping him in the face. He had the feeling something was wrong. More than just sadness over losing her parents. Usually the munchkin talked a mile a minute.

Crunchie misses you, he said. Crunchie, short for Captain Crunch, his paint pony and Ella were fast friends from when her father brought her to The Bar 7 to go horseback riding. His gut tightened as the child’s eyes widened, but she remained silent.

No doubt about it. Something wasn’t right. Usually if he mentioned Crunchie, Ella started pestering him about coming over to ride. His guilt kicked up a notch. He should’ve been asking how she was doing. Spending time with her instead of assuming Cassie would let him know if there were problems. Especially since he knew firsthand what trauma could do to a child.

I’m glad to see you, but you can’t go anywhere without telling your aunt. Now let’s join her before she starts to worry.

As Cassie stood at the bar waiting to pick up dinner, the sounds of families sharing a meal and friends enjoying each other’s company mixed with country music from the ceiling speakers attacked her frayed nerves. The Horseshoe Grill