only a few steps in his direction, Olivia felt a warm hand wrap around her arm. Goose bumps spread in waves across her skin, leaving no doubt whom she’d turn to find. Her mind might have made a decision not to have any interest in Cash, but her body didn’t seem to accept the verdict as easily.
“Coach Grayson, wait up.”
She steeled herself before facing Cash. The supermodel, thankfully, was no longer attached to him. He sported a much cleaner version of the outfit he’d worn Tuesday: nice jeans, newer-looking boots—though they still had that worn, casual look—and an untucked button-down instead of a T-shirt.
“I didn’t give you directions to the ranch for tutoring next week. That is, if you’re still planning to start the first week of school.”
Olivia snapped her attention back to his face. “I am.”
Cash didn’t answer right away. In fact, he didn’t seem to realize she’d answered him. The man was completely distracted. Probably still thinking about the beauty he’d just been talking to.
Frustration coursed through Olivia. Could he not listen to her for two seconds? Why had he even chased her down? Because he cares about his sister, that’s why.
Janie couldn’t be more wrong in her assessment. And the sooner Olivia got her head straight, the better. Thursday nights would be about tutoring Rachel and nothing more.
How many times would she have to remind herself that’s exactly what she wanted?
* * *
Cash let his gaze travel down from Olivia’s flushed face, enjoying the view more than he should. He’d seen her in volleyball gear, but this was the first time he’d seen her together and styled. He wasn’t sure which of the looks he liked best. Each had its own particular appeal.
Today she wore a skirt, showcasing legs as long as Texas that tapered into strappy sandals. Her toes were painted the color of pink cotton candy and her arms—what a strange thing to be attracted to—were somehow toned and feminine at the same time.
Seeing Olivia in church this morning only made her more appealing. But watching her with Gil Schmidt? That he could do without. Gil had even held the Bible out for Olivia, as though the two of them were a couple. Who knew, maybe they were. Cash didn’t have any right to get involved. Any right to care. But that didn’t make it any easier to watch.
Her foot tapped while she studied him with an expectant look. Had she said something to him?
“I’m sorry, what was that you said?”
She crossed her arms. “I’m still planning on it.”
“Great.” That was a good thing, right? Then why did she look as though someone had broken into her apartment? Spitting mad, eyes flashing. She even tossed her hair. It fell in layers past her shoulders today instead of being up in a ponytail. Her shampoo wafted over. Something mint. She probably wouldn’t appreciate it if he leaned in for closer examination.
What exactly had he done to make her so mad? Or maybe it wasn’t him that had her all fired up. Maybe she didn’t appreciate Gil’s advances. That thought made a slow smile spread across his face.
A breath whooshed out from Olivia, filled with enough frustration to spark the room into a raging inferno.
“Where’s your phone?”
He slid it from his pocket and she snatched it, her fingers flying across the keys.
“There’s my number.” She snapped it back into his palm and he resisted the urge to grab her hand and keep her there. “Text me directions later.”
Olivia took off, leaving Cash in a strange wake of confusion. After talking to Gil for a minute, the two of them walked out the doors together. Cash rubbed his chest, wondering why it felt as if one of his longhorns had speared him. He only had enough room in his life to deal with one girl at a time. Olivia being mad at him or even dating Gil should be a good thing.
Too bad it didn’t feel that way.
Cash shook the thoughts of Olivia from his mind, scanning the narthex for his sister. Tera Lawton’s eyes gleamed from across the room, reminding him of a jungle cat about to strike its prey. He’d already dealt with her once this morning and he didn’t care to do it again.
Why couldn’t the woman get the fact that he was taken? At least in one sense of the word. And even if he could date, it wouldn’t be her again.
Not after what she’d done.
When Jack reappeared, Cash met his friend by the doors.
“Janie and Tucker must have already gone outside.” Jack pushed out into the bright sunlight and glanced at Cash. “Trying to escape the Tera-dactyl?”
He laughed. “You know it. What is that girl thinking? As if I’d ever entertain that idea.”
Jack shrugged. “She probably just wants you for your money.”
Cash snorted. “You mean she’s attracted to the hundred bucks in my bank account? And here I thought she couldn’t resist my stunning good looks.”
Jack slapped him on the back. Hard. “Must be thinking of someone else there. You never had any of those.” Jack’s slow drawl brought out the Texan in him, flashing Cash’s mind back to their younger days. Both had grown up here, and both had returned after college. Living in Fredericksburg without Jack would be like a football game without a pigskin.
“How’s the football team looking?”
“I’ve got a few boys hoping for scholarships, which usually means I can mold them into the kind of players I need. When they want to get out of here bad enough, they work pretty hard.”
“True. But I’m not sure why anyone would want to leave this place.” Cash glanced at the Texas sky, now a mixture of clouds and a striking blue color that reminded him an awful lot of a certain volleyball coach’s eyes, which had just been flashing at him inside the church.
“I know what you mean.”
It took Cash a minute to remember what they’d been talking about. He scanned the still-damp parking lot until he saw Janie and Tucker near Jack’s car. He must have searched too long, because Jack’s laugh sounded next to him.
“She already left with Gil. Didn’t you see?”
Annoying that Jack could read his mind like that. And yeah, he’d seen. Cash’s hand itched to adjust the brim of a hat. Any hat that would shade a bit of his face.
“I was in church this morning, if you recall.” Jack’s amusement increased. “Probably wasn’t the only one who witnessed the way you tracked her every move.”
Cash winced. He had thought he’d done a better job than that of hiding his attraction to the new volleyball coach and French teacher. French. A sophisticated woman, who not only spoke but taught French, would surely never stay in a little town like this. Probably just passing through. Maybe he could tamp down his interest by thinking of her as a hoity-toity French teacher. Although on Tuesday she hadn’t seemed too high-and-mighty. She’d seemed sweet. And this morning? Feisty. Unfortunately both of those things appealed to him.
Time for a subject change. “While you’re at it, why don’t you get a scholarship going for Renner? Hopefully he’s got plans that don’t involve this town.” Or my sister. The star running back had a reputation for raising a ruckus, and Jack had just as little patience for him as Cash.
“Couldn’t agree more. Are you coming over to watch the Rangers game this afternoon?”
They approached the car and Cash went down in time to receive the direct hit from Tucker, his little body creating a surprisingly strong tackle. “Planning on it,” Cash answered Jack