Falling for Texas
Educating the CowboyRaising his orphaned teenage sister isn't easy for Texas rancher Cash Maddox. The girl tests his parenting–and patience–at every turn! But when he asks new teacher Olivia Grayson for help with his sister's grades and attitude, Cash realizes he's facing the toughest trial of all. He made a promise that he wouldn't date and get distracted from his mission of being a good father figure. Yet Olivia's quick wit is drawing him unexpectedly closer to the caring beauty every day. Could it be time to make a new vow…one that'll last a lifetime?Raising his orphaned teenage sister isn't easy for Texas rancher Cash Maddox. The girl tests his parenting–and patience–at every turn! But when he asks new teacher Olivia Grayson for help with his sister's grades and attitude, Cash realizes he's facing the toughest trial of all. He made a promise that he wouldn't date and get distracted from his mission of being a good father figure. Yet Olivia's quick wit is drawing him unexpectedly closer to the caring beauty every day. Could it be time to make a new vow…one that'll last a lifetime?
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Educating the Cowboy
Raising his orphaned teenage sister isn’t easy for Texas rancher Cash Maddox. The girl tests his parenting—and patience—at every turn! But when he asks new teacher Olivia Grayson for help with his sister’s grades and attitude, Cash realizes he’s facing the toughest trial of all. He made a promise that he wouldn’t date and get distracted from his mission of being a good father figure. Yet Olivia’s quick wit is drawing him unexpectedly closer to the caring beauty every day. Could it be time to make a new vow…one that’ll last a lifetime?
“You have to help me with my sister,” Cash said.
Olivia had already agreed to tutor Rachel. What more did the man need?
“I don’t have a clue how to help her,” he added. “How to deal with a teenage girl, and you have all of this experience. You’d be perfect.”
Perfect was not the word that came to Olivia’s mind.
“It would be so great if you could give me advice. I’m desperate to figure out how to help Rachel out of this rebellious stage she’s in.”
Cash flashed a charming smile, and Olivia’s resolve weakened.
“I’m not sure what kind of help I would be. It’s not like I have a counseling degree or anything.”
“It doesn’t matter. You are a woman.” He cleared his throat, looking at the trail in front of them before glancing back to her. “If tonight’s any indication, I obviously need help with her.” Cash punctuated the quiet statement with a shake of his head, then grew silent, leaving Olivia to her own thoughts.
She needed to say no. She didn’t need to add another thing that forced her into spending time with Cash. Plus, the thought of helping Cash with Rachel only reminded Olivia of her own mistakes.
But how could she say no?
JILL LYNN is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers group and won the ACFW Genesis award in 2013. She has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Bethel University. A native of Minnesota, Jill now lives in Colorado with her husband and two children. She’s an avid reader of happily-ever-afters and a fan of grace, laughter and thrift stores. Connect with her at jill-lynn.com.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
—Jeremiah 29:11
To my mom—thank you for always being
my biggest supporter, a wise counselor and a tenacious prayer warrior.
Contents
His sister’s skill for getting into trouble would be impressive if it weren’t so discouraging.
Cash Maddox’s abused leather cowboy boots echoed down the empty school hallway, the smells of industrial cleaner and mildew transporting him back a decade to his own high school days. At least the scents were better than manure, the cologne he most likely boasted after taking off in the middle of ranch work and not leaving enough time for a shower.
Usually he didn’t get called into school until a few weeks into the fall semester. But this year? School hadn’t even started. Rachel had only been on school property for one day of preseason volleyball practice yesterday, yet Cash had come in last night to find a note scrawled in his housekeeper’s handwriting about meeting the new coach after practice today.
He didn’t know what Coach Grayson wanted to meet with him about, but if he had to guess, his sister wasn’t going to be winning any awards. Unless there was a gold medal for eye rolling or hair tossing. She’d win those faster than an amateur could get bucked off a bull.
But despite the tension that had invaded their house lately and the way Rachel wanted nothing to do with him, Cash loved his little sister. He’d do just about anything to give her the same great upbringing he’d had. He owed her at least that much.
Catching his reflection in the glass trophy case, Cash paused to pick out a much younger version of himself in the old football team photos. He and his best friend, Jack Smith, had that stoic look in the picture, as if smiling meant they weren’t tough.
He shook his head and started walking again, remembering parading down these same hallways. Man, he’d been full of himself back then. Not more than any other football player in this town, but still. At least he and Jack had finally grown up. Cash’s maturing had come a bit quicker than most, but then, parenting would do that to anyone.
He paused in the doorway to the French room, where his message said to meet.
“You must be Rachel’s father. Please come in.” Coach Grayson waved, not looking up from working at her desk. “I’m just finishing up some class notes.”
Cash opened his mouth to correct her assumption, then clamped his jaw shut at her look of concentration. Warm cocoa hair scooped into a ponytail hung down over one shoulder as Coach Grayson nibbled on her lip.
