The Wrangler’s Last Chance by Jessica Keller

Author:Jessica Keller
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-11-13T21:17:39+00:00

* * *

A few hours later, as Carter and Shannon headed down the front stairs of the Spiras’ house, Carter offered Shannon his arm. It had rained while they were eating dinner, and sometimes treated wood could be slippery.

Or so he told himself.

The welcome smell of damp earth surrounded them. Carter sucked in a deep breath. Rain always reminded him of new beginnings—the mess of the old washed clean. Growing up in the North, he had always heard that Texas was very hot and dry. Now that he was living in the part of the state called the Hill Country, he knew that couldn’t have been further from the truth. Everything was lush and green here and it rained plenty.

The Spiras had outdone themselves with dinner. Carter was stuffed with the slow-smoked beef brisket, sesame slaw, tortilla soup and pecan pie the older couple had made. They were quite the team, and watching them interact had caused his chest to ache for the new family tree Mrs. Spira had talked to him about. Long ago, Carter had convinced himself that the best thing for him would be to be alone, to not start a family. With the examples he had, what did he know about being a good husband or father? But the Spiras hadn’t had role models, either, yet they had raised a large, loving family.

At Red Dog Ranch he had a clean slate and what he did with that was up to him. He had never believed that he was worthy of a future like the one Mrs. Spira had painted for him, but tonight he found himself wondering if maybe worth had nothing to do with it. Perhaps his energy would be better spent on hope than worry.

While Carter had enjoyed the Spiras’ company and the meal, he had noticed that Shannon had been more reserved than usual. In fact, she had been pretty quiet in the car and when they were passing out flyers.

Clouds wisped across the sky as the sun began to set, leaving a trail of pink-and-orange light. At the bottom of the stairs Carter stopped. He had to say something—even just to start a casual conversation. Shannon keeping to herself didn’t sit well with him.

“I don’t know if I’ve eaten that much at once in my whole life.”

Shannon rested a hand on her stomach. “Me, too. When the Spiras keep spooning food onto your plate, it’s hard to say no.”

“What do you say we go for a walk before heading back home?” He laid his hands on his own stomach for effect. “I could stand to burn off some of those calories.”

Shannon’s lips twitched. “Hardly.”

The downtown area of Stillwater wasn’t large but there was a small park on the far end with a bricked sidewalk, flowers and plenty of benches. He led her in that direction.

Just like she’d done the other night, Shannon kept hold of his arm as they headed down the sidewalk. She nodded at a few passing people and waved across the street to a large family.

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