mind. Are you sure?”
Olivia studied Gil’s brown eyes, smiling in relief when she didn’t see a spark of interest. “Absolutely. Let’s go.”
They chatted about school on the short ride to church and Olivia relaxed. She could use more friends in this town. But during the service, Gil turned attentive—holding open the Bible for them to read together, sitting just a little closer than she’d like.
Had she led him on by offering him a ride? Her no-dating rule applied to everyone in this town, not just the entirely too-attractive man sitting one row behind her with his sister.
Maybe Gil didn’t mean anything by his actions. Olivia’s instincts could be way off. They had been in the past.
Olivia stood for the closing song, Gil’s arm pressing against hers, and the pastor closed with her favorite benediction: “The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”
Amen.
Olivia followed Gil into the aisle, then waited for Janie. She and Jack had sat farther down in the same row.
“I’ll meet you in the narthex. I need to find someone.” Gil squeezed Olivia’s arm, then made his way down the aisle.
She resisted the urge to rub away his touch as Janie came out of the row and latched onto her. “Gil Schmidt?”
The church emptied as Olivia explained her morning—minus the dream.
“Hmm.” Janie’s brow furrowed. “Guess Cash better get his behind in gear.” Her face brightened. “Might light a fire under him, knowing he’s not the only admirer you have in town.”
“I thought we agreed yesterday to leave things alone in that department.”
“You agreed to that. Not me.” Grinning like a puppy who’d demolished a shoe, Janie linked arms with Olivia and directed them to Jack and Cash, standing together in the narthex.
“Jack, we need to get Tucker.” Janie slid away from Olivia and tugged on her husband’s arm.
Matchmaking woman. Olivia resisted the urge to roll her eyes like she’d seen the girls on her team do more times than she could count.
Jack didn’t budge. “Can you run and get him? I need to talk to Cash.”
Janie’s copper eyes flashed as she braced a hand on her slender hip. “Fine. I’ll go myself.”
“I’ll go with you.”
Janie greeted Olivia’s offer with a wave of her hand, turning sweet as cherry pie. “No, Liv, don’t worry about it. I’ll be right back.”
Jack watched his wife walk away until she disappeared. When a gorgeous redhead approached Cash, Jack pulled Olivia to the side. “I need to ask a favor. Our anniversary is coming up and I want to surprise Janie and take her to San Antonio for dinner. It’s a drive, so it would be a late evening. Usually my parents or Janie’s would be available, but they’re all attending a church function that night. It’s the first Saturday in September.”
“And you want me to chauffeur?” Olivia laughed at the scowl on Jack’s face. “I’d love to hang out with my favorite little man.” Even if it breaks my heart a little every time.
“Thanks, I appreciate it. We owe you a dinner.”
She waved off Jack’s thanks. “You don’t owe me a thing.”
“Guess I’d better go find my wife.” Jack grinned. “She’s going to kill me for not leaving you here alone with Cash.”
Olivia’s chin dropped. So the man only pretended innocence. She shoved him on the arm, then spotted Gil across the way talking to an older gentleman.
After 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
