“There aretwins?Are they hot too?”
Ty chuckled. “They’re all…quitehandsome.”
“This sounds like the Cullen family,” Margo said. “Do they play baseball?”
“I have no idea.”
“Do they glitter in the sun? Go out only at night?”
Ty laughed some more and sank the key into the ignition. “I better go,” she said, gripping the key propped in the ignition. “I need to pick Lucas up soon.”
“What youneed,” Margo said, “is a car with a quieter engine so you can talk to me while you drive. You know they have those hands-free gadgets that hold your phone and everything.”
Ty grinned. “You talk to me like I’m your out-of-touch grandmother.”
“Sometimes youactlike you’re my out-of-touch grandmother.”
“I’ll give you that,” Ty said. “See you tonight at dinner. Any requests for dessert? I’m picking it up from Drew’s before we head over.”
“If you happen to snag one of their tres leche cakes before they’re all gone, I’ll love you forever.”
“Got it.”
“Oh, and Ty?” her friend came again. “I really am proud of you. And to think your mom said you’d never make a good living from rubbing bodies. I want to be there while you Facetime her about this. Eat your heart out, Katrina—salary, lodging, and gorgeous hunks-a-plenty. Who could want for more?”
“Right.” Ty doubted anything could really impress her mother. She’d given up on that long ago. Still, she ended the call with a grin on her face and unmatched gratitude in her heart. Ty would recognize this job offer as the blessing it was, regardless of how her mother would view it.
She twisted the key, nudging the gas pedal as she did, and frowned when the engine didn’t start up on command. “Oh, no.” A spark of fear flashed through her as she twisted the key back and tried again. “Come on…” She pressed harder on the gas, but that was clearly not the issue. Her old battery had gone out after all. If only she’d have stopped at the auto place and gotten a new one installed before coming to The Homestead.
Great. She’d probably have to call a cab. Unless she could get someone to give her a jumpstart.Yes,it had worked the other night, and if there was enough juice in the battery, it would work again.
If it worked, she could drive straight to the auto shop, which was just a short walk from the school. She’d pick up Lucas, and maybe they could even replace the battery while she was gone.
Ty pushed open her car door, gripped her keys in one hand, and mentally scrolled through the people she’d met that day. As nice as everyone had been, she found herself hoping to run into Memphis above all the others. There was something so…genuine and unassuming about him. He was definitely less intimidating than Richard, and she hadn’t said more than hello to Emmitt. And Maverick—even if hewasn’tinjured, Ty would hesitate to approach him; she worried that a guy like him was prone to taking any and all female attention as romantic interest.
The afternoon sun glowed bright against the blue sky as Ty hurried up the steps and onto the wraparound porch. As soon as she rounded the corner, hoping to find Memphis where she’d seen him earlier, a cool breeze picked up. The temperature of that breeze reminded her that fall was on its way.
Autumn was Ty’s favorite time of year. Soon, the remaining leaves that clung to the tree would join those already decorating the ground, their musky scent stirring in the breeze. She could hardly wait to take Lucas to the pumpkin patch and let him pick out his very own pumpkin. Fall was a time for warm soup on cozy nights. Walks through the apple orchard to pick out just the right batch for apple pie. Or Holly’s spiked wassail.
A cluster of people were gathered behind the inn. A group of young kids, many wearing cowboy hats, raced toward their families from the ranch. A kind-looking couple waved at them as they went. “Thanks for joining us today. Remember, tomorrow, you get to take a ride on your very own horse.”
Excitement broke out over the group. Ty overheard one conversation after the next in bits and pieces, all centered around petting a horse and climbing onto the saddle.
“Hey, Ty!” came a male voice from beyond the crowd. Memphis stepped away from the group and hurried toward her, a concerned look on his face. “Is everything okay?”
A speck of warmth stirred in her heart. “Hi.” The wordhotraced through her mind as she locked eyes on him.Stop it, Ty.“I, um…” She shook her head, feeling a bit frazzled suddenly. But the truth was, he was even better looking than she’d first realized. It was like watching a Hollywood hunk step onto the scene. One with good manners, understated charm, and a smile that had her stomach doing flips once more.
“I can’t start my car,” she said. “Do you think you could give it a jump?”
Memphis lifted his chin. “A jump. You think it’s the battery?”
“I’m pretty sure.”
He did a bit of nodding. “Okay, let me grab my truck and I’ll meet you out front. That’s where you’re parked, right?”
“Right.” She was already spinning around to head back when Memphis spoke up again.
“Oh, did you get the job?”
