Jenna's Cowboy Read Online Free Page A

It’s hard for him to accept that he can’t work as much as he’s used to, so he overdoes it.”
    “Then it’s good you decided to come back home,” said Sue, holding open her arms.
    “Yes, ma’am.” Nate hugged her gently. “It feels right.” He knew she was pushing sixty, but there wasn’t any gray in her hair, even if it was a little lighter than it used to be. More strawberry-blonde than red. Jenna had inherited her mother’s hair and her turquoise eyes, but not her height. At five-three, she’d gotten shortchanged a few inches in that department.
    When Nate stepped back, Dub held out his hand. “Welcome home. Looks like the army agreed with you.”
    “Can’t complain. They treated me fair and square.” He shook hands with Jenna’s father, keenly aware that the man was sizing him up. Dub’s hair had turned silver, but he still stood straight and tall, topping Nate by a couple of inches. The boys had taken after him in height and with their dark brown hair. But only Will had his dark eyes. Chance’s eyes were green, which had prompted his brother to try to convince him that he’d been adopted when they were kids. They were a striking bunch, both in looks and with an air of confidence that came from being the most powerful family in the area.
    “But it’s good to be back in West Texas.” No bombs. Nobody shooting at him. No wondering if the person walking toward him was friend or enemy.
    Will was next to greet him, shaking his hand and slapping him on the back. Out of the corner of his eye, Nate saw Jenna step out of the kitchen carrying her son. Seeing her with the little boy triggered an unexpected wave of longing. With pale blond hair, Zach was as cute as could be, especially as he looked up at his mom in adoration and patted her cheek.
    He smiled as Jenna joined them. “So this is the man in charge.”
    Dub laughed. “You got that right.”
    “And you love every minute of it.” Jenna winked at her dad, then smiled at Nate. “Zach, this is Nate. He’s an old friend.”
    The little boy watched him carefully. His eyes were dark blue with light gray starbursts radiating from the center. Nate decided he had the second prettiest eyes he’d ever seen. Zach glanced around at the others. Nate had the impression the kid was trying to gauge how his family felt about him.
    As the boy’s gaze came back to him, Nate said quietly, “Glad to meet you, Zach. Your mama was braggin’ about you this afternoon. She said you were the cutest, sweetest, and smartest boy in the whole world.”
    “Not that she’s prejudiced,” mumbled Will with a chuckle.
    “And I have every right to be.”
    Zach still studied him intently. What was going on in that little mind?
    “He’s okay,” Jenna said softly. “He’s a good guy.”
    Her son looked back at her, his serious expression making Nate a little nervous. She had mentioned earlier that Zach loved to kick his Nerf soccer ball around the house. “And I play soccer.”
    “Since when?” Chance asked.
    Nate glanced at him. “First tour in Iraq.” He turned back to Zach. “Maybe you and I can kick the ball around sometime.”
    Zach held out his arms to him. “Play ball.”
    Nate noted surprise flash across Jenna’s face. “Is it okay?”
    “Sure. He just doesn’t normally go to someone new right away.”
    He lifted Zach carefully and settled him on one arm, holding him securely across the back with his other hand. Nate liked kids and had spent as much time as he could with the neighborhood children in Iraq. He had also visited a nearby orphanage whenever he had an opportunity. The boys there had taught him to play soccer.
    Zach rested one arm on Nate’s shoulder and pointed across the room. “Play ball.”
    “Now you’ve done it. Looks like our meeting will be postponed for a few minutes.” Dub’s eyes twinkled as he glanced down at Nate’s boots. “Worth the wait to see you scramble around in cowboy boots.”
    “Sorry, sir.” He frowned at