Her Texas Family by Jill Lynn Page B

Mattie in her booster seat, helping buckle her in.
    She finished saying goodbye and shut the door.
    â€œYou’re getting pretty good at that.” He motioned to the car seat. “Guess stealing them from other people’s cars is like a crash course.”
    Lucy propped her hands on the hips of her faded jeans. Tonight, her hair was in a loose braid over one shoulder. She had on her green Converse shoes and a T-shirt peeking out from under her sweatshirt that said Save Ferris.
    Had she dressed casual so she could bum around the ranch with Mattie?
    This woman was growing on him.
    He pointed to her shirt. “Aren’t you too young for that movie?”
    Her eyes narrowed, lips curving slightly. Every time they did, Graham felt as though he’d won a prize.
    â€œI like old movies.”
    â€œAh.” He rubbed a hand across his chest. “Did you just call Ferris Bueller’s Day Off an old movie?”
    â€œWell, it is.”
    â€œNow I feel ancient.”
    When Lucy laughed, that victorious feeling skyrocketed.
    â€œSo, did you have a good day? Get a lot accomplished?”
    â€œI did.” He’d expected to miss Mattie like crazy, but Graham was getting better about her traipsing off with Lucy.
    â€œWhat did you do?”
    â€œA little work at the office and some at home.”
    Lucy tilted her head. “Do you ever have fun, Hollywood?”
    â€œWhat does that name mean?”
    She grinned. “That’s for me to know and you to endure not knowing.”
    Seriously. “Yes, I have fun.” Not that he could think of any examples at the moment. “It’s good to see you back to being yourself.”
    â€œHow do you know what I’m normally like? We haven’t known each other that long.”
    â€œIt’s not hard to tell with you.” And it wasn’t. Lucy was sunshine and rainbows on the gloomiest day.
    â€œIt’s good to be back. I’m extremely delightful to be around.”
    He groaned.
    â€œI can’t believe you had most of the day to yourself and you didn’t relax and do something enjoyable. What about a movie?”
    â€œBy myself?”
    â€œUh, yeah. Haven’t you ever been to the movies by yourself? In the middle of an afternoon? You buy the biggest popcorn and the largest drink, a box of candy, and you settle in—” Lucy waved her hand. “Never mind. I can see I’ve already lost you. Looks like you definitely need some help in the fun department, Graham Redmond.”
    â€œThat’s not true. I’m perfectly content. I don’t need any help having fun.”
    â€œI think I’m going to have to step up my position, from best fill-in-on-maternity-leave office person ever to Director of Fun.”
    Panic thrummed in his veins. “Lucy—”
    â€œDid you know there’s a business in Colorado where that’s an actual position? I would be so good at that job.”
    Was this what he got for wanting the carefree Lucy back? He’d hoped she would stop being upset about his in-laws, not make him her new pet project. What had he been thinking? Maybe he should go find the Wellings. They’d certainly put a damper on Lucy’s good mood.
    But even though the woman drove him a bit crazy when she was going full throttle, he did like seeing her happy.
    He just didn’t want her intruding in his life the way she was threatening to.
    â€œLucy.” He took a step closer. Even with a foot of space between them, the close proximity sent his pulse flying. “I do not—” frustration over his unwanted attraction to Lucy caused his voice to drop “—want or need you messing with my life. Please. Tell me you’re listening. Tell me you’re not going to do something crazy. I do not need you as the director of fun in my life.”
    Lucy’s lips curved, only this time, it didn’t feel like a victory. “We’ll have to see about