Free Jenna's Cowboy by Sharon Gillenwater Page A

went into overdrive. But Jenna wasn’t about to admit it. “Are you going to the bonfire?”
    “No. Some of the other relatives are coming in this evening, so I need to be social and help Mom feed them. I’ll be at the game, though.”
    Jenna was relieved that her friend let the conversation shift to other things. She plopped Zach’s hat back on his head and chatted with Lindsey for a few minutes about who they had seen in town for homecoming and who they’d heard was planning to be there. As usual, the alumni coming home would increase the population substantially through the weekend.
    Lindsey checked her watch and turned to her cousin and Nate. “We’d better get going. The horde will descend on Mom and Dad’s place soon.”
    “That pretty much describes it.” Roger shook hands with Nate. “It was good to talk to you.”
    “You too. Take care.”
    “I will.” Roger nodded, his expression serious as they walked away.
    “Were you able to give him any good tips?” asked Jenna when Nate moved a little closer.
    “Not many. I don’t know much about the navy.” The group that had been so boisterous earlier had quieted down, and Nate seemed to relax, turning his attention to Zach. “Somebody’s drooping.”
    Jenna peeked around to look at her son’s face. He rubbed his eyes. “Are you ready for a nap, honey?”
    “Ye-ah.” He sounded too tired to talk.
    She lifted him from the swing, and he cuddled close, resting his head on her shoulder, knocking off his hat.
    Nate picked it up. “Do you want me to carry him?”
    “No, thanks. I want to enjoy the snuggle time.”
    Zach was almost asleep by the time they reached the family, and she was only a little short of breath. She wondered how long it would be before she couldn’t carry him up that hill without huffing and puffing. Her mom had seen them coming and had already picked up Zach’s toys and put them in the pickup. Dub held out his arms. “Come here, buddy. Let’s get you home for a rest.”
    Zach raised his head and looked at Jenna. “Mama, go?”
    “I’m staying in town for a while with the guys, but I’ll be home before bedtime tonight. You go with Papa and Grandma, okay?”
    “Okay,” he said sleepily. He let his grandfather lift him from Jenna’s arms without a fuss. He’d be sound asleep before they pulled out of the park. As Dub turned away, Zach looked at Nate. “Bye-bye, Nate.”
    Jenna was surprised by how quickly Zach had taken to him.
    Nate swallowed hard, his expression tender as he focused on the little boy. “Bye, Zach. I’ll see you soon.”
    It appeared the handsome cowboy was pretty taken with Zach too.
    Jimmy Don was an idiot, but maybe his neglect would make it easier for her son to love a stepfather—if he ever had one.

7
    They spent the rest of the afternoon swapping amusing tales, throwing a Frisbee around, and going to the Dairy Queen for sundaes. As dusk began to fall, they drove to the football stadium where the pep rally and bonfire would be held at one end of the dirt parking lot. Will found a parking space at the end of the high school five blocks away. It meant a longer walk but less hassle when it was time to leave. Judging from the crowd streaming toward the stadium, about two hundred people had the same idea.
    Nate shifted to high alert. His vision sharpened, rapidly assessing those around them. Was that jacket heavy enough to conceal a gun or a bomb? What was inside that backpack? Why was that guy acting nervous? Nate slowed his pace, keeping his eye on the man in the white shirt and dark slacks. Looking ahead, the man smiled shyly, his face turning red when a pretty blonde hurried up to him. Nate speeded up to rejoin Jenna and her brothers.
    Boot heels clicked along the sidewalk. Flip-flops slapped the cement. A Harley motorcycle drove slowly down the street. Gravel crunched as they crossed the driveway that ran around behind the school. A faint squeak drew his attention to a woman pushing a cute little