Page 74 of Space Cowgirl: Houston, All Systems Go
Ignoring me, Jules waves Jackie closer. “Watch this.” She points at the floor in front of Cookie. “Stay.” She steps back. When Cookie remains still, Jules throws me a triumphant look. “See, I told you.”
Rose snickers but sobers when Jules takes a step in her direction. “Whoa there, babe. I was just taking a moment to appreciate how well you fit in at the ranch.”
Jules shrugs, but I don’t miss her glance in my direction. “It isn’t a hard place to fit into.”
“Really?” Rose shoots me a sly look that, from experience, means trouble.
“Yeah, even the inner city kids love it here.”
Distracted, Rose’s focus goes back to Jules. “Who?”
“You didn’t know?” Jules gives Cookie one last pat before leaning on the rail by Rose. “Holt developed a program that brings underprivileged kids from the city out here to the ranch. We spent the day by the pond swimming and fishing.”
Eyes now on me, Rose’s mouth drops open. “How did I not know about this?”
“I didn’t think—”
Flynn jogs into the barn, apparently back from picking up dinner. “What’d I miss?”
Rose’s look turns accusatory. “Seems our brother is running a secret charity program.”
Flynn nods at me before wrapping his arms around Jackie from behind. “Cool.”
“Isn’t it?” Jules’ smile is distinctly smug. “He should start running it full time.”
“Would you like that?” Rose asks.
I shrug, rubbing the back of my neck. “I don’t really have the time, what with the ranch—”
“Nonsense.” Jules waves away my words. “Tucker can handle the day-to-day operations.” She swats Jackie’s arm playfully. “Can you believe there weren’t any girls in the program? I’m going to getthatsorted out real quick.”
“Yes.” Jackie nods. “Good idea.”
Jules snaps her fingers. “Hey, I could even put Holt in contact with the NASA public relations team and…”
The conversation dims in my mind and I find it hard to breathe. I remember my mother doing the same thing to my dad. Telling him how easy it would be if they just quit working the ranch and took advantage of the millions in oil rights. Bought a place in the city, started racing cars. Before you knew it, everything my dad had loved about being here vanished, along with his family. There’s already been so much change.
“That’s enough.”
Everyone jumps, my voice a lot harsher than I meant it.
“Let’s go eat.” Without a word, I turn and start the walk back to the house.
* * *
JULES
“Holy shit.”Rose places one of the take-out containers on the large table, looking around the dining room.
I laugh lightly. “That’s exactly what Flynn said when he saw the reno going on.”
Jackie, Trish and I continue placing the containers down, the girls exclaiming over the new paint and refinished hardwoods, but my mind is on Holt. Is he mad at me? Thinking on it, it is weird he never told his family about the program. I don’t see why he didn’t. It’s something he should be proud of. But maybe he’s mad I brought it up?
“Looking around, I don’t think you changed things that much, but it still looks brand new.” Rose fingers the blue and white curtains by the double window.
“Yeah, this room only needed a slight upgrade.” I place the last container down. “Melissa said that with all the furniture being antiques and in good shape, there really wasn’t much to be done.”
“They were my grandmother’s.” Rose’s voice takes on a sentimental lilt.
