Page 7 of A Heart Falls Cowboy Christmas

That was an easier answer. Jinx leaned back on the couch as she shook her head. “There’s enough to do around High Water for me to work for a year while I figure out exactly what direction I want to go.” She met Mrs. Stone’s understanding gaze. “I’m not ready to leave home yet, but if I do find something sooner rather than later, my mom will find a way for me to start virtual classes.”

Mom. Calling Petra that still felt like a gift, shiny and bright.

“I’m not headed anywhere this coming year, either,” Sasha pointed out, stacking her books in a pile and moving to sit beside her mom. “There are things I’m interested in, but I figure when the right next thing to do moment arrives, I’ll know.”

“You’ll know and will promptly take names and kick butt,” Mrs. Stone agreed. “You being who you are.”

Affectionately, Sasha leaned into her mom’s side. Suddenly, a sheepish expression drifted over her face as she caught Jinx’s gaze. “Um, Mom? Speaking of kicking butt…?”

Oops. “It was my fault,” Jinx hurried to explain when Mrs. Stone’s brow winged upward as she turned to face Sasha. “I…”

Her throat closed up tight.

Dammit, the shaking was back as well, and that was the last thing she wanted.

“Jinx? Take a deep breath,” Mrs. Stone laid a hand gently on Jinx’s knee and spoke in a confident and reassuring tone. “You’re safe here, and you’re fine. And Sasha is not in trouble.”

“Well, Sasha is sort of in trouble,” Jinx’s best friend said wryly. “And Sasha is no longer on the graduation committee, and neither is Jinx.”

“I take it something happened?” Mrs. Stone asked.

Jinx took another of the big breaths she’d been prescribed—it did help—and met Mrs. Stone’s eyes. “One of the guys was joking around, and it backfired on him. And me.”

“Jokes that aren’t funny for everyone aren’t jokes,” Sasha offered with a growl.

“He snuck up on me and grabbed me from behind,” Jinx hurried to explain. A shiver raced over her, revulsion at the memory. “He said afterward it was a ‘surprise hug.’”

Mrs. Stone’s expression hardened. “Not fun for you.”

Jinx shook her head. “Not fun for him either, as Uncle Declan has been teaching me self-defence moves. I didn’t even think—I stepped on Jason’s insole, elbowed him in the gut, and barely stopped from slamming a knee into his nuts.”

“Good for you,” Mrs. Stone said. She eyed her daughter. “And when exactly did you enter the fray?”

Indignance swept over Sasha’s face. “Not until he deserved it. Instead of apologizing, he got mouthy and rude. I got between him and Jinx and offered to teach him some manners.”

Mrs. Stone’s lips twitched. “I see.”

“So I’m off the committee because I used inappropriate language. You’ll be getting an email from the school later today.” Sasha lifted her chin, clearly not one bit sorry. “And Jinx quit the committee because she’s not hanging around with stupid people.”

“Sounds as if it all worked out fine. Other than you needing to work on how to dress someone down without the curse words,” Mrs. Stone suggested.

Sasha sighed dramatically. “Alas, it’s one of the downfalls of living and working in a mostly male environment.” Mischief danced in her eyes as she winked at Jinx. “Also, my mother secretly curses like a sailor, and I might have overheard her a time or two.”

“Ha. Don’t tell your father that.” Mrs. Stone ruffled Sasha’s hair, then stood. “Time to get ready for supper. Jinx, are you staying tonight?”

Jinx’s answer was blocked by a firm knock on the back door, followed by a familiar bark. “Someone’s here with Dixie, so I guess the answer is no. Thanks for the offer, though, Mrs. Stone. I always enjoy sharing dinner with your family.”

“You’re welcome anytime.” Tamara Stone headed back to the kitchen, a smirk twisting her lips. “You don’t swear. Eventually your good habits might rub off on my daughter.”

Sasha stuck out her tongue at her mom as she hurried to the door to open it. “Jinx is nearly ready—oh, hi…Logan.”

Jinx focused all her attention on placing her schoolbooks carefully into her backpack.

“Hi, Sasha. Hello, Mrs. Stone.” Logan’s polite tones carried into the room. Somehow Jinx’s nerves felt as if she’d touched a live electrical wire. “I thought I’d walk Jinx home. Dixie’s been going out of her mind since we told her to not leave the yard.”

Mrs. Stone laughed, stepping to the open door to lean down and pet the golden retriever’s head. “So that’s why you haven’t come to visit us once this week, looking for your favourite person. I know it’s hard, but that’s a good girl.”

The faster Jinx tried to move, the more she seemed to be all thumbs and extra limbs. Somehow, she got her coat on and her feet shoved into boots.