Page 11 of Sweet Devotion

This time he did glance in her direction without skipping a beat. “Yes.”

Instead of being insulted, she chuckled. “Fair enough. Yes, really. Horses have very strong feelings about fairness.”

His head bobbed slightly, but he didn’t say anything else.

The moment they entered the barn, the scent of hay and leather wrapped around her, followed by the low murmur of someone talking to an animal and the shift of a horse moving in its stall.

Halfway down the corridor, leaning against the stall, sleeves rolled, talking quietly to one of the horses like he fully expected the massive animal to answer him back, Garret Sweet shifted his attention to her and Aiden. “Hey, Colleen.” Giving the horse a quick scratch along his neck, Garret stepped away from the stall. “Heard you were back.”

“Hard to sneak up on Honeysuckle.” She moved closer to the horse.

“Let’s agree it’s hard to sneak up on Iris Hathaway. There is most definitely nothing wrong with the Honeysuckle grapevine.”

She smiled at him. “Some things never change.” Still patting the horse, she looked at Garret. “Mom tells me that the team is looking really good this year.”

Garret’s eyes lit up. “If this morning’s practice was any indication, I’d say we’ve got another shot at State.”

Aiden glanced between them. “Which sport?”

The way Garret stared at him, as if he’d just asked what color is the sky, Colleen had to practically eat her lips to keep from laughing. “Football,” Garret finally replied.

“This is Texas. Friday night lights and all.” Colleen shifted the sack of apples onto the stall rail and faced Garret. “How’s the line holding?”

“Better than last year.”

“Better how?” she pressed.

Garret crossed his arms, a contented grin taking over his face. “Picked up two seniors with size. One of them finally figured out how to use it.”

“That the kid who kept collapsing the pocket last season?” Colleen wanted to make her way to Boot’s stall, but she loved getting inside info on the school team from someone who knew.

“That’s the one.”

She nodded. “Good. Because if your quarterback doesn’t get more than two seconds, it doesn’t matter how good your receivers are.”

“Sounds like you’re a fan.” Aiden watched her intently.

“Like I said, this is Texas. Everyone loves football.” She turned back to Garret. “What about your secondary? You were getting burned on deep routes.”

Garret winced. “Don’t remind me.”

“So?”

“So,” he sighed, “we’ve got a sophomore with speed and decent instincts. Still learning.”

“Speed’s good.” She bobbed her head. “Instincts will come if he doesn’t overthink it.”

“That’s what I keep telling him.” Garret stepped further into the main corridor. “I have a few more things to take care of before washing up for supper. It’s nice to have you back.”

“Thanks. It’s nice to be back.” Grabbing the bag from where she’d hung it on the stall, she spun to face Aiden. “Let’s go find Boots.”

Aiden fell into step beside her. “You really know your football.”

“I do.” She nodded.

“I mean really know football. More than just recognizing when it’s fourth down or that a touchdown is six points before the kick for the extra point. My mother learned to follow the game so that she could have more things in common with Dad. She yells at the appropriate moments—an interception, a fumble, a first down—but I’m not sure my dad even understands the nuances of the game that you and Garret just discussed.”

She shrugged, stopping at Boots’ stall. “Hate to keep repeating myself, but this is Texas, the state that nearly revolted when they adopted the No Pass No Play rule. Didn’t hurt any that I went to Texas A&M. Very strong football tradition.