Read Online Wrangling the Cowboy's Heart by Carolyne Aarsen - Free Book Online

individual journeys there was no way they’d have anything in common anymore.
    â€œWell, well, speaking of...” Aunt Laura said, looking past Jodie, her smile widening.
    â€œGood afternoon, Miss McCauley. Jodie.” The deep voice beside their table made Jodie jump. Her gaze tangled with a pair of hazel eyes. Finn Hicks stood by their table, still in uniform, one hand resting on a belt weighed down by hardware, the other holding his hat. The hint of a smile on his face created a silly flutter in her heart.
    Plus it didn’t hurt that the stubble shadowing his cheeks emphasized his cheekbones and the dent in his strong chin.
    â€œSorry to bother you,” he said. “But I’d like to talk to you, Miss McCauley. Laura McCauley, that is,” he corrected.
    Jodie’s aunt seemed taken aback, looking from Finn to Jodie as if wondering why he wanted to talk to her instead of her niece. “Well, pull up a chair. Did you want anything to eat? I’m buying,” she said.
    â€œNo. Thanks. Sorry again to interrupt. I won’t be but a minute,” he said, shooting an apologetic look at Jodie as he pulled a chair from a table beside them. But as he sat down, their knees brushed and Jodie jumped back at the contact.
    â€œSo what can I do for you?” Aunt Laura asked, her smile widening as she looked from one to the other. Jodie wasn’t sure she liked her aunt’s eager expression.
    Finn scratched his chin with his forefinger, glancing again at Jodie, then to her aunt. “You know we’ve got that church music festival coming up. I’m on the committee.”
    â€œIt’s the talk of the town. I’m excited about hearing your mother play, but more than that, to hear Mandie sing,” Laura said.
    â€œThat’s why I need to talk to you. My mom called today and said she has some other commitment and won’t be able to come.” Finn blew out a sigh, his features grim. “I need a new accompanist. I had hoped you could help me.”
    Aunt Laura shook her head. “There’s no way I’m nearly accomplished enough to play for Mandie.” She flicked a glance at Jodie, her smile growing. “But my niece is.”
    Jodie stared at her. What was she up to? And then she caught the gleam in her aunt’s eye and everything clicked.
    She turned to Finn and dashed the hope she saw on his face. “Sorry. The only place I’ve played the past few years is in bars, and I doubt you’d want to bring me before the church board.”
    Finn’s expression hardened just a bit, which convinced her even more that she wasn’t doing this.
    â€œBut, honey, it’s a wonderful opportunity,” Aunt Laura was saying. “Mandie is internationally known. She might be able to help you with your own musical career.”
    Jodie entertained the thought for a moment, her old dreams rising up from the ashes. Then she shook it off. She didn’t have the best résumé to accompany a Christian contemporary singer. “That ship has sailed, Aunt Laura. I’ve got other plans.”
    â€œLike what?”
    Jodie let her question sit, unanswered. She wasn’t sure what her other plans were. Up until now her goals were work, travel, work, travel.
    She knew that she wasn’t keen on spending more time with Finn than was necessary. Though it had been years, he resurrected feelings she hadn’t experienced in a while. Feelings of hope for a life she had always yearned for.
    Plus, Finn had been Keith’s friend, and she still couldn’t reconcile their connection with her own tumultuous relationship with her father.
    Finn dragged his hand over his face. “Do you know anyone else who could help me?” he asked, turning back to Aunt Laura, clearly as unwilling to press Jodie as she was to help him out.
    Laura sat back in her chair, arms folded. “No. There isn’t anyone around here capable enough of playing for