On Lone Star Trail by Amanda Cabot Page A

one discussion Gillian knew better than to encourage, and so she said only, “He seems like a very nice boy.”
    â€œHe is.” Brianna nodded vigorously, setting her hair to bouncing on her shoulders. “Some kids call him a nerd, but he’s a great guy.”
    She looked at Gillian for a moment, her indecision obvious. Though Gillian didn’t claim to be an expert on teenagers, she sensed that Brianna wanted to tell her something important but was debating whether Gillian could be trusted. After a few seconds, she said, “We’re going to get married as soon as we’re old enough. Then we won’t have to live here.”
    Not wanting to get involved in such a sensitive subject, Gillian merely smiled and murmured, “You’ll be a beautiful bride . . . someday.” She glanced at her watch, grateful for an excuse to end this conversation. It was time to join the group around the campfire.
    But Brianna wasn’t giving up so easily. She blocked the door. Putting her hands on her hips, she stared at Gillian. “I don’t understand you. You’re still young. You’re pretty. How come you’re not married?”
    Gillian was tempted to laugh. It seemed that the trio of middle-aged women Kate had called the Matchers had an apprentice. Though she suspected they would have phrased the question a bit more diplomatically, the meaning was the same: it was time for Gillian to marry. Even her father agreed.
    â€œI haven’t met the right man.” Gillian gave Brianna the same answer she’d given her father, but tonight was different. As she pronounced the words, TJ’s image floated through her mind. How strange.

    The kids were in an odd mood tonight. TJ hadn’t been kidding when he told Gillian that he still felt as if he didn’t have a clue about teenagers. Oh, he’d read dozens of books and taken his share of psychology classes, but he wasn’t the intuitive teacher Deb had been. She had had the empathy and the understanding that turned an ordinary teacher into a special one. TJ had never been more than average, and if he were being honest, that had bothered him. It certainly bothered him tonight.
    Tonight the boys wanted to talk about wilderness survival and were disappointed to learn that a day hike was as far as he’d ventured into the back country. Fortunately, the lure of flames and marshmallows had kept them by the campfire, but TJ knew he’d have to come up with something different for tomorrow. As it was, the boys were clustered around the fire, waiting for the girls’ arrival before they started roasting marshmallows.
    And there they were. As Gillian emerged from one of the RVs with Brianna, the others joined them, forming a giggling group of girls. With all his heart, TJ hoped Gillian wouldn’t leave Rainbow’s End before he did. It was bad enough keeping the boys entertained. Half a dozen girls were beyond his skill.
    â€œSo, was she your girlfriend before, or did you just meet her?”
    The boy’s question startled him. He hadn’t realized that Todd had remained at his side. Tonight the kid was one of the silent ones. Fortunately, he was only quiet, not sullen.
    TJ spun around and faced him. “What do you mean?”
    â€œGillian.” Todd’s tone left no doubt that the answer should have been apparent. “She’s your girlfriend, right?”
    â€œWrong.” TJ wasn’t looking for a girlfriend. Not now, and probably not ever.

    â€œWhat’s wrong?” Gillian asked as Kate handed her a cup of coffee before stirring sugar into her own mug of decaf. Gillian was the one who ought to look stressed after the mostly sleepless night she’d just spent, but it was Kate who seemed on edge. The silver lining to that was that her friend wouldn’t ask why Gillian had circles under her eyes. And that was fortunate, because she didn’t have an answer. Admittedly,