Page 12 of What the Cowboy Wants (The Westons of Montana #3)

A fter another restless night, Cooper was up early on Saturday.

He went horseback riding, something that usually blew all the cobwebs away, but when he and Pepper, his gray and black horse, were on their way back to the stables, he was still…

what? Confused? Distraught? Distressed? Troubled? Not quite any of the above, but what?

Listening to Rose the previous night, had confirmed the initial thoughts he had about the wet, shivering woman he’d med the night when she’d nearly ended up in a ditch.

She had constantly been on social media, on her phone, always looking to be recognized, to be adored, forgetting to live in the moment.

But since she’d moved here, she’d literally left that life behind, and telling her friends about it meant she’d also mentally stepped away from it.

What had upset him, though, was the way she’d been treated. It had been brutal.

As they passed the main gate to the ranch he noticed Willow’s car outside.

He hadn’t joined his siblings for breakfast this morning, so he didn’t know what Willow’s plans were.

Was she having car problems? As he neared the gate, another car coming from the direction of Marietta, slowed down and parked behind Willow.

He got off his horse and after hanging the reins over the gate, walked toward the cars. Vivian O’Sullivan, a doctor in town and one of Willow’s friends was behind the wheel. The back door opened, and Rose got out, meeting his eyes before she quickly turned around and helped his mother from the car.

With one glance, he took in everything about the redhead. Tights jeans hugging her long legs, a green top lovingly draped over her generous breasts, her red hair hanging down her back, big hoops dangling from her ears.

“Mom? Everything okay?” he asked.

“Cooper!” his mom called out and hugged him. “Everything is perfect. We’re on our way to Bozeman to do some shopping. I’m getting in the car with my daughters.” She looked him in the eye.

As his mom moved toward Willow’s car, Rose turned around to get back into Vivian’s car. He stepped closer, put his hand over hers on the door handle. “This is your date?”

She didn’t look him in the eye but nodded.

Shaking his head, he chuckled. “So, I’ve been miserable for no reason?” He spoke softly so that only she could hear him.

Ignoring him, she got into the car. He prevented her from closing the door by leaning inside. “Enjoy your shopping, ladies.”

“We’re getting dresses for Friday night’s dance,” Janice called out. “I hope you have a date.”

“Not yet,” he said, looking at Rose.

For a millisecond her startled eyes met his. Yes, I want to take you he communicated with his eyes. No, I’m not ready , the frantic look in her eyes told him. Are you okay after yesterday? A small nod was all he got.

“You should get a dress,” he said to her before he closed the door.

Rose didn’t look at him as Vivian drove away. Damn, she was driving him nuts.

He’d spent the whole of the previous night worrying about her—exactly the reason why he’d never wanted any kind of relationship. After her message telling him she had a date, he couldn’t settle down. Here he was, not even in a relationship with the woman and she was constantly on his mind.

Somehow, she also understood his silent messages. Whether she’d acknowledge it, was of course another question.

As he and Pepper galloped away from the gate, Cooper rubbed his chest. “What do I do with this craziness inside of me?” he asked. Pepper snorted. Cooper laughed. “Yeah, buddy, it’s a woman. Let’s go and see how Scarlett is doing, okay?”

He hadn’t asked Rose to the dance outright, but she surely knew what he’d meant.

*

Afterward Rose had no idea how she’d ended up with six bags filled with clothes, including a dress for the dance—a gorgeous cream-colored A-line knee-length dress with crossed straps at the back that left the rest of her back bare.

Being in a daze after she’d seen Cooper early in the morning probably had something to do with it.

You should get a dress . Cooper’s word had been on her mind the whole morning.

On the drive back, Rose was in the car with Arlene, Willow, and Ellie. As they left Bozeman behind them, she couldn’t settle. She had more than enough money, but spending so much on a dress because a man she barely knew told her to was a bit much, wasn’t it?

“I can’t believe you’ve talked me into buying so many clothes,” she muttered. “Remind me never to join you on a shopping spree again.”

Arlene, who was sitting in front, turned around to look at Rose. “I’m still sorry you didn’t take the full-length, slinky one in the champagne color as well. You looked so gorgeous in it.”

“It’s a beautiful dress, but surely not for a local dance?” Rose said.

“There aren’t many occasions to dress up,” Laura said. “So, any chance we get, we go all the way. I do love the one you did get, though.”

Rose smiled. “So am I. We’ve tried on so many dresses, I’ve lost count. And I’ve spent way too much money, but I’m so happy you invited me along. I’ll always be grateful I ended up in Marietta. I couldn’t have asked for better friends.”

“Cooper told you to get a dress,” Arlene said. “I have an idea that means he’s planning to take you. But remember, you don’t have to have a date to go to the dance. You can join us any time. You’ll enjoy it. It’s high time you show the people in Marietta what you look like and stop all the rumors.”

“Thanks, all of you. I’ve really enjoyed the trip.

” Her mind went back to everything she’d bought.

Whether she wanted to admit it or not, what every single item that had ended up in a bag had been bought with Cooper in mind.

That was exactly the kind of thing she hadn’t wanted to do again.

Although, she really did like every single item, so it wasn’t as if she only wanted to please him.

The strange moment while Cooper had held her gaze this morning, had been on her mind all day. They’d been talking about the dance and the expression in his eyes… Had he asked her to the dance by just looking at her?

Oh, my goodness, she was losing it. “I noticed you’ve also bought something?” she asked Arlene to get her mind on something else.

“Oh, yes.” Arlene said. “I got something for the ball. I really hope you’ll join us.”

“I’ll see, thanks.

“What about lunch tomorrow, please?”

Rose shook her head. Arlene had invited her a few times before to join the Sunday lunch with her family, she was so nice.

“Thanks, Arlene, but I’m not intruding on your time with your kids.

Besides, Ellie told me today she has already found someone to help her in the shop and the woman is keen to start on Monday.

I really need to pack up my life in Seattle before I can start over here, so I’m going to see what flights are available. ”

“Please let me know if you need a lift to the airport in Bozeman?” Arlene grinned. “I won’t mind spending more time in the shops.”

“Thanks, Arlene. I’ll probably drive myself. It’s just easier. I’m not sure when I’ll be back.”

They were nearing the entrance to the Weston Ranch when Willow caught Rose’s eye in the rearview mirror. “Mom wants to look at a painting I’ve done, would you mind stopping at the ranch? I could drop you off at the stables if maybe you would like to see Scarlett? We won’t be long.”

“Oh, yes, thank you.” Her heart beating excitedly, Rose quickly looked out of the window.

She’d been thinking about Scarlett and would like to make sure the horse was okay, that was all.

Swallowing a groan, she stared at the passing landscape.

The problem was, her increased heartbeat wasn’t only because she was going to see Scarlett.

Maybe she should just enjoy the feeling. After wallowing in a deep pit of despair for months, struggling to get up in morning, being excited was a heady feeling.

Making decisions and planning anything had been beyond her, but now she couldn’t wait to get her life and career back on track. Whether it had anything to do with Cooper kissing her, she didn’t know, but she was finally ready to make plans and think about her future.

One of the things she’d need was a lawyer to draw up the paperwork so that she could buy Laura’s house.

Minutes later, Willow stopped near the stables. “Just give me a call when you’re ready to leave.”

Rose got out of the car. “Thank you!”

“Enjoy!” Ellie called out as they drove away.

As always when she’d been with her friends, Rose found herself smiling as she waved at them. All of them had helped to keep her sane over the last few weeks. As she moved toward the entrance of the stables, she heard Cooper’s voice.

“I won’t hurt you, beautiful. You know that, don’t you?” he was saying.

A delicious shiver slid down Rose’s spine. If she wasn’t mistaken, she was in deep trouble. He wasn’t even talking to her and her body was responding to him.

As before, he was in the fenced off area next to the stables with a horse.

This time it wasn’t Scarlett, though, but a beautiful black horse.

His dogs and the black cat were close by.

By the looks of things, Cooper was trying to put a saddle on the horse’s back, but it wasn’t very happy with the idea.

*

Rose was here. As Cooper kept stroking Midnight’s neck, he felt her presence even before he turned around.

“This is a surprise,” he said as he kept moving his hand over the horse’s neck.

She walked closer. “You did say I should stop by to check on Scarlett.”

“She hasn’t been keen to leave her stall today, but she’s fine.” He caught her eye. “Scarlett the only reason you’re here?”

“You mentioned a dog?”

Chuckling, he looked at her. “She’s still with Isabella, but I can take you to her.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Rose said. “We can meet later. I’m leaving for Seattle as soon as I can get a flight booked, so I can’t take him right away, anyway. What are you doing?”