Page 13 of What the Cowboy Wants (The Westons of Montana #3)

“I’m trying to put a saddle on Midnight’s back. He arrived a few months ago, dirty and frightened. He tolerated the saddle pad, but he’s scared of the saddle. Somebody hurt him.”

“Is there something I can do?”

“You can try and calm him down like you calmed down Scarlett.”

After a slight hesitation, Rose opened the gate and slowly approached them. “Hi, Midnight. Oh, you’re a gorgeous boy, aren’t you?”

Snorting nervously, the horse turned and watched Rose moving closer to him.

“Horses are prey animals,” Cooper explained softly, “and are therefore hardwired to run away and ask questions later. Midnight, like Scarlett, has been abused, so winning his trust again isn’t going to be easy.

On days like this, I miss my brother Walker.

He was very good at calming down horses.

” Surprised by his words, he frowned. He seldom talked about Walker, why mention him to Rose?

She was touching Midnight’s head. “Walker? He’s the brother you lost in an accident?”

“Yeah.”

“What happened? You don’t have to tell me…”

“It’s okay. We were all in Grey’s Saloon and if I hadn’t suggested we have another beer that night, he would still have been here.”

Silence. He continued stroking Midnight and so did Rose.

“So, is he another reason you don’t want a relationship?”

“Are you offering?”

She snorted. “No. But, you were very adamant about not having one.”

He laughed. “I like you, Rose Dalton. You make me laugh.”

“You do know it was an accident and not your fault?”

“I know it here,” he said tapping his head, “but I’m still struggling not to feel guilty every time I think about him.” He waited a beat. “You were very brave yesterday telling your friends and me about what happened to you.”

“You left.”

With his hand on Midnight’s back, he moved closer to Rose. “Your pain nearly drowned me. I was so angry that anyone could treat you that way, I was worried I’d break something in your house.”

“You really felt all that?” she asked.

Gently touching her elbow, he stroked her arm with his thumb.

“You have to know the guy is an idiot, and both he and your cousin have used you. You’ve done nothing wrong.

I don’t know you well, Red, but I know you’re warm and you genuinely like people.

I hope you know you don’t have to be on social media to share your passion for life and what you do.

You’re funny and a good friend to my sister and mom, they all adore you.

And you’re so beautiful and sexy I have a hard time breathing when you’re near me. ”

“Cooper…”

Her phone rang. “It’s Willow. She’s my lift into town.”

“I can take you back.”

Shaking her head, she answered her phone. “Not a good idea. I’ll just pop in to see Scarlett before I go.”

She quickly spoke to Willow and as she put her phone away, she caressed Midnight’s face again. “Let him saddle you up, he won’t hurt you.” Dropping her hand, she looked at him. “You’re busy and you have a horse that needs you.”

“When are you leaving for Seattle?”

“As soon as I can get a flight. Hopefully this Monday.”

“When you return from Seattle, we should talk.”

She sighed. “There’s nothing to talk about.

This whole thing between us is just a passing phase or something.

You have your reasons why you don’t want a relationship, I have mine.

You’re a very special guy, Cooper, I hope you know that.

You care deeply and have a beautiful way working with animals and people. Goodbye.”

As she walked away, Midnight whinnied softly and Prince and Charlie barked. Only Ebony gave him a that-went-sideways look before she stalked away.

Bending down, he calmed down the two dogs. “It’s okay. She has things to do.”

Maybe Rose was right, what he was feeling was so intense, it couldn’t possibly last.

So why was he still staring after her after she’d disappeared into the stables?

*

Sunday lunch with his mother in town was usually something Cooper enjoyed. Their mother was an excellent cook, and he loved spending time with her, but today, he was struggling to be present. Prince and Charlie were playing outside with the other dogs of the family.

His mom cleared her throat. “So, Hayden talked to me about contacting your cousins Dylan and Carson.”

“Only if you feel comfortable with the idea,” Hayden said. “We don’t know what happened between Uncle Grayson and Dad, but they’re both gone and we’re still here. We’re still family.”

Their mom nodded. “You’re right, Hayden, and you don’t need my permission of course, but I do like the idea of restoring the original Weston Ranch.”

“I’ve sent them an email. Will keep you informed.”

“What happened between them, Mom?” Willow asked. “Do you know?”

His mom looked down at her plate. “Let’s just say, some things are best left in the past. Becket, what do you hear about your book?”

“It’s in the publisher’s hands now. I’ve mentioned this to Ellie, but June Kincaid, the editor I work with, is visiting soon. She has been so impressed with our town, she’s seriously thinking of moving here.

“Really?” his mother asked.

Cooper wasn’t listening any longer. For some or other reason, he couldn’t settle down.

Sighing, he rubbed his face. At least he should be honest with himself. Of course, he knew why he was feeling this way. Rose was living right next door to his mother and he wanted to see her.

“Mom?” Willow grinned over her glass of wine. “I was hoping Rose would be here. I mean, now that she and Cooper are kissing, I thought you’d invite her.”

“Well, you heard Rose,” his mom said as she glanced at him. “Apparently it was only a friendly peck. I did invite her to join us today, but she doesn’t want to intrude. Ellie, I hear you’ve been able to get someone else to help you in the shop?”

Ellie nodded. “Yes, I have. Rose had been such a favorite with the customers, but she wants to go to Seattle as soon as possible to sell her apartment and settle her affairs.”

“Yes,” his mom nodded, “she told me yesterday. She seems keen on starting her own business as soon as possible. Everyone finished? I’m going to run a plate of food over to Rose, if you don’t mind.”

Cooper was up before he thought too much about it. “Let me do it, Mom.”

Becket and Hayden snorted, his sister and sisters-in-law laughed.

“Of course you will,” Willow grinned.

Becket cleared his throat. “Hayden, do you remember what Coop said he’d do when he gets married?”

“Wear a tux?” Hayden grinned.

“Nobody is getting married,” Cooper growled. “Least of all me. Mom, the plate?” His siblings’ laughter followed him all the way to the kitchen.

His mom handed him a plate covered with foil. “Just one piece of advice. If you’re not serious about Rose, walk away. She’s been humiliated in the most public way, I don’t want to see her get hurt again.”

“We’re not in a relationship, Mom, don’t worry. I think she’s beautiful and great, but you know I can’t ever get serious about any woman.”

Surprised, his mom stared at him. “Why ever not? Don’t tell me you also walk around thinking you’re the reason your brother has passed away?”

“I was the one who’d persuaded everyone to have one more beer. If we’d left when Hayden had suggested, Walker would still be alive.”

“Oh, my sweet boy, you can’t think like that. It was an accident, not one that anyone could’ve foreseen. Elks are a danger on our roads, accidents happen. It wasn’t anybody’s fault, I hope you can see that. Is that the only reason you’re scared of a relationship?”

“I’m not scared…” he said but realized his mom was right. Of course he was scared. “I feel too deeply, that’s why I focus on animals, but I feel all of your pain, I—” he shook his head.

“You don’t want to worry about anyone else?” His mom nodded. “I can understand that, but something tells me you worry about Rose whether you want to or not.”

He turned away without answering his mother. She was right, of course.

*

Sunday afternoon around three, Rose was looking at her closet to decide what to take with her to Seattle when she realized she didn’t have a bag or suitcase to put the few things she’d like to take with her in. She’d arrived in Marietta with just the clothes on her back.

Her flight was for early the next day, so there wasn’t any time to order anything online. Hopefully she wouldn’t have to stay in Seattle long, but she’d decided not to book the return flight yet.

She still had the information of the agent from whom she’d bought her apartment and had emailed him to make an appointment.

Maybe he would also have suggestions on how to get rid of the stuff she was leaving behind.

She still had to talk to the movers to find out how quickly they’d be able to bring what she wanted to her new address.

There were a few antique pieces of furniture she’d inherited from her grandma that she would like to keep, but the rest she was going to sell or give away.

Maybe she could ask Arlene if she had small bag or something she could borrow for a few things she wants to take with her.

There were more than enough clothes back in Seattle, so she didn’t need a big one.

Rose peered through the window. There were still cars parked in front of her neighbor’s house which meant her kids were still there.

Her doorbell rang. Frowning, she walked to the front door. She wasn’t expecting anyone. As she opened the door, her heart sighed. Looking gorgeous but ticked off for some or other reason, was Cooper. In his hands was a plate covered with foil.

“Rose,” he nodded and before she could blink, he’d walked past her and was in the house. Looking around him, he put the plate down on the nearest table before he turned to face her.

“You look angry,” she said, not quite sure of his mood.