Page 20 of What the Cowboy Wants (The Westons of Montana #3)

“Walker’s not the only reason I can’t think of marrying anyone,” Cooper said, getting fed up with his brothers throwing his own words back at him.

Becket laughed. “Because you talk to animals and know things?”

Sighing, Cooper crossed his arms. “Because I feel too much for people close to me, damn it. All your emotions, the family’s ups and downs affect me. That’s why I keep away from people but then Rose…”

“…got under your skin anyway?” Becket asked. “I tried my best not to fall in love either, but it happened. Don’t wait too long, she’s not going to stay single forever.”

This thought kept Cooper’s mind occupied the rest of the day. Rose was gorgeous and warm and sexy, and she was great with animals. Both his dogs had fallen for her, she had a special connection with Scarlett, and even Ebony had put her initial jealousy aside.

Shaking his head, he tried to focus on fixing the fence in front of him. If he’d been thinking about finding the right woman to marry, Rose would tick off all the boxes.

But he wasn’t and he couldn’t. Besides, she was here now, but once she was back on her feet, chances were, she’d moved back to the city where she’d have more clients, more work.

Bottom line was, he should stay away from her. Ever since he’d become aware of Rose Dalton, his feelings were all over the place—exactly what he tried so painstakingly to avoid by managing his life in such a way that he wouldn’t connect and feel what other people felt.

*

After a day of unpacking boxes while her heart was breaking, the only thing Rose wanted to do was crawl into bed and cry herself to sleep.

But she had a shower, put on one of the new tops she’d bought in Bozeman and her favorite pair jeans before she picked up Arlene.

It was Tuesday, time for their weekly book club meeting. Crying would have to wait.

Fortunately, Arlene didn’t mention Cooper once on their way to the yarn shop. The others were already there.

Ellie made sure everyone had a glass of wine and something to eat before she picked up a copy of Emma. “Last time, we discussed the themes in Emma , but I’ve had Mr. Knightley on my mind all week,” Ellie said.

“Of course you have, we all have, I’m sure,” Riley grinned. “What’s not to like about Mr. Knightley?”

Everyone laughed.

“That is the point,” Ellie smiled. “Do we always agree with how he treats Emma? I mean, think about the way he scolds her. If he was a real man today, we’d probably shame him for the way he calls out Emma’s behavior.

He doesn’t tell her she’s enough or that she’s beautiful, but says, Badly done, Emma, badly done .

Can you imagine the comments that he’d get if he was on social media today? ”

“Mmm,” Janice said. “It would be a pity to miss Mr. Knightley’s true character and miss the point Austen tries to make.”

“I have to agree with Janice,” Annie said.

“He doesn’t think she’s stupid, remember?

Somewhere he says something like it’s better to be without sense than to botch it up it as Emma does.

He knows she’s intelligent and charming and that is exactly why he worries when she meddles in other peoples’ lives. ”

Vivian smiled. “We’re all probably more like Emma than we realize, I think. We’re all prideful, stubborn, and selfish in some way. That’s why we need Knightley’s in our lives. Without Mr. Knightley, Emma may never have seen the hurt her remarks caused.”

Nodding, Rose cleared her throat. “I’m learning a lot from Emma. Like her, I have foolishly followed my own wisdom , made a mess of my life because I disregarded how everyone is affected by my actions. I wish someone had called me out with a badly done, Rose .”

Arlene picked up her copy. “That’s all very interesting, but what makes this book special to me is the connection between Mr. Knightly and Emma.

That’s why I love rereading this story—the beautiful bond between them even when Mr. Knightley is angry with Emma.

He knows her. He’s seen her make big mistakes, such as ridiculing Miss Bates.

But, in the end, he finds her faultless in spite of all her faults .

“True love will do that,” Vivian said.

“Listen to this,” Riley said, and opened her copy of Emma . As Riley started reading from the book, Rose’s thoughts stayed with Arlene’s words.

The connection. Cooper had been the first one to point out that there was some kind of connection between the two of them.

Did he feel different at this point? Or was the quick conclusion he’d jumped to when he saw her with Duncan the way out he’d been looking for?

She still didn’t know why he’d been in Seattle.

Maybe he wanted to make sure she knew there could never be anything serious between them.

“Okay, so what book next?” Ellie asked.

“What about Austen’s Persuasion ?” Annie asked. “We keep skirting around Middlemarch , don’t we?”

“ Persuasion next and then Middlemarch , please,” Ellie said.

“I’ve been thinking about Wuthering Heights ,” Arlene said. “I always cry myself to sleep about the tragic story.”

“Oh, no, please, Mom,” Willow groaned. “Can we stick to happy endings?”

Arlene raised her eyebrows. “For one who isn’t interesting in her own happy ending, that’s a strange request.”

Willow got up. “Mom, seriously? I am happy. I’m literally living my dream. I’ve got to go, guys. I still have so much to do for the exhibition in December.”

“Oh sweetie, you know what I mean,” Arlene sighed.

Smiling, Willow put an arm around her mother. “Two of your sons are married. Be happy about that.”

“Looks as if we have another matchmaker in town,” Annie laughed. “First Janice and now you, Arlene.”

Arlene grinned. “It’s just I know exactly what man…”

But Willow covered her ears. “I don’t want to hear it, Mom! Goodbye, everyone!”

“Will we see you over the weekend during the festival, Willow?” Annie asked as Willow opened the door.

“Friday evening is the music festival where we celebrate all kinds of music. There are stalls selling crafts, food and there are activities for the kids and on Saturday night there’s of course the dance. ”

“Oh, she knows that even though she ignored the festivities last year,” Arlene answered before Willow could answer. “I’m her date for both events. Rose, you’re coming with us.”

“Oh, I…”

“Nope,” Vivian said with a smile. “You’re not going to miss this again. It’s time people in town see you. It would help to stop all the wild stories about you.”

Rose threw up her arms. “Okay, I’ll be there.”

“I’ll pick you up,” Willow grinned as she stepped out of the shop. “Bye!” With a wave, she escaped.

Everyone got up to leave. As they moved to the door, Janice pulled Rose to the side. “I was wondering if you’ve thought about the idea of talking to the kids at school about the pitfalls of social media?”

“I haven’t, no,” Rose said, “but you know what? I want to live a different life than the one I had. If I can help someone in any way, I’ll gladly do it. Just let me know when.”

Janice beamed and hugged her. “Oh, that’s great. I’ll text you some possible dates, would that be okay?”

“Sounds perfect, thanks, Janice.”

As Rose got into bed later, she felt more at peace than she had in a long time. See? She didn’t need Cooper Weston in her life.

Yeah, right , the little voice chirped in. So, you wouldn’t miss him? And what about his kisses?

Okay, she’d miss those, but she would be fine. She had friends, soon she’d own her house, and she now had time to focus on her business. Her parents were visiting in a few days’ time. With time, Cooper Weston would become a bittersweet memory.

The little voice had of course, the last say. You really think so?

Pressing her face into the pillow, she willed away the images of her hands all over his broad, muscled chest, but minutes later, she gave up and switched on the light. She’d read. Picking up her phone, she opened an app. Nothing remotely romantic, please. A thriller should do the trick.