Page 22 of What the Cowboy Wants (The Westons of Montana #3)

The smile was back. Putting back his hat, he winked. “I’ll take it. See you tomorrow.”

Smiling, she entered the yarn shop to find Ellie and five other women standing at the window. It took her another minute to realize they’d been watching her.

“I don’t believe it,” she gasped. “You’ve been spying on me?”

“Well,” Ellie grinned. “There’s a bet doing the rounds. So, are you going with Nash to the dance?”

All the other women looked at her expectantly. She’d seem most of them at times in the yarn shop but she didn’t know them. This was probably exactly the kind of thing her friends had told her about. In a small town everyone knew everything about everyone else.

Shaking her head, she laughed. “I’m saving him a dance, that’s all.”

Within minutes, everyone except Ellie had left.

“They’re on their way to tell the rest of the town what they’ve heard, aren’t they?” Rose sighed.

Ellie chuckled. “Within an hour—if that long—everyone in and around Marietta will have heard the news. Well, various versions of the news, of course. Do you have time for tea?”

“Always. How are things in the shop?”

As Rose listened to Ellie, she noticed yarn she hadn’t seen before.

“Aah, so you’ve seen the new yarn.” Ellie smiled as Rose picked up a ball.

“Oooh, Ellie, these are gorgeous. I was thinking of trying my hand at an Aran sweater. You know, with your help and videos, I’ve learned to knit while I worked here.

I’ve also read a lot about knitting an Aran sweater.

Every stich has its own meaning. Apparently though, it’s more folklore than the truth, but I love the idea of knitting something with some sort of meaning. ”

“Well, let’s see,” Ellie said as she picked up a file with patterns. “I only have Aran patterns for men, but the small size might work for you. Or you could try and find something similar online.”

Ellie looked over her shoulder as another woman entered the shop. She handed the file with patterns to Rose. “Have a look while I help this client.”

The first pattern Rose saw as she opened the file, was of a beautifully knitted Aran sweater for a man. This was the one. Excited, she found the yarn she would need to knit it.

Cooper would look gorgeous in this. Sighing, she shook her head.

Of course, the first person she would think of was Cooper.

No matter how hard she tried, he was always on her mind.

Cowboys would probably not be seen dead in one, anyway.

This would be for her dad, though; he would be so surprised to learn she could knit.

The other client left, and Rose took the items to Ellie. “I’m taking these, please, Ellie. Now that I’m not on social media all day, I actually have enough time for work and hobbies.”

As Ellie put the yarn and pattern in the bag, she looked at Rose. “A man’s sweater?”

“For my dad. I don’t think I’ve told you they’re coming to visit.”

“How wonderful, Rose!” Ellie said and hugged her. “I’m so happy for you. When do they arrive?”

“I’ll have to check with them. I spoke to them while I was in Seattle, and they said two weeks, but it’ll depend on when they can get a flight. I’d love to introduce them to all of you.”

“It will be so nice to meet them, please let us know when they’ll be here. Maybe we can organize something on the ranch…”

But Rose was shaking her head. “Rather not.”

Ellie sighed, “Have you spoken to Cooper?”

“Briefly when Arlene got her sons to help me move the furniture into the house. He wanted to talk. Anyway, I told him he should’ve known how I feel about him, not simply jump to wild conclusions. The point is, I’d rather not see him right now.”

Ellie cocked her head. “And how do you feel about Cooper, Rose?”

“I… I mean, he’s…” she stuttered, her mind trying to find the right words.

As she stared at the package in her hands, pieces of the very messy puzzle that all have parts of Cooper in it fell into place.

Of course she loved him. She’d probably fell for him the night she nearly ran her car off the road.

His first instinct was to try and help her.

At the time, she didn’t know why he’d been running his hands over her, but he’d been trying to find out if she was okay.

He was a healer and felt deeply. How could she not fall in love with someone like that?

“I love him,” she whispered, looking at Ellie.

“Of course you do,” Ellie sighed, giving her another hug.

“He’s in love with you, too, he just doesn’t know it yet or he doesn’t want to know it.

These Weston men drive me crazy. He’s lost so much weight, he’s not eating.

Usually, he’s the sweetest guy, but lately everyone is walking on eggshells around him. ”

“He doesn’t want anything serious. Let’s spend time together until we get this craziness out of our system , was how he put it.

” Sighing, Rose shook her head. “The problem is, it’s difficult enough now to know I could run into him any time.

If I spend more time with him, it will be so much harder when he ends it eventually. ”

“He might not, you know? All I know is that you’re both miserable. Why not be miserable together?” Ellie asked.

Chuckling, Rose hugged her. “Very logical. I’ll see you later at the festival?” she asked as she moved toward the door.

“Of course!” Ellie smiled. “And happy knitting! Oh, and remember to take a jacket for later. The days are still warm, but the evenings are turning cooler.”

Rose looked over her shoulder. “Thanks, Ellie. I don’t say it enough. I appreciate all of you in my life.”

“Life in a small town,” grinned Ellie. “One of the great things about living in Marietta is there is always someone who will lend a hand.”

With another wave, Rose walked out. A pity nobody could help with a broken heart. Oh, my goodness, she sounded like a sad country song. You’re done feeling sorry for yourself, remember?

As she ran toward her car, she glanced at her watch. There was time to shower and put on something stunning before she joined the festivities. Even if she was feeling sad, she didn’t have to look miserable.