Page 26 of What the Cowboy Wants (The Westons of Montana #3)

B y the time Rose was expecting Willow to pick her up for the dance, she was a wreck. She hadn’t heard from Cooper since he’d left her earlier. Okay, she knew he’d been working and was probably super busy, but still.

After what had happened early this morning, she’d thought he’d at least texted her, even a quick emoji would’ve been something. Did his silence mean he’d had time to think and wasn’t interested anymore?

He’d asked her to go with him to the dance tonight. So why hadn’t she agreed? It was what she wanted. They’d made love… Her breath hitched. Love. Closing her eyes, she clearly saw Cooper’s face. They way he’d looked at her while he touched her, while he moved inside her…

She was no psychic but that light she’d seen earlier the day in his eyes, had been there, in the depths of his blue eyes every time he’d looked at her.

He felt something for her. Maybe not the love-you-forever -kind of love she would’ve preferred, but something special.

Because she loved him and wanted to spend as much time with him as she could before he changed his mind; she was happy to settle for that.

Pathetic much? The little voice snickered.

Probably, but she’d followed her heart all the way to Marietta before she’d even known he existed.

And then he had been the first person she’d met.

Okay, it hadn’t been a very cordial meeting, but what she knew now was that in that instant their eyes had met had been the moment she’d lost her heart.

So why hadn’t see agreed to go with him tonight?

Her thoughts jumped around, looking for an explanation.

Images of Cooper mixed with images of that horrible night she’d been humiliated online.

Sighing, she rubbed her forehead. She hadn’t accepted Cooper’s invitation because she was scared.

Guarding her heart after the whole online fiasco, had become a habit.

The honk of a car brought her back to earth, and she quickly put on a jacket over the cream-colored dress and grabbed her bag.

Willow was waiting for her in the car. “You look gorgeous,” she said as Rose got into her vehicle. “And”—she angled her head—“you glow. What happened?”

Rose chose to ignore the last remark. “So do you!” Rose exclaimed. “How’s your mom? I saw her this morning, she seemed fine, just irritated.”

Willow rolled her eyes. “She’s at home and she’s okay.

At the moment safely tucked into bed, I’ve just been to see her.

We had a hard time convincing her to stay at home tonight, and the only way to not have her cook for everyone tomorrow was to tell her we’ll have lunch at my place.

If you join us tomorrow, you can bring my mother,” she winked.

Rose laughed. “I don’t know, Willow, I’ll tell you later. I love the bright pink on you,” she quickly added, not wanting to explain anything more. “Not a color I could ever wear with my carrot hair.

“Thank you. So let’s go to this dance,” Willow said as she reversed into the street. “I’m very glad you’re my date tonight. I’m so fed with alpha men trying to mansplain things to me, seriously.”

“Who was it this time?” Rose chuckled. Willow didn’t hide her irritation with Hunter Grant, the new cowboy working with her brothers and was now also living on their ranch. Whenever she was worked up, chances were Hunter was the culprit.

“That damn man,” Willow muttered. “I have brothers, thank you very much, I don’t need another guy telling me what to do. I can’t drive alone at night—his words. I’ve been driving alone at night since I got my license, damn it.”

Rose couldn’t help it, she burst out laughing.

“It’s not funny!” Willow grumbled.

“I know, sorry. But you’re usually so calm and collected except when you talk about Hunter Grant. I take it, he is the source of your frustration?”

“Don’t even get me started,” Willow grumbled.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the Graff Hotel.” Rose hoped a new topic could change Willow’s mood. “I’ve never been there before. I’ve seen the gorgeous building, of course, but I’ve been too busy wallowing in self-pity for months to go anywhere.”

Smiling, Willow touched her hand. “I’m so glad you’ve decided to join the human race again. I do understand why you’ve shut yourself away, though. It’s difficult to be completely alone on our ranch, but I have a special place I escape to when things get a bit much.”

“In another town?”

“Nope. A hot spring on the ranch. I discovered it while I was still at school. I don’t think anyone else knows about it, although I’ve never dared ask my brothers, I’m too worried they’ll spoil it for me.

It’s way too hot in summer, but in winter, especially when it’s snowing, I love going there.

Well, here we are.” She parked the car next to hotel.

On their way to the entrance, they met several of the locals who were also on their way to the dance. Rose recognized a few of the women she’d met while working in the yarn shop, some even stopped to talk to her. Smiling she followed Willow into the hotel.

It was a special feeling knowing you were liked for who you were and not because you have followers or because someone wanted something from you.

As they entered the hotel, Rose looked around the lobby. “Wow, look at those beautiful, paneled walls,” she gasped.

“We’re very proud of our Graff,” Willow said.

“The restoration took about two and half years, but since it reopened, many functions are held here. You should try their restaurant sometime. Maybe Cooper can bring you? Something has happened, hasn’t it?

You can’t hide the glow around you.” She stopped and looked at Rose.

“You’ve fallen in love with him, haven’t you? ”

Rose quickly covered her pink cheeks. “Oh, my goodness, I’ve forgotten you know things. I… I…”

Laughing, Willow, took her arm. “You don’t have to say anything. I’m happy for you. You should tell him how you feel.”

“I don’t know…”

Willow smiled. “Even though he may know, he’ll like to hear the words.”

As Willow steered her into a big ballroom with glittering chandeliers, Rose quickly scanned the people in the room. There wasn’t any sign of Cooper.

“Come on,” Willow said. “The O’Sullivans have a table.”

As they walked toward the table, the band began to play and people moved to the dance floor.

Janice welcomed them and as they sat down, Rose noticed the small mattresses underneath the table.

Annie laughed when she saw Rose’s face. “The children are welcome everywhere. At some point they just keel over and sleep. Vivian has just taken Jane to the bathroom. Where’s Dylan?” she asked Riley.

“He saw his friend from school as we entered,” Riley smiled. “I must say, I’m so glad I don’t have to worry about getting a babysitter on nights like this.”

A hand touched Rose’s shoulder. Nash was standing behind her looking quite handsome in a crisp white shirt and jeans. Her heart sighed though. She liked Nash, but he wasn’t the one she wanted to dance with.

“May I claim my dance now?” he asked with a smile.

Rose got up. “Of course.” He took her hand. As they walked toward the floor, she looked over her shoulder. There still wasn’t any sign of Cooper. Maybe he’d decided not to come. He could be with his mother or…

“You look gorgeous,” Nash said as he spun her away before pulling her back.

Smiling, she easily followed his steps. She should be concentrating on her dance partner, not thinking about Cooper. But then… She closed her eyes and there he was again. He seemed to be stuck on her mind.

*

Worried, Cooper knocked before he unlocked the front door of his mother’s house. He’d hoped to be at the dance before Rose arrived, so that he could make sure she didn’t dance with anyone else, but then his mother had called to ask if he could stop by.

“Mom? Are you okay?”

She appeared in the kitchen door, smiling. “I’m fine, Coop, thanks for stopping by.”

“Shouldn’t you be in bed? How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine and I know you’re on your way to the dance and to Rose.” She grinned. “Don’t look so surprised. This is Marietta. I’ve heard your truck was parked in front of her house early this morning.”

Rubbing his face, he groaned. “Seriously, are other people’s lives that boring? Mom, you said you have a problem.”

“What I have is something for you. Come to the kitchen.”

Trying to get a read on her, he followed her.

In the kitchen, she picked up a small box and handed it to him. “Your dad gave me this when you were born. I’d like you to have it.”

He opened it. Inside was a beautiful ring with a green stone and two diamonds on either side.

“It’s an emerald and those tiny, shiny ones on either side are diamonds,” his mom said.

“You used to wear this often, if I remember correctly. Are you sure you want to give it away?”

“It’s completing the circle, sweetheart; of course, I’m sure.

Your dad had always been so proud of you.

He’s not with us anymore but this is a reminder of the great and generous man that he was.

The first time I saw you and Rose together, I knew you were falling for her.

No, I’m not fey, but I have eyes and I’m your mother,” she smiled.

“You literally light up every time you see her.”

Staring at the ring, a thousand different thoughts raced through his mind. “She can do so much better than an animal-talking cowboy with a three-legged dog, a one-eyed cat, and a mutt called Charlie.”

“Why don’t you ask her?”

“I love her, Mom.”

“I know, Coop. I’m not the one you have to tell, though.”

“I know. You sure you’re feeling okay?”

“You should know, you healed me. The doctors couldn’t believe how my blood pressure has dropped.”

“Just promise me you’ll take the medication they’ve prescribed.”

“I promise. Now go and enjoy the night.”

“Night, Mom.”

“Night, Son. I want to know everything!”

Chuckling, he gave her a kiss before he left.

*