Page 29 of What the Cowboy Wants (The Westons of Montana #3)

“…and how are you going to explain the fact you talk to animals?” Becket chuckled.

They were all sitting in Willow’s living room, waiting for Rose and her parents to arrive. The O’Sullivans and Mitch Miller and his wife Riley and their son were already at Willow’s place when Cooper arrived earlier. They couldn’t miss the excitement, Willow explained.

At the moment, Cooper’s siblings were having the time of their life teasing him. He should be irritated or getting angry, but he was too happy to be bothered.

His mom was looking much better, thank goodness, but they’d all had a fright. She was always there, interfering in their lives, helping out and cooking them Sunday lunch. He couldn’t imagine a world without her.

Suddenly, Charlie jumped up with a happy bark and charged toward the front door. Prince and all the other dogs followed them.

Willow chuckled. “Your cue, Coop. Let’s hope they like dogs.”

Shaking his head, Cooper followed the dogs. “Behave!” he called over his shoulder.

As he opened the front door, his mom was right behind him. “For moral support,” she whispered before she turned to the newcomers. “Welcome to the Weston Ranch. I’m Cooper’s mom, Arlene Weston.”

Cooper heard his mother, but he wasn’t listening.

His eyes had found Rose. She looked so beautiful, he struggled to breathe.

In a soft yellow sweater he hadn’t seen before, she was breathtaking.

His fingers itched to touch her. Quickly moving toward her, he took her hand. His heart settled. She was here.

The dogs were just about climbing over each other in their eagerness to meet the visitors.

“The dogs are part of the family.” Cooper smiled.

Her eyes bright with tears, his mom held out her arms for Rose. “Welcome to the family, Rose. I’m so glad Cooper has asked you to be his wife.”

“Thank you for the lovely ring,” Rose said with a sniff as she hugged his mom. “It’s beautiful. How are you feeling? I’ve told my parents about your scare.”

Wiping her eyes, his mother took Rosalyn’s hand. “I’m absolutely fine, thanks to Cooper. Come on in, I’ve been dying to meet my neighbor’s parents.”

“Neighbor?” Rosalyn asked as they walked into the house.

As his mom began to explain, Rose’s dad followed them into the house.

Cooper pulled Rose closer. “Everything okay?”

She stepped into his arms. “Of course. My mom knew there was someone, but Dad didn’t know about you. He was a bit surprised, but don’t worry, he’ll come around.”

“You look beautiful, by the way.” He smiled as he kissed.

“Thanks. The top is a present from my mom.”

“She has great taste. How long are they staying?” he asked as they entered the house. “Do you know?”

Rose grinned. “They just got here!”

“I know. Just checking.”

“Probably for about two weeks, I’m not really sure,” she said as they walked into the living room.

Willow, Ellie, Laura, Vivian, Annie, Riley, and Janice all rushed closer. “The ring! We want to see your ring! Congratulations!” they exclaimed in unison.

Laughing, Rose lifted her hand. Amidst all the laughter, Willow clapped her hands. “Dining room everyone, please. We have an engagement to celebrate.”

*

They were having coffee after a lovely lunch when Cooper’s mom cleared her throat. “So, Rose and Cooper, when are you getting married?”

Everyone laughed.

“She’s been making plans since last night,” Willow chuckled. “I’m just amazed she’s managed to keep quiet about it until now.”

Unfazed, Arlene continued, “We’re all here, it just makes sense to talk about it now.”

“We’re listening, Mom,” Becket said.

“Becket Weston,” Rose’s mother said before Arlene could continue. “You’re the one who posts those sketches of your dogs on Instagram?”

“Guilty,” Becket smiled.

“I love those illustrations, Becket!” Rose’s mom exclaimed. “They usually make my day. I used to be on Instagram regularly when Rose”—her eyes darted in Rose’s direction—“well, before.”

“They all know what happened, Mom,” Rose said. “It took me about four months to tell them, but they know every sordid detail.”

“And we think she’s a very brave young woman,” Arlene said. “One of the reasons I’m so happy she’s engaged to Cooper.”

“I don’t care when the wedding is,” Cooper said with his hand on Rose’s leg. “As long as I don’t have to wait too long, I’m happy.”

“Why don’t you tell them your idea, Mom?” Willow chuckled.

Arlene shook her head. “Before we talk arrangements, we may as well spill all our secrets and tell you about our family. Willow, my darling girl, is like her grandmother. She knows things. Coop talks to animals. There are always cats and dogs and horses around him, and my grandson, Luke,” she pointed at him, “is also very intuitive. I hope the weird and wonderful don’t freak you out? ”

“Not at all. It sounds delightful,” Rose’s mother smiled. “Sorry I’ve interrupted you. Tell us about your idea.”

Arlene inhaled deeply. “Well, Coop and Rose, I was wondering why you don’t get married while your parents are visiting?”

All eyes turned to Rose and Cooper. Speechless, she turned to him.

He was smiling. “Sounds perfect to me, but if you want to wait, I’m okay with that too.”

“Where will you get married?” Vivian asked.

“What about right here, on the ranch?” Arlene asked. “Like Hayden and Becket did?”

“What do you think?” Cooper asked.

“I love the idea,” Rose nodded. Still trying to catch her breath, she turned to her parents. “Will you be okay with that?”

Her mom nodded enthusiastically, but her dad got up and left the room. As she moved to follow him, Cooper pushed back his chair and touched her shoulder. “Let me talk to him? You decide what you want to do, we’ll make it work.” Bending down, he gave her a quick kiss before he left.

“Your dad will come around,” her mother said. “You’re his only child and what happened with you really upset him.”

“That I can understand,” Arlene said. “If it’s not what you want, Rose, please ignore me.”

As Rose turned to her friends she noticed the other men had also left. “I don’t know. Is it even possible to get married in two weeks’ time?”

Ellie and Laura looked at each other and laughed. “With the Westons helping, of course!”

“Mom?” she asked again.

“I’ll love to be a part of everything,” her mom smiled, “and I can’t do that if I’m back in San Diego. And it sounds as if you’ve done this before?”

“Twice,” Arlene laughed, pointing at Laura and Ellie. “My boys, as you’ve heard, are very impatient men.”

“My godchildren were also in a hurry,” Janice smiled. “If everyone pitches in, it can be done.”

“Tell her about the dress, Mom,” Willow said.

“You remember the slinky, champagne-colored dress you tried on when we went to Bozeman?” Arlene asked.

Rose inhaled sharply. “Oooh, that will be perfect, but do you think they will still have it?”

Arlene’s eyes were bright with tears. “I know they don’t, because I bought it. For you. But if you and your mom would rather…”

“It sounds perfect!” Rose exclaimed.

“Have you’ve tried on this dress?” Rose’s mom asked her.

“Ooh, yes,” Annie said. “She looks gorgeous in it. The color, the style, the material—it’s a perfect dress for Rose.”

“So when can we see it?” Rose’s mom asked Arlene.

“It’s at my house. You can come over tomorrow…”

“No, we are not going to bother you. Tell you what,” Rose said. “I’ll come and fetch it and you and Mom and I will make tea.” Excited, she turned toward her friends. “Will you guys be able to join us?”

“You let us know when, and we’ll be there,” Ellie smiled. “While the men are away, tell us exactly how Cooper asked you to marry him. Don’t leave anything out.”

Grinning, Rose inhaled deeply. “It was perfect.” As she told them what had happened, her heart settled into place.

When she’d arrived in Marietta four months ago, these women were the people who’d picked her up, made sure she was okay, and kept showing up. Sharing her happiness with them, was completing the circle.

*

Cooper found Rose’s dad outside on a bench. Prince had his head on the older man’s knee, Charlie was sitting beside him and Lady was lying next to Prince. Ebony had also joined the party and was keeping a close eye on everything.

Without saying anything, Cooper joined him on the bench. For long minutes neither of them spoke.

“She’s my only daughter,” Rose’s dad finally said. “That Duncan guy she used be with was just using her.”

“I’m not Duncan.”

“I can see that. It’s just, we’ve hardly seen her over the past year and now when we finally have her back…” he sighed.

“I love her, Mr. Dalton. I’ll probably mess up at times, but I can promise you I’ll always be there for her.”

“We can vouch for that, Mr. Dalton,” Becket said as he and Hayden joined them. Aiden, Craig, and Mitch were also approaching.

“We’re going to check on the calves,” Hayden said. “Care to join us? We won’t be long.”

“Yes, thank you. And the name is Miles.”

Relieved, Cooper followed Rose’s dad to Hayden’s truck. As usual, his brothers and friends had his back.

*

It was late on Sunday by the time Rose closed her bedroom door. She was tired and restless. It had been a lovely day but last night she and Cooper had hardly slept and today had been overwhelming to say the least.

She was so happy her parents were here and staying with her, but she really needed to be with Cooper tonight. He’d thought it would be better to give her mom and dad time to get used to him before he slept here. At the time she’d agreed but now she just wanted to be with him.

They still had so much to talk about. She’d bought this house, what do they do with it? Ellie kept the house she’d bought in town. Maybe it was good idea to have a place in Marietta for when they have kids one day…

And suddenly, she could see them so clearly—little boys with their daddy’s blue eyes. She jumped up. Oh, my goodness, she needed to sleep, she was seeing things. On her way to the bathroom, a sound from her bedroom window caught her attention.

What on earth? She pulled the curtains away and nearly jumped out of her skin. Cooper was standing right outside her window. Grinning, she opened the window. “Lost, cowboy?”

“I was,” he smiled as he climbed into her room. Pulling her closer, he combed back her hair. “But now I’ve found what I’m looking for.”

“I’ve missed you too. I’m on my way to have a shower.”

His smile had her knees buckling. “Great, we can save water.”

A few minutes later, her fiancé pulled her close under the falling water. “Your dad okay with us getting married, do you think?”

“Oh, yes. He couldn’t stop talking about the ranch and the cattle and what you guys are doing. Thank you for showing him around. And I think he’s fallen in love with Scarlett.”

“I was thinking,” he said as he picked up the soap. “It is of course your house and your decision but what if they move to Marietta and live in your house. Or if they don’t want to relocate, they can use this place when they come and visit.”

With a sigh, she slipped her arms around him. “I love not having to explain everything I’m thinking. You already know.”

Pulling her close to him so that she could feel how much he wanted her, he whispered in her ear. “Any idea what I want at the moment?”

Grinning, she slipped her hand down his body. “That’s an easy one.”