Page 5 of What the Cowboy Wants (The Westons of Montana #3)

When they sat down to eat, it was dark outside. The dogs and Ebony had been fed and were snoozing on the couches.

While they ate, Cooper kept a steady conversation going about the ranch and the animals, hoping Rose would relax and forget about what was bothering her, forget about her injury but even from across the table he noticed the stiffness in her shoulders.

The moment they’d finished, though, she jumped up. She hadn’t relaxed. “I’ll wash up the dishes, but then I really want to get home. I can phone Annie, Vivian or Riley to…”

Cooper was up and had his keys in his hands before she’d finished speaking. “Leave everything, let’s go.”

She picked up her plate, a stubborn look in her eyes. “You cooked, I’ll wash up.”

Strangely frustrated with the whole situation, he walked toward her and took the plate from her hands. “Look, all I can think about… all I’ve been able to think about from the moment I first laid eyes on you, is kissing you. If that’s not what you want, I suggest we leave. Right now.”

Her soft gasp hung between them. Warily she stared at him, chewing her lip. He’d seen her do it before and it drove him insane.

“Damn Red, you’re killing me,” he got out before he turned on his heel. They had to get out of here and quickly. “You guys stay, I won’t be long,” he told his dogs. Ebony was probably out hunting. “Come on, Molly, you’re going back with Rose.”

Molly whimpered softly, but jumped up and when he opened the door, she ran toward his truck.

Rose was inside the truck before he could open the door for her. Molly snuggled closer and Rose put her on her lap, stroking her head.

Rose was silent and only as they approached Marietta did she clear her throat. “Thank you. I’ll organize someone to pick up my car…”

“Already done.”

“That wasn’t necessary,” she said crossly. “It’s my problem, I’ll fix it.”

Without really thinking about what he was doing, he picked up her hand. “By now you should know people in and around Marietta help one another. It’s no big deal. You’ll have your car tomorrow.”

It was quiet for a few moments. “Thank you.” Grudgingly.

He smiled and changed the topic. “Willow has mentioned that you’re planning on staying in Marietta?” Gently, he rubbed his thumb over her hand.

“For a while at least. Laura is willing to sell her house to me. There are things I need to do before that can happen, and I have been thinking what I want to do next. I’m happy to help Ellie in her yarn shop on the days she can’t be there until things are clearer.

I’ve even taught myself to knit and crochet, not things I’ve even thought of doing before. ”

“May I ask what you’ve done before? If you don’t want to talk about it, it’s fine.”

She sighed. “It’s probably time to tell my friends about the reason I ended up in Marietta.

Maybe next Tuesday when we have book club.

But before… before the mess I’ve created, I was an interior designer.

I loved my job, I’m still not quite sure at what point I stopped doing that.

Anyway, I’ve been thinking I want to get back in the business.

When Ellie moved into her house in town, I was happy to help her decide where to put what furniture.

She liked what I’ve done and has been kind enough to tell people about it.

So did your mom and sister. Also, the O’Sullivans and Millers have spread the word.

Since then, I’ve had a few more requests to help people decorate their houses.

Word of mouth has always been the best way to advertise. ”

He turned his truck into the street where she lived. “Isn’t this the kind of thing you can put on social media?” Parking the car in her driveway, he turned to look at her.

“No!” she called out emphatically. “Never again,” she said much softer.

“Thank you for coming to my rescue, yet again, for dinner and for driving me back all the way into town.” For the first time, she seemed to notice her hand was still in his.

Inhaling sharply, she pulled it free and with Molly in her arms, opened the door.

His hand felt strangely empty. Rubbing it against his chest, he got out as well and followed her to the front door. The house next door belonged to his mother. She was watching them; he knew without turning his head. Before he was back on the ranch, she would phone.

“Thank you,” she said as she unlocked the door.

Molly whimpered and he crouched down to stroke her. “Okay,” Cooper said. “I’ll talk to her.”

“What are you talking about?” Rose asked.

“I’m not quite sure how to put this but Molly misses Laura.”

“Oh!” Rose exclaimed, clearly upset. “Of course. Please take her with you. I’ll apologize to Laura. I’m so sorry…”

He put his fingers on her lips. “Molly wants to stay with you, she knows you still need her. Keep her until I find you another dog.”

Rose pulled his hand from her mouth. “I don’t need another dog, I’ll be fine. Please take Molly back with you.”

“Let’s ask Molly what she wants to do.” Without waiting for Rose, he walked into the house. Cooper crouched down in front of Molly, aware of Rose closing the door behind them. “Molly, you wanna go back to Laura?”

Not yet , her eyes told him before she barked and hopped onto the sofa.

“See? She still wants to stay with you,” Cooper said as he got up.

Arms crossed, Rose was chewing her lip. “I should’ve given her back to Laura by now, I’m sorry.”

He hated seeing her upset. “Let’s find you another dog. That’s the only way to get Molly to leave.”

“Please don’t worry about me. I’ll return Molly as soon as possible. How do you talk to them, anyway?”

It’s a question he often got. Usually, he shrugged it away, but he didn’t mind sharing what he did with Rose.

“We all communicate with animals, it’s unfortunately an ability most people lose as they grow up.

It’s no great secret. Telepathic communication is a natural way to connect with others.

Telepathy is a Greek word. Tele means distance and pathy means feeling.

We feel impressions of other people and animals, even over a distance.

It’s simple, really. You just need to let the focus drop from you head to your heart. ”

By the time he’d finished speaking, he was standing right in front of her. “For instance,” he said softly. “I can sense you’ve been badly hurt, you feel responsible for it, and at this very moment”—his eyes roamed over her face—“you’re rattled because of this connection between us. So am I.”

Groaning, she rolled her eyes before she opened the door. “Is that your usual pickup line? Sorry, it doesn’t work on me.”

She was trying her best to look cool and uninterested but the hammering pulse in her neck gave her away.

He should turn around and leave, but growing up with three other brothers, he’d never been able to resist a challenge.

He slipped his hand around her neck so that his thumb rested on the pulse.

“You’re sure about that, Red?” he chuckled as he bent down.

“Did you know you have exactly”—as the soft scent of roses muddled his brain, he counted softly—“twelve freckles on each cheek?” Startled green eyes locked with his. With a groan, he kissed her.

He’d only wanted to tease her, but the moment their lips met, the leash he’d had such a tight hold on, broke and he was lost. Like her name, she was petals and satin, all sexy lines and soft curves.

His blood heated from zero to boiling point within a millisecond and rushed through his veins.

Each beat of his heart egged him on to give her as much pleasure as he possibly could.