Page 7 of What the Cowboy Wants (The Westons of Montana #3)

By the time he’d finished talking, Ellie’s jaw had dropped. “You had dinner? You took her home? She let you do all that? We’ve been trying for months to invite her for coffee, for dinner, but she’d always declined. I was so pleased when she finally agreed to join the book club.”

Shrugging, he got up. “She’ll have her car back today.” With a wave, he left.

Ellie’s voice reached him as he walked away.

“Do you know why Rose wants to see us on Friday?”

“I have an idea she’s finally decided to tell us how she’d ended up here,” Willow said.

He shouldn’t be listening to news about Rose.

Lengthening his strides, he quickly walked toward his truck.

The less he knew about Rose, the better.

He’d hardly slept last night. Every time he’d closed his eyes, he could feel her, smell wildflowers, count her freckles, hear her voice.

If I ever decide to try love again, it will be with someone who wants to be with me always, someone who doesn’t see anyone else when he’s with me, someone who loves me, warts and all, someone who gets me.

It could never be him, he knew that but just the thought that another man would be able to kiss her, to…

Damn it, he didn’t have time for this. September was the time on the ranch when the calves were weaned, all hands were needed.

The days were busy, filled with dust and shouting and loud noises.

The calves were separated from their mothers and given pre-weaning shots to help them handle the stress of being cut off from their safe place.

On top of that, a neighbor had also phoned him earlier. He wanted to bring his horse to Cooper later this afternoon. She’s difficult , the neighbor had growled over the phone. Cooper hadn’t reacted. It hadn’t been hard to conclude the horse wasn’t the one with the problem.

If he could only get a certain redhead off his mind, he might be able to focus on his work.

His gaze moved toward the stables. The immediate connection Scarlett had had with Rose confirmed what he’d already known—animals and humans with similar scars, whether it was physically or mentally, would recognize each other. Even if, like Rose, they didn’t want to acknowledge it out loud.

And there he was, thinking about Rose again. Damn it, he had to stop thinking about her.

*

When Laura knocked on the front door of her house on Thursday after school, Rose had gathered all Molly’s things, ready to put into Laura’s car.

She quickly opened the door. “I’m so sorry for asking you to stop by, but my car is in for repairs, and I want to return poor Molly to you as soon as possible. ”

Laughing, Laura touched Rose’s arm. “It’s totally fine, you know that you only need to ask. Cooper mentioned your car ended up in a ditch, I hadn’t realized it was in for repairs, though. Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine, my poor car unfortunately isn’t.

A convertible”—Rose smiled—“as I’ve discovered yesterday, isn’t really made for rough roads.

Is Luke with you?” Laura had been Luke’s teacher when she’d met Hayden.

Now they were married, but Laura loved to tell people she fell for the little boy long before she’d met his father.

Laura shook her head. “No, Hayden needed something from the hardware store and offered to take Luke back when I told him I was stopping by to see you.” Her eyes twinkled. “So, if you’re offering a cup of tea, I accept.”

“How wonderful, I was hoping you’d say that.” Rose smiled and pulled Laura into the house. “The kettle has just boiled, come on in. I’ll…”

Happy yelps interrupted them as Molly rushed toward Laura.

Rose smiled. “She’s missed you. What happened to my car was of course, my own fault.”

Laura, with Molly in her arms, followed Rose to the kitchen. While Rose got out the cups, she told Laura what had happened the previous day after her visit to Willow.

Laura inhaled sharply. “Cooper obviously gave us the abbreviated version of events. So was he nearby?”

As Rose poured the tea, she kept her eyes on what she was doing. “He was working with a horse close by. Molly went to fetch him and well, he brought me home.”

“I’m so sorry that happened to you. Hayden has talked about fixing the road, but there are always so many things that need fixing on a ranch, I’ve discovered, they don’t get to everything. You didn’t say whether you were hurt?”

Frowning, Rose handed Laura her cup. “I bumped my head and there was blood, but Cooper touched the place with his hands and I don’t know, when I looked in the mirror afterward, there wasn’t even a mark.”

Laura nodded. “I’ve never seen him in action, but he’s a healer, his mom will tell you, although he doesn’t ever talk about what he does.”

The front doorbell rang and before Laura could get up, Arlene, Rose’s neighbor and Laura’s mother-in-law strolled in. “I’m not sorry I’m barging in.” She laughed as she first hugged Laura and then Rose. “I saw Laura’s car in front of your house.”

Rose got up to fetch another cup. “Please sit down. Tea?”

“Yes, please,” Arlene took a seat. “I’ve just spoken to Ellie. She tells me Rose had dinner with Cooper and he brought her home. After what I’ve heard this morning, I can’t wait to hear the whole story.”

“What have you heard, Mom?” Smiling, Laura shook her head. “Small towns, I’m still getting used to everybody knowing every little thing about you.”

“Well, Aurelia Hill has apparently told everyone who wants to listen, she saw Cooper’s truck parked last night in front of, and I quote, that recluse of a woman’s house for hours .”

Rose gasped. “I don’t believe it. Yes, Cooper brought me home, but he was only here for a few seconds, it wasn’t hours.”

“It wasn’t a few seconds either, my dear.” Arlene’s eyes twinkled above the rim of the teacup. “It was longer than that, I’m next door, remember? I recognize any one of my boys’ trucks, especially if they don’t also stop by and say hello .”

Rose groaned out loud. Molly, still sitting on Laura’s lap, barked. Everyone laughed.

“Tell Mom what happened.” Laura chuckled.

Trying to stay calm, Rose repeated the bare basics of the previous day. She’d been in conversations with these women before, they didn’t miss a thing and were able to pick up on a mere change in tone of voice. The FBI could learn a thing or two from any one of them.

When she finished, Arlene put her cup down. “So Cooper just dropped you off?”

Rose swallowed a groan. The woman was persistent, she had to give her that. Frantically, her mind jumped around to find something to explain why Cooper was in her house. Oh, yes, the dog. Relieved, she smiled. “He came inside to talk to Molly, as he calls it.”

“Oh?” Arlene clearly didn’t believe her. “And what did Molly have to say?”

Rose turned to look at Laura. “That Molly wants to go back to Laura. I should’ve returned her a long time ago, Laura, I’m so sorry.

I’ve got all her things ready, she can go with you.

I’ll always be grateful to you for letting her stay with me, you have no idea how much that meant to me.

But I’m okay now. I’ll tell you everything tomorrow night. ”

“You really don’t have to, Rose,” Laura said.

Rose smiled. “It’s time. Molly clearly misses you and the ranch.”

“I’ll ask Cooper…” Laura said, but Rose quickly interrupted her.

“Please don’t. I’m fine. More tea, anyone?”

Laura got up. “No, thanks, that was lovely. Are you really sure about Molly?”

Rose also got up. “Of course. Let me help you get her stuff in your car.”

“I also have to go,” Arlene said as she got up. “I’m playing bridge tonight. Shall I bring some snacks for tomorrow, Rose?”

Rose shook her head. “No, please. You’ve all been so kind to me, it’s my turn to return the favor.”

Arlene touched Laura’s arm. “Hayden wants to talk to me about something. Do you know what it’s about? Is there a problem?”

“No problem, but he’ll tell you,” Laura said vaguely.

“Okay, great,” Arlene sighed relieved before she hugged both Laura and Rose. “I’m always worried if one of the kids wants to talk to me. Well, I’m on my way.” With another smile in their direction, she left.

As Rose followed Laura outside, she picked up Molly’s things and helped Laura put everything in the car. All that was left to do, was to say goodbye to Molly.

Rose picked her up and cuddled her. “Thank you.”

With a few soft yelps, Molly licked her face.

Her throat thick with tears, Rose smiled and waved as Laura drove away.

As she closed the door behind her, she was crying.

Sniffing and wiping away her tears, she walked back to the kitchen.

The house was going to be very empty and quiet without Molly, but at least she wouldn’t have to worry about her when she started working full-time on her new business.

However, first things first—she wanted to bake something for her friends who would be here the next evening. Something savory they could have with wine. Maybe a quiche? Before her life had spun out of control, she’d loved to cook and bake. It was time to rediscover things that gave her pleasure.

For about four months she’d lived like a recluse, licking her wounds, feeling sorry for herself. She was done and was ready to restart her life.