Page 27 of A Cowboy's Heart

“Yeah, sounds like it. What happened, Wil? It sounded to me like you were having a good time.” Rocky laughed when she punched him.

“I never should have let him in, Rock. Never.To begin with, I’m too old for him…” Shaking her head.

“Too old for him? Why do you think that?”

“I don’t think it, I know it. I’m nine years older than Devin is. What could he ever see in me?”

“Holy shit, woman. Do you ever look in the mirror? You’re stunning.” Rocky picked her hand up and held on to it. “I like him. I didn’t at first because he came off as cocky, but he’s a hell of a nice guy.”

“Hecame off as cocky? Shit, Rock, you wanted him to carry your luggage.”

“Hey, I’m an academy award nominated actor,” he said in a haughty tone.

“Yeah, well maybe if you’d been an academy awardwinner, he might have done it.”

Rocky growled and wrapped his arm around her neck. Laughing, she pushed away from him.

“Seriously, Wil, I’ll have a talk with him if I need to. I love you like a sister.”

“I know, and I love you too. What were you coming over for anyway?”

“I just thought we’d relax together for the evening, but apparently you had other ideas. I knew there was something between you two and he did ask me about you.”

“He did? What did you tell him?” Sitting up, she stared at him.

“Just that your ex was a jerk and I didn’t want to see you hurt. Devin said he understood and probably didn’t stand a chance anyway. He really likes you, Wil. You need to give him a shot.”

“There’s no reason to see each other again. I’m not into flings, and that’s all it could be. That’sall it was.”

“Why? You’re telling me that if you fell in love with him, you wouldn’t stay with him?”

“Hewould never fall in love with me, Rock.”

“I noticed you didn’t say you wouldn’t fall in love with him.”

“Don’t you have to be at the barn early in the morning?” she asked as she stood.

Rocky stood and wrapped his arms around her. “Good change of subject and yes, I have to be at the barn very early in the morning. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

He kissed her forehead, walked off the porch, and headed to his own cabin.

With a deep sigh, Willa wiped her eyes and after entering her cabin, she locked the door then walked to the bathroom to soak in the tub. Although it was late, she wasn’t sleepy and just wanted to relax first then she would sleep. At least, she hoped she would. After turning the faucets on, she stripped and piled her hair on top of her head then stepped into the hot water. Leaning her head back, she closed her eyes, but the tears seeped through anyway. What in the world, was she going to do? Her heart was aching.

****

Thursday morning, after Rocky’s lessons, Devin stood in the barn tightening the cinch on Picasso. He was getting ready to lead a group of twenty on the cattle drive. Glancing around, he saw Judy smiling at him, and he nodded. No way was she going to get any ideas on this trip. They wouldn’t be back until Saturday but if shethought she had a chance, she’d better think again.

Looking over the crowd, he was pleased that it was mostly married couples, except for Judy and another woman. The group starting whispering as they looked toward the open barn doors. Devin glanced toward the doors to see Rocky walking in and smiled. Rocky had called him this morning about going and asked him to add Willa too, but he hadn’t been positive about her going. He had told Rocky it would be okay so he’d added extra bedrolls just in case they did show up. The smile left Devin’s face when he saw Willa behind Rocky, looking like she wanted to be anywhere but here.

“Do you have room for two more, Dev?” Rocky asked him.

“We always have room for more.”

His eyes sought out Willa’s, but she wouldn’t look at him. He’d hardly slept last night after she ran down the driveway and away from him. Right now, she looked so good he wanted to take her in his arms.

“Great. I need a couple of days to relax.” Rocky grinned at the group.

“Chip, please get two more horses,” Devin said.

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