Page 14 of The Cowboy Complication

“I take full responsibility.” Cooper pointed at an upcoming cross street. “Turn up here.”

He continued giving her directions, both for driving and for drinking her coffee. Reminding her to speed up when she inadvertently slowed down, and giving her suggestions on how to orient herself on the road. He helped her figure out when to apply the brakes and when to hit the gas during a turn. By the time they were pulling into Grady and Evelyn’s driveway, she was feeling way better about being behind the wheel.

Certainly better than she had after that white knuckle trip with Griselda.

“You did well.” Cooper motioned to the ignition. “Shut it off. I want to go check on your goats.”

“They’re not my goats.” She passed him the keys, her fingers brushing his in the hand-off, reminding her how warm and strong and a little rough they were. “They’re Evelyn’s goats.” And it made her secretly sad. That the things she’d gained the most connection from didn’t belong to her any more than Eric had.

At least they seemed to like her back.

“Then I guess you’ll have to start planning to get a herd of your own someday.” Cooper opened his door and climbed out, rounding the front of the truck to join her on the driver’s side. “Maybe some fancy chickens too.”

She didn’t hate the idea. Not at all. “Are chickens a pain in the ass?”

“They’re easy compared to goats.” Cooper tucked her empty cup into his, carrying them along as he led her to the barn. “And they’re both easier than horses.”

“If horses are hard, why do you have them?” It was a genuine question. “Do you have cows too?” That was what she’d gathered most people around here had horses for. It seemed like everyone and their brother owned a ranch here in Moss Creek. It would only make sense Cooper had one too.

“No cows for me.” He opened the door to the main portion of the barn, letting her go inside ahead of him. “I’ve only got ten acres, so not enough to raise cattle.” He tossed the cups into the large can in the corner then went for the gate leading into the goats’ area. “Like I said, I had goats as a kid. My mom raised chickens for a while, and we always had horses.” He opened the gate, blocking the two goats who raced at them so she could follow him in. “I’d give up a lot before I’d get rid of my horses.”

“Obviously you’d give up the goats and chickens,” she teased.

Cooper chuckled. “That I would.”

She walked through the barn, heading for the open door leading out to the pasture. “Well, I guess one day when I have my own goats and chickens, I’ll have to share my eggs with you. I probably owe you anyway for saving me from any more of Griselda’s driving lessons.” It was kind of crazy how easily she could imagine it. Not just having animals, but being friends with Cooper. Having him in a life she built here in Moss Creek.

“I’ll hold you to that.” He stopped as the little goats nibbling on the browning grass of their outdoor space noticed her. A smile spread over his face as they started racing their way. “Here they come.”

Isla braced, knowing what was about to happen, but helpless to stop it. Normally she made sure to be close to a wall or a fence when she first came out. Something she could hold onto when they first discovered her presence.

Today she was smack dab in the middle of the grazing pasture, with nothing to help her stay upright. And going down here would be way worse than going down in the barn. At least there she had piles of straw to cushion her fall. Here she’d go straight to the dirt.

And the poop.

“Holy shit,” Cooper swore right as the goats hit, obviously shocked at their full-throttle approach.

When the crush of little bodies slammed against her legs, she started to go down, bracing for impact.

But instead of tilting on one axis, the world tipped on another, spinning around instead of over as Cooper wrapped an arm around her waist. He lifted her feet off the ground, tucking her into his side as he swung her away like a matador taunting a bull.

The entire group of goats raced after her, following her new position as he continued turning, gently swatting at them with his free hand as they nipped at his jeans. “Calm down, you little shits.”

A little laugh escaped her when one of them butted him in the shin.

Cooper looked her way, lifting his brows. “Did you just laugh?” He changed his hold on her, swinging her lower half like a pendulum to catch it with his free arm so he was holding her bridal style. Then he leaned over. “They love you so much, maybe we should let them give you all their kisses.”

She squealed as he lowered her toward the goat faces eager to lick and nibble as much of her as they could. “Don’t you dare.”

“What in the hell’s going on here?” Grady’s loud voice had them both freezing, their eyes snapping to where he stood on the other side of the fence, watching them with a shocked look on his face.

Cooper looked a little guilty as he slowly straightened and lowered Isla to her feet. There was nothing for him to feel guilty about. He hadn’t done anything wrong. They were friends. He’d said it himself. And friends joked around.

Probably.

Isla dusted herself off even though she was pretty darn clean considering the goats bumping into her. “Cooper took me out driving this morning and dropped me off for work. While he was here he decided to check on the goats. Make sure they were all doing okay after their shots.”

Grady lifted a brow. Not at her though. He barely even glanced in her direction.

---