Page 18 of The Cowboy Complication

And probably also had a little—or a lot—to do with her cross-country move.

He took a second, knowing whatever he said next would carry more weight than everything that came before it. She’d just offered him a tiny peek at the cards she held so close and he wanted to be sure Isla knew he could be trusted with them.

He was her friend after all.

“You’re right. He was a fucking tool.” He rocked his head from one side to the other, trying to work out the tension tightening his neck over the thought of some asshat making Isla feel like she wasn’t enough. “And now he’s a tool with four fewer toes thanks to frostbite.”

He set his phone on the counter, thinking he could leave it there while he showered, but the second it buzzed he was reaching for it, angling his body to keep it as dry as possible as he listened to Isla’s voice echo out of the speaker and throughout his home

“That makes me feel a little better.”She sighed again, the sound hitting differently now that he was naked.“I should probably let you go. I have to get up early. Grady’s coming to get me at six. But maybe we can plan a time to go driving again?”

One hand went to shove at his dick, which had picked an awkward fucking time to join the conversation, as the other tapped the record button.

“I’ll take you driving anytime you want me to, Isla. Just tell me when.” He hesitated before adding on, “Sweet dreams.”

7

Isla

GERTRUDE STACKED HER used yoga mat onto the pile just inside the studio door. “Have I said how much I love goat yoga?”

“You love goat yoga because you think no one realizes it’s you farting up the place.” Betty added her mat to the group before flashing Isla a smile as she waited to collect all the pads so she could sanitize them. “And how are you today, pretty girl?”

“I’m good.” She was. Surprisingly good. After almost two months in Moss Creek, it was finally starting to feel like her life was coming together. And this time, it was really hers instead of just a waiting room she’d decided to sit in, thinking someday she’d eventually join the doctor in his office.

Eric could take his office and cram it up his?—

“That makes me so happy to hear.” Betty took Isla’s hands in hers, gripping them tight. “You deserve to be happy. You are so sweet and such a hard worker.”

“And so smart for getting away from that twerp.” Muriel joined their growing group. “I know he was going to be a doctor, but all the money in the world isn’t worth being with an idiot.” She lifted her brows. “And he’s an idiot for not appreciating you.”

Over the past few weeks, she’d gotten to know the group of women surrounding her better and better. They were for sure hilarious, but they were also one heck of a hype-squad. Every time she saw them, she walked away feeling good about herself. Even the most damaged bits of her self-esteem were beginning to heal from the crushing blow of Eric’s very detailed rejection.

But the Bridge Bitches weren’t the only people she’d gotten to know better. She and Cooper had been talking every night since he started teaching her to drive. Sometimes it was a quick voice message about something funny that happened during his shift. Sometimes she had a question about the goats. Other times they sent messages late into the night, talking about everything and anything. The way they both found Gram-Gram a little terrifying. Their mutual love of breakfast foods for dinner. He’d told her about the goats he had as a kid, and she’d shared about her time playing clarinet in the marching band.

It was so nice to have someone to talk to—reallytalk to. Eric had always been busy or stressed or tired, so unless he had something to say, their conversations had been limited. She’d told herself it would change once he was through his residency, but it wouldn’t have. Eric would have always found something else that was more important to him.

Cooper always had time to talk to her. The man was busy nearly every minute of the day. He was picking up shifts right and left, working way more hours than Eric could dream of putting in. He had a house to maintain and horses to care for and hestillnever missed the chance to send her a message.

And he was only her friend.

It was starting to become painfully obvious just how much she’d tolerated from the man she thought she’d marry. How much she was prepared to settle, and how much she was prepared to overlook.

And it was freaking embarrassing.

“He’s definitely an idiot.” Isla laughed a little at how freeing it was to finally admit that. “And I’m super glad he’s no longer my idiot.”

“You know what you need?” Gertrude inched closer, acting like she was going to lower her voice, but still talking just as loud as she always did when she said, “To get laid by a new idiot. Find someone to bang out the cobwebs that needledick asshole missed.”

Isla blinked. Even after getting to know them better, there were still moments when she was shocked at some of the things that came out of these women’s mouths. “I don’t know if that’s?—”

“It’s worth a shot.” Gertrude wrapped one arm around her shoulders. “And lord knows there’s plenty to pick from around here.” She turned to point a finger at Isla, expression serious. “Just make sure he wraps that wiener up. The last thing you need is one of them leaving town and sticking you with a baby to take care of.”

An odd silence fell over the group as the women around her exchanged sour looks.

“I’m on the pill,” Isla reassured them. Not that she wouldn’t also use protection.

Was she actually considering this?

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