Page 74 of The Cowgirl's Chosen Love
Josiah snorted at himself. Goddamn emotional baggage. Just because he was a grown-ass man didn’t mean his family and flashes from the past couldn’t swing in and knock his feet out from under him at times.
Being with Lisa was different. It wasn’t as if he was using her to help him move on, but she brought clarity. Being with her helped him see hehadchanged. He was strong and competent and enough to make her happy.
He needed to tell her that so they could talk about the future in more specific terms, and soon.
But with Lisa dealing with her own family crisis, he wouldn’t put any more on her load. Heck, he wouldn’t blame her one bit if she decided as soon as the fundraiser was over that it was time to move on.
Josiah wouldn’t blame her, but he was going to do everything he could to be worthy to keep her by his side.
16
After Josiah dropped her off, Lisa hurried back into the house at Silver Stone and dove immediately into tasks and conversation.
First off, though, she slipped to Tamara’s side and offered her a light poke in the side in retaliation for the gift of condoms. “Brat.”
Tamara looked up from where she’d been contentedly staring at Tyler, a grin spreading across her face. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
It was a tough choice, but Lisa went with the most mature move she could think of. She stuck out her tongue.
Karen was sitting at the table, notebook in front of her, phone beside her as she scrolled and scribbled. She glanced up in time to see the exchange and shook her head as only an oldest sister could. “You two never change.”
“You wouldn’t want us to,” Tamara pointed out. “What are you working on?”
She blinked. “Ideas for diversifying.”
Suspicion rose. Lisa slid over, glancing at the table casually in an attempt to read Karen’s notes. “You think the amalgamated Coleman holdings aren’t diverse enough?”
Karen snapped her notebook closed before glaring at Lisa. “There’s always room for new ideas.”
Lisa dropped it. Whatever Karen was keeping from them would come out eventually. More important to deal with the current situation.
“How was Dad this morning? Did he say anything?” Damn. Guilt shot in hard. She hadn’t thought this through. She should’ve been there. Should’ve been there to support her sisters, and—
“Relax, Lisa. It was fine you weren’t here,” Tamara assured her.
“How—?”
“Your expression just changed like you got caught with your hand in the cookie jar.” Karen eased her chair back. “But honestly, you didn’t miss anything. None of us have talked to him yet. Caleb decided to take Dad out for breakfast. Said it had been a long time since they got to have some guy time.”
“Convenient, but brilliant.” Lisa glanced at Tamara. “He’s a good man, your husband.”
“One of the best,” Tamara agreed. She adjusted Tyler, awkwardly wiggling for a moment to get her bra back into place before laying a cloth over her shoulder and lining up the baby to be burped. “It was a good idea all of us got some space last night. I admit I was pretty shocked at first, but at the same time, I don’t see how this changes things that much for us.”
Karen made a face. “That’s the truth. I came to the same conclusion. We’ve always had each other. We don’t even know if Julia wants to spend time with us. I’m willing to get to know her, but it’s got to be up to her.”
Lisa could gladly ease a few concerns. “She’s more worried about making trouble in our lives than anything else. I guess we’ll just take it as it comes.”
“What time is she getting here?”
“One o’clock.” The three of them headed into different tasks, tag-teaming on baby Tyler. He was little enough to not be very much work.
After a couple hours, though, Lisa began to wonder if Tamara was pushing too hard. Her sister had gotten it into her head to organize something in the living room and Lisa didn’t remember the last time she’d seen Tamara sit down.
She eyed Tamara closely until her sister glared at her. “Stop it.”
“I haven’t seen you move this quickly in months,” Lisa pointed out. “You’re makingmenervous.”
Her sister grinned. “I feel amazing. I’m obviously one of those people who do not do well with parasitic creatures growing in their belly. Now that he’s out, I feel wonderful.”
