Page 77 of The Cowgirl's Chosen Love
Lisa shot to her feet. She grabbed a tissue box and marched around quickly, tossing a bunch at Tamara, dropping a few by Karen, and then plopping the box on the arm of Julia’s chair.
The next few minutes were composed of everyone getting themselves back together.
Karen pressed her hands to her thighs. “Well, I know you’re busy with your apprenticeship, but we need to take a look at the calendar and find a date for you to come to Rocky. You need to see the ranch and a visit will give us time to get acquainted.”
“And you’re going to be over here when you can,” Tamara insisted. “We’ve got lots of room and lots of people who want to get to know you.”
The soft sound of Caleb’s chuckle drifted on the air. “God, I love women. You go from soft and weepy to getting it done.”
“Definition of a woman,” Tamara murmured.
George cleared his throat. “I know I wasn’t there when you were little, Julia. Heck, in some ways I wasn’t there for the three of you who grew up under my roof. But I’m going to do better.” He smiled at Julia. “You definitely come for a visit, but I plan to come down more often to Heart Falls, anyway. Got a brand-new grandbaby I need to watch grow up, along with a couple of granddaughters who are growing way too quick.”
Lisa glanced at Caleb in wonder. What twisted magic had he worked on her father?
But then again, it didn’t need to be talked about now. Like her dad said, maybe it was time to put the past behind and focus on the future.
George got to his feet, awkwardly rubbing his hands on his thighs. “I need to go for a walk.”
“That’s a great idea,” Caleb said.
Her dad hesitated, then glanced around the room. “Any of my girls want to join me?”
Karen took a deep breath. “Julia? Want to come?”
She dipped her chin. “Okay.”
It felt as if the room was suddenly filled to overflowing, emotion ready to spill everywhere.
“I’ll skip this time,” Tamara said.
“You guys go ahead, but Julia, we’ll be getting together soon.” Lisa felt her father’s gaze on her. “Dad?”
He waited.
“Thanks. That must have been hard, but…” She smiled and, for the first time in a long time, truly felt there was a connection between them. “Thanks.”
The three of them left. Lisa leaned against the wall, her eyes closed, letting go as the weight of the day rolled away.
Tamara’s voice carried clearly in the quiet. “Caleb Stone, you’re one hell of a man. I love you.”
Caleb hummed thoughtfully. “I love you too. And I’m sorry for being a jerk earlier. Seems it takes spotting someone else being an ass for me to recognize I’m doing the same thing. So I’m sorry. Not for being worried about you, but for not admitting I was being overprotectivebecauseI was worried.”
Lisa shifted position in the hopes she could leave them in private, but when she turned, it was to discover Caleb looking straight at her. A serious expression on his face and something on his mind.
“Yes?”
He glanced between the two sisters. “Since I was an ass in front of you, I figured you should hear my confession as well. I should’ve known better, just like your father should’ve. This is nothing to do with Julia, but everything to do with the way he’s treated you guys over the years. I’ll let him tell you more when he’s ready. I think he’s pretty overwhelmed at the moment, but I believe him. That he’s going to try and do better.”
“That’s all we ask. That’s all anyone can ever ask,” Tamara said. She leaned her forehead against Caleb’s, the baby cradled between them. Tyler squirmed in protest, waking up and beginning to make noises, but not enough to drown out her “I love you.”
Lisa turned away and left them, her heart and head full.
Itching to call Josiah.
17
Josiah stared at the words for a second before rolling his eyes in amusement. It had been three days since he’d gotten a chance to see Lisa in person. It seemed when the animal kingdom decided to go wild, they all went at once.
