Page 11 of What the Cowboy Wants
“Do you know why Rose wants to see us on Friday?”
“I have an idea she’s finally decided to tell us how she’d ended up here,” Willow said.
He shouldn’t be listening to news about Rose.Lengthening his strides, he quickly walked toward his truck.The less he knew about Rose, the better.He’d hardly slept last night.Every time he’d closed his eyes, he could feel her, smell wildflowers, count her freckles, hear her voice.If I ever decide to try love again, it will be with someone who wants to be with me always, someone who doesn’t see anyone else when he’s with me, someone who loves me, warts and all, someone who gets me.
It could never be him, he knew that but just the thought that another man would be able to kiss her, to…
Damn it, he didn’t have time for this.September was the time on the ranch when the calves were weaned, all hands were needed.The days were busy, filled with dust and shouting and loud noises.The calves were separated from their mothers and given pre-weaning shots to help them handle the stress of being cut off from their safe place.
On top of that, a neighbor had also phoned him earlier.He wanted to bring his horse to Cooper later this afternoon.She’s difficult, the neighbor had growled over the phone.Cooper hadn’t reacted.It hadn’t been hard to conclude the horse wasn’t the one with the problem.
If he could only get a certain redhead off his mind, he might be able to focus on his work.
His gaze moved toward the stables.The immediate connection Scarlett had had with Rose confirmed what he’d already known—animals and humans with similar scars, whether it was physically or mentally, wouldrecognizeeach other.Even if, like Rose, they didn’t want to acknowledge it out loud.
And there he was, thinking about Rose again.Damn it, he had to stop thinking about her.
*
When Laura knockedon the front door of her house on Thursday after school, Rose had gathered all Molly’s things, ready to put into Laura’s car.She quickly opened the door.“I’m so sorry for asking you to stop by, but my car is in for repairs, and I want to return poor Molly to you as soon as possible.”
Laughing, Laura touched Rose’s arm.“It’s totally fine, you know that you only need to ask.Cooper mentioned your car ended up in a ditch, I hadn’t realized it was in for repairs, though.Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine, my poor car unfortunately isn’t.A convertible”—Rose smiled—“as I’ve discovered yesterday, isn’t really made for rough roads.Is Luke with you?”Laura had been Luke’s teacher when she’d met Hayden.Now they were married, but Laura loved to tell people she fell for the little boy long before she’d met his father.
Laura shook her head.“No, Hayden needed something from the hardware store and offered to take Luke back when I told him I was stopping by to see you.”Her eyes twinkled.“So, if you’re offering a cup of tea, I accept.”
“How wonderful, I was hoping you’d say that.”Rose smiled and pulled Laura into the house.“The kettle has just boiled, come on in.I’ll…”
Happy yelps interrupted them as Molly rushed toward Laura.
Rose smiled.“She’s missed you.What happened to my car was of course, my own fault.”
Laura, with Molly in her arms, followed Rose to the kitchen.While Rose got out the cups, she told Laura what had happened the previous day after her visit to Willow.
Laura inhaled sharply.“Cooper obviously gave us the abbreviated version of events.So was he nearby?”
As Rose poured the tea, she kept her eyes on what she was doing.“He was working with a horse close by.Molly went to fetch him and well, he brought me home.”
“I’m so sorry that happened to you.Hayden has talked about fixing the road, but there are always so many things that need fixing on a ranch, I’ve discovered, they don’t get to everything.You didn’t say whether you were hurt?”
Frowning, Rose handed Laura her cup.“I bumped my head and there was blood, but Cooper touched the place with his hands and I don’t know, when I looked in the mirror afterward, there wasn’t even a mark.”
Laura nodded.“I’ve never seen him in action, but he’s a healer, his mom will tell you, although he doesn’t ever talk about what he does.”
The front doorbell rang and before Laura could get up, Arlene, Rose’s neighbor and Laura’s mother-in-law strolled in.“I’m not sorry I’m barging in.”She laughed as she first hugged Laura and then Rose.“I saw Laura’s car in front of your house.”
Rose got up to fetch another cup.“Please sit down.Tea?”
“Yes, please,” Arlene took a seat.“I’ve just spoken to Ellie.She tells me Rose had dinner with Cooper and he brought her home.After what I’ve heard this morning, I can’t wait to hear the whole story.”
“What have you heard, Mom?”Smiling, Laura shook her head.“Small towns, I’m still getting used to everybody knowing every little thing about you.”
“Well, Aurelia Hill has apparently told everyone who wants to listen, she saw Cooper’s truck parked last night in front of, and I quote,that recluse of a woman’s house for hours.”
Rose gasped.“I don’t believe it.Yes, Cooper brought me home, but he was only here for a few seconds, it wasn’t hours.”
“It wasn’t a few seconds either, my dear.”Arlene’s eyes twinkled above the rim of the teacup.“It was longer than that, I’m next door, remember?I recognize any one of my boys’ trucks, especially if they don’t also stop by and sayhello.”
