Page 12 of What the Cowboy Wants
Rose groaned out loud.Molly, still sitting on Laura’s lap, barked.Everyone laughed.
“Tell Mom what happened.”Laura chuckled.
Trying to stay calm, Rose repeated the bare basics of the previous day.She’d been in conversations with these women before, they didn’t miss a thing and were able to pick up on a mere change in tone of voice.The FBI could learn a thing or two from any one of them.
When she finished, Arlene put her cup down.“So Cooper just dropped you off?”
Rose swallowed a groan.The woman was persistent, she had to give her that.Frantically, her mind jumped around to find something to explain why Cooper was in her house.Oh, yes, the dog.Relieved, she smiled.“He came inside totalkto Molly, as he calls it.”
“Oh?”Arlene clearly didn’t believe her.“And what did Molly have to say?”
Rose turned to look at Laura.“That Molly wants to go back to Laura.I should’ve returned her a long time ago, Laura, I’m so sorry.I’ve got all her things ready, she can go with you.I’ll always be grateful to you for letting her stay with me, you have no idea how much that meant to me.But I’m okay now.I’ll tell you everything tomorrow night.”
“You really don’t have to, Rose,” Laura said.
Rose smiled.“It’s time.Molly clearly misses you and the ranch.”
“I’ll ask Cooper…” Laura said, but Rose quickly interrupted her.
“Please don’t.I’m fine.More tea, anyone?”
Laura got up.“No, thanks, that was lovely.Are you really sure about Molly?”
Rose also got up.“Of course.Let me help you get her stuff in your car.”
“I also have to go,” Arlene said as she got up.“I’m playing bridge tonight.Shall I bring some snacks for tomorrow, Rose?”
Rose shook her head.“No, please.You’ve all been so kind to me, it’s my turn to return the favor.”
Arlene touched Laura’s arm.“Hayden wants to talk to me about something.Do you know what it’s about?Is there a problem?”
“No problem, but he’ll tell you,” Laura said vaguely.
“Okay, great,” Arlene sighed relieved before she hugged both Laura and Rose.“I’m always worried if one of the kids wants totalkto me.Well, I’m on my way.”With another smile in their direction, she left.
As Rose followed Laura outside, she picked up Molly’s things and helped Laura put everything in the car.All that was left to do, was to say goodbye to Molly.
Rose picked her up and cuddled her.“Thank you.”
With a few soft yelps, Molly licked her face.
Her throat thick with tears, Rose smiled and waved as Laura drove away.As she closed the door behind her, she was crying.Sniffing and wiping away her tears, she walked back to the kitchen.The house was going to be very empty and quiet without Molly, but at least she wouldn’t have to worry about her when she started working full-time on her new business.
However, first things first—she wanted to bake something for her friends who would be here the next evening.Something savory they could have with wine.Maybe a quiche?Before her life had spun out of control, she’d loved to cook and bake.It was time to rediscover things that gave her pleasure.
For about four months she’d lived like a recluse, licking her wounds, feeling sorry for herself.She was done and was ready to restart her life.
Chapter Four
The first thingCooper noticed as he stepped into the dining room of Hayden’s house on Thursday evening for dinner, was Molly, the dog that had been staying with Rose.
While Charlie and Prince joined the other dogs, Molly cautiously approached Cooper, her tail between her legs.
Smiling, he crouched down and stroke Molly’s head.“It’s okay, I’m not angry with you,” he soothed her.“Is she okay?”he asked with his eyes.She needs another dog,Molly communicated before she licked his hand and trotted away to play with the other dogs.
The rest of his family and Hunter were already at the table.
“When did you fetch Molly?”Cooper asked Laura.He wasn’t very hungry, he was too damn tired, but having their meals together was a tradition his mother had started while she’d still been living on the ranch.They kept to it, because they all enjoyed relaxing after work and it also gave them time to discuss all things ranching while eating.
