Page 22 of What the Cowboy Wants
“Cooper…”
Her phone rang.“It’s Willow.She’s my lift into town.”
“I can take you back.”
Shaking her head, she answered her phone.“Not a good idea.I’ll just pop in to see Scarlett before I go.”
She quickly spoke to Willow and as she put her phone away, she caressed Midnight’s face again.“Let him saddle you up, he won’t hurt you.”Dropping her hand, she looked at him.“You’re busy and you have a horse that needs you.”
“When are you leaving for Seattle?”
“As soon as I can get a flight.Hopefully this Monday.”
“When you return from Seattle, we should talk.”
She sighed.“There’s nothing to talk about.This whole thing between us is just a passing phase or something.You have your reasons why you don’t want a relationship, I have mine.You’re a very special guy, Cooper, I hope you know that.You care deeply and have a beautiful way working with animals and people.Goodbye.”
As she walked away, Midnight whinnied softly and Prince and Charlie barked.Only Ebony gave him athat-went-sidewayslook before she stalked away.
Bending down, he calmed down the two dogs.“It’s okay.She has things to do.”
Maybe Rose was right, what he was feeling was so intense, it couldn’t possibly last.
So why was he still staring after her after she’d disappeared into the stables?
*
Sunday lunch withhis mother in town was usually something Cooper enjoyed.Their mother was an excellent cook, and he loved spending time with her, but today, he was struggling to be present.Prince and Charlie were playing outside with the other dogs of the family.
His mom cleared her throat.“So, Hayden talked to me about contacting your cousins Dylan and Carson.”
“Only if you feel comfortable with the idea,” Hayden said.“We don’t know what happened between Uncle Grayson and Dad, but they’re both gone and we’re still here.We’re still family.”
Their mom nodded.“You’re right, Hayden, and you don’t need my permission of course, but I do like the idea of restoring the original Weston Ranch.”
“I’ve sent them an email.Will keep you informed.”
“What happened between them, Mom?”Willow asked.“Do you know?”
His mom looked down at her plate.“Let’s just say, some things are best left in the past.Becket, what do you hear about your book?”
“It’s in the publisher’s hands now.I’ve mentioned this to Ellie, but June Kincaid, the editor I work with, is visiting soon.She has been so impressed with our town, she’s seriously thinking of moving here.
“Really?”his mother asked.
Cooper wasn’t listening any longer.For some or other reason, he couldn’t settle down.
Sighing, he rubbed his face.At least he should be honest with himself.Of course, he knew why he was feeling this way.Rose was living right next door to his mother and he wanted to see her.
“Mom?”Willow grinned over her glass of wine.“I was hoping Rose would be here.I mean, now that she and Cooper are kissing, I thought you’d invite her.”
“Well, you heard Rose,” his mom said as she glanced at him.“Apparently it was only a friendly peck.I did invite her to join us today, but she doesn’t want to intrude.Ellie, I hear you’ve been able to get someone else to help you in the shop?”
Ellie nodded.“Yes, I have.Rose had been such a favorite with the customers, but she wants to go to Seattle as soon as possible to sell her apartment and settle her affairs.”
“Yes,” his mom nodded, “she told me yesterday.She seems keen on starting her own business as soon as possible.Everyone finished?I’m going to run a plate of food over to Rose, if you don’t mind.”
Cooper was up before he thought too much about it.“Let me do it, Mom.”
