Page 25 of What the Cowboy Wants
When they stepped into the living room where the rest of the Weston clan was lounging, of course all eyes zoomed in on their clasped hands.
Arlene got up with twinkling eyes.“There you are.Did you enjoy the food?”
Rose stared at her.“Food?”
“She hasn’t eaten yet, Mom,” Cooper said.
“Shared another friendly peck, have you?”Willow chuckled.
Blushing, Rose remembered the plate Cooper had in his hands when he’d arrived at her house.“Thanks, Arlene.I’ll return your plate when I’ve eaten.”
“Don’t worry about it.I’ve made coffee.Coop, will you get some for you and Rose?How do you take your coffee, Rose?”
“I know, Mom.Black, no sugar, right?”Cooper smiled.
Surprised, she turned to him.“How…?”
“He knows, sweetie.He knows,” Arlene smiled.“Come and sit down.Have you been able to book a flight to Seattle?”
Rose took a seat on an empty couch.“Yes, thank you, Arlene.That was also when I realized I don’t have a bag.I’m not taking much with me, but I need something small for a few basics.Do you perhaps have a small bag I could borrow?”
Before she’d finished speaking, Arlene was up again.“Of course.Do you know how long you’ll be gone?”
“You have to be back next Saturday,” Ellie said.“It’s the Autumn Festival dance and you have a dress.”
Just then Cooper entered with two mugs of coffee and handed her one before he joined her on the couch.
“I hope I’m back by then, Ellie.I want to put the apartment on the market, organize the movers to pick up the things I want to bring here and find a way to get rid of everything else.”
“What time tomorrow morning, Rose?”Arlene asked.“I said I’d take you.”
“I’ll take you,” Coop said, looking at her.
“I was planning on driving myself…”
Hayden cleared his throat, interrupting her.“Coop, if you go to Bozeman tomorrow, it’ll be great.One of the water pipes broke and we need a length of PVC pipe.”
“That sounds perfect,” Arlene said.“Okay, so let me see what I have for you.A small bag, you said.?”
“Yes, please, Arlene, thanks.I haven’t needed a bag since moving here.I have plenty of bags in the flat in Seattle for packing up my clothes on that side.”
Suddenly Willow inhaled sharply and jumped up.“Coop…”
He was up already.“Scarlett.”
“Something’s wrong.”
“I have to go back to the ranch,” Cooper said looking at Rose.“Come with me?”
Overly aware of all eyes on her, Rose shook her head.“I… I still have to pack.I can drive to the ranch tomorrow morning…”
“I’ll come and fetch you,” he interrupted her.“Walk me out?”
At that moment Arlene arrived with a gorgeous leather bag in her hands.“Here we go.Are you on your way, Coop?”
“Scarlett,” he said as he took the bag from his mom.“Something’s wrong.Thanks for lunch, Mom.”
“Thanks for the bag, Arlene,” Rose said as Cooper took her hand.
