Page 31 of What the Cowboy Wants
People from the moving company had also phoned.She had been able to do the whole thing online and they would pick up her stuff on Thursday and could deliver it the following Tuesday.
Tired but satisfied with what she’d accomplished she looked around her apartment.If there weren’t any hiccups, she should be able to fly back to Bozeman over the weekend, even if the apartment wasn’t already sold.
Millie had also expressed an interest in buying Rose’s apartment, hers was much smaller, so if the client the agent was bringing later decided not to buy, there was another keen buyer.
Walking toward the big window overlooking the city, she sighed.She’d promised to return Cooper’s call, but she kept postponing it.What could she say?He’d probably picked up that she’d been crying, or he’d heard about what had happened from Willow and was feeling sorry for her.She was not ready to talk to anyone yet without bursting into tears.
She’d phone him tomorrow.Tonight, she was going shopping for presents.Her friends back in Marietta had been so good to her, she wanted to get everyone something small to thank them for their support over the last few months.
Turning around she headed to her room to shower and get dressed.What would Cooper be doing now?And there he was back in her thoughts.All through the day, no matter how busy she was or what she’d been doing, he’d been on her mind.She’d picked up her phone so many times just to put it down again.She couldn’t stop thinking about him.
Why?After she’d arrived in Marietta, she’d been angry with Duncan, hurt by what he and Charlotte had done, but she’d never missed him.To be honest, it had been quite a relief to know she wouldn’t see him any time soon.
Duncan had been exhausting, he’d always wanted something from her.She had to look her best, had to smile in a certain way, talk about things he was interested in, visited with his friends, do what he preferred.It had only been in hindsight that she saw how he and Charlotte had taken over her life, had manipulated her to be at their beck and call.
It was so different to be with Cooper.Maybe that was why she missed him so much, why he was constantly on her mind.Around him, she felt safe, could just be herself.
Chuckling, she hugged herself.He’d know right away if she wasn’t being herself.
She could so easily fall for him, but he wasn’t interested in anything besides a fling—something she shouldn’t forget.
Afling?Just the word conjured up images of Cooper’s kiss, his hands on her body, his mouth…
Inhaling shakily, she inhaled.Maybe Cooper was right.Maybe if they spent time together they’d be able to get this craziness out of their systems.
Would it be so bad?Aurelia Hill would have a field day, for one.Chuckling, Rose opened her closet.Apparently, Aurelia Hill, Marietta’s self-appointed gossiper, had been spreading stories about Rose since her arrival in Marietta.What was one more?
Well, before she got too excited, she should check with Cooper whether he was still interested in having a short fling with her.As one of Marietta’s sought after bachelors, someone else might’ve snatched him up by the time she returned.
Frowning, she stopped what she was doing and sat on her bed.She didn’t want to think about Cooper being with any other woman, ever.
Aargh!Jumping up, she marched to the bathroom.She had presents to buy, she refused to sit around and mope.
Chapter Nine
By eleven thenext morning, Rose was ready for the realtor and the possible buyers.She’d been wrapping present since early this morning.Maybe it would even be possible to leave before the weekend.There was nothing keeping her here.
Early this morning she’d spoken to her parents.They were coming to visit her in Marietta in about two weeks’ time.She was so excited.It was going to be so special to spoil them for a while, especially after the way she’d behaved.
The front doorbell chimed.Great, that should be the real estate agent.Smiling, she opened the door.The next minute, her smile froze.Standing behind the agent, looking very pleased with himself was Duncan.
Gary, the agent was smiling.“He didn’t want me to spoil the surprise.”
Duncan elbowed Gary out of the way and tried to put his arms around her, but stunned, she side-stepped him.
“Rose, darling, you look gorgeous!I saw your post on Instagram.I was so happy to learn my Rose was back where she belonged.I don’t have your new number yet, and when I learned your place was in the market, I came up with this plan to come with the estate agent to surprise you.Of course, I’m not interested in buying your little apartment.No offense, it’s sweet and all, but not quite where one of Seattle’s hot young lawyers and his wife should live, now is it?It’s a good idea to sell this place.If we put our resources together, we should be able to afford something really special.Surely the fact that you’re back means you’ve forgiven my silly little mistake?It was all Charlotte’s doing, of course.I haven’t seen her since.”
Rose so badly wanted to wipe the grin from his face, but crossing her arms, she pasted a smile on her face.“You’re not welcome here, Duncan.Goodbye.Gary, come in.I have another buyer.”
Duncan’s smile froze.
“Oh, come on, Rose,” Duncan said, trying to grab her arm.“The whole incident was to your advantage.At present, you have about fifty thousand followers where I’ve lost just about every single one I had.We had a good thing going, don’t be like this.Come on!”
Ignoring him, she let Gary into her apartment before she closed and locked the door in Duncan’s face.
Gary smiled apologetically.“I’m so sorry.I know what happened earlier this year and well, he gave me the impression you’re back together and he was surprising you.”
“Let’s just forget about it.I have a name and telephone number for you.One of my neighbors is interested in buying the place.”She gave him Millie’s card with all her details.“I’m probably leaving before the weekend.I’ll leave my key with my neighbor.If she decides to buy, will it be possible to sign all the paperwork before the weekend?”
