Page 34 of What the Cowboy Wants
Everyone around him fell silent.
“Not that I’m interested in getting married,” he quickly added.
With a groan, Willow rolled her eyes.
Hunter cleared his throat.“So, Coop, are you saying you’re not interested in Rose?”
Willow’s eyes narrowed as she glared at Hunter.
“She’s in Seattle with someone else, is what I’m saying.”Cooper grunted.
“What if she returns to Marietta?”Hunter asked.
“Why, you interested?”Willow just about snarled.
Looking completely unaffected by Willow’s rude behavior, Hunger shrugged.“Asking for a friend.”
“Yeah, right.”Willow got up.“I’ve lost my appetite.Coop, before Neanderthal here drags Rose into his cave, I suggest you get your head on straight.”With a nod, she quickly left the room.
“Why is Aunt Willow angry with you, Hunter?”Luke asked.
Grinning, Hunter shrugged.“You better ask her, Luke.She’s not talking to me.”
“Why is that?”Ellie asked.
Laura and his brothers also chimed in, but Cooper wasn’t listening anymore.There was no reason for him to feel let down.Even if Rose came back to Marietta—which he doubted—he should keep as far away from her as possible.
He was busy enough as it was.Scarlett still needed a lot of attention and so did Lady.He had to find her another home even if Rose was coming back.She’d been very adamant about the fact she didn’t want another dog.He was the one who kept insisting she needed one.
Maybe Lady could even stay with him.He’d have to see what Ebony had to say about that.Prince and Charlie wouldn’t object, they were always happy for more playmates.
Ebony jumped on his lap, her eyes full of questions, Stroking her, he communicated he was fine.With an I-don’t-believe-you look, Ebony jumped down again.
He got up.It was time to go home.His empty home.
Chapter Ten
Rose was backin Marietta in her house late the following Monday night.She hadn’t told any of her friends she was returning, mostly because she hadn’t been sure until the last minute whether she’d be able to get a flight.Fortunately, her car was at the airport.
The worst part of the whole trip had been driving past the entrance of the Weston Ranch.Everything inside her wanted to go through those gates to Cooper’s house, but she hadn’t stopped.It was better this way.The longer time she’d spent with him, the more difficult it would’ve been to walk away.
Unlocking the door, she dragged the big suitcases she’d brought with her on the flight inside the house and locked the door behind her.Switching on the light, she looked around.
Laura had been here.Quite a few pieces of furniture were gone.The house felt empty.It would all change again the following day when her things arrived.She knew just where she wanted to put her grandma’s pieces.
This was her new home, and tomorrow morning she was starting a new life.Dragging her suitcases behind her, she walked toward the bedroom.Oh, my goodness, it was quiet without Molly.
Well, she didn’t have to be alone.She was going to get herself a cat or a dog.Surely it had to be possible to get a pet around here without involving Cooper Weston?
Tomorrow night was book club.Hopefully one of her friends would know where she could find one.
*
Gasping, Cooper wokeup Tuesday morning to find Ebony sitting on his chest.He’d just had a dream about Rose and if he could trust his instincts, she was back in Marietta.
He’d hardly slept and had been rolling around the bed till the early morning hours, much to the dogs’ and Ebony’s dismay.
“What’s wrong?”he asked the cat.
