Page 35 of What the Cowboy Wants
Rose is back, Ebony communicated.The dogs also barked, confirming what Ebony said.
He picked up the cat and sat up.“I know but it doesn’t matter that she’s back.She’s got someone else in her life.She’s probably just here to get all her stuff.”
Hissing in disgust, Ebony jumped off the bed.With disappointed looks, Charlie and Prince followed her out of the room.
Sighing, Cooper got up.He had work to do.Someone from town whose son had been diagnosed with autism was bringing the boy to the ranch later in the morning.Usually, he’d be eager to work with the kid and the horses, but since last week it had been difficult to get excited about anything.
The joy he usually experienced every day had been sucked out of his life.Of course, he knew what the reason was, but there wasn’t anything he could do about it, was there?
He fed the dogs and had a quick breakfast.This morning, he didn’t want to face his family.Their constant digs were seriously beginning to tick him off.
As he walked toward his truck, Hayden pulled up.Becket was riding shotgun.
“Come on, hop in,” Becket said.“Mom called, she needs us to help her with something.”
“Help her with what?”
“Are you coming?”Becket smiled.“No dogs this time, Mom said.”
“Sorry, guys,” Cooper told his dogs.“I’ll be back.”Ebony was nowhere to be seen.She was probably sulking somewhere in a corner.
*
Dismayed, Rose staredat the pieces of furniture and the boxes on her porch.She’d just been to town to get basics food items, but she’d spoken to the movers before she’d left.They wouldn’t get to Marietta for another hour, they’d confirmed, and she’d only been away for half an hour.Why couldn’t they wait?
Sighing, she went into the house.Well, there was nothing else she could do but move the things herself.She should maybe just change into something more comfortable.
Minutes later she was wearing an old pair of jeans, a top that had seen better days, and had her hair up in a bun.As she walked to the front door, she tried to think of ways to move the furniture.Maybe she could use one of the rugs that had been delivered to pull the bigger pieces into her house.
The front doorbell rang.It was probably Arlene, coming the see if she could help.There was no way she would ask the older women to help, though.
Smiling, she opened the door and blinked.It was Arlene, all right, but she wasn’t alone.Behind her, big and muscled, were the three Weston brothers.Becket and Hayden were smiling, but Cooper was so obviously uncomfortable, she had to swallow the giggle threatening to slip out.
“Arlene!What…?”
“I tried to stop the movers from leaving, but they didn’t even look my way,” Arlene said.“I know you can’t move all this stuff by yourself, so I phoned the boys.”
Boys.Rose couldn’t help a chuckle.The three Westons were anything but boys.“It really isn’t necessary, Arlene, I know they’re busy on the ranch.”
“Nonsense,” she said brushing past Rose.“Just tell them where they should put what.”
Rose shook her head.“Sorry, boys”—she smiled in their general direction, making sure her eyes didn’t meet Cooper’s—“just put everything inside.That would be a great help, thank you.I’ll move it myself later.”
“We’re here,” Becket said.“There are only a few pieces, it won’t take up much time.”He put a hand on one of her grandma’s pieces.“Where do you want this?”
“Okay, thanks.That one can go to the living room, please.”All three of them bent down to pick up the piece, but her eyes, of course, only focused on Cooper.Under his blue denim shirt, his muscles moved, and her mouth watered.Her hands had been on him, she knew exactly how toned he was.
Closing her eyes for a moment, she quickly turned to show them where to put it.
*
By the timethey’d put everything where Rose wanted it, Cooper was ready to punch something.He had a hard time—pun intended—keeping his eyes off Rose.Every time she lifted her arms, the top she wore moved, giving him a glimpse of soft skin.The smell of wildflowers seemed to be everywhere he turned.
“So Rose,” his mother said as they put the last piece in place, “Cooper says you’re back with your Seattle boyfriend?”
“Cooper shouldn’t say things he doesn’t know anything about,” Rose said coolly, not looking at him.“Duncan arrived at my apartment with the real estate agent, but I sent him packing.As I left the building, he was waiting for me.He’d arranged someone with a camera and grabbed me to get a picture.I pushed him away, something Cooper would’ve seen if he’d waited.”With arms crossed, her back straight, she walked toward the front door opened it.“Thank you very much for your help, but I know you have work to do, I won’t keep you.”With a fake smile in their direction, Rose waved.
His mother hugged Rose.“Will we see you tonight at the book club?And yes, you know you’re always welcome,” she added as Rose hesitated.
