Page 41 of Cowboys Next Door

I nod, pursing my lips, trying to hide my embarrassment. I’ve been too presumptuous. Maybe he has someone waiting for him at home. I shouldn’t have acted like I did.

I also stand and start to walk him along the front of the house, but he waves me back.

“Just…” He takes a deep breath. “We’ll discuss what to do about MVP. I’ve had enough of them coming and going as they please around here.”

With that, he’s gone, leaving me wondering what I did wrong, but as I turn around, I find my grandmother standing at the back door, shaking her head.

“Leave him be, darling,” she tells me, sympathy coloring her face. “He’s… conflicted.”

I blink at her phrasing, discomfort twisting in my gut. Had I misread the signals that badly? “About what?”

“About a lot of things,” she replies enigmatically. “His father did a number on him, that’s for darn sure.”

I eye her curiously, but the exhaustion on her face tells me that it’s time to walk her upstairs. Whatever family burdens Hudson Walker is holding onto, now is not the time to uncover them.

“Let’s get you to bed, Gran,” I say absently, taking her arm.

Katherine freezes in place, and I realize what I’ve said. Her eyes shine luminously in the settled darkness, and I smile at her.

“Is it okay that I called you that?” I ask, not regretting the slip of the tongue in the least.

“Yes,” Katherine breathes happily. “I’ve been hoping you would since you arrived.” She takes my arm and squeezes, allowing me to lead her up the stairs toward her bedroom, Hudson Walker temporarily forgotten in our moment of bonding.

But tomorrow is another day, and something tells me I’ll still get my kiss.

CHAPTER15

Connor

Iblock the others from starting, their confused gazes amusing me.

“Nope,” I insist. “No work today.”

Eli scowls but simultaneously realizes that I left the dogs at home today. The perplexity mounts as he looks around for Hudson.

“He’s not coming today,” I announce, almost proudly that I was the only one in possession of such private information.

“Why not?” Rose demands worriedly. “Is he all right?”

“He’s fine. No work today,” I repeat.

“Where are the beasts?” Eli asks.

“What do you mean, no work today?” Rose demands, looking up at the sky. “The weather is perfect for it. It’s finally warming up around here, and we’re making such good progress.”

I nod toward my truck. “Change of plans. Go get Miss Katherine. We’re going on an outing instead.” They all look at one another, but I refuse to take no for an answer. “Come on. Hurry up. I haven’t got all day.”

Reluctantly, Rose drops the hammer in her hand and retreats toward the house.

Eli’s scowl deepens. “What are you up to?” His face immediately lightens. “Oh… we’re going into Helena, aren’t we?”

I offer him a faux glare, wishing he wasn’t so astute. “Maybe.”

“We have work to do,” Eli grumbles.

I shake my head. “We can all use a break… and Hud is competing today, but I think we should keep it a surprise for Rosie.”

Eli shoots me a warning look.

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