Page 90 of Cowboys Next Door

“Who’s coming, Gran?” I ask again when she’s in earshot, taking the salad from her hands as she goes to lay it on the table.

I notice a file folder sitting at her usual place, and my stomach shifts worriedly. When have official documents ever led to good news around here?

“You’ll see,” Gran caws, flittering back into the kitchen. I glance at Eli and Hudson, who shrug in unison, the innocence on their faces genuine.

“Hello?” Jeff calls, entering through the back door.

“Hello, darling!” I see my grandmother and her beau exchange a peck on the lips before Jeff shuffles into the dining room.

He looks around the table, his eyes narrowing. “I always forget which one of you is which. All you young people look the same to me.”

Hudson snorts at his tired greeting, but I’m prepared for it tonight.

“Well, I’m Rose,” I offer sardonically, and Eli guffaws as Jeff scowls at me, but before the former professor can retort in his caustic fashion, the front door opens, and all our attention moves to the entranceway.

My heart leaps into my throat, and I’m on my feet, rushing toward Connor as he enters warily, remaining in the doorway uncomfortably. I throw my arms around him, and he returns my hug warily.

“I’m so glad you’re here!” I choke, emotion flooding through me. “I… I had no idea you were coming.”

“Well, get in here,” Gran tells him, appearing from the kitchen. “You still remember the layout of the house, don’t you?”

“Gran,” I tell her warningly as I untangle myself from his arms, but she ignores me and ushers him toward the dining room. I remain at his side, my head cocked quizzically.

“How—what did she say to get you to come?” I whisper.

He shoots me a side grin. “Hi to you, too,” he teases, and I flush.

“I’m so glad you’re here!” I gush again, feeling ridiculous that it’s such a big deal.

Connor kisses my cheek and takes a seat at the head of the table, irking Jeff, much to Eli’s and Hudson’s amusement.

“That’s my chair, young man,” Jeff tells him.

“I don’t think it is,” Connor replies with his usual cockiness. “Because I’m sitting in it.”

I can’t help but snort, but Gran shushes everyone, including her new boyfriend, telling him to sit next to me. “It’s one night, Jeffrey. You’ll survive.”

Grumbling to himself, Jeff does as he’s told, and I see Connor’s spine straighten with pride as his friends cast him approving glances. Putting Jeff in his place is a sport in this house, and Connor has already taken first place without even trying.

It’s like he hasn’t even left,I think excitedly. I try to tell myself not to get too worked up, that the night still might take a terrible turn, but in this moment, I’m far too elated to do more than soak up the feeling of unity.

“Sit down, all of you,” Gran urges us as if she’s reading my mind. “It’s about time we’re all together at a dinner table again.”

Through my peripheral vision, I see Connor’s smile falter slightly, but he says nothing.

“I’m glad to finally have you here again,” she continues, her gaze lingering on all our faces, one by one.

“As heartwarming as this is, Miss Katherine, you did say that you had something important you had to discuss, or was that just a ploy to bring me out here?” Connor says flatly.

My heart sinks as I realize this isn’t the reunion I’ve so desperately hoped for all these weeks. Connor isn’t going to stay, and we aren’t going to go back to how things were. He has come for an express purpose, and then he’ll be on his way back to his sprawling ranch house again, where I will meet him away from the others.

I have to learn to accept this way of life now.

Suddenly, I want to cry.

“I do have something to discuss with you,” Gran agrees. “We do.” She looks at Jeff, and he wipes at his snowy beard with a napkin, although what he’s wiping, I can’t say. We haven’t started eating yet. I shudder lightly and fix my eyes back on Connor.

“Darling, do you want to tell them?” Gran prods her grouchy mate.

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