Page 27 of Cowboy Don't Go

“If you want me to rescind the offer I—”

“No. No, I don’t. For heaven’s sake. You’re reading too much into this. I’m just a little emotional today. I’m just . . . thinking about—oh, I don’t really know what I’m thinking about, but it has nothing to do with Ray.”

Ray? Not Mr. Lane or Cooper’s ex-con father? Shay tried to remember if her mother had even known Cooper’s dad back before everything went wrong. She couldn’t recall a connection. Unless it had been through her brother, Will, and the many sports teams he’d been on. She recalled Ray Lane had coached some of the park football teams when Will was young. “I promise it won’t mean more work for you. I got us into this. I’ll help out if he needs anything.”

Sarah sighed and patted her hand. “They’ll be needing some fresh sheets and bedding out there. Some food in the fridge. I’ve been wanting to clean that place up a bit for a while now. Here’s a good excuse.”

“That’s the exact opposite to what I meant when I said—”

“I need a distraction today anyway. This is a good thing. When did you say he’s coming?”

“A day. Maybe two?”

“You did the right thing, darling. I can always count on you for that.”

Sarah picked up the armful of towels and left Shay standing alone with her thoughts. Something was going on with her mom, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on what.

There were a million things to worry about that didn’t include Ray Lane or Cooper. But she couldn’t stop thinking about him, sitting alone in the hospital waiting room. She should have guessed that it was his father who had brought Cooper back to Marietta. Why else would he have come? Certainly, he’d been unfairly targeted after his father’s conviction and had no love loss for this place. And yet . . . here he was. He surely could have taken his father back to Texas with him if he’d wanted. Sold the ranch. Used the money to buy something for them elsewhere after his father’s release. But he came here instead.

She had heard somewhere that Ray had never confessed to his crimes. Never, even to be eligible for parole. So, he’d served out his entire term claiming innocence. But now, he was apparently dying, and simply giving up? Accepting that fate without a fight? Why, after so many years of incarceration, fighting for the truth, would he simply give up now?

All those questions were none of her business. And she was determined not to pry. Her offer to help was a simple one and she had no intention of getting involved in their family issues beyond doing what she could to lessen Cooper’s burden. In a strictly platonic way.

But the memory of taking his hand in hers in the waiting room wouldn’t quit her. As inconvenient as it was disturbing, the memory niggled at her—as usual. God, why couldn’t she let things go? There was no going back to change it. She’d done it. She just hoped he didn’t read anything into that touch. That was the last thing she wanted. Right?

Definitely.

Absolutely.

Not really at all.

Cooper had settled his father—his recalcitrant father—into the cozy apartment attached to the small barn this morning. Shay had been there to greet them, as had Sarah and Liam. That the family was on board with Shay’s plan for keeping Ray there as he healed was a comfort, not only to her, but apparently, to Cooper as well. Ray was the lone dissenter, clearly not wanting to be a burden to anyone. He’d fought hard against the idea, but in the end, surrendered to Cooper’s decision.

Shay didn’t miss the look on his father’s face though when he’d first seen Sarah. The sight of her seemed to take years off his face in an instant.

“Mrs. Hardesty,” he’d said, touching the brim of his ever-present hat.

Whatever her mother was thinking, she masked her feelings well. “Ray.” It seemed almost intentional that she used his first name and not his last.

“It’s been a while,” he said.

“Yes,” Sarah said. “Yes, it has. I hope you’re feeling better. Cooper said you were in the hospital.”

“I told him I’d be fine at home, but he strong-armed me over here. A man doesn’t want to admit he needs help. But I—we—thank you for having us. We won’t overstay our welcome.”

“Nonsense. The apartment comes with the job. We offered it to Cooper already, so one more person there is no problem at all. And we’re glad Cooper won’t have to worry, you bein’ so far away.”

Ray looked simply embarrassed by the whole thing.

“It’ll save me the long drive back home at night,” Cooper said. “It’s a win-win for both of us.”

It was easy to see where Cooper had gotten his looks. Ray Lane was still a handsome man, and Shay guessed he was only in his late fifties, like her mom. The silver at his hairline edged his once dark hair, but his eyes reminded her of Cooper’s—a mossy green, limned with near black.

The last few years had taken their toll on him. The deep crevices in his cheeks which might have been dimples once had been deeply carved by the trouble the last decade had brought him. He looked tired more than anything. Except when his eyes met her mom’s.

“I hope you’ll be comfortable here,” Sarah told him. “I put fresh linens on the bed and there’s a fold-out sofa for you, Cooper, with extra linens. There’s some food in the fridge. If you need anything, I left my cell number on the counter. Just call up to the house.”

“Appreciate that,” Cooper said.

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