Page 91 of The Cowboy's Unshakeable Love

“I am. I’ll be there in a few.”

“Okay.”

When he walked through the door a few minutes later, she forgot all about Marty’s message. Travis’s larger-than-lifepersonality drew her in and left no room for thoughts of anything else.

As he lifted her out of her chair, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.

He chuckled. “If you’re already working on getting to have your way with me …”

She laughed. “As a matter of fact, I wasn’t thinking about that.”

He cocked an eyebrow at her, and she laughed and added, “But I am now.”

Chapter Nineteen

On Wednesday afternoon, Travis left Retta in the cabin against his better judgment. She was determined that she wanted to finish up in the kitchen before she called it quits for the day. He had to run up to town to pick up a delivery that had arrived at the hardware store. He wanted to take her with him, but she shooed him off with reassurances that she’d be finished by the time he got back.

As he was pulling away from the cabin, he saw Shayna’s ranch truck approaching. He waited for her and put the window down when she pulled up alongside him.

“Hey, Travis.”

“How’s it going, honey?”

“Great thanks.”

“I hope you’re not working too hard.”

She laughed. “I’m not, I promise. Everyone keeps saying that to me, but you guys don’t get it. I’m much happier when I have lots to do. I’d be miserable otherwise.” She fiddled with her necklace and said, “I’m just a naturally busy bee.”

He chuckled. “Fair enough. You know what’s best for you. I’m just trying to look out for you.”

“And I appreciate it. How are you? How’s Retta doing?” She glanced at the cabin. “Is she still in there?”

He gave her a rueful smile. “She is. I have to head up to town, and she says she’s not done so she can’t come with me.”

“Do you think she’d mind some company?”

“I think she’d love it. She loves hanging out with you.”

“Aww. I love hanging out with her – she’s awesome.”

“She is. If you want to go in and see her, I think she’d love that, and it’d make me happier knowing that she’s not by herself. I have to get going.”

“Okay. It’s good to see you. Ty said you’re coming to lunch on Sunday, so if I don’t see you before, I’ll see you then.”

“You sure will. Do you hear much from Alma and Davin?”

“I do! I talk to them all the time; I miss them. They said they’re going to come visit as soon as they can.”

“I hope they will. Give them my best when you talk to them, will you?”

“Of course.”

As he drove up East River Road, it occurred to him that Shay looked up to Retta as a kind of mother figure. She’d lost her own mom a few years back, and her dad when she was just a kid. Before she moved here to be with Ty, Alma and Davin had taken her into the family that they’d pulled together, and he was glad that she was still close with them. He also liked – for her sake, and for Retta’s – that the two of them got along so well. Newcomers to the valley sometimes found it hard to fit in. Retta and Shayna had landed on their feet; they had a whole big group of family, and friends who were as good as family.

When his phone rang and the name Ace appeared on the screen, he hit the button on the steering wheel to answer.

“What’s up, Mr. Zielinski? What can I do you for?”

---