Page 93 of The Cowboy's Unshakeable Love

“Are you going to call him now?”

Trav checked his watch. “I might give him a try. But rewind a bit – what do you think’s different about him?”

“Call me crazy but I think he’s thinking about coming home.”

Travis grinned. He couldn’t share with Ace what Bear had told him – he’d given his word that he’d keep his mouth shut, but if Ace was picking up on something, too …

“What makes you say that?”

“Nothing I can put my finger on, just a feeling. The way he talks about things being different on his ranch if Libby isn’t there anymore.”

“You think he’d retire and come home?”

“No. I don’t. I think he might be considering moving the whole operation back here.”

“Have you talked to Cash?”

“Nope. I left him a couple of messages, but he’s been gone on a job.”

“I guess we’ll just have to wait and see then, won’t we?”

Ace laughed. “Or you could give him a call, tell him that Libby moving off his ranch isn’t your fault, and while you’re at it, ask if he’s coming home.”

Travis grinned. “You know what? I might just do that.”

~ ~ ~

When they got to The Riverside, Retta immediately fell inlove with the place. It was welcoming and down to earth. The restaurant they went to last time was wonderful, but to her, it was somewhere to go for a special occasion, not just a fun catch up evening with her friends.

All her breath caught in her chest at that thought –her friends. She had friends! Women she hadn’t even known before she came to Montana. She was now far closer with them than she’d been with the women at school, some of whom she’d known for years and years.

Travis stopped her wheelchair and leaned down to speak in her ear. “What’s wrong, darlin’?”

She smiled up at him over her shoulder. “Not a damn thing.”

He gave her a puzzled smile. “Are you sure? You just froze like you saw something, or remembered something, or …”

“Or realized something,” she told him. “It just hit me that I have friends here. I have a life here.”

He grinned. “You have me here.”

“I know – and everything else is because of you. Thank you.”

“I’m the one who should be saying thank you. I …”

“Hey, Retta! Over here.”

Travis rolled his eyes at her before waving back at Ari, who was beckoning them over to a table where she and Candy were already sitting.

Retta chuckled. “I think you’re about to be dismissed.”

“I know it. You call me if you need me, okay?”

“I will.” She looked around. “Do you think Trip will come in with Libby and Shelly?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. He told me to wait for him outside.”

“Uh-oh. Is he mad that I invited Shelly, and that you roped him into driving her and Libby?”

---