Page 55 of The Cowboy's Unshakeable Love

She lifted her head so that she could look into his eyes.

He shrugged. “There’s no hiding how I feel with you sitting right there on the evidence.”

“Until this moment, I wasn’t sure that you felt that way.”

He chuckled. “Then I did a damn good job of hiding it – but I’m not hiding anymore.” He slid his fingers into her hair and drew her closer. “Come here, darlin’, I’m not done kissing you yet.”

~ ~ ~

“You’re looking better, Mama,” Callie said as she set a glass of lemonade on the table in front of her.

“Thanks, I’m feeling better.” Retta couldn’t hide a smile. She was feeling so much better about life in general, not just her leg. Travis had surprised her when he took her up to his bedroom this morning, but it was a good surprise – the best. And after the way he’d kissed her on his bed, she was more than eager to get home tonight and see what it’d be like to sleep with him.

Callie laughed. “I want to ask what that smile’s about, but I probably shouldn’t, huh?”

Retta would love to be able to talk about how she was feeling but it didn’t seem right to tell her daughter all the details of how things were going with Travis.

“Travis is a good man, and that’s all I’m going to say about that. I do feel better physically, too. I just want to get the cast off now. I know it’ll take me a while to build back up, I’ll have to do physical therapy, but even that’ll feel good – to know that I’m doing something instead of just sitting around waiting for it to heal.”

“It doesn’t sound like you’ve been just sitting around. Shay said that you’ve been in the cabins every day, doing inventory and starting to get them ready for guests.”

“I have. I’m enjoying myself.”

Callie smiled. “And you’re enjoying staying with Travis?”

“I am. That man is a sweetheart!”

“He is. I think he’s awesome. And … is it going well?”

Retta laughed. “It is. I know what you’re thinking – you know me, so you’re wondering if I’m desperate to get away from himyet. I’m not. We even talked about it. I told him I might get crabby with him if we’re together twenty-four-seven and he’s doing everything for me.”

“Is that why you’re here this afternoon?”

“No. We were going to have a relaxing afternoon doing nothing – and I was looking forward to it, but Trip called. Apparently, Trav usually goes over to his place on Sundays. Since we’re coming to see you guys tomorrow instead, he said he’d go hang out with him for a while this afternoon.”

“And he didn’t want to leave you by yourself?”

“He didn’t even bring it up; he’s starting to relax about leaving me by myself for a while here and there. I was the one who suggested that I could come and see you.”

Callie smiled. “And it’s worked out perfectly for everyone, since Kolby’s gone to hang out with Ty and Tanner this afternoon. They’re working with the horses.”

“That’s good. Is Shayna with them? I like her. I thought she might be here with you.”

“I asked, but she’s got some big assignment that she needs to get finished. And what do you…?”

Callie stopped when the sound of Retta’s phone ringing interrupted her.

“Sorry, baby girl.” Retta frowned when she saw the name on the display. “I should take this.”

“Not a problem. I’ll go and get us some cookies.”

“Thanks.” She watched her daughter go back inside the house before she answered.

“Hello?” She felt like a coward answering as though she didn’t know who was calling, but she wanted to buy herself some timeto figure out what Angela might want. She was the assistant principal at school. Retta had been waiting for someone to call, but Angela wasn’t who she’d expected.

“Hello, Retta, this is Angela Morris. How are you feeling?”

“Hi, Angela. I’m doing better, thank you.”

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