Page 78 of The Cowboy's Unshakeable Love

“There’s no need. She’s probably thanking you. She’s fed up with being in the wheelchair, but even more than that, I think she’s fed up with always having someone around to help her.”

Bear raised his eyebrows. “Are saying that you’ve been playing mother hen?”

He laughed. “No, well yeah, but not too much. It’s not that she’s sick ofme– just that in the normal run of things, she’s pretty independent. I have no doubt that she’ll make the most of this morning to enjoy her coffee in peace and just being by herself.”

“I like her – she’s good for you.”

Travis grinned. “Thanks. I know.”

“Seems to me that you’re good for her, too. And I don’t just mean the way you’re taking care of her while she can’t get around by herself.”

“I’m trying to be.”

“I remember the first time we went to Georgia to bring her to Kolby and Callie’s wedding party. She was like a different person then. She was all closed off. Don’t get me wrong, she seemed nice enough even then, but it was like she had this wall around her, and she wasn’t letting anyone get close – not even her daughter.”

“Yeah, she’s come a long way. I’ve done my best to show her that she doesn’t need her walls anymore.” He chuckled. “Even to the point of telling her that she is a stubborn woman.”

Bear laughed with him. “Only you could get away with that and come out smelling like roses. Most guys would end up with a slap in the face – not with a woman who clearly adores him.”

“Everyone adores me, you know that.”

“You’re right, we do.”

They drove in silence for a while. Bear sipped his coffee and stared out at the mountains.

“Whatcha thinking?” Travis asked after a while.

“Just wondering if I’m going to end up living here, and what that’d be like.”

“You thinking it’s a possibility?”

“It’s looking that way. You know Cash is ready to come home.”

“Yeah, but what about Mav and Blane?”

“I think you might have done more than anyone else has in pushing Mav toward it.”

“How’s that?”

Bear blew out a sigh. “I shouldn’t say anything, should I?”

“You probably shouldn’t, but you can’t leave me hanging. I’ve been trying to get ahold of him for weeks, but he won’t return my calls.”

“Yeah, to say he was mad when he heard about Libby moving all the horses up to your new place doesn’t even begin to describe it.”

“I can imagine, but that wasn’t the original plan. She was only supposed to bring a few of them and still carry on with business as usual at Mav’s place. It’s just that when she saw the barn and the arena, she said it’d make more sense. And she’s right; it’s not just the vets and the equine therapy program; pretty mucheveryone she works with comes from town. My place is a lot easier to get to than the ranch.”

“I get it. So does Mav, but …”

Travis blew out a sigh. “If he doesn’t call me back soon, I might have to hitch a ride out there with you so I can talk to him face to face.”

“I wouldn’t hold your breath on him calling you, and I don’t think coming to see him would be the best idea either. Like I said, I think Libby moving off the ranch finally has him considering coming back here.”

“What makes you think that?”

“Obviously nothing that he’s said to any of us, but …”

“Go on,” said Travis. “I’m not going to repeat anything you tell me.”

---