Page 79 of Dark Side of the River

“Coop,” she said, grabbing his shirt in her fist and drawing him to her again.

He knew what she wanted to ask. He could understand why she was worried. He’d been worried that this could change things between them. “I love you, Tilly Stafford.”

Tears filled her eyes. “I love you, Cooper McKenna. I had a dream about you and me. It involved the tailgate of your pickup.”

He grinned. “As soon as you get out of here and are up for it.”

“Oh, I’m up for it. Does this mean you’re through fighting it?”

He nodded. “I can’t wait to make love to you.”

“What the hell areyoudoing here?” Charlotte Stafford cried from the doorway.

“Visiting the woman I love,” Cooper said as he gave Tilly another quick kiss and turned to leave.

Her mother looked as if she might explode as she strode past him to her daughter’s bed.

“I don’t want to hear it, Mother,” Tilly said as Cooper left the room, closing the door behind him. His boots felt lighter on his feet as he headed down the hall to find Tilly’s jacket and the passwords before visiting Oakley’s room.

All the way, he couldn’t help but wonder why a password had been so important to Oakley that day after being shot.

HOLDENSTOODINthe doorway of the stables watching Holly Jo. He couldn’t hear what she was saying, but she was definitely murmuring something to her horse as she groomed the mare. Her movements were slow, almost loving, and he felt a tug at his heart.

He’d been beginning to think he’d made a mistake by bringing her here. He’d promised he would take care of her. That didn’t mean that he had to bring her to a ranch where she didn’t want to be and force her into his lifestyle instead of her own. He’d been having doubts since their ride together. He’d known that she’d thought she would just take off on the horse and never look back. Was she that desperate to get away?

But watching her now, he felt such a ray of hope that he wondered how he could ever have thought of not keeping her here.

“Interested in going for a ride?” he asked as he approached.

She looked up in surprise. “Really?”

“No more stunts like last time?”

“I promise,” she said excitedly. “I promise. I think Honey wants to go even more than I do.”

He smiled at that. “She does look like she could use a little exercise. We should saddle the horses.” The girl was all smiles now.

They walked their horses out of the stables. She went over to the corral and used the railing to climb up on her horse by herself. Turning, she grinned at him. He could see the pride in her eyes.

“Nice job,” he said as he swung up into the saddle. They rode out across the pasture toward the foothills. He felt the warm morning summer breeze on his face and looked over at Holly Jo. Her expression was one of bliss. He smiled, thinking he’d never felt more alive than at that moment.

They stopped in the trees to let their horses get a drink from the creek. He didn’t want to spoil this easy peace between them, but he also wanted to talk to her about a few things.

“Are you looking forward to school?” She shot him a disbelieving look. “I think you’ll enjoy it. You’ll meet other kids your age. You’ll make friends.” She didn’t look convinced.

He changed the subject. “I’ve noticed that you don’t seem to like a lot of the food we eat. I was wondering if there is something Elaine can buy that you might like.”

“It’s okay. Elaine talked me into trying some beef. It’s not bad. I think I could like it.”

Holden smiled. “Better than broccoli?”

She gave him a sheepish look. “I don’t really like broccoli.”

“I noticed you didn’t eat much of it.”

“If I’m going to stay here, what should I call you?”

It was a good question, one he hadn’t considered. “What would you like to call me?”

---