Page 39 of The Cowboy Fix

Sylvia was always interested in the details of her daughter’s jobs. Izzy dropped down to help her mom smooth out the fresh soil between tall, white lupines and bushy lavender, interspersed with bright purple petunias. “It’s coming along fine.”

“Only, fine?” Her mom glanced at Izzy and raised a brow. “My girl, who can work miracles, thinks things arefine? The Wedding Cottage is a brilliant idea.”

How did she put it without sounding like she was concerned? She wasn’t about to give up, but she was beginning to feel the pressure to do something big to save the ranch. She hadn’t failed a client yet and Nathan wasn’t about to be the first.

“The Wedding Cottage won’t be enough to keep the ranch going, Mom,” she admitted.

Sylvia reached out and laced fingers with Izzy. “This is a very big project you’ve taken on. There’s bound to be a few hiccups before you’re done. I’m confident you’ll make it work.”

She gently rubbed her mom’s swollen knuckles. Whatever she said, Izzy knew Sylvia wouldn’t stop working in the garden.

“I need to do some more research,” she said quietly, more than worry about her work on her mind.

“You will.” Sylvia smiled. “I have some news of my own.”

“Uh oh.”

Sylvia laughed. “I know what you’re going to say but hold it in for a minute. Okay? I got a call from George.” George Coleman, her mom’s new friend whom she’d met on the river cruise. “He’s decided to sell his house and has asked me to help him put some of his antique pieces up for auction.”

Her mom knew everything there was to know about downsizing. It was how she made her living.

Izzy eased back on her heels. “Doesn’t he live in San Francisco?”

“Yes.” Her mom’s expression went a little dreamy. She shook her head and stood. “These beds are looking terrific, don’t you think?”

“They look great.” And then because she was so surprised, Izzy said, “You like George.”

Sylvia blushed. “You like Nathan.” As if that was reason enough to finally let her heart have a say.

For as long as Izzy could remember, her mom had never encouraged the occasional man she met to become a part of their lives.

“He needs my help,” Izzy defended herself, then huffed out a breath. “Nathan is my client. I can’t like him like that.”

“It sounds to me like he’s not just a client anymore.” Her mom stood, pulling Izzy up with her. “You’re happy here. It’s okay if you’ve found someone to love.”

“Yeah, that worked out so well the last time. I’m not in love, Mom. I’m... trying to save a ranch,” she said softly, realizing as she did so that she’d made up her mind to save Nathan too. He would be appalled if he knew.Shewas appalled.

Sylvia pulled her into a tight hug. “Maybe so, but I like him, and his brothers. They’re good people. Nathan is nothing like Jim. If he commits to you, he will always be committed.”

“How do you know?” It wasn’t often that Sylvia dispensed motherly advice.

“Just a feeling I have.” Sylvia leaned back. “Now, be honest, don’t you think he’ll make a great dad someday?”

How would she know? She’d never had a dad. Though watching Nathan with Timmy, Andee, and Reece, she’d once or twice wished...

“So, when are you leaving to help George?”

With a crooked smile that always made Izzy crazy, Sylvia let her get away with that non-answer. “In a few days. In the meantime, I’ll make some of your favorite peach cobbler. Nathan will like that.”

“I’m sure he will,” Izzy agreed with a smirk. What man didn’t like home-baked goods? And cobbler was one of her mother’s specialties. “Look, don’t get any ideas about Nathan. He’s got roots and I like to fly free.”

She was already finding it hard to concentrate on her job when Nathan was around. Letting her heart take over would not make that easier.

“Sure. If it’s what you want. That doesn’t mean you can’t cook for the man. And don’t forget, someday I want grandbabies.”

“Of course you do,” Izzy said under her breath.

Sylvia gave her a peck on the cheek, which meant she hadn’t let go of the idea that her daughter had found a man her mom liked enough to become his champion. She’d never mentioned grandchildren when Izzy was engaged to Jim.

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