Page 3 of Her Cowboy's Valentine

“But a movie… You aren’t planning on going to the ranch tomorrow at the crack of dawn.”

He chuckled. “No, but it’s fine. Don’t worry about me.”

Rebecca sighed, relented, and kissed him before heading to bed. She hated that she was too exhausted to watch a movie with Liam. Their bond has always been as steady as the land they called home, but lately, life’s demands had left little room for the romance they once shared.

And the fact that the other side of the bed was cold and empty only served to highlight that fact.

CHAPTER 2

There was always tomorrow, but lately, that was how it always felt to Liam. Deep down, he missed his wife. He still missed working daily with his wife at the ranch. When she first broached the subject of going back to school to become a nurse, he had floored and then completely supportive. She had spent so long taking care of her Grandmary when she had been sick until she had passed away, and Rebecca might’ve made a career then out of being a caretaker if she hadn’t been employed by a woman who had crossed many lines.

But everything happened for a reason. Liam truly believed that. Rebecca had to bear that cross in order for her to feel the need to move from New York to Shooting Star Canyon. If she hadn’t, they would never have met. They never would’ve fallen in love, and they wouldn’t have their three precious albeit rambunctious children.

During school, Rebecca had cut back her hours at the ranch, and after she graduated, she was immediately hired.

Six months.

That was all it took for Rebecca to admit that she missed working at the ranch.

Those six months had been very hard on Liam. It had been a major adjustment to not see his wife’s beautiful smiling face every day even though she had already cut back.

Part-time was what they settled on for both nursing and the ranch.

As much as he could, Liam helped with the kids. After all, raising them was just as much his responsibility as it was Rebecca’s. The duties of ranch owner fell heavily on his shoulders now, though, which was why he couldn’t help with the kids as much as he wanted. There had even been a few nights when he had come home that he didn’t even get a chance to see Aaron awake. He would go in and kiss his sleeping son, but it always made his heart fall to not spend any time with his youngest that night.

Hopefully, tomorrow, Liam would be able to leave Shooting Star Canyon Ranch earlier and help out enough that they could watch a movie together tomorrow. Maybe he should head in early even though that hadn’t been the original plan to ensure his earlier departure time.

The late January air was colder than normal for Texas, and Liam pulled his black hat down lower over his brow. He had been at the ranch for hours and hours already. Now, it was four o’clock. He had texted Rebecca at lunchtime to tell her not to worry about dinner, that he would handle it, and he swung over toMis Amigos Restaurante. Clara Dixon, the owner and wife of Liam’s good friend Michael, was the hostess.

“Liam! Be right back.” She held up a finger and hurried away, her dress swirling around her legs. In no time, she returned witha bag she handed him. “Your food. I included a few goodies. No charge.”

“Clara…”

“Your kids are the most well behaved when you bring them in, and I love them like they’re mysobrinos y sobrinas.”

Liam laughed. “They consider you their aunt too.”

“Oh, I know. That Mary looks just like Rebecca, doesn’t she? Give Rebecca my love!”

“Tell Michael?—”

“He’ll be coming in to the ranch tomorrow, so you can tell him whatever woodwork you need tomorrow.”

Liam laughed again. “I don’t need him to play carpenter tomorrow. Just cowboy. Think he remembers how?”

Clara roared with laughter. “‘Play carpenter?’ If I tell him you said that…”

“He would laugh.”

Her smile turned a bit dreamier. “He’s mellowed out some the longer we’re together.”

“And you aren’t quite as spontaneous. Not that that’s a bad thing, but…”

“Yes, I agree. We balance each other out, and love changes a person.” She clapped her hands. “I don’t want to keep you. Go on now. Enjoy your enchiladas and tacos while they’re hot.”

Liam lifted his hat toward her and left the restaurant. The ride home was uneventful, and he and his family had a wonderful dinner. Liam helped with the kids brushing their teeth and getting ready for bed. He kissed Aaron first.

“Mommy,” Aaron mumbled.

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