Page 12 of A Family With the Cowboy

Her eyes dancing with mirth, Willow leaned forward. “Why are you using bad words, Hayden?”

“I just don’t think what Becket is doing is a good idea.”

“She’s gorgeous.” Cooper smiled. “If he hadn’t made a move, I would’ve.”

Hayden glared at his brother. “Since when do you date?”

“I date,” Cooper said. “Sometimes.”

“Well, why don’t you and Hayden here go have a drink at the Graff tonight and make sure Becket behaves himself? Seeing you’re both so interested in the teacher. I’ll stay with my favorite nephew.” Willow tousled Luke’s hair.

“I didn’t say—” Cooper began.

“Good idea. I’ll pick you up in half an hour,” Hayden heard himself interrupting.

Luke’s head had been twisting this way and that as he tried to follow the conversation around him. “Are you talking about my teacher?” he finally asked.

Hayden swallowed a groan. His son was nobody’s fool.

“So, what would you like to do tonight, Luke?” Willow quickly asked. “What about—?”

“Can you read me a story?” Luke interrupted. “Miss Anderson says…”

While Luke went on and on about his teacher, Hayden ate his food, tasting nothing. He was ready to punch or kick something or someone. There wasn’t time in a day to think about his needs, his feelings, damn it. He had a ranch to run and a son to raise.

So then why was he going to the Graff for drinks tonight?

Chapter Five

Laura finally relaxed.To be honest, she’d been worried they’d run into Becket’s brothers tonight. It would be best for all concerned, she’d decided, if she didn’t see more of the oldest Weston brother.

He bothered her. She didn’t like the way she reacted to him. The strange vibes, the stupid butterflies in her tummy—she was twenty-nine, for goodness’ sake. Who still got butterflies at nearly thirty?

Becket had ordered wine for them after asking her what she preferred to drink—she’d have to tell his mother she’d raised him well—and they’d just ordered food.

“So, why does a pretty lady like you decide to move to a small town like Marietta?” Becket asked with his big smile.

Laura laughed. “Don’t waste those baby blues on me, okay? Your own mama warned me about you. Tell me about the history of your ranch.”

“My moves are clearly wasted on you.” Becket grinned.

“Clearly. Relax and tell me about your family history.”

“Okay, if you’re sure. You’ll have to stop me, though. We’re all very passionate about our land and once I start…”

“I’m sure. So shoot—when did the first Westons arrive here in Montana?”

“Okay, here goes. Way back, around the 1860s, there was a big demand for beef in the mining towns and that was when cattlemen appeared in the valleys around here…”

Becket had lost his flirty manner, and it was obvious he knew the history of the land around Marietta and particularly of their ranch. “The early ranchers relied on the practice of what is known as ‘open range,’ where they grazed large plots of unsettled lands, continually moving their herds to fresher pastures. I won’t bore you with the details of all the problems the ranchers had back then. Then, at some point in the late 1800s and again in the early 1900s, there was legislation promising large parcels of land to applicants who would improve the land through agriculture. Many of the new ranchers also participated in the open range ranching, but the increase in fenced-in privatized land, plus the difficulty of managing livestock during cold winters, eventually led to the end of...”

A commotion behind them stopped Becket in the middle of his sentence. His eyes widened. “Damn it, I don’t believe this,” he muttered as he got up quickly. “Excuse me…”

“Becket,” a woman cried. Laura turned her head to see a disheveled-looking blonde rushing toward Becket. “Why don’t you answer my texts?” she cried out. “How can you be with someone…” she sobbed, pointing toward Laura, obviously distraught.

With an apologetic backward glance in her direction, Becket steered the woman in the direction of the doors.

Ignoring all the glances in her direction, Laura took a sip of her wine. It was an awkward situation, but she was hungry and wasn’t leaving before she finished her dinner. Hopefully, she’d be able to get an Uber.

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