Page 30 of A Family With the Cowboy

“He’s not coming,” Willow said. “As you would know if you read your texts or listen to the conversation around the table. He fetched Laura and Luke earlier today from school. Laura and Molly are meeting to decide whether they like one another.”

That freaking hole in Haden’s chest grew bigger. Laura was with Coop again. “Who’s Molly?” was all he asked, though.

“The rescue dog,” Becket said. “Coop’s been talking about it all week. How did you miss it?” Becket leaned over to Luke. “You’re very quiet this week. Everything okay?”

Luke played with his food. “I miss Mom. Dad put her picture away.”

Stunned, Hayden stared at his son. The thought that Luke might be upset because he’d removed Madeline’s picture hadn’t even entered his mind. He should’ve been more sensitive.

“You want him to put your mom’s picture back?” Willow asked.

Sighing, Luke shook his head. “No, she’s gone.”

“I’ll put it back,” Hayden said.

Luke looked him straight in the eye. “I know why you put it away. It’s okay. I’m going to play with Jessie now.” He scooted off his chair and ran out of the kitchen, Jessie yapping at his heels.

Willow groaned out loud. “You know what that is?” she asked, pointing in the direction where Luke had disappeared.

“What do you mean?” Hayden asked.

“He has it as well.”

“Has what?” Becket asked.

“Whatever I’ve inherited from our grandma. The ability to feel, to know what other people are feeling, what’s going on in your minds.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Hayden snapped.

But Willow wasn’t listening anymore. As Hayden watched, her face turned stricken. He’d seen that particular expression often enough to know something was very wrong somewhere.

“Willow? What?” he asked as both he and Becket got up quickly.

“Someone is trying to start a fire…” Willow muttered.

“Where, Willow?” Hayden asked.

As if coming out of a trance, she stared at him. “The old barn. Someone is there…”

“Phone Coop!” Hayden shouted as he and Becket sprinted for the back door.

*

Friday night aroundeight, Laura was sitting, with Molly sleeping on her lap. They had just finished eating. She’d fallen in love with the little Jack Russell mix at first sight. Molly had been more hesitant. It took some cajoling to allow Laura to hold her. Initially, Molly had just shivered and wouldn’t relax. Following Cooper’s cue, Laura kept talking softly to the dog, kept stroking her until she’d eventually relaxed.

Frowning, Cooper suddenly got up slowly. Muttering, he picked up his phone.

“Cooper, is something wrong? I can try and get an Uber to come and fetch me.”

“No, it’s just…” he began, but his phone rang. Without looking who was calling him, he answered before the second ring. “Sis, what happened?”

By the time he put the phone in his pocket, he was clearly very worried. “I have to go. So sorry. Willow is coming to pick you up. We’ll get you back home as soon as we can.” And he was gone. Seconds later, his truck roared away.

Laura was still staring at the door, flabbergasted, when she heard the sound of another car stopping outside. Putting Molly down, she grabbed her coat and bag. “Sorry, sweetheart. I think you’d better stay here. I must still pay Cooper, but I’m coming back for you, okay?”

Molly licked her hand before she curled up on the couch. Laura hastened outside and closed the door behind her.

Willow was hanging halfway out of her truck and waved when she saw Laura. “Come on!”

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