Page 31 of A Family With the Cowboy

“What’s going on?” Laura asked as she rushed closer and got into the truck. Luke was sitting in the back seat, his face ashen in the light of the car. “You okay, sweetie?” she asked as Willow pulled away.

“Someone tried to start a fire at the old barn. I’m dropping you and Luke off at the big house before I also head that way. I’ve phoned the firehouse and the sheriff. Although Hayden and Becket have probably stopped the person in time, you never know. You’ll look after Luke?”

“Of course,” Laura said. “How did you know?”

Willow didn’t answer her directly. “We were having dinner with Hayden when it happened.”

“She just knows stuff,” Luke said from the back.

“You also know stuff, don’t you?” Willow asked.

“Not like you do,” Luke said.

Willow didn’t answer him, just stepping on the gas. Within minutes, she stopped in front of another house. “Keep your phone close, Laura. I’ll let you know what’s going on.”

*

It was aftermidnight when Hayden returned to the homestead.

He was upset, frustrated, and tired. Leaving his boots on the porch, he entered the house. Laura should still be here somewhere. Willow had left her with Luke, his sister had said. Just the thought that she was here, somewhere in his house, was doing all sorts of strange things to his insides.

What a night. He’d never been so grateful for his sister’s intuition, or whatever she wanted to call it. They’d been in time to stop Dan Smith before he could do too much damage. He had the match in his hand when they found him.

He’d tried to flee, but he ended up in a ditch just as Dawson O’Dell, the sheriff, arrived. At first, Smith had been tight-lipped until he’d heard what kind of jail time he might face for attempted arson.

He claimed Tim Higgins had paid him a lot of money to “burn the Weston Ranch to the ground.” With Dan in the car with the sheriff and Hayden and his two brothers in his truck, they’d driven to Higgins Valley.

Of course, Tim had denied the whole thing. With only his word against Dan’s, there wasn’t really anything they could do, although Hayden had an appointment to see the sheriff tomorrow. They had to find a solution for Tim’s problems before there was real damage. If that meant he had to press charges, then that was what he would do.

Hayden felt sick to his core. There was no doubt in his mind that Tim was behind the whole thing. Where Tim’s fury and anger toward them stemmed from, he had no idea. They had tried to help him. He was the one who hadn’t wanted their help.

Stretching his tired muscles, he took the stairs two at a time to the bedrooms on the second floor to check on Luke. As he opened the door to his son’s room, he promptly lost his breath. Both Laura and Luke were fast asleep. Laura was lying next to his son, cradling him against her body, one of Luke’s books lying open next to them. Luke’s smaller hands were resting on top of Laura’s.

He tried to inhale, but his chest seemed way too small. Damn. He’d tried all week to not think of her, but no matter how many hours he’d worked, how busy he’d been, she’d been on his mind the whole time. And at night she’d been center stage in his dreams as well.

Turning away quickly, he stumbled toward his own room, needing a shower and then his bed.

Chapter Twelve

Laura opened hereyes slowly. For a moment, she didn’t know where she was. As unfamiliar sounds from outside penetrated the sleepy haze she’d been in, she sat up. She was in Hayden’s house on the ranch.

Luke had been scared last night and worried, so after he’d had a shower, she’d put him to bed and sat next to him on the bed to read him a story. It was only during the third story that he’d finally fallen asleep.

She had to have fallen asleep, as well, right after he did. The little sleep of the week before had finally caught up with her.

Rubbing her face, she called out to Luke. He was nowhere to be seen, though. She checked her watch. Oh my gosh, it was already past nine.

Grabbing her phone, she jumped up and ordered an Uber before she headed to the nearest bathroom. It would be nice to at least brush through her hair and wash her face. Fortunately, she always carried a moisturizer and the basic makeup in her bag. A shower would’ve been nice, but standing naked anywhere in Hayden’s house was so not a good idea. Oh, my goodness, so not something she should be thinking about now.

A few minutes later, feeling fresher, she jogged down the stairs and followed the sound of Luke’s voice. He was on the kitchen floor playing with two dogs, one who looked a lot like Molly. And sitting at the kitchen table, drinking coffee, looking drop-dead gorgeous in a denim shirt and faded jeans, was Hayden. Amber eyes found hers.

He got up. “Come and sit. There’s coffee and fresh scones. Isabella doesn’t usually come in on a Saturday, so you’re in for a treat.”

The dog that looked a lot like Molly saw her and, tail wiggling, came hesitantly closer. Smiling, Laura crouched down. “Thanks. I’ve phoned Maria. She’s picking me up soon.”

Hayden chuckled, the mere sound sending delicious shivers down her spine. “You don’t have to rush off. I’ll take you.”

Ignoring him, she looked down at the dog trying to climb on her lap. “Look who’s here. Hi, Molly.” Picking up the dog, she cuddled her close.

---