Page 32 of A Family With the Cowboy

“And this is Jessie. She’s my dog,” Luke said. Sniffing, Jessie cautiously approached Laura.

“Coop brought the dog this morning,” Hayden said. “According to him, you and Molly have decided to give living together a go. He’s also left two bags of stuff for her, including a doggie door. I’ll install it when I drop you off. Tell Maria I’ll take you. I have to go into town, anyway, to see Dawson O’Dell, the sheriff.”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s totally fine. I…” She put Molly down before she stood, only to find Hayden standing right in front of her with a mug of coffee in his hand.

He combed her hair from her face. “I’ll take you. You stayed with Luke last night. It’s the least I can do.”

Her legs had turned to mush. “O-okay.” With hands not quite steady, she took out her phone and texted Maria.

After she’d put her phone in the pocket of her jeans, he handed her the mug. Her fingers grazed his as she took it. Inhaling sharply, she met his eyes. Whether it was her imagination or real, Laura didn’t know, but the whole kitchen was alive with all sorts of strange vibrations.

“Good morning, Miss Anderson,” a woman said behind Laura.

Grateful for the interruption, Laura quickly turned around. She’d met the friendly Isabella a few times when the older woman had picked Luke up from school. “Laura, please. Good morning.”

“Sit down, both of you,” Isabella ordered. “I’m making breakfast.”

“Oh, please, it’s really not…”

Isabella grabbed her hands. “You stayed with Luke last night. Of course I’m making you breakfast.”

Hayden pulled out a chair, his eyes crinkling at the corners from his smile. “From experience, I can tell you this isn’t a fight you’re going to win.”

“I don’t want to be a bother, really…”

“Please sit down?” Hayden asked. “You’ll always bother me,” he said under his breath as she sat.

She glanced at him, but he was already walking toward his chair. Had he really said that or was she hearing things now?

*

Two hours later,Hayden turned into the driveway in front of Laura’s house. Before the car had properly stopped, she’d already opened the door.

“Laura, damn it,” he growled as he also got out. “You wanna get killed?”

She had the dog in one arm and was struggling to take out both bags Cooper had left for the dog from the back of the truck. “I’ve taken up so much of your time. Thanks for the lift. Don’t worry about the doggie door. I’ll…”

Gnashing his teeth, he walked around his truck and took the bags from her. “I said I’ll do it.”

Muttering under her breath, she stomped past him toward the front porch. “It’s clear you can’t get rid of me quickly enough. You haven’t said a word all the way from the ranch. You really don’t have to bother…” After unlocking the door, she turned around and held out her hand to take the bags from him.

“I’ve told you, you’re always going to bother me,” he said, moving past her so that he could get into the house. “I haven’t had talking on my mind. Which door is going to get the doggie door?” Dropping the bags on the floor and his jacket on a chair, he turned to look at her.

“Hayden, seriously,” she began hotly, those blue eyes shooting lightning. She put down the dog and took off her coat. “I said—”

Sighing in surrender, he slowly pulled her closer, giving her ample time to push him away if she wanted to. This was why he was here. To kiss her, to touch her, to hold her in his arms.

“Hayden, what—?”

“I don’t wanna talk. Kissing you is what I’ve been dreaming about and thinking about all damn week. But if you don’t want this…”

“Oh, for goodness’ sake, just kiss me already,” she muttered as she grabbed his shirt in both her hands.

“Yes, ma’am.” He smiled. Cupping her face in his hands, he kissed her. With his blood roaring in his ears, he swallowed her gasp and deepened the kiss. Her lips were soft and warm, her body fitting perfectly against his. Only when she melted against him did he lift his head.

“Wanting to do this has been driving me crazy,” he said. “You and I need to talk, but I have an appointment with the sheriff about last night. Dinner, tonight? I’ll pick you up at seven. So, which door gets the doggie door?”

“Doggie door?” Laura stared at him, looking so gorgeous, he had to kiss her again.

---