Page 39 of A Family With the Cowboy

“Good-bye, Coop.” Shaking his head, he took Luke’s hand. “Let’s go home.”

“Can I go and tell Miss Anderson I’m okay?”

“I don’t think…” Hayden began.

“Wonderful idea,” his mom interrupted. “She was so worried.”

He could easily ignore his mother, but ignoring his son’s pleading eyes was more difficult. “Okay, but we can’t stay, okay? Get in the truck, let’s go.”

“’Kay.” Luke sighed.

Minutes later, he parked in front of Laura’s house. His mother and Luke got out.

Laura’s front door opened before his mom could knock. She’d probably heard the truck’s engine.

“Luke!” she cried and crouched down. “I’m so happy to see you. Come on in.”

“Dad says we can’t stay,” Luke said.

Laura’s gaze met his for a brief second, but it was long enough for him to see the hurt.

Laura looked at Luke again. “You okay?”

“I’m okay.”

Laura held out her arms. “May I please hug you? I’ve been so worried.”

Luke fell into her arms and hugged her tightly. Hayden had to swallow against the lump in his throat. It was the way Luke used to hug his mom.

“…a book for you,” Laura said, before she disappeared into the house.

His mother looked at him, shaking her head. “I can’t decide whether you’re stubborn or dumb or both.”

Before he could react, Laura was back with a few books for Luke. Inhaling deeply, Luke took them from her. “Thank you, Miss Anderson.”

“You can bring them back after the break.” She smiled.

“Laura, I’d like to come in if I may?” his mother asked. “I want to ask you about that knitting pattern I got from you. We have our knitting group again tomorrow night and I’ve been struggling,” she explained to Hayden.

Laura didn’t meet Hayden’s eyes. “Of course. Come on in, I’ve just made tea.”

Ignoring Luke’s pleading eyes, he took his son’s hand. “I have to get back,” he said, without looking at Laura or his mom again.

Even before he’d started the truck, the front door was closed. Irritated, he reversed the truck.

“You like Miss Anderson,” Luke said.

“She’s nice.”

“She likes you too.”

“How do you know?”

Luke gave him a look, one he’d seen before in his sister’s and brother’s eyes. He just knew.

Frowning, Hayden stepped on the gas. He hadn’t picked up before today that Luke seemed to have Willow’s and Cooper’s ability to see beyond the ordinary. For the past two years, he’d just concentrated on putting one foot before the other and dealing with his grief.

He wasn’t as freaked out by Willow’s ability as he used to be when they were kids. Although, to be honest, he was still uncomfortable talking about it. He’d long ago realized to trust his sister’s gut, though, since she was always right. And Cooper had this thing with animals. Horses, cattle, dogs, cats, even wild animals all had a special bond with his youngest brother. Cooper also knew things. He just wasn’t as vocal about it as their sister.

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