Page 42 of A Family With the Cowboy

“Tanner is making extra cabinets for the kitchen—” Laura began.

“And taking her to Rocco’s on Friday evening,” Arlene interrupted her.

“So what about you, Ellie?” asked Annie. “You’re so beautiful. I can’t believe you’re still single.”

Ellie avoided their eyes as she always did when anyone asked her about dating or relationships. “Let’s just say my experience with the opposite gender has been…really bad. It’s not something I’ll ever try again. I’m very happy all on my own. What I do need, though, are a few cats.”

“I’m positive Cooper can help you,” Willow said. “If I’m not mistaken, two stray ones have found their way to him during the past week.”

“Will you ask him, please?” Ellie said.

Surprised, Laura caught Willow’s eye. The cool and collected Ellie she’d come to know became agitated the moment she spoke about men.

Everybody had a story, a past hurt they were carrying around. She hoped at some point she’d be able to help Ellie with whatever hers was.

Chapter Fifteen

By the timeTim Higgins and Sheryl, his wife, drove away from the Weston ranch in their truck late Friday morning, Hayden felt drained. He hated any kind of confrontation.

Despite Higgins’s objections, Hayden had insisted, though, that he and his family met with both Tim and his wife. It was time to get to the bottom of Tim’s troubles and find a way to help their neighbor get his life back on track.

Becket hadn’t been impressed, but both Willow and Cooper had agreed with Hayden’s idea.

An angry and defiant Tim had arrived earlier this morning with his wife. He’d made it abundantly clear he’d only agreed to the meeting to please his wife. He had apologized for hurting Jessie, even though it was only after a nudge from his wife.

With photos Becket had taken using a drone over the last six months, they were able to show Tim their cattle had never been near his land. What the photos also showed clearly was how poorly Higgins Valley looked in comparison with the Weston Ranch and the other surrounding ranches.

They’d explained the concept of high-density grazing again, and Tim’s wife seemed to understand what it was all about. Tim was still frowning when they left, but he had agreed to let them demonstrate again what they were doing as soon as summer arrived. They’d also offered to share some of their surplus hay with Higgins for the remainder of the winter.

Luke and Jessie came running out of the barn as Tim drove away. Hayden’s heart just about jumped out of his body, and he was moving even before Luke skidded to a halt and bent to pick up Jessie. The truck stopped, and both Tim and his wife got out.

“Look, I’m…sorry about…about…” Tim was stuttering.

“The dog,” his wife prompted.

“The dog,” Tim repeated.

“And that you were frightened,” Sheryl said.

“I’m sorry,” Tim said.

Hayden put his hand on Luke’s shoulder. “Thank you,” he said.

“You really hurt Jessie,” Luke said.

“I was angry. Sorry.”

“It’s okay, Mr. Higgins. Cooper and the vet helped Jessie, and Dad took me to Doctor Vivian.”

Tim’s wife looked at Hayden. “Please send us the bills.”

“It’s fine,” he smiled. “We’ll hopefully get the hay to you by Monday.”

Sheryl’s eyes were bright with tears. “You’re a good man, Hayden Weston. Your daddy would’ve been proud of you.”

Luke waited until the truck had driven away before he put Jessie down. “Come on, Jessie. I’m hungry.” Barking, Jessie followed him as they ran toward the house.

The vet had agreed Jessie was fine. How much it had to do with what the vet had given her or whether it had been Cooper’s hands on the dog, he’d probably never know. He’d seen his brother with animals enough times to know he was the main reason Jessie was running around, keeping Luke happy. What exactly it was that his brother did, he didn’t know, and he didn’t ask.

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