Page 9 of A Family With the Cowboy

“I’m so sorry,” Laura said, her eyes bright. “That must have been hard for all of you.”

For a few minutes it was silent around the table.

Laura cleared her throat, trying to think of something to say to change the atmosphere. “Five generations of Westons. How extraordinary. I’ve read quite a bit about Marietta’s earlier years, but would love to know more about the history of the surrounding ranches as well.”

“If you let me take you to dinner, we can talk history.” Becket’s grin was back.

Laura chuckled. “What did your mom call you? A notorious womanizer? I can see why. But seeing that I’m forewarned, I should be safe. Dinner sounds nice, thanks.”

Before Hayden’s stunned eyes, his brother exchanged telephone numbers with his son’s gorgeous teacher.

Laura leaned forward. “Cooper, what is your role on the ranch?”

Becket smiled and slapped Cooper on the back. “Coop is our horse whisperer. As if he doesn’t have enough to do, he also works with abused horses on the ranch, and all stray animals seem to find their way to him.”

“Sounds wonderful.” Laura sighed. “I had a dog as a little girl and would love to get one again. We should talk. So, what else do you do?”

“Hayden here is actually the mastermind behind the way we do things on the ranch. You should talk to him,” Willow said.

Blue eyes turned in his direction.

Hayden was happy to see Luke had finished his dinner, but he wasn’t sure how to feel about the fact that his son was comfortable enough to lean against Laura, his eyes drooping. She had an arm around him. It was all too much. He had to get out of here.

He put down his knife and fork. His mom was an amazing cook, but he had no idea what he’d eaten tonight or what it tasted like. He was furious. About what exactly, he wasn’t sure, but he needed to get away before he said or did something he’d regret.

Wiping his mouth with his napkin, he got up. “Thanks, Mom. I think Luke and I will be going. Laura…” He nodded in her direction. “Luke…” But Luke was now fast asleep, leaning against Laura.

“Luke, buddy,” he called out.

“He’s sleeping.” Laura glared at him. “I’ll carry him to the car.” Before Hayden could move, she was up and had Luke in her arms.

“He’s too big for you to carry. I’ll take him.” He stepped forward, but Laura was already walking toward the front door.

Muttering softly, he grabbed his car keys, his coat, and her coat before following her outside. It didn’t help his mood that his family burst out laughing the minute he’d left the kitchen.

Laura was waiting next to his truck. He put her coat around her shoulders before he bent to take Luke from her.

“I’ve got him,” she murmured, pulling Luke closer.

He opened the door of his truck so that she could set Luke into his booster seat. She stroked her fingers lightly down his son’s cheek once before she stepped back so that he could strap the boy safely in for the drive home.

The top of her T-shirt had been pushed down while she’d carried Luke and he caught a glimpse of a milky-white curve of a breast before she straightened her clothes.

“Thank you.” His throat was strangely tight.

She slipped her arms into her coat. “He’s only eight. If he falls asleep, you should carry him, not wake him up to walk on his own,” she scolded.

“Is it part of your job as a teacher to tell parents how to raise their children?” he snapped as he closed the door.

She sighed as she stepped back. “I’m not…” Her foot caught on something, and the next moment, she was falling forward.

He grabbed her and her soft, curvy body ended up plastered against him.

“I’m sorry,” she said, sounding out of breath. “I tripped.” She pushed against his chest as she steadied herself. They both froze again like they had the previous two times they’d touched.

“This is the third time you’ve put your hands on me,” he said, combing her hair out of her face. “You think you can keep doing that and I won’t respond?”

Gasping indignantly, she pulled away quickly. “Don’t be ridiculous. The previous two times, you walked into me, and just now, I stumbled—”

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