Page 16 of A Family With the Cowboy

He hadn’t had sex in a long time, and it was probably his body’s way of reminding him of his needs. Besides, he probably was a decade older than she was.

Muttering at his own foolishness, he walked into the kitchen, where the rest of the family was having breakfast. Becket’s dogs—Harper, a Labrador, and Jack and Sadie, two Golden Retrievers—got up and greeted Hayden as he entered.

“…and Miss Anderson says it’s okay,” Luke was saying, smiling, his eyes sparkling.

Willow laughed. “You like your new teacher, don’t you?”

“Yes, she’s very nice. And I like the books she reads to us.” He looked down. “I’m not so sad all the time anymore.”

Everyone around the table fell silent. Willow looked at him, widening her eyes. He should say something.

Dropping a hand on Luke’s shoulder, Hayden cleared his throat. “Good to hear that, buddy.” He sat down next to his son.

“Miss Anderson says Mom will always be in my heart. I like that.” He looked at Hayden. “Can I read after my chores?” he asked.

“May I?” Willow corrected with a smile.

“May I, Dad?”

“I don’t have a problem with you reading. But—”

“—chores come first.” Luke nodded. “Miss Anderson says so too.”

Hayden swallowed a groan. How the hell was he supposed to forget about the damn kiss if his son kept talking about Laura? “Don’t you want to invite friends over, though?” he asked.

“Nah, I’d rather read. Miss Anderson says she also likes reading better than people.” Hopping off his chair, he ran out of the kitchen, Jessie, as always, on his heels.

Willow laughed. “Well, rumor has it Miss Anderson seems to be keeping the Weston boys on their toes.” She looked at the three of them. “Care to tell me what happened last night? I thought Becket was taking Laura for dinner. But from what I’ve heard, Becket had to stop Susanne from scratching out Laura’s eyes. Then Hayden and Coop ended up at Laura’s table. And, Hayden, there are unconfirmed rumors that you stopped Aiden’s car in the middle of the street, grabbed Laura right out of it and took her home. Where you apparently—and there are numerous versions of this going around town—kissed her.”

Cooper looked at his watch. “It’s eight o’clock on a Saturday morning—where on earth have you heard all of that?”

Hayden was very much aware of Willow watching him, but he kept his eyes focused on his own plate. Ever since she was little, their sister had had the ability to read their minds. It used to freak them all out when they were younger. Still did, if he was honest. Especially in this particular moment, he’d rather not have anyone else know what was going on his mind.

“Well, as it turns out,” Willow continued, “Betty from the police dispatch was having dinner in the Graff, and apparently, Carol Bingley was driving down Collier Road around the time Hayden stopped Aiden’s car.”

“I didn’t stop his car,” Hayden said. “Aiden and Vivian dropped Laura off. I went to Laura’s house to make sure she was fine. It was all Becket’s idea, by the way, not mine.”

“And the rumor about the kiss?”

Hayden kept eating, studiously avoiding looking at his sister. “People should mind their own damn business.”

Laughing, Becket slapped Hayden on the back. “It’s about time you make the town gossip again, bro. I took Laura to dinner, Sis. We were having a very nice time talking about grazing…”

“Oh, really? Grazing?” Willow snickered.

“Really. She told me not to waste my baby blues on her.” Becket grinned.

“Smart girl.” Willow nodded.

“Anyway,” Becket continued. “Susanne arrived at the restaurant…”

Hayden tuned out his brother’s voice and tried to eat. He was tired and angry and wanted to punch something. Without really tasting anything, he finished eating.

“Before you all leave”—Willow stopped him from getting up—“remember the Winter Ball next Saturday night. We’ve bought a table for eight people. I’m taking Mom as my date, so you boys need to get someone to go with you. And Becket, please make sure no previous girlfriends will rock up and ruin another night, will you?”

“I’m taking Luke,” Hayden said quickly.

Willow laughed. “It’s going to be interesting watching you trying to ignore Luke’s beautiful teacher. You have a thing for her. I saw it on Tuesday night at Mother’s already.”

---