Page 19 of A Family With the Cowboy

“Mom!” Hayden cut her short.

Her eyes brimming with mirth, she winked at him. “He’s going to hear about it eventually. You may as well tell him. Say hello to Laura!”

He looked up and there she was—looking so beautiful, his chest hurt. In a blue top the color of fields of lavender, a pair of jeans hugging her slender body in all the right places, she took his breath away.

Flustered, she put down the plates she’d been carrying. “Oh, Arlene, you should’ve told me it’s a family lunch…” she said, avoiding his eyes.

“Miss Anderson!” Luke cried out, obviously happy to see his teacher. He rushed forward and hugged her legs.

Smiling, Laura crouched down in front of him. “It’s so nice to see you,” she said, combing his hair from his face.

Hayden’s heart tightened at the sight of his son with his teacher. Luke was grinning from ear to ear, clearly happy just to be near her.

As Laura got up, Willow took her arm. “You’re mom’s neighbor and friend. That makes you also family. On Sundays we eat in the dining room. Come and sit with me while the boys get us wine. Tell me about the knitting-crochet-book club idea my mother can’t stop talking about.” And with a wink in Hayden’s direction, Willow steered Laura out of the kitchen.

*

With her headreeling, Laura tried her best to focus on what Willow was saying, but she only managed to catch a word here and there. Although she hadn’t been ready to see Hayden again, her body was very happy. The butterflies in her tummy were going berserk, her hands were clammy, her heart was doing joyous cartwheels, her breasts…oh, my goodness, her breasts were tingling in anticipation.

How was she going to survive the lunch if the mere sight of him rendered her just about speechless?

“You feel something for him?” Willow’s soft words penetrated her wild thoughts.

Fortunately, at that point, the others returned. Quickly, she jumped up. “I should help Arlene…”

“Everything is here,” Arlene called out.

Luke grabbed her hand. “Grandma says I can sit next to you!” He grinned as he led her to the table.

Focusing on Luke, she only realized Hayden was sitting on her other side once she’d sat down. He was so close she could feel the heat radiating from his body. She inhaled shakily. Big mistake. Tones of his musky, earthy scent filled her lungs. Help.

“What can I get you, Laura?” Cooper asked. “Sauvignon blanc or a merlot? Both wines are from wineries in West Montana. You may know them?” he asked as he held one of the bottles for her to look at.

Unable to focus on anything, she smiled and nodded. “Anything, thanks.”

“Give her some of the sauvignon blanc, Coop.” Arlene smiled. “I think you’ll like it, Laura. So, how are you settling in?”

“It will take a while, but I love the house.”

“I’ve heard Lydia Gearing wants to sell, so I hope it doesn’t happen too quickly,” Arlene smiled.

“Well…” Laura hesitated. She wasn’t used to discussing her business with people she hardly knew, but as she’d discovered yesterday, everyone did indeed know everything in this small town. “I’ve put in an offer to buy the house. I’m hoping to hear by Monday.”

“What splendid news!” Arlene smiled. “I’m so happy for you. You’re going to love living here. There is always something going on. Next weekend, for instance, is the Winter Ball…”

“You remember you’re my date, Mom?” Willow said.

“Yes, thanks, Willow, but won’t you rather—?”

“No, Mom,” she interrupted quickly. “I won’t.”

“What about you boys?” she asked her sons.

“Luke is my date,” Hayden said.

“I’m going on my own,” Becket grinned.

“I was wondering if you’d like to go with me, Laura?” Cooper asked.

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