Page 18 of A Family With the Cowboy

Laura shook her head. “Apart from talking about Luke, there’s no reason to.”

“But what about the kiss?”

“You shouldn’t believe everything you hear,” Laura said, not meeting Arlene’s eyes. At that moment her phone beeped. Glancing at it, she saw it was a text from Ellie. She wouldn’t usually look at texts while talking to people, but she urgently needed to change the current topic of conversation.

Picking up her phone, she read the text and, thank goodness, without realizing it, Ellie had come to her rescue. “Oh great.” She smiled, “I’ve wanted to ask you—do you knit or crochet, and do you like books?”

Arlene blinked. “Yes, to all three, but…”

Putting down her phone, Laura leaned back in her chair. For the moment, she wouldn’t have to talk about kissing Hayden. “A new yarn shop has just opened in town. Did you know? I’ve met the owner, Ellie Campbell. We’ve just clicked. She’s one of those people you can’t help but like. We’ve talked about starting a book club in her shop where we’ll knit or crochet and talk about books. That text was from her—the first meeting of the book club is Tuesday at six. You’re welcome to join us, if you’re interested?”

“That sounds wonderful. Since I moved to town, I have more time on my hands. Have you decided which book you want to discuss?”

For the next half hour, they talked books and knitting. When Arlene got up to leave, Laura escorted her to the front door. She was just about to close the door behind Arlene when the older woman turned around. “Come for lunch tomorrow? I’m making my famous chicken.”

Laura hesitated. Would the rest of the family be there? “I…um…”.

Arlene’s eyes were twinkling. “I promise not to talk about Hayden kissing you. See you at twelve!”

Laura closed the front door. She should’ve said no. Arlene was the mother of the guy who had kissed her senseless, and the older woman was bent on getting answers one way or the other.

Books, she remembered, relieved, seconds later. They’d talk about books. She’d managed to sidetrack Arlene once; she could do it again.

Chapter Seven

It was justbefore one on Sunday when Hayden stopped in front of his mom’s house. His siblings had arrived before him in Cooper’s truck and were already walking toward the front door.

As he got out of his truck, he glanced toward Laura’s house. He needed to talk to her, apologize again, and make sure she knew the kiss hadn’t meant anything.

Yeah, right. If it hadn’t meant anything, why was the lingering warmth of the vibrant floral scent surrounding her still with him? Why couldn’t he stop thinking about the softness of her mouth, the silkiness of her skin, the way her hair fell straight down to her shoulders…?

“Hayden?” Willow called out. “I have an idea in the next few minutes you’re going to be pleasantly surprised, whether you want to or not. Come on.”

Muttering under his breath, Hayden moved toward them. Luke had already joined his aunt and uncles on the porch of his mom’s house while he was still staring at Laura’s house.

Willow had an uncanny way of just knowing what was going to happen, but it was Sunday lunch at his mom’s. His mom was a great cook, so there would be no surprise there.

The front door opened, his mom appeared, and she opened her arms when Luke rushed forward. “Do I have a surprise for you, young man!” she said hugging him.

“What?” Luke asked.

“Not what, who?” His mom smiled, motioning for them to enter.

Hayden frowned. What was his mother talking about?

“This is going to be an interesting lunch.” Willow chuckled as she followed their mother into the house.

“Come on. We’re still pottering around in the kitchen. Hayden, will you open a bottle of wine for us? I like a sauvignon blanc with chicken, but open whatever else you guys like. There is also beer in the fridge, Cooper. And then you can tell me all about misbehaving in the Graff Hotel, Becket.”

“What have you heard?” Becket asked, shaking his head.

His mother turned and looked straight at Hayden. “Oh, everything.”

“She knows about the kiss too,” Willow whispered loudly to Hayden behind her hand.

“What kiss?” Luke asked as they all entered the kitchen.

“The one your dad gave—”

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