Page 64 of A Family With the Cowboy

“It was raining, so I was going slow. But to tell you the truth, I don’t know anything about cars. Well…” she sighed. “I actually don’t know anything, I’ve come to realize. It’s all such a mess—” Tears rolled down her cheeks again.

“Rose, I’m going with my gut here. We don’t know each other, but you’re obviously going through something at the moment. I have a proposition for you. As I’ve said, I’m getting married today, so I’m moving to the ranch. Well, the ‘moving’ will probably not happen today, but during the next few weeks. I haven’t yet decided what to do with this house. Why don’t you stay here until you’ve figured out what you want to do? If you need to borrow money, I’m happy to help…”

Rose shook her head. “I’ve got money, thanks. That, at least, isn’t a problem. Thanks, Laura. Maybe if I could stay for the weekend?”

“Of course. And really, there is no hurry. I teach at the local elementary school and will probably come around every afternoon to take stuff out to the ranch, but we’ll keep in touch.” Laura hesitated for a moment. She didn’t want to intrude, but this was important, so she was going to just ask. “Do you need to let your family know where you are? I’m just worried a search party is out looking for you.”

Shaking her head, Rose wiped her eyes again. “Don’t worry. Nobody will miss me.”

Laura put her mug down. Arlene was picking her up in a little while, but she felt so bad leaving Rose alone. “Why don’t you come to the wedding this afternoon? I can ask one of my future brothers-in-law if they’ll bring you back?”

Rose shook her head. “Thank you, but I’ll be okay. I’ll probably just sleep.” Molly jumped up against her legs. Bending down, Rose picked her up. “Do you think…Molly can stay with me? She was so great last night.”

Laura smiled. “Let’s ask her. Molly, what do you say?” Laura smiled.

Molly licked Rose’s face. For the first time, Rose smiled. Two dimples appeared on either side of her face.

Laura scratched Molly’s ears. “I think that was a yes. Rose, I don’t want to intrude, but do you have a bag with you? I gave you something to sleep in last night…”

Rose shook her head. “No bag. But don’t worry about me, please…oh, my car…”

“We’re about the same size, I think. Please take anything you need from my closet, okay? But now I must get ready. Are you sure you’ll be okay? I’ll pop in on Monday to get some of my things. There should be enough food in the fridge until next week.”

Rose got up with Molly in her arms. “I don’t know how to thank you. I’ll…I promise I’ll tell you what happened but—”

Laura touched her shoulder. “Whenever you’re ready.”

*

Just before thesun set, Hayden stood next to his brothers, waiting for his bride. All of them had wet hair, as they’d all just arrived in the tent. Ranch work never stopped for long, not even for a wedding.

It had been a crazy day with a thousand last-minute things that had to be done besides the normal ranch chores. Luke was also supposed to have joined them, but according to Becket, his son was with their mother.

He couldn’t wait to see Laura, to begin a life together with her. Early this morning, he’d been to Madeline’s grave. All he’d felt was peace. He’d had a good life with Maddie, even though they’d been so young when they’d gotten married. She’d given him a son, whose smile and zest for life would always remind him of her and of how happy they’d been.

It was time to leave the past behind him, though. He’d fallen in love again. This time round, love had arrived with a passion that left him breathless every time he laid eyes on Laura. He didn’t think he’d ever get enough of her.

“What’s the story about the woman who stumbled into the shop where the women were last night?” Cooper asked.

Hayden shrugged. “Nobody seems to know where she came from. She’s staying in Laura’s house for a while.”

“I wonder if it’s the same woman I found…”

A music note filled the air and Cooper fell silent. Willow and Ellie appeared at the entrance of the tent. He’d only met Ellie this morning. Apparently, she’d opened the yarn shop in town where they were having their monthly book club meetings.

“Who’s the blonde?” asked Becket.

“A friend of Laura’s,” Hayden said. “She’s the one who has opened a shop in town…”

“Why haven’t I seen her before?” Becket wanted to know.

But Hayden had stopped listening. As Ellie and Willow joined them in the front, his mother walked in, nodding and smiling at everybody before she took her seat.

When he turned his gaze back to the opening of the tent, Laura appeared, hand in hand with Luke. Tears gathered behind his eyes. This picture he’d carry with him to his grave. Luke, in a suit with a bow tie, proudly walked next to his “Mom,” as he’d been calling her all day.

Laura was a beautiful woman, but today, she looked exquisite. Her wedding dress was cut in such a way that her shoulders were bare and all he could think about was sliding his lips over the velvety texture of her skin. The delicate chain with a diamond pendant he’d left for her on their bed was around her neck. A vivid image of her wearing nothing else but that had him just about hyperventilating.

His body responded. Damn, this was going to be a long day.

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