Page 63 of A Family With the Cowboy

“My mother. She bought it last Saturday while you were having lunch.”

“I can pay for—”

He quickly put a finger on her lips. “I know, but let me do this for you, please?”

Slipping her fingers in his hair, she pulled his head down for a slow kiss. They were both breathless when she moved her head back. “So tell me about this wedding.”

“Everyone pitched in. Willow, all your friends, my family, neighbors, just about everyone in town.”

“We’re getting married tomorrow?”

“Yes, please?”

“What can I do?”

“Show up.”

“I can’t wait.”

Of course, he had to kiss her again. “I can’t take you away for a honeymoon at the moment, but—”

It was her turn to put a finger on his lips. “I just want to be with you.”

Grinning, he pulled her closer. “It seems I was right all along.”

“About what?”

“Turns out, you’re not so averse to sweaty cowboys as you once thought.”

“I’ve discovered I love it. Kiss me, cowboy,” she demanded before she pulled his head down.

His heart finally settled. She was here, with him. The rest they’d sort out along the way. Together.

Chapter Twenty-One

Groggily, Laura openedher eyes. There were strange sounds coming from the direction of the kitchen. She quickly sat up. It took a few moments before the events of the previous night came flooding back. Rose had to be up. Molly was nowhere to be seen; she was probably also in the kitchen. Grabbing a top, she headed out of her room.

The woman who’d arrived at Ellie’s Yarn Cove last night—wet, shivering, and crying—was named Rose Dalton. That was all they’d gotten out of her last night. They’d brought her back to Laura’s home. It was probably crazy to open your house to a stranger, but there had been something so vulnerable in the poor woman’s eyes, she didn’t have the heart to leave her alone at a hotel or any other place.

Rose was standing in front of the window, a mug of coffee in her hand. She looked like a completely different woman from the one they’d seen last night, though. For one, she was dry, a cascade of red hair hanging down her back. She was wearing the track suit Laura had lent her the previous night. Molly was sitting at her feet. When the dog saw Laura, she got up and, tail wagging, ran over to her.

Bending down, she scratched Molly’s ears. Rose still hadn’t heard her. “Good morning, Rose,” Laura said softly.

Rose turned around.

“Your hair…”

Grimacing, Rose touched her red tresses. “Red hair and freckles, I know.”

“I was going to say you’re gorgeous. Your hair was so wet last night, I didn’t see the color. I’m so sorry we had to leave you alone last night, but…” Laura lifted her hand. “I got engaged a while back, but we’ve been so busy, there hadn’t been time to talk about the wedding. Turns out, my fiancé organized everything. We’re getting married today!”

Rose blinked. “Wow. That’s—”

“Crazy? Different?” Laura laughed. “So is this town.” Watching Rose, she poured herself a mug of coffee as well. “Where are you heading?”

Rose turned back from the window and sat down at the table. “I don’t really know. I just…I had to get away. I got in my car and put my foot on the gas. Somewhere along the highway, I saw the words, ‘Montana’ and ‘Yellowstone River.’ I’ve just watched a series set here, so I kept going. My car…I nearly ended up in a ditch last night, some crazy cowboy yelled at me…I think something is wrong with the tires—” Clearly overwhelmed, she wiped her eyes. “I’ve been so stupid.”

Laura pulled out a chair and sat next to Rose. “You know what I’ve discovered in Marietta? Oh, the gossip mill is astounding, but people also care for each other around here. We noticed you had a flat tire. Someone is picking up your car this morning and you’ll have it back later today. I’m just amazed that you were able to drive into town with a flat tire.”

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