Page 56 of A Cowboy Of Her Own

She blinked tears back. “I’ll hold you to that, Roark.”

“You can hold me anytime you like,” he whispered, wrapping his arms around her tighter. She knew right then that the next two weeks were going to be the longest of her life.

They fell asleep holding each other.

Chapter Twelve

At six that evening, Priscilla opened the door and as Roark watched, a beautiful older version of the woman he loved entered. She had the same copper colored hair only it was straight and cut in a short bob around her ears. The same mole sat above her upper lip. Roark could see where Priscilla had gotten her looks because her mother was beautiful too. However, he thought it strange that she also looked vaguely familiar as if he knew her, only where he knew her from, he had no idea.

She hugged her daughter then saw him and her eyebrows rose.

“RoarkOutlawCallahan,” she said as she walked to him with her hand out.

“You know who I am?”

“Of course, I do. I’m a bull-riding fan. It’s wonderful to meet you.” She turned to Priscilla. “You didn’t tell him what I said, did you?”

“Not yet.” Priscilla laughed.

“I have no problem with you telling him.” She turned back to Roark. “I’m Jackie Butler, and I told Cilla when I first saw you, I wished that I was twenty years younger. I first saw you ride in Cody, Wyoming.”

“Thank you. Nice to meet you too, Mrs. Butler.” Roark laughed.

“Jackie, please. Congratulations on your win in Butte.”

Roark grinned. “Thanks.”

“Let’s sit down and eat then we can all talk,” Priscilla said.

They walked to the dining room and Roark held the chair for Jackie while Priscilla went to thekitchen to get the lasagna and garlic bread.

“Do you need help?” he called out.

“No thanks. I got it. Please sit down.”

Roark didn’t sit. He stood beside the table and waited for her to come back in.

Jackie smiled up at him. “I’m really wondering why you’re here.”

Roark chuckled. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

“You shouldn’t tease like that, Roark.”

“What are you teasing Mom about?” Priscilla asked as she entered the room carrying a hot dish of lasagna then returned to the kitchen and brought back a plate with garlic bread on it. Steam rose from the dish and Roark’s stomach growled.

“I asked him why he was here and he said I’d find out soon enough.”

Roark watched a blush stain Priscilla’s cheeks. He held the chair for her then took his seat across from her mother. Priscilla cut the lasagna and handed them each a slice then held the plate out with the garlic bread on it. Roark waited until they both took theirs then he got his. He lifted his fork and took a bite then groaned as the flavors hit his tongue.

“This is great,” he said after he swallowed.

“Thank you. Icancook,” she said, shrugging.

“But yet, you let me do all the cooking,” he said, narrowing his eyes at her.

Priscilla laughed. “Yep.”

“Someone want to tell me what’s going on here?”

---