Page 79 of The Cowboy's Surprise Return

Be miserable alongside Jackie? He’d overheard Laura telling Levi in the kitchen that she was unhappy and had looked glum. But what had stung even more was that Jackie hadn’t told Cole she was coming to town. He’d thought they’d at least stay friends.

Maybe he shouldn’t show up on her doorstep.

Cole realized Levi was talking to him. “What?”

“You’ve got it bad, don’t you?” His brother shook his head, pushed his hat back and rubbed his forehead. “Laura was right.” He let out a small sound of disbelief, then grinned. “Who would have thought?”

Cole didn’t speak, just watched him, waiting for clues.

“You love her.”

“No! Laura’syourgirl.”

“I meant Jackie,” Levi said patiently. “I’ve never seen you like this. Not even with April.” He was shaking his head again. “Boy, I sure was wrong, wasn’t I?”

Cole frowned, hoping he would explain.

Levi didn’t.

“Yup, Jackie’s the gal for you.” He picked up the tools and began walking away.

“We’re not finishing the pen?” One side was still slack, pushed down by gravity, age, tall grass and likely a large sheep or two.

“Later. You’ve got a woman to win back.”

“There’s no winning back,” Cole said, his chest aching as he looked up into the blue sky above.

“Why not?”

“We didn’t end like that. She needs to be in the city and I need… to be here,” he said softly.

“You really are stupid.”

“Excuse me?” Cole was instantly on the defensive, ready to fight. He and Levi had gotten into scuffles as teens, and he wouldn’t mind one now. Anything would be a welcome distraction from the pain in his heart.

“She doesn’t belong there.”

“I didn’t say she did,” Cole retorted. This was like talking to Brant all over again.

“You need to go get her.”

“She needs to be with her dad.”

“Speaking of dads, ours seems to be looking for you.”

Cole stilled, scanning the yard for their father. Levi pointed toward the stable. Roy was shifting from foot to foot, hands deep in his pockets.

“See what he wants, then come find me. I think I might know about something you don’t.” He grinned. “Or else it’ll just prove to me you’re even dumber than I thought.”

“Levi…” Cole warned, hands on his hips. He really didn’t have patience for any teasing right now. If Levi had a way for him to be with the woman who had captured his heart, he wanted to hear it immediately.

* * *

Instead of pummeling his brother for information, Cole forced himself to walk over to their dad, willing himself to be patient.

At the moment it didn’t matter that Jackie hadn’t asked him to join her in San Antonio. She hadn’t asked anything of anyone.

He could see his mistakes more clearly now. He should have pushed himself upon her, told her he loved her. He should have stopped trying to be the man he thought everyone wanted him to be, and done what had felt right in his heart. He should have made demands, and acted like the man Jackie had been chasing since elementary school.

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