Page 20 of Pretend To Be My Cowboy
“His youngest,” she added.
Youngest of seven. The thought was still jarring. He hadn’t known Frank well—he wasn’t sure anyone in Aspire ever had—but the fact that he had so many children was even a shock to him.
“I didn’t know about the others,” he said.
She nodded, her composure coming back as she murmured, “Tell me about April.”
“To be honest, I don’t know much. She was a lot younger than me, so we didn’t hang out in the same circles. I think my cousin, Boone, went to school with her for a while.”
Emma nodded, threading her fingers together and squeezing until her knuckles turned white.
“Frank and his family liked to keep to themselves. They didn’t join many town functions and I don’t know if I ever saw them at a festival. In saying that, I think April used to come with her friends sometimes. I’d occasionally see her out riding. You know, just in the distance. But on the whole, they were a very private family. And then they moved to Bozeman when Loretta got sick. I never saw April again.”
Emma was quiet for a long moment when he was done. It wasn’t until he parked in front of the house that she spoke. “So she lost both of her parents in three years.”
He looked over to find her lower lip quivering.
“Poor thing.” Her voice came out low and unstable.
His heart just about burst. Here she’d just been dealt the shock of a lifetime and she was crying over someone else’s loss.
He got out and went around to her side to help her down. She was quiet. Too quiet.
He might have only known her for half a day but he could sense the small, tight smile she was attempting was for his benefit…
“You’ve had quite a day,” he said as they walked inside. “Do you want to draw a bath, or maybe watch some TV—”
“I’m actually really tired,” she said. “I should probably just lie down for a while. And then I need to talk to my sister.” Her voice trailed off and she shot him a vulnerable frown. “My sister Lizzy. I guess I have to clarify that now.”
He attempted a gentle smile, wishing it was enough to make her feel better, but he doubted it. “Let me know if I can get you anything.”
“Thanks, Nash.” She started to walk toward her room, but stopped and turned back. “I’m sorry I raised my voice back there. I don’t normally get worked up and I definitely didn’t mean to lay it all on you like that.”
“It’s fine,” he said.
Truthfully, he felt honored that she’d opened up to him. But he couldn’t exactly tell her that, mainly because it didn’t make any sense.
He didn’t do drama. He wasn’t supposed to be invested in this woman or her life.
All that mattered was the fate of the ranch...right?
“Get some rest,” he said, his voice far more gruff than he’d intended.
She nodded and flashed him one last smile that he knew he’d be replaying for the rest of the day. So much for a good night’s sleep and logical perspective. He doubted either were on the near horizon.
With a deep breath he headed for the door. What he needed now was to get to work. Get his hands dirty, work up a sweat, and then lose himself to some beers and a game of pool with his buddies.
That was normal. And what he needed right now was normal.
But will normal ever be possible with Miss Emma O’Sullivan living under the same roof?
He shook his head, feeling his resolve to get over this silly crush crumbling right in front of him.
7
Emma’s phone sat beside her on the king-sized bed in the guest room. Lizzy had gone quiet on her end, and probably for the best.
They both needed to think. To process.
