Page 46 of What the Cowboy Wants
Hayden kissed their mom and left.
“Don’t you have somewhere else to be?”his mom asked.“What about Rose?”
“Why don’t you close your eyes and see if you can fall asleep.”He dragged a chair closer.“I’m where I want to be right now.Nothing is more important than you, Mom.”
“You’ll think about what I’ve said?”
“I’ll think about what you’ve said.”
Finally, she closed her eyes.
Do you want to wake up next to her for the rest of your life or do you want to spend your future wishing she was next you?His mom’s words replayed in his mind.
There wasn’t really anything to think about.Of course he wanted to, but the reasons he’d mentioned to his mom were still there.
As he watched his mother, his heart settled.Although he knew she’d be fine, he had a fright when he’d realized she was unwell.She was always on the go, always there, he couldn’t think about not having her around.
What he also didn’t want to think about was losing Rose.
*
After Willow haddropped her off at home, Rose put on a pair of tracksuit pants and a loose top and got into bed with a book.She wasn’t going to sleep, not after everything that had happened tonight.
Minutes later, she dropped the book and closed her eyes.She wasn’t sure what Cooper meant when he’d said he wasn’t sure how long he’d be, but whether he was coming tonight or whether she’d see him tomorrow, it didn’t matter, she was excited and scared and happy andwhaaa!Pulling the blankets over her head, she chuckled.Giddy like a schoolgirl, that was what she was.
Her phone rang.It was her mother.She quickly answered.“Mom, it’s so nice to hear from you.”
“Hi, sweetie, I’m about to book our tickets to come and visit you.When will be good time?”
“Any time, really.I’ve started my interior design business again, and I’m taking new clients, but I work from home so I’m here.I’m so glad you’re coming, I have so much to tell you, to apologize for, to…”
“Nothing to apologize for, Rose.We’re so proud of you for the way you took your life back—that’s quite the achievement.I can’t wait to see you again.And I want to talk.I’d like to know what or who has put the laugh back in your voice.”
Rose inhaled shakily.“Mom… how did you know Dad was the one for you?”
Her mother inhaled sharply.“So, you’re in love?Will we meet him?”
Rose laughed.Her mother had always been quick on the uptake.“I don’t know, Mom, we haven’t really talked.He’s… different.”
“Sweetie, if he makes your heart sing, different doesn’t matter.That was when I knew.Your dad wasn’t like most of the smooth-talking, suit-wearing, sleek men I knew back then, but his eyes lit up every time he looked at me.That was how I knew.I can’t wait to see you again and meet your guy!”
They talked for another few minutes before they said goodbye.Her mom would let her know when they’d arrive.
Rose shook her head.She still felt so guilty about the way she’d treated her parents who had always loved and accepted her for who she was even when she’d been desperately trying to impress other people who didn’t know her, who didn’t care about her.
His eyes lit up every time he looked at me.Her mother’s words replayed in her mind.Up until now, Cooper’s eyes had either been angry or wary when he looked at her, but there had been a different light in his eyes earlier in the hospital when he looked at her.
Putting hand on her tummy where a host of butterflies were quivering, she inhaled deeply.She shouldn’t read too much into what had happened tonight.They were all very emotional and upset.
Maybe Cooper would visit her, maybe not.She’d have to wait.And she’d be watching his eyes.
Maybe she should start the Aran sweater.Trying to figure out the intricate stitches would hopefully keep her mind from straying to Cooper.Before she started, she studied at the different stitches and looked up their meaning.
Deep in thought, trying to figure out which of these she could use, she cast on enough stiches for the back and knitted the ribbing.And then it was so easy to know exactly which stitch she wanted to use.The zigzag stich was based on the designs of the coastal paths which led to the sea and represented the ups and downs of married life.
She would never be married to Cooper, she knew that, but a girl could dream, couldn’t she?
Chapter Fourteen
