Page 60 of What the Cowboy Wants
“No, we are not going to bother you.Tell you what,” Rose said.“I’ll come and fetch it and you and Mom and I will make tea.”Excited, she turned toward her friends.“Will you guys be able to join us?”
“You let us know when, and we’ll be there,” Ellie smiled.“While the men are away, tell us exactly how Cooper asked you to marry him.Don’t leave anything out.”
Grinning, Rose inhaled deeply.“It was perfect.”As she told them what had happened, her heart settled into place.
When she’d arrived in Marietta four months ago, these women were the people who’d picked her up, made sure she was okay, and kept showing up.Sharing her happiness with them, was completing the circle.
*
Cooper found Rose’sdad outside on a bench.Prince had his head on the older man’s knee, Charlie was sitting beside him and Lady was lying next to Prince.Ebony had also joined the party and was keeping a close eye on everything.
Without saying anything, Cooper joined him on the bench.For long minutes neither of them spoke.
“She’s my only daughter,” Rose’s dad finally said.“That Duncan guy she used be with was just using her.”
“I’m not Duncan.”
“I can see that.It’s just, we’ve hardly seen her over the past year and now when we finally have her back…” he sighed.
“I love her, Mr.Dalton.I’ll probably mess up at times, but I can promise you I’ll always be there for her.”
“We can vouch for that, Mr.Dalton,” Becket said as he and Hayden joined them.Aiden, Craig, and Mitch were also approaching.
“We’re going to check on the calves,” Hayden said.“Care to join us?We won’t be long.”
“Yes, thank you.And the name is Miles.”
Relieved, Cooper followed Rose’s dad to Hayden’s truck.As usual, his brothers and friends had his back.
*
It was lateon Sunday by the time Rose closed her bedroom door.She was tired and restless.It had been a lovely day but last night she and Cooper had hardly slept and today had been overwhelming to say the least.
She was so happy her parents were here and staying with her, but she really needed to be with Cooper tonight.He’d thought it would be better to give her mom and dad time to get used to him before he slept here.At the time she’d agreed but now she just wanted to be with him.
They still had so much to talk about.She’d bought this house, what do they do with it?Ellie kept the house she’d bought in town.Maybe it was good idea to have a place in Marietta for when they have kids one day…
And suddenly, she could see them so clearly—little boys with their daddy’s blue eyes.She jumped up.Oh, my goodness, she needed to sleep, she was seeing things.On her way to the bathroom, a sound from her bedroom window caught her attention.
What on earth?She pulled the curtains away and nearly jumped out of her skin.Cooper was standing right outside her window.Grinning, she opened the window.“Lost, cowboy?”
“I was,” he smiled as he climbed into her room.Pulling her closer, he combed back her hair.“But now I’ve found what I’m looking for.”
“I’ve missed you too.I’m on my way to have a shower.”
His smile had her knees buckling.“Great, we can save water.”
A few minutes later, her fiancé pulled her close under the falling water.“Your dad okay with us getting married, do you think?”
“Oh, yes.He couldn’t stop talking about the ranch and the cattle and what you guys are doing.Thank you for showing him around.And I think he’s fallen in love with Scarlett.”
“I was thinking,” he said as he picked up the soap.“It is of course your house and your decision but what if they move to Marietta and live in your house.Or if they don’t want to relocate, they can use this place when they come and visit.”
With a sigh, she slipped her arms around him.“I love not having to explain everything I’m thinking.You already know.”
Pulling her close to him so that she could feel how much he wanted her, he whispered in her ear.“Any idea what I want at the moment?”
Grinning, she slipped her hand down his body.“That’s an easy one.”
