Page 8 of What the Cowboy Wants
Silently, she rinsed her hands before she assembled everything he’d left for a salad.“It was more than a scratch,” she said after a while.
“You ready to eat?”he asked, completely ignoring her question.
*
When they satdown to eat, it was dark outside.The dogs and Ebony had been fed and were snoozing on the couches.
While they ate, Cooper kept a steady conversation going about the ranch and the animals, hoping Rose would relax and forget about what was bothering her, forget about her injury but even from across the table he noticed the stiffness in her shoulders.
The moment they’d finished, though, she jumped up.She hadn’t relaxed.“I’ll wash up the dishes, but then I really want to get home.I can phone Annie, Vivian or Riley to…”
Cooper was up and had his keys in his hands before she’d finished speaking.“Leave everything, let’s go.”
She picked up her plate, a stubborn look in her eyes.“You cooked, I’ll wash up.”
Strangely frustrated with the whole situation, he walked toward her and took the plate from her hands.“Look, all I can think about… all I’ve been able to think about from the moment I first laid eyes on you, is kissing you.If that’s not what you want, I suggest we leave.Right now.”
Her soft gasp hung between them.Warily she stared at him, chewing her lip.He’d seen her do it before and it drove him insane.
“Damn Red, you’re killing me,” he got out before he turned on his heel.They had to get out of here and quickly.“You guys stay, I won’t be long,” he told his dogs.Ebony was probably out hunting.“Come on, Molly, you’re going back with Rose.”
Molly whimpered softly, but jumped up and when he opened the door, she ran toward his truck.
Rose was inside the truck before he could open the door for her.Molly snuggled closer and Rose put her on her lap, stroking her head.
Rose was silent and only as they approached Marietta did she clear her throat.“Thank you.I’ll organize someone to pick up my car…”
“Already done.”
“That wasn’t necessary,” she said crossly.“It’s my problem, I’ll fix it.”
Without really thinking about what he was doing, he picked up her hand.“By now you should know people in and around Marietta help one another.It’s no big deal.You’ll have your car tomorrow.”
It was quiet for a few moments.“Thank you.”Grudgingly.
He smiled and changed the topic.“Willow has mentioned that you’re planning on staying in Marietta?”Gently, he rubbed his thumb over her hand.
“For a while at least.Laura is willing to sell her house to me.There are things I need to do before that can happen, and I have been thinking what I want to do next.I’m happy to help Ellie in her yarn shop on the days she can’t be there until things are clearer.I’ve even taught myself to knit and crochet, not things I’ve even thought of doing before.”
“May I ask what you’ve done before?If you don’t want to talk about it, it’s fine.”
She sighed.“It’s probably time to tell my friends about the reason I ended up in Marietta.Maybe next Tuesday when we have book club.But before… before the mess I’ve created, I was an interior designer.I loved my job, I’m still not quite sure at what point I stopped doing that.Anyway, I’ve been thinking I want to get back in the business.When Ellie moved into her house in town, I was happy to help her decide where to put what furniture.She liked what I’ve done and has been kind enough to tell people about it.So did your mom and sister.Also, the O’Sullivans and Millers have spread the word.Since then, I’ve had a few more requests to help people decorate their houses.Word of mouth has always been the best way to advertise.”
He turned his truck into the street where she lived.“Isn’t this the kind of thing you can put on social media?”Parking the car in her driveway, he turned to look at her.
“No!”she called out emphatically.“Never again,” she said much softer.“Thank you for coming to my rescue, yet again, for dinner and for driving me back all the way into town.”For the first time, she seemed to notice her hand was still in his.Inhaling sharply, she pulled it free and with Molly in her arms, opened the door.
His hand felt strangely empty.Rubbing it against his chest, he got out as well and followed her to the front door.The house next door belonged to his mother.She was watching them; he knew without turning his head.Before he was back on the ranch, she would phone.
“Thank you,” she said as she unlocked the door.
Molly whimpered and he crouched down to stroke her.“Okay,” Cooper said.“I’ll talk to her.”
“What are you talking about?”Rose asked.
“I’m not quite sure how to put this but Molly misses Laura.”
“Oh!”Rose exclaimed, clearly upset.“Of course.Please take her with you.I’ll apologize to Laura.I’m so sorry…”
