Page 52 of What the Cowboy Wants
Rose got up.“Of course.”He took her hand.As they walked toward the floor, she looked over her shoulder.There still wasn’t any sign of Cooper.Maybe he’d decided not to come.He could be with his mother or…
“You look gorgeous,” Nash said as he spun her away before pulling her back.
Smiling, she easily followed his steps.She should be concentrating on her dance partner, not thinking about Cooper.But then… She closed her eyes and there he was again.He seemed to be stuck on her mind.
*
Worried, Cooper knockedbefore he unlocked the front door of his mother’s house.He’d hoped to be at the dance before Rose arrived, so that he could make sure she didn’t dance with anyone else, but then his mother had called to ask if he could stop by.
“Mom?Are you okay?”
She appeared in the kitchen door, smiling.“I’m fine, Coop, thanks for stopping by.”
“Shouldn’t you be in bed?How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine and I know you’re on your way to the dance and to Rose.”She grinned.“Don’t look so surprised.This is Marietta.I’ve heard your truck was parked in front of her house early this morning.”
Rubbing his face, he groaned.“Seriously, are other people’s lives that boring?Mom, you said you have a problem.”
“What I have is something for you.Come to the kitchen.”
Trying to get a read on her, he followed her.
In the kitchen, she picked up a small box and handed it to him.“Your dad gave me this when you were born.I’d like you to have it.”
He opened it.Inside was a beautiful ring with a green stone and two diamonds on either side.
“It’s an emerald and those tiny, shiny ones on either side are diamonds,” his mom said.
“You used to wear this often, if I remember correctly.Are you sure you want to give it away?”
“It’s completing the circle, sweetheart; of course, I’m sure.Your dad had always been so proud of you.He’s not with us anymore but this is a reminder of the great and generous man that he was.The first time I saw you and Rose together, I knew you were falling for her.No, I’m not fey, but I have eyes and I’m your mother,” she smiled.“You literally light up every time you see her.”
Staring at the ring, a thousand different thoughts raced through his mind.“She can do so much better than an animal-talking cowboy with a three-legged dog, a one-eyed cat, and a mutt called Charlie.”
“Why don’t you ask her?”
“I love her, Mom.”
“I know, Coop.I’m not the one you have to tell, though.”
“I know.You sure you’re feeling okay?”
“You should know, you healed me.The doctors couldn’t believe how my blood pressure has dropped.”
“Just promise me you’ll take the medication they’ve prescribed.”
“I promise.Now go and enjoy the night.”
“Night, Mom.”
“Night, Son.I want to know everything!”
Chuckling, he gave her a kiss before he left.
*
By the timethe song to which Rose and Nash Johnson were dancing, ended, Cooper’s jaw was stiff from gnashing his teeth.Pushing back his chair, he got up to wait for Rose.Johnson, however, had other plans.Without missing a beat, the idiot spun Rose away and kept on dancing.Damn it, what the hell was he doing?
