Page 7 of What the Cowboy Wants
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At first, Rosedidn’t hear what Cooper was saying, she was crying too loudly.After a time, though, comforted by his big, warm hands stroking her back, his voice rumbling against her ear, she listened.
“…me wrong, I love ranch life, but my passion is working with animals, especially horses.”He laughed softly, continuing stroking her back.“It took me a while before I was brave enough to tell Hayden, though.Of course he was very supportive, he always is.My oldest brother is the kind of leader who knows people do their best work when they do what they’re passionate about.”
Another hiccup slipped from Rose’s mouth and Cooper stroked her hair.
“Becket, as you probably know by now, has also stepped away from the day-to-day work on the ranch.He still helps out during busy times, but since he married your friend Ellie, his main focus is sketching his three dogs and sharing their antics on Instagram.I don’t know when you’ve last seen him, but he’s very happy, selling his art online and working on his book.”He chuckled softly.“Being married to the love of his life probably also has a lot to do with his much nicer demeanor.”
Sniffing, Rose pulled out another tissue and wiped her face.Fortunately, Cooper wasn’t looking at her, she could just imagine what she looked like.
“Willow also helps out on the ranch when we need her,” Cooper continued, “but as you’ve seen today, she basically lives in her studio, concentrating on her art and trying to avoid other people.”
Another soft chuckle sent shivers down Rose’s spine.
“Especially since Hunter Grant is now working and living on the Weston Ranch and has his meals with us, we hardly see her.Interesting to watch the two of them.”
Rose moved to sit upright.“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to cry all over you.”
Those big hands kept stroking her back.“Nothing to be sorry for.You’ve been carrying way too much hurt inside of you, it was time to let go.”
Wiping her face, she sniffed.“I must look a fright.”
He turned her face to him.“You’re always beautiful, Red, I hope you know that.Feeling better?”
She nodded.“And stupid.”
He put her next to him on the couch and got up.“No need.I’m going to grill some steaks for us.Could you see what’s in the fridge and make a salad?”
“You really don’t have to feed me, too, I’ll eat when I get home.”
Ignoring her, he walked toward the kitchen.“The potatoes are just about ready, I’ll get the steaks going.How do you like yours?”
The dogs all followed Cooper.Ebony sauntered over to Rose and jumped up to sit on the couch next to her.
Rose had never been a cat person, but before she realized what she was doing, her hand was on Ebony and she was stroking the cat.
Confused by all the strange feelings inside herself, Rose dropped her hand and got up.Upset and not quite knowing why, she glared at Cooper’s back.“Medium, please.You’re not always going to get your way.I want to wash my hands, give me moment.”And her face, which was probably all swollen and botchy.Redheads seriously shouldn’t cry, ever.
Cooper’s chuckle followed her all the way.
In the bathroom, she gasped when she saw herself in the mirror.Oh, my goodness, she looked even worse than what she’d thought.Quickly, she splashed cool water over her face.As she was drying her face on a soft towel, she froze.
Where was the wound on her head?She turned her head to look in the mirror, but there was nothing against her temple, not even a line.Okay, she was probably still a bit wobbly after the accident she’d just had, but she clearly remembered she’d bumped her head against the window and there was blood.Lots of it.She’d even put a band-aid on it.
Stunned, she used a bit of the cream from a beautiful container on a shelf for her face and hands before she walked back to Cooper.He probably had many women visiting him, not that it was any of her business.
He was grilling steaks and talking to the dogs who all seemed to understand what he was saying.Shaking her head, she stared at the picture in front of her.It was weird, right?
“No, it’s not weird to talk to animals.”Cooper smiled as he looked over his shoulder to her.“Are you okay?”
“I don’t have a scratch on me but I had a small wound, I saw the blood.”
“Minor cuts on the head often bleed heavily because the face and scalp have many blood vessels close to the surface of the skin.”
“I know that.The question is what did you do to stop the blood and make the wound disappear?”
“It was a tiny scratch.I’m nearly done.I’ve put everything you need for the salad on the counter.If you don’t mind?”
