Page 64 of Knot Her Cowboys
Relief poured over me. Cooper might be mad at me, but not mad enough to resist this small connection, and I was so fucking grateful for that. I’d hurt him, and I couldn’t undo it, no matter how much I wanted to. He brought with him the scent of autumn leaves and aged oak, more mellow than the boy I left behind, but somehow suiting the man I’d found upon my return.
I still loved him. Honestly, I’d never really stopped, wasn’t even sure if I was capable ofnotloving him. I could acknowledge that to myself even if I couldn’t say it out loud. That felt like toomuch for him right now and I didn’t want to risk him leaving now that he was wrapped around me.
My whole body tingled as I lay between Cooper and Cash. I didn’t have any expectations. Cooper always came to things in his own time, and everything between us was still precarious.
Their bodies were warm around me, and Cooper’s arm looped over my waist, drawing me closer to tuck my head beneath his chin. For a brief glorious moment, I felt more centered than I had in years. Hopefully it would last beyond tonight.
“Sweet dreams, honey bun.” Cash wiggled closer, planting a kiss on my forehead.
Cooper sighed, pulling me tighter against him. “Sweet dreams, Riley.”
Cooper was gone when I woke up. I tried not to let the disappointment crush me too much, but it did nonetheless. I rolled over, pressing my face against his pillow, breathing in his alpha scent of aged oak and autumn leaves.
“You sniffing my sheets, honey bun?”
I popped up, seeing a grinning Cash watching me. “Shush.”
“Are you up to being on breakfast duty today, or would you rather rest?”
“I’m getting up.” I groaned, sliding first into his arms for a few seconds of comfort, then pried myself out of the warm bed. “If I’m going to take over the chef job, I need to get myself on a schedule. Dakota is going to take me into town today, but I’ll get everything prepped so all they have to do for lunch is put it in the oven.”
“My staff thanks you.”
I rushed through a quick shower and tidied my damp hair back in a braid before heading down to the kitchen. It was still quiet across the ranch, so I flipped on the radio and turned up the volume.
Slicing fruit and cracking eggs was a meditation for me. Having a kitchen to myself was like having my own little castle. In some ways I missed the hustle and bustle of everyone moving around the space, but with a set menu, it was easy to manage myself and I appreciated that the only noise was what I chose.
For ease, I decided everyone could have lasagna and Cobb salad for lunch after checking the guest notes on dietary restrictions. Once I was done with the breakfast prep, I moved on to that, tired but satisfied when everything was settled into the fridge.
Dakota slipped into the kitchen while I was pulling the sizzling bacon out of the oven.
“Good morning, sunshine,” I greeted him.
“Good morning.” He turned down the radio so I’d be able to hear him properly. “You’re up early today.”
“Trying to get all my work done before we go to town.”
“It’s not your responsibility yet,” he reminded me, already tucking his hair into a hair net and washing his hands. “You’re allowed to take some time to settle in.”
I waved off the sentiment, and scooped all of the bacon into the warmer. “Better to keep myself busy.”
“What can I help with?”
The timer for the steamer went off. “You can grab the scrambled eggs for me if you want.”
He removed the tray, and gave the eggs a stir, breathing in the delicious scent. I’d mixed in roasted peppers, sautéed mushrooms, shredded cheese, and cubed ham to give it some pizzazz. None of the staff had any restrictions listed in the kitchen notes, so that made things easy.
Dakota deposited the tray in the warmer. “Spoiling the guests today?”
“Spoiling the staff. During the week I’ll make them something a little more substantial. Keep it simple on weekends when there’s always going to be more guests.”
“You’re going to be everyone’s favorite in no time.”
“That’s what I strive for.”
He helped me get everything prepped and checked the hot table to make sure it was ready to keep the food warm. Staff came through first, sticking to the tables on the far side as they inhaled their food, already tidying up after themselves by the time guests started to trickle in.
I had coffee with Morgan and her pack, getting caught up further on her life.
