Page 85 of Welcome Home, Cowboy
Someone knocked on the side door and Julie jumped. Giving her a strange look, Beth waved at the mailman and took a package. “Thank you,” Beth said, closing the door behind her. “Something’s up. You thought that was Lawson just now and you looked devastated. And Lawson has been acting strange since Monday.”
“Lawson is acting strange with you?” Julie asked.
Beth swiped at a long lock of bangs that fell in her eyes. “Yeah. When I asked him to help me interview, he said that Sabrina and I didn’t need him anymore. Which is just wrong. We’ll always need him. But I can see his point. I’ve depended far too much on him for far too long. It’s time I learn to do things on my own. Still…Lawson has always insisted on being here with us. It’s not like him to just let go.”
Julie nodded, wishing she didn’t care. If something was going on with Lawson, it didn’t concern her. He’d made it very clear the other night how he felt. “So if you’re going to start doing things on your own, why am I here?”
“For moral support, of course. And because you know Sabrina so well. Plus, it’ll be good to have a second opinion. I don’t have the best radar when it comes to people. What if I hired a total lunatic?”
Julie’s gaze fell to the countertop. Apparently, she didn’t have the best radar about people, either. Not according to Lawson, at least. “You won’t pick a lunatic.”
“Mommy? What’s a lunatic?” Sabrina asked, soliciting both of the women’s looks.
“Nobody, baby.” Beth cringed at Julie, who laughed.
It felt good to laugh, considering she’d cried for the good part of the last twenty-four hours. Today was a new day, though, and she’d put the past behind her now. No more crying over jerks who didn’t deserve her time or energy.
Two hours and four interviews later, Julie and Beth sat at the counter again. Sabrina was fast asleep on the couch, exhausted from her cross-examination of each interviewee.
“I didn’t like any of them as much as you,” Beth confessed. “But Lacey was nice.”
Julie held a mug of hot chocolate in her hands. “Sabrina liked her, too. And she said she could teach Sabrina how to play the piano. That’s cool.”
Beth considered this. “Lawson would’ve approved of her. I wish he’d been here. His is one of the most important opinions to me.” She looked up. “I’m not sure he cares about my opinion as much, but I think you’re pretty awesome together. He needs to hold on to you and never let go.”
Julie glanced down at the counter.
“Okay. Spill. Something is going on between you two. What is it?”
Julie shrugged as her eyes watered.Damn it.“Lawson and I broke up on Monday. It’s over between us.”
Beth’s eyes widened. “What? But he’s crazy about you. I’ve never seen him so happy. What happened?”
Julie shook her head. She still had no idea what had happened. “I guess he just changed his mind.”
“No way. Lawson is steadfast. He chooses a direction and doesn’t waver. If he chose you, he meant it.”
Julie reached for the box of Kleenex on the table. “Doesn’t matter because I have no business being in a relationship right now. I’m focusing on my career. It’s fine. Really.”
“Liar.” Beth lifted a brow. “I’ll talk to him tonight. He’s coming over for dinner. He’s being a dickhead and, as his sister, it’s my job to tell him so.”
Julie grabbed her purse. Whatever Beth learned, it wouldn’t change things. Lawson had broken her trust along with her heart, and she’d never be foolish enough to give him that chance again. “I have to head out. My cupboards are bare, so a trip to the grocery store is in order.”
“Thanks again for coming.” Beth walked her to the door. “So, you think Lacey is the one?”
“Lacey is definitely the one.” Julie hugged Beth’s neck. “Listen, I’m teaching a yoga class for children tomorrow afternoon at one o’clock. It’s usually on Sunday, but we’re moving it to accommodate some of the parents’ schedules. I think Sabrina would love it.”
Beth nodded. “I don’t have any plans, so maybe we’ll see you there.”
Julie smiled. “I hope so.”
—
Lawson had spent his Wednesday shuffling papers. He’d made schedules, put out some mild fires in the office, and tried not to think about Julie. Now his mind was numb. All he wanted to do was go home and watch a game on TV. But he’d made a promise to Beth and Sabrina. It was bad enough that he’d be leaving them the way everyone else in their lives had. He wasn’t going to start early by canceling on dinner tonight.
He drove home and put on a T-shirt and jeans. Leaving his hat on the hook, he walked through the woods to his sister’s home. Something loosened inside his chest as Sabrina came running out the side door to meet him.
“Uncle Lawson!”
