His chest tightened, his fingertips tingling. Coop had never admitted it out loud. Not to anyone. Until now.
“Yeah, Dad.” He stared at her beautiful form through the glass pane. “I love her.”
“I take it you haven’t told her yet?”
“No.” Coop shook his head. “Our…personal relationship is new. Plus, with everything that’s been going on, I thought maybe it would be best to wait.”
“I’m probably the wrong person to have this conversation with, because waiting’s never been my thing.”
Coop smiled at the other man. “No, it hasn’t. You and Mom knew each other, what, a month before you proposed?”
“Five weeks and two days.” His dad grinned. “It’s true what they say, Sean. When you know, you know. If God’s telling you she’s the one, you should listen to Him.”
“Mac’s not like Mom, Dad.” He ran a hand over his jaw. “Her family…let’s just say she had a pretty rough time growing up.” Coop went with the massive understatement to protect Mac’s privacy. “I’m really worried about her.”
His dad stepped up next to him. The two men looked out the same window together. At the women they loved.
“Given everything you’ve seen and experienced, Sean, you know how life can change on a dime. When your mom and I were dating, everyone had an opinion. Most thought it was far too soon to be thinking about marriage. But in the end, it was my life. Our life.”
“After forty-plus years together, I’d say you proved the naysayers wrong.” Coop grinned.
With a hand on Coop’s shoulder, the wise man continued on. “This is your life, Sean. You need to do what you believe in your heart is right.” His dad paused a bit before asking, “Do you still pray?”
“Sometimes,” he answered his father honestly.
“Good. You know, all that training you’ve had, those big guns you use…those are all very powerful weapons. But praying, that’s a power that’s become highly underrated in this day and age.”
Not that he didn’t agree with the wise man, but Coop had to ask. “What’s your point, Dad?”
“You should turn to God, son. Ask Him to help you protect that sweet girl. While you’re at it, get His opinion on the other. Maybe you’ll be guided toward building a future with Mac. Maybe you won’t. One way or another, He’ll show you the path that’s right for you both.”
“Thanks, Dad.” Coop patted his father’s hand. He saw his mom and Mac stand up and brush themselves off. “Looks like they’re finished for the day. I think I’ll go give Mac the ten-cent tour.”
“Be sure to be back before supper’s on the table. You know how your mama gets when you’re late.”
“Oh, I know.” With an exaggerated look and a wave of his hand, Coop walked out of the barn and headed up to the house.
“Flowers look great.” He smiled at them both. “You ladies did a fine job.”
“Yes, we did,” his mom agreed. “Your girl’s a natural.”
Mac laughed. “I don’t know about that, but it was a lot of fun. I do have one question for you, though.” She put her hands on her hips and got serious. “You didn’t actually put red food coloring in your sister’s shampoo when you were fourteen, did you?”
So they’d been talking about him. Interesting.
With feigned innocence, Coop said, “I still plead the fifth on that one.”
“You totally did.” Mac gasped. “Sean Aaron Cooper, that is an awful thing to do!”
“Whoa.” He put his hands palms-up. “If you’re throwing out middle names, you’ve already been around my mother far too long. Get your bags. We’re leaving.”
All three started laughing. God, he loved seeing Mac laugh.
“Hey, Mom, is it okay if I steal Mac away for a bit? I want to take her on a drive. Show her the land and the river.”
“Sure, honey. But be home in an hour or so. Dinner’s still served at five-thirty sharp.”
“Yes ma’am.”
