Page 56 of The Cowboy’s Forever Promise

Carson was getting ticked off. “Asked her what?”

“To marry you, silly,” Rose cried out. “I mean, that is what you want to do, right?”

Frowning, Carson stared at Rose. “Of course it is, but her life is back in Seattle.”

“Is it, though?” June said. “Abby could work anywhere if she wanted to. It’s not easy for us orphans to relocate, but when there’s a good enough reason, we become quite bold. Like I did when I drove all the way from Seattle to Dylan’s house, not even knowing how he felt about me, to tell him I was going to stay with him and well, here we are.”

“I was so stunned.” Laughing, Dylan pulled his wife closer. “It took me a minute to understand what she was saying. Oh, and bro? There’s a jewelry shop in Bozeman with a lady who’ll give you the perfect ring if you describe Abby to her.”

“I agree. That lady knows her stuff,” Hunter said.

“She does indeed.” Willow leaned over to her husband for a kiss.

Looking at his family around the table, Carson shook his head. The irritation all the kissing and flirting around the table used to cause him was gone. Because now he understood when you loved someone you couldn’t help yourself—you wanted to touch and kiss them all the time.

“By the way,” Hayden said dryly. “The tractor needs a spare part if anyone is going to Bozeman.”

Carson got up and whistled. With a bark, George appeared in the doorway. “I’ll go, but only to get the spare part. I don’t think Abby is ready to talk about the other stuff.” With a wave, he left, George at his heels.

He’d nearly reached his truck when Cooper caught up with him.

“You’re still afraid.” Cooper crouched down to scratch George behind the ears.

“What are you talking about?” Carson didn’t even try to hide his irritation.

“You’re still afraid to open up,” Cooper said as he got up. “Afraid of getting hurt.”

Staring at his cousin, Carson’s first instinct was to deny what he was saying, but as the words hung in the air between them, Carson sighed. Cooper had called it. Yes, he was afraid of getting hurt.

Cooper nodded. Of course he’d know what Carson was thinking. “Love is all or nothing. But when you take the step, it’s the most wonderful feeling in the world.” With a light slap on his shoulder, Cooper left.

“Come on, George. Seems like we have shopping to do in Bozeman today.”

*

Except for the fact that Abby missed Carson, Monday started off well enough. Probably because she and Carson had both managed to sleep soundly Saturday night after June’s book launch.

Last night after Carson had left, she’d felt so miserable, she’d ordered something to eat and watched a soppy movie. Halfway through the movie, she’d fallen asleep though, but woke up feeling better than she had since she’d returned from the ranch.

Her morning appointment went without a glitch. By lunchtime she just was so tired, she did something she’d never done before and fell asleep on her bed after lunch. Since she’d woken up, the same nausea she’d experienced during the previous week was back.

There wasn’t time to dwell on it, though, she had a client to see. Fortunately, it was only a consultation and didn’t take that long. By the time she left her client, she was so tired again, she was ready to keel over.

Taking a deep breath, she swallowed. Something was wrong, she had to admit. Maybe she should see a doctor. Where did she find one, though? She’d never been ill before and had never needed one. Opening the window of her car, she took a few deep breaths. It seemed to help when she felt nauseous.

As she breathed in the fresh air, she remembered. One of her recent clients was a doctor. If she couldn’t see her, maybe she could recommend someone.

She quickly texted the client with a short description of what she’d experienced. And waited. Nothing. Frustrated she started her car and drove home.

The client replied only much later. Unfortunately, she was fully booked but would let Abby know when she had a cancellation. The doctor had also sent her the name of something she could get over the counter that should help with the nausea.

Abby ordered the medication online. Hopefully this would help.

*

Friday evening, Carson waited for Abby at the door of the art gallery in Spokane. He checked his watch for the umpteenth time. It was nearly seven o’clock and Abby wasn’t here yet. They’d spoken earlier when she’d just arrived at the airport in Seattle. She should’ve been here by now.

He was worried about her. When he’d left on the last plane Sunday evening, she had still been way too pale. June, although she was trying to hide it, was also concerned, he could tell.