Page 35 of Home to the Cowboy

Minutes later, she sighed in relief as she closed the door behind her. Pacing, her thoughts ran in circles. What could’ve upset Dylan? They’d hardly spoken; he’d kissed her right away.

He had his hand on her leg the whole time but … what did that mean?

Fed up, she walked to her room. She hated the uncertainty of this. Well, if he couldn’t figure out what he wanted, she couldn’t help him. Swallowing against the lump in her throat, she took off the necklace, grabbed her running clothes and shoes and quickly changed. Maybe a long run was all her scratchy throat needed anyway.

It was a beautiful day, she was not spending it inside moping because of a man. Maybe the fresh air would get rid of her scratchy throat as well. Outside, she stretched for a few minutes before she started running in the opposite direction of Arlene’s house.

She’d promised to phone Abby, but that would have to wait until she had her emotions under control.

Chapter Twelve

By the time they’d finished doing the dishes, June had left. A huge hole opened up inside of Dylan. He’d still been on edge because Becket was asking when he was getting married when he saw June with Luke. She’d be a wonderful mother. He could see her with her own children. Little girls with their mother’s blues eyes and dark hair. The problem with the picture was, he wasn’t sure he could be a good dad. Change that to he knew he couldn’t be a good dad.

When his dad had still been alive, they’d spent many hours outside on horseback, but his dad seldom talked about anything else besides ranching. Nobody ever talked about feelings or why their mother was so unhappy. He’d only ever been aware of tension in the house.

That was not a pattern he wanted to repeat but wasn’t that what usually happened? We tend to do what our parents did?

“What about coffee?” Arlene asked. “I don’t want you all to leave so soon.”

“Thanks, but I’ll be heading home,” Dylan said. “Thanks Arlene.” Turning on his heel, Dylan hurried to the front door whistling for Daisy who came running from the backyard.

He wasn’t quick enough for Willow, though.

She grabbed his arm as he was opening the front door. “You freaked out because you saw her with a little boy.” It wasn’t a question.

He attached Daisy’s leash. “June is a special lady who needs someone who can give her what she deserves. I’m not that guy. You know our story. What do I know about love, about making a family, about raising kids? I don’t want to repeat the previous generation’s mistakes.”

Willow rolled her eyes. “You haven’t listened to a word we said the other day, have you? I never knew your dad, I don’t know why your mother was the way she was, but I do know you, and you, Dylan Weston, deserve to be happy. You feel something for June, and I’m not the only one to see it. What I also know is that she wouldn’t have let you into her bed if she didn’t feel something for you too. Don’t mess this up, please?”

“I have to go.” With a quick nod, he quickly walked to his truck and put Daisy inside.

“Urgh!” Willow cried. “Why are men so damn stubborn?”

He quickly got into his truck and drove back to the ranch.

*

Late Monday morning, June was walking toward the pharmacy when she heard Ellie’s voice behind her.

“June!” Ellie called as she rushed closer. “I’m so glad to see you. I’ve been meaning to call you all morning, but we’ve been so busy in the shop. Why don’t you come to dinner tonight? Becket can grill some steaks, and the two of you could talk while I set the table.”

June wasn’t sure what to say. She’d love to visit the ranch. The previous time she was in Marietta, she’d met Becket in town and didn’t get to see it. He’d mentioned words like cattle and grazing and horses—all things she’d never heard anyone talk about. But even though Dylan had previously said he’d come and fetch her for a meeting with Becket, she knew she wasn’t going to see him again. “I really want to talk to Becket but … I don’t know.”

Ellie frowned. “You haven’t heard from Dylan yet?”

“No and I have no idea what happened. He … well, I suppose you know he spent Saturday night with me, he kissed me on Sunday, and then he just went silent.”

“Oh, men!” Ellie grumbled. “They can be so stubborn! Tell you what. Come on your own. The ranch is not that far out of town. We’ll make it an early night so that you can drive back before dark. Fortunately, this time of year, the sun sets around nine at night. What about five o’clock? You and I can have a nice chat before Becket arrives and then you two can talk business.”

“That sounds perfect. What can I bring?”

“Nothing, please.”

They spoke for a few minutes longer before Ellie left. It would be nice to finally talk to Becket. She was glad the meeting would be sooner than later, because she’d decided to leave as soon as possible. Seeing Becket had been one of the things she’d had on her list of things to do and after tonight she could tick that off.

June entered the pharmacy. She needed something for her sore throat. Maybe going for a run yesterday hadn’t been the best of ideas.

“Hi, June!” A little girl came running toward her. She recognized her as she came closer. It was one of the little girls who had been in the library.