Page 9 of Home to the Cowboy

Rose grinned. “And be warned—if you have thoughts you prefer to hide, don’t even look at her. She sees everything. Seriously, duck or walk away.”

“Luke,” Laura said, “also seems to have it. I’m married to Hayden, the oldest Weston brother and Luke is technically Hayden’s son but since I’ve married his dad, he’s mine too. Just this morning while Dylan was talking about you, Luke said you have a red suitcase.”

Startled, June looked up.

Willow smiled. “Well, look at you, all bright-eyed about our Dylan.”

“I’m not … I don’t understand … how does Luke know I have a red suitcase?”

But the time she’d stopped stuttering, everyone was grinning.

Rose patted her hand. “Nothing to be ashamed of, June. All the Weston men have a tendency to make one stutter. We’ve all been there.”

“It’s not … I’m not stuttering …” Giving up, June pressed her fingers against her eyes. “Okay, okay, I’m stuttering, but it’s not … I’m not …” She couldn’t even talk. What had happened to her clear, analytical mind?

Laura, who was sitting next to June, gave her a hug. “We’re just teasing. You’ll unfortunately have to get used to it. If Aurelia Hill hears that you’ve been in Dylan’s truck—and she will, mark my words—the whole town will know about it by nightfall. The fact that everyone knows everything about you around here gets a bit much, but remember we all also care very deeply for one another. Enough teasing for the day. We’re actually here to tell you about all the exciting things happening in and around our town next weekend.”

June’s brain was finally working again. “Just back up a bit. I’ve heard about Cooper and Becket but who is Walker?”

The smiles dropped.

“One of my sons,” Arlene said softly. “There was an accident a few years back. He didn’t make it. I like to think that he’s keeping an eye on all of us.”

“I’m so sorry to hear that,” June said, her throat tight.

“Before we all burst into tears,” Willow sniffed, “let’s get back to next weekend. On Saturday morning there will be a farmer’s market on Main Street and afterward, we’ll have a picnic in the gardens of the courthouse.”

“And Saturday night there will be a dance at the Graff Hotel,” Rose added.

June’s mind was spinning. “Thanks, but I don’t want to intrude …”

“Of course you’re not intruding,” Willow said. “We’re inviting you to go with us. Everyone goes. Even the dance is not like a couples’ thing, you’ll see. Old and young attend.”

“We’ll pick you up, of course. And we’re going shopping in Bozeman on Wednesday morning to get dresses for the dance,” Ellie said. “Please say you’ll join us?”

Rose laughed. “Shopping with these women is a whole different experience, I have to warn you.”

Everyone was talking so fast, June struggled to process all the information. Dance. Shopping. Bozeman. That was where the nearest airport was. “I don’t really need anything and I don’t know if I’ll go to the dance, but I’d love to see more of Bozeman. The previous time I was there, I only saw the airport.”

Everyone had a story to tell about shopping in Bozeman, and by the time they were leaving it was a few hours later.

“We have to go,” Ellie said as she got up. “Why don’t you come with me to the ranch for the afternoon?”

“Thanks, not today,” June said quickly. The Westons were so nice, but she needed time alone to process.

“Lunch on Sundays is at my house,” Arlene said. “Please say you’ll join us?”

Ellie took Arlene’s arm. “I think we’ve overwhelmed June; let’s give her time to settle in. I’ll call you. If you decide to go, we can pick you up.”

“Thank you, Ellie,” June said. “And thank you for letting me stay in your beautiful home and for the fully stocked fridge and freezer. Please let me know what I owe you?”

“It’s my pleasure,” Ellie grinned. “You’ve done so much for Becket. This is our way of saying thank you. We want you to enjoy your stay so much, you’ll decide to stay!”

“Oh, no, I’m just here for a while,” June said.

Both Rose and Ellie burst out laughing. “That’s what we said!”

Still talking and laughing they finally left, leaving a waft of flowery scent and a sense of joy in their wake.