A Family With the Cowboy (The Westons of Montana #1)

Chapter Fifteen

B y the time Tim Higgins and Sheryl, his wife, drove away from the Weston ranch in their truck late Friday morning, Hayden felt drained. He hated any kind of confrontation.

Despite Higgins’s objections, Hayden had insisted, though, that he and his family met with both Tim and his wife. It was time to get to the bottom of Tim’s troubles and find a way to help their neighbor get his life back on track.

Becket hadn’t been impressed, but both Willow and Cooper had agreed with Hayden’s idea.

An angry and defiant Tim had arrived earlier this morning with his wife. He’d made it abundantly clear he’d only agreed to the meeting to please his wife. He had apologized for hurting Jessie, even though it was only after a nudge from his wife.

With photos Becket had taken using a drone over the last six months, they were able to show Tim their cattle had never been near his land. What the photos also showed clearly was how poorly Higgins Valley looked in comparison with the Weston Ranch and the other surrounding ranches.

They’d explained the concept of high-density grazing again, and Tim’s wife seemed to understand what it was all about. Tim was still frowning when they left, but he had agreed to let them demonstrate again what they were doing as soon as summer arrived. They’d also offered to share some of their surplus hay with Higgins for the remainder of the winter.

Luke and Jessie came running out of the barn as Tim drove away. Hayden’s heart just about jumped out of his body, and he was moving even before Luke skidded to a halt and bent to pick up Jessie. The truck stopped, and both Tim and his wife got out.

“Look, I’m…sorry about…about…” Tim was stuttering.

“The dog,” his wife prompted.

“The dog,” Tim repeated.

“And that you were frightened,” Sheryl said.

“I’m sorry,” Tim said.

Hayden put his hand on Luke’s shoulder. “Thank you,” he said.

“You really hurt Jessie,” Luke said.

“I was angry. Sorry.”

“It’s okay, Mr. Higgins. Cooper and the vet helped Jessie, and Dad took me to Doctor Vivian.”

Tim’s wife looked at Hayden. “Please send us the bills.”

“It’s fine,” he smiled. “We’ll hopefully get the hay to you by Monday.”

Sheryl’s eyes were bright with tears. “You’re a good man, Hayden Weston. Your daddy would’ve been proud of you.”

Luke waited until the truck had driven away before he put Jessie down. “Come on, Jessie. I’m hungry.” Barking, Jessie followed him as they ran toward the house.

The vet had agreed Jessie was fine. How much it had to do with what the vet had given her or whether it had been Cooper’s hands on the dog, he’d probably never know. He’d seen his brother with animals enough times to know he was the main reason Jessie was running around, keeping Luke happy. What exactly it was that his brother did, he didn’t know, and he didn’t ask.

“Glad that’s done,” Willow was saying as Hayden joined his siblings again. “So, what are you doing tonight?”

He shrugged. “Luke and I will probably watch a movie and—”

“Luke is spending the night with his friend Jonas, remember?” Willow interrupted him. “Why don’t you join Coop, Becket, and me for a pizza at Rocco’s after you’ve dropped Luke and Jessie off? Although nobody in this family seems to be dating at the moment, we can still have a meal in town now and again. It also gives Isabella a free night.”

It was on the tip of his tongue to refuse when Willow mentioned Isabella.

Shaking his head, he put an arm around his sister’s shoulders. “You know just how to get your way, don’t you?”

Having pizza with his siblings in town sounded infinitely better than staring at the walls of his bedroom, thinking about Laura.

*

There were quite a few cars in front of Rocco’s when Laura and Tanner arrived at the restaurant. As they neared the front door, Laura noticed Cooper’s truck out of the corner of his eye. Her heart lurched and her breath hitched. Trying to ignore the silly signs, she smiled at Tanner as he opened the door and waited for her to step inside. Cooper’s truck parked here didn’t also mean Hayden would be here.

Rocco, or whoever had been responsible for the interior of the place, had obviously gone all out to replicate an Italian feel. The walls were covered with paintings of Tuscan landscapes, fountains, and statues. On the ceiling was a trellis with wines and oversized red grapes. All the tables were covered with red-and-white-checkered tablecloths. A red candle in an empty Chianti bottle was the final touch to help create a warm and charming atmosphere.

As they followed the waiter to their table, they were both greeted from all sides. She recognized several people, but thank goodness, there was no sign of the Westons. Tanner was obviously well-liked, and he smiled and nodded. They had to stop several times when someone got up to talk to him. It took a while before they reached their table.

He pulled out her chair. “Sorry about that. You’ve probably discovered everyone knows everyone in this town. And, by tomorrow, they will all be wondering about us.”

She looked up quickly. “Tanner…this is…I mean…”

Smiling, he sat down. “Don’t worry. Everyone in town knows you don’t date anyone more than once.”

Stunned, she stared at him. “Seriously? People are talking about my dating?”

“Of course. They talk about everyone. So, what can I get you to drink?”

Tanner was sweet and considerate, one of the good guys. He asked about her background and she asked him about his work. They were having a great time when something made her turn her head, and she locked gazes with Hayden Weston. Her heart shuddered to a halt.

The Westons sat at a table on the opposite side of the restaurant. That was why she hadn’t seen them as they’d entered. Exhaling slowly, she put her hand on her tummy where the butterflies had woken up and were frolicking exuberantly, leaving her breathless.

Fortunately, at that point the waiter arrived with their food and blocked Hayden from her view. Catching her breath, she thanked the waiter and smiled at Tanner as they began to eat. The food looked great, but she didn’t taste a thing. Her whole being was on high alert, aware of every single movement Hayden made, even though he was sitting at another table.

It had been three weeks since he’d last kissed her, but she could still recall every single sensation she’d experienced in his arms. Seriously, how long was this feeling going to last?

Tanner probably noticed she was staring at someone. He also turned his head. “Have you met Arlene’s kids?” he asked.

She nodded. “Luke is in my class. We’ve met.”

“Becket and I went to school together, so I’ve been on their ranch a few times. They’re good people. I’ve heard Tim Higgins wanted to set their barn on fire and nearly killed his little boy, but instead of pressing charges, Hayden offered to help him.”

Her eyes widened. The speed at which news spread in this town was astounding. “So everyone in town knows about it?”

Grinning, Tanner nodded. “Oh, yes. Carol Bingley and her friend, Betty, who works at the police dispatch, made sure of that.”

Laura swallowed against the sudden lump in her throat. Hayden was so exactly the kind of man she could fall for—sexy and nice—making it all the harder to forget about him.

*

“So, Becket and Coop,” Willow said. “How come you two aren’t dating?”

As he struggled to keep breathing, Hayden tried to focus on the conversation. It was difficult. His gaze kept straying toward the table where Laura sat with Tanner Olsen. She looked beautiful. In a soft yellow top, her hair taken up, leaving her long neck bare, she was simply gorgeous.

It was clear she was having a great time. She hadn’t stopped smiling at her date. He knew Tanner Olsen. A nice guy. He should be happy for Laura. Tanner would treat her well.

Cooper shrugged. “Having dinner with someone who doesn’t really eat, who takes pictures of everything to post on social media, and who can’t talk about anything other than herself, is exhausting. I prefer to stay at home with the animals. They’re much more fun.”

Willow laughed. “Okay, that’s a valid excuse. What about you, Becket? What do you do with yourself when you don’t date? I see you scribbling in a little notebook every now and again. Have you taken up drawing again? I still have the cards you made me when we were still at school. They’re gorgeous.”

Shrugging, Becket took a swig from his beer. “I’m taking a break from dating for the moment. Yeah, sometimes I still scribble.”

Willow angled her head. “What you do is way more that scribble, and you know it. Why don’t you let me—?”

Becket shook his head. “We’re supposed to be having fun. Stop asking so many questions.”

“Sorry.” She grinned, clearly without any remorse. Her blue eyes turned toward Hayden. “You haven’t stopped looking at Laura since she and Tanner Olsen walked in. You obviously have a thing for her. Why don’t you do something about it?”

Becket also turned to look in Laura’s direction. “Word is Olsen’s looking for a wife. He wants to settle down, have kids. Laura is a good choice.”

A few ranchers they knew came over with beers, and Coop and Becket got up to talk to them. Hayden nodded in their direction, but stayed seated. He didn’t want to talk to anyone.

Willow leaned closer. “I wish you’d listen to your heart. You want to be with her. Anybody can see that.”

Shaking his head, he crossed his arms. “I’ve had my turn—”

“Yes, you have,” Willow interrupted him. “But there is nothing that says you can’t be happy again.”

Rubbing his face, he sighed. “How can I be happy again when…when Walker won’t ever experience the joy of loving someone? And I’m the reason he’s not around.”

Willow frowned. “How can you say that? If anyone is to blame, it’s me. I’m the one—”

“I was driving, Sis. And then there’s Madeline. What about the promises I made when I married her?”

Sighing, Willow moved back. “You’re looking for excuses because you’re scared of getting hurt again. I understand that. Why don’t you talk to Maddie and Walker? Tell them what you’re feeling?”

Hayden glared at his sister. “In case you’ve forgotten, they can’t hear me. They’re dead.”

“Just because they’re not here doesn’t mean you can’t talk to them,” Willow said as Cooper and Becket sat down again.

Hayden finished his beer. His plate was also empty, so he could go home. Not that he’d really tasted anything. “I’m heading back. You’ll drive safely?”

Cooper nodded.

*

Tanner escorted Laura right up to her front door.

“Thank you for a lovely night. I’ve really enjoyed it.”

“Thank you for joining me. I should be finished with the cupboards by next Friday and can bring them on Saturday if it suits you? If there’s enough time, I can also paint the wall.”

“That sounds perfect, thanks. School starts on Monday, but I’m usually at home on a Saturday.”

Smiling, he briefly touched her arm before he turned around. “Good night.”

“Good night!” she called before she opened the front door. From the direction of her bedroom came Molly’s plaintive yelps.

On her way to the bedroom, she took off her coat and pulled the pins from her hair. Shaking out her head, she opened the door. Molly shot past her, barking joyously as she charged toward the front door.

“So, what happened?” Laura laughed as she kicked off her boots before she followed Molly to the front door.

Molly kept barking excitedly.

“Earlier, you didn’t want Tanner to be here and now…”

Molly was scratching the front door, jumping up and down, and barking nonstop.

“Molly, what has gotten into you?” Laura rushed forward. “Why are you barking? Is someone—?”

A knock on her front door stopped her in the middle of her sentence. Had Tanner forgotten something?

She opened the door, and promptly lost her breath. Standing on her porch, looking haggard and gorgeous at the same time, was Hayden. With an excited yelp, Molly ran past her and jumped up against Hayden’s legs. Her heart dropped. Something was wrong. Luke?

“Is Luke okay?”

“He’s staying the night with a friend.”

That was all the butterflies in her tummy needed to really go to town. “Oh.”

“Tanner didn’t stay?”

Unable to talk, she shook her head.