A Gift for the Hopeful Cowboy: Love in Sweet Bloom

Chapter 14

Rob hadthe distinct feeling that something bad was going to happen. That was how life usually worked out. He had a way of rolling with the punches, but that didn’t mean he was immune to when everything around him fell apart.

Right now, his life was going great. He’d gotten closer to Pippa and was finally feeling like they had a decent shot at a future together. But now he couldn’t help it. Something bad was going to happen—he just didn’t know what.

It could have something to do with Pippa or it could be something related to his job. Heck, it could be something back in Rocky Ridge that would call him home.

His stomach knotted as he thought about his mother. If her health took a turn, there was nothing he’d be able to do about it. He’d have to head back to Montana to help out. But Rob couldn’t think about that right now. He had to keep his head on straight if he wanted to end up with everything he’d planned for.

Each passing day became a harder chore as he pushed negative thoughts aside. He wasn’t going to let a self-fulfilling prophecy get in the way of him finding happiness—especially if that happiness included Pippa.

That was why he was standing outside the jewelry shop in the middle of town. His heart was telling him this was where he needed to be. Even if he didn’t use the ring any time soon, at least he’d know it was in his pocket.

There was only one problem. He’d been seen in Pippa’s company enough for people to make their assumptions. Anyone noticing him entering the jewelry store could easily draw the conclusion that his relationship with Pippa had gotten serious. The last thing he wanted was for someone to start asking Pippa’s brothers questions. Pippa would no doubt get an earful from her sisters-in-law.

It wasn’t smart to take that kind of risk.

Still, it wasn’t possible for every single person to know he was seeing Pippa. What were the chances that he’d run into someone who would make the connection?

Slim.

He glanced down the street one way then the other and sighed. How was he going to go in there when he didn’t have an excuse to do so? There was only one reason for a cowboy such as himself to go into a jewelry store and everyone knew it.

This was a bad idea. He was getting ahead of himself. He didn’t have any evidence Pippa would say yes.

Heck, he’d be lucky if she didn’t laugh at him.

Rob shook his head. This was either going to be the biggest mistake of his life or the smartest decision he ever made. But it would be his, and that was all that mattered.

He stepped off the curb, hurried across the street toward the shop, and charged inside.

The shop was empty, for the most part. There were only two women working in the front of the store but there was the possibility of more in the back. They smiled at him warmly and one moved to the edge of her counter.

“Is there anything I can help you find?”

He shook his head as he wandered along the displays. “I’m just looking around.”

Hopefully they wouldn’t ask him if he was looking for a specific someone or a special occasion. He lingered at the necklaces and the charm bracelets. Then he moved over to the earrings. When he glanced in the direction of the women, they were chatting with each other in low voices. The closer he got, the clearer their conversation became.

“Did you see what Luke bought last week?”

“I didn’t. I knew he came in, but I had to go to lunch.”

Rob’s ears perked up. It was possible there was more than one Luke in this town, but it was more than likely they spoke of Pippa’s brother.

“He got Allie the most beautiful necklace—that delicate ruby set in gold.”

“Oh, I love that piece.”

Rob turned his attention to the rings he was looking at in the display in front of him. There were so many different styles he had no clue where to start. But knowing Pippa as well as he did, he should be able to figure out which would be best for her.

“Do you think Pippa will find someone, now that her family has all settled down?”

Rob froze. He couldn’t bear to tear his eyes away from the glass, but he wasn’t actually looking at anything. Did these women know he was the one dating the woman they were talking about?

“I don’t know,” the other answered. “I heard there’s someone new around town she’s been spending time with. But word is he”s just a friend.”

There was a pause and Rob didn’t know if it was because they were assuming he was that stranger or if they had decided to stop gossiping in front of him. Relief washed over him when they started up again. He set his sights on a turning display with several pairs of earrings and twirled it with his fingertips.

“That’s too bad. She really deserves someone as amazing as she is. I’ve always thought she’d be a good match for that one deputy. You know, the taller one?”

“Oh, I know who you’re talking about! He’d be perfect for her. He’s so sweet. I wish I could remember his name.”

“It’ll come to me tomorrow.” The first one laughed. “I’m pretty sure I saw them on a date last month. I wonder if anything has come from it.”

Rob’s hand slipped, causing the display to topple over.

The women gasped and he lurched forward to return it to its upright position. His face and ears burned hot as he forced himself to look to the women.

“Sorry about that,” he said.

“It’s fine, dear. Did you see anything you’d like us to pull out?”

He shook his head as he shuffled backward, bumping into another display. Rob grunted and turned around to make sure he didn’t dislodge anything. “I’m good. I don’t need anything after all.” With that, he spun on his heel and escaped the confines of the jewelry store.

That could have been so much worse.

Who was he kidding? It went about as bad as it could have.

There were people in this town who worried about Pippa. These girls hadn’t paid enough attention to notice he was the stranger they’d been talking about, but they did have someone in mind for her.

Whoever that deputy was, he probably had his life together. He was likely the perfect specimen who could take care of her and make her laugh. What did Rob have to offer? What could he give her that she didn’t already have?

Nothing.

Things between them had been going great—so great that he’d been delusional enough to go to a jewelry store. What had he been thinking? If anything, that little adventure had taught Rob one thing. He might have been ready to pop the question, but the truth was, he had no idea where Pippa stood. She’d gone on a date with the deputy last month. Had it been serious? She hadn’t mentioned it to him.

Rob’s mind reeled with this new information. He’d never been the jealous type. At least, he hadn’t been in Rocky Ridge. But Pippa hadn’t been in Rocky Ridge. He hadn’t had to fight for her affection because whenever she’d come to town, she was the one who made time for him.

He was such an idiot. Of course someone like Pippa would be dating around. Just because she was spending most of her time with him lately didn’t mean she was as ready as he was. Rob didn’t know what had gotten into him, but he wasn’t going to let it ruin what he had with her. Maybe he could drop some hints when he saw her next.

He nodded more to himself than anyone else as he hurried away from the jewelry store. He bumped into someone and muttered an apology.

Yes, that was what he’d do. He’d tell her he was interested in something more. He’d tell her he was wrong about wanting to float through life without the responsibilities of growing up and that was one of the biggest reasons he’d left Montana. He had to figure out a way to phrase it so it wouldn’t completely put her off.

“Rob?”

He froze, his blood running cold.

“What are you doing in town? I thought you said you were busy working today.”

Rob flinched. That was exactly what he’d told her when she’d suggested they take in a Saturday brunch. The diner in town apparently had the best raspberry and cream crepes.

Why did this day keep getting worse? Had she seen him leave the jewelry shop?

Slowly, he turned around and gave her a sheepish smile. “Hey, Pippa.”

Her brows were creased, and she glanced in the direction from which he’d come only to swivel her gaze back to him with confusion. “Were you picking something up from the hardware store?”

His eyes widened and his stomach dropped. “Yes. I was going to get some supplies for the fences.”

Pippa’s eyes dipped to his hands. “But you don’t have anything.”

Rob shrugged. “Turns out they didn’t have what I was looking for.”

Her narrowed gaze made it clear she didn’t believe a single thing he said. He needed to distract her with something else. What could he say that would discourage her from doing detective work?

The only thing that came to mind was what he’d been obsessing over all morning.

He moved toward her and took both her hands in his. “You know something? I was thinking that later we should have a little chat.”

“A chat?” She stared down at his hands, her voice softening. “About what?”

“There’s a lot I want to talk to you about, but the main thing is about my future.”

Her focus shifted to his face. Her eyes drilled into him, but he couldn’t tell what she was thinking. But then her lips thinned, and a cloud hung over her demeanor.

Rob hurried on to add, “It’s nothing bad—it’s got to do with wanting more out of life, you know? You deserve to have something secure, something worthy of you. Maybe it’s time we accept that change can be a good thing.”

His phone buzzed in his pocket and he dropped her hand to pull it out. Brent wouldn’t call if it wasn’t important. Pippa’s own brother might be the thing to save Rob from having to lie to her.

He held up a finger, preventing her from speaking and he walked away as he answered the phone. “This is Rob.”

“It’s Brent. Are you by chance anywhere close to town right now?”

Rob glanced over his shoulder to where Pippa still stood waiting for him. “Yeah, I’m here.”

“Good. I need you to grab something for me. I know you’re not on the schedule, but I’ll pay you overtime. I have my other guys dealing with an issue in the pasture and we’ve run out of a few things. Can you grab it from the feed store? I’ll send you a list.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Great. I’ll send it over right away. Get it here as soon as you can.”

Rob faced Pippa, chagrined. “Duty calls.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek and jogged backward. “I’ll come by later, okay?”

She nodded, and he hurried to his truck. That was an uncomfortably close call. At least he hadn’t stumbled over his words and made a fool of himself.