Delicate Hope (Hayes Ranch #1)

Chapter 1

Cooper

“Cooper! Are you even listening to me?” Pam screams.

She came tearing up the gravel driveway when I was on my way to the main house for lunch, and I’ve been standing here for twenty minutes looking at the river as it bubbles and pushes over the rocks off to the left.

I knew this day was coming. I was going to be a gentleman about it, but she’s not giving me the chance to let her down easy because I’ve been dodging her calls, trying to figure out how to tell her, but I realized she’s a little dense.

Once we had a couple of dates, I knew she wasn’t the one.

But she didn’t pick up on that.

I sigh and look up at the beautiful blue sky. It’s a nice day. Naomi might want to go fishing with me later this afternoon.

Pam growls, and I drop my gaze to hers. “Yes, Pam, I am. But I’m not sure you’re hearing me.”

She scoffs and crosses her arms. Her low-cut top shows off her cleavage, and I make a point not to look.

“Pam, you’re a sweet woman, but this isn’t going to work out. Can we leave it at that?” I ask her.

She purses her lips and stomps her foot — like a child.

I’m pretty sure Naomi did that the other day when I told her we couldn’t stop at the Booked Bean for a cupcake because it would ruin her dinner.

“This is ridiculous. I thought we really had something.” She pauses. “But she kept getting in the way.”

My hackles rise, and I would growl if I wasn’t a gentleman. No one. And I mean no one gets between me and my girl.

I puff out a breath, slow and steady, trying to calm myself. “Pamela. Let me make myself clear. I do not like you. There is no choice. I choose Naomi. I always will. That’s not up for discussion, or whatever you want to call this.” I gesture between us. “Won’t work, ever.”

“But why?” she whines.

I groan and mentally punch past Cooper in the face because I have no clue what he was thinking. Maybe it was the jeans painted on her ass, or maybe it was the way she smiled when I said something funny.

“I can’t believe I’m saying this … but the mere fact that you said I have to choose between you and my daughter is really the only reason that matters.”

Pam huffs. “Fine, your loss. See you never,” she says and spins on her heel back to her car and will probably pout to some other man by the end of the day. Hell, that’s how she got my attention.

When I turn back to the main house, I spot my cousins Fletcher and June staring at me through the window, chuckling.

I climb the stairs and push through the door.

“Well, that was entertaining,” June says, and goes back to the kitchen.

Fletcher winces and claps me on the back. “You alright?” he asks.

I shrug. “I’ve been better.”

Fletcher leads the way into the kitchen, where Aunt Dixie has the lunch spread set up for the whole crew.

“Maybe I need to chill with the dating for a bit.”

“Or maybe you should—”

“Uncle Coopy!” Naomi screams, coming around the corner and leaping into my arms.

My sour mood immediately changes with my girl in my arms. “Hey, sweetheart, what are you doing?” I ask her and kiss her on the cheek. She might be seven, but she’s small for her age, and I’ll take all the hugs I can get.

“Grandma Dixie and I made bread for lunch, and then I did an art project.”

“Sounds like you’ve been busy. Did she help you with your math practice?” I ask her.

Her summer break just began, but I’d like her to keep practicing things she learned last year, and she excels at math. I’m trying to do everything I can to give her every advantage in life.

Naomi frowns and drops her eyes. I gently grab her chin so she can look me in the eye. “I thought you liked math?” I ask her.

She bobs her head. “I do, but I didn’t do it.”

“I believe in you, sweetheart,” I tell her and kiss her nose. “And if you do the worksheet, then we can go fishing. How does that sound?”

Her eyes light up, she squeals, and hugs my neck tightly. “Okay! Okay, okay! I’ll do it now!” she says.

I set her back down, and she takes off like a rocket full of energy I could use. It feels like yesterday when Rebekah put the newly two year old in my arms and drove away. I became a father in a matter of ten minutes. Rebekah told me she couldn’t do it, but knew I could, and left.

My parents immediately jumped in, but I didn’t want them to change their plans. They had already moved down south for warmer weather. They did their part and raised their kids. Plus, I have all the family I need here. I’m not on my own.

Plopping down at the giant farm-style table, I grab a couple slices of bread and build a giant sandwich.

“What I was trying to say, Coop, is that you should come out with us when we go to the Wooden Cowboy. Maybe we can vet the women before you shoot your shot,” June says.

I chuckle and finish chewing. “Honestly, June Bug, it might be wise to do that because I’m striking out on my own.”

“Yeah, and your batting average is pitiful,” Fletcher mumbles around his food.

I shoot him a glare. “You’re one to talk. You married your high school sweetheart who wasn’t actually your sweetheart. You just had a giant crush for ten years and got lucky.”

Fletcher shrugs. “At least I’m getting lucky.”

“Ew, gross, little sister ears do not need to hear that,” June grumbles.

“Where are the guys?” I ask them.

“They all grabbed something and went back down to the barn. I think they had a poker game going last night they wanted to get back to.”

I hum and finish eating my lunch.

“Cooper, I’ll make sure the math worksheet is done,” Aunt Dixie says from the kitchen.

“Thank you, I want her to hit the ground running for third grade,” I tell her.

She smiles and gestures for me to lean forward so she can kiss me on the cheek. “You’re a great uncle, Cooper, and you’re doing a wonderful job with her. Don’t forget that.”

I wince, rubbing the ache in my chest. I’m doing my best to provide everything I can for that girl.

She has amazing women in her life, and so many people who love her.

I know there’s a space in her heart for her mother, and she asks about her sometimes, but as the years have gone by, there are less questions. I just hope I’m doing enough.

“Let’s get back to it,” Fletcher says.

I grab my hat off the hook, following him out the door.

“Hey! Wait!” June yells, stopping us on the porch.

“Let’s go to the Wooden Cowboy tonight. I think we could all use a night out,” June says.

I chuckle and Fletcher grins. “You want someone to drive you and Gracie after getting plastered.”

June shrugs as if that wasn’t already obvious.

“I don’t know, June Bug. Aunt D has already been watching Naomi all day. I don’t want to put more on her.”

“I will talk to her. Don’t worry about that.”

I glance at Fletch, and he shrugs. “I’m sure Tate is down. She’s been working so hard at the clinic, it would be nice to take my wife dancing.”

“Yay! Okay, I’ll talk to Mom, Coop. We’re going out tonight!” she sings and slams the door behind her.

“Isn’t she a vet … for people’s animals?” I ask Fletch.

“I don’t know how she still parties like we’re still twenty-one and then gets up and handles one-ton bulls the next day.”

“She’s a wild one,” I mumble as we head back to the barn.

“Always has been,” Fletcher says.