“Just finished kindergarten,” he told her, pulling Tank to his chest when the puppy licked his face, causing a peal of giggles.
“You’re almost a man, then.”
Her smile was brighter as Cooper giggled again. God, seeing that smile on his boy's face as he laughed tore a strip off him.
“Nah, I’m notthatold,” Cooper chirped with another laugh. “Papa says I have a lot of growing up to do, but that I’m doing such a good job, I don’t need to rush. Right, Papa?”
He leaned down and ruffled his boy’s hair, pride filling his chest. “You were listening.”
“I listen, except when Tank barks so loud I can’t hear.” He stood back up and stuck out his little hand to Hannah. “I forgot to shake. Papa says when you meet someone new, it’s important to shake their hand. Tells you something about them and gives them a sense of who you are.”
He watched as Hannah’s mouth quirked while she held out her hand and took his son’s little one in a gentle shake. The hurt of knowing what wasn’t roared through his belly, but crying over spilt milk got you nowhere good.
“What does mine tell you?” she asked, crouching down to his level.
He gave a serious tilt of his head and then smiled broadly. “That you’re a real nice lady.”
Yeah, she still sure as hell was, being kind to the child he’d fathered with her childhood enemy and breaking her heart. He should have known that part of her wouldn’t have changed.
“Don’t be fooled, Cooper,” Reba broke in with a laugh. “She might be nice, but she had a temper growing up.”
Hannah gave Reba a half hug. “Ha ha. Maybe I’ve mended my ways.”
“And it doesn’t snow in Montana anymore.” Reba chortled, brown eyes dancing. “Go on. Pull my other leg. All right, let’s stop our yammering and get back on the road. Will, you and Logan accomplish your mission?”
The two men nodded in tandem. Hannah shifted uncomfortably while that darn Scot next to her only leaned down and gave Tank a belly rub that had him flopping onto his back, shamelessly asking for more.
Disgusted with his own dog’s lack of loyalty, he fought to control his frown. “Reba’s right. We need to get on home. I’ll see you both at the ranch in a few weeks.”
He didn’t think he could stick around for much more. Is this what they called aftermath? He was drained yet charged, and a mite jealous, which he had no right to be.
Tank bounded into the back of the Jeep when he opened the door. He heard the leave-taking from afar, not eager to meet Hannah’s gaze again. He didn’t know what to do with what he saw there.
Uncertainty.
And yeah, the same powerful,bring you to your kneesattraction between them.
He yanked his cowboy hat low as Cooper hugged his leg before climbing in the back. Reba smacked him playfully as she took her seat, and he didn’t have the heart to shoot her a narrowed look. Will was coming toward him.
“You sure you’re up to driving?”
“I’m fine. Get in the car.”
Opening his door, he hauled himself up and buckled in after slamming the door. Hannah and Neil stood beside Logan, who was smugly waving goodbye.
“Roll your window down,” Will commanded.
He hit the button.
“I’ll give you a holler to firm up some details,” Will called out. “Have a good trip back.”
“See you soon!” Cooper shouted out the window.
Will leaned across his lap and waved. “Say goodbye, brother.”
He waved, flashing a tight smile.
Hannah lifted her hand, her mouth twisting, so far from the warm smile he remembered. They’d both had as much as they could take.
