Page 11 of The Cowboy’s Forever Promise

Cooper laughed. “That’s his first bark. Someone had left him at the side of the road.”

Instinctively, Carson hugged the puppy closer. “That’s horrible. Poor baby,” he crooned, stroking the puppy.

“Come on in,” Cooper said as he walked back into his house. “I have a bed, food, and a couple of bowls for food and water you can take with you.”

Carson was struggling to find the right words to thank Cooper. Fortunately, he knew his cousin would know what he was feeling even if he couldn’t find the words to express it.

When he and George left a little later, George settled happily in the seat beside him, next to his camera.

“Well, George, now it’s just you and me,” he said, stroking the puppy’s head. With a sigh, George’s eyes closed.

“You’ll have to come with me today. But don’t worry, you can have a nice snooze while we work.”

It was fall and time for weaning the calves. The calves had already been run through a chute, one at a time, and given pre-weaning shots which helped them handle the stress of being separated from their mothers.

They were in the process of separating the pairs of mothers and calves and running them into different holding pens. On The Weston Ranch, they did this on foot, wading into the herd with cow show sticks, which they used to direct the cows.

As he drove past Dylan’s house, he noticed the small truck his brother had bought his new wife in front of the house. June would’ve fetched her friend who was visiting, and they were probably back. Decluttering and organizing.

He shuddered. It wasn’t any secret that he wasn’t very tidy, but his house was his domain, the place where he could be as messy as he wanted to be. His mother had forever been tidying up, always in planning and organizing mode. Definitely not attributes he looked for in a woman.

Images of the woman he’d been with the previous night flooded back. She’d folded his clothes. Did that say something about her? Sighing, he rubbed his face. He would probably never know what kind of person she actually was. He couldn’t care a damn that she’d tidied the room. The details of last night he’d never forget, though.

Restlessly, he moved on his seat. “Maybe we should join the others at Grey’s Saloon tonight, George. Dylan took his Daisy along while she was still a puppy. I don’t think anyone would mind if you tagged along. What I can’t do is stare at the walls and think of the blonde.”

George wasn’t really interested in the blonde, though. He was fast asleep.

Slowly picking up his camera, trying not to disturb George, he captured the peaceful moment of a puppy sleeping.

Chapter Four

As Abby got out of June’s car, she sighed. “Oh, June, what a lovely house. I love the big front porch.” Was that barking she heard? Well, she was on a ranch.

June took her arm as they moved toward the house. “It is quite similar to the house you’ve always wanted. Although if I remember correctly, your dream house has green shutters and a big porch?”

“Yep. One day.” Abby was smiling as they walked up the stairs.

The barking was closer, more excited.

“Have I mentioned we have a dog?” June’s hand was on the door. “She’s about six months old and not fully grown yet …” As she opened the door, a dog charged toward them, barking.

Inhaling, Abby stepped back quickly. No dogs had been allowed where she grew up, so she didn’t know them. She’d always been a bit wary, though. And this one was so big.

Kneeling down, June crooned while she stroked the dog. She put out a hand to Abby. “Come and meet Daisy, she’s the sweetest girl, I promise you.”

Hesitating, Abby approached, her eyes on the dog. Daisy sat back, panting.

“What … what does the panting mean?” Abby whispered. “She’s not getting ready to eat me, is she?”

“Of course not,” June chuckled, her one hand still on Daisy. “Come closer, kneel next to me.”

Slowly, Abby joined her friend on the floor.

“Now slowly put out your hand,” June said. “Daisy, meet my friend Abby. She’s afraid, but it’s just because she doesn’t know yet how sweet you are.”

As if Daisy understood every word, her mouth widened in what could only be described as a smile.

Delighted, Abby relaxed and slowly put out her hand.