Page 25 of Home to the Cowboy

It was a lovely evening. They had fabulous pizzas, talked about all things Marietta while several people, including other single cowboys stopped by to introduce themselves.

They were all handsome, charming, keen on taking her on a date. The problem was, though, they didn’t interest her in the least.

By the time Vivian and Aiden dropped her off at home, she was tired. It had been an emotional day. She’d gone shopping, joined friends for a meal, and had her heart broken—all within in twelve hours.

Maybe she should think about cutting her visit short. She’d planned to be away for a month or two, but there was nothing that said she had to stay in Marietta. Maybe she could stay another week, talk to Becket and discuss her proposal with Mitch before she decided where to go next.

The world was big, and she hadn’t really been anywhere. Maybe Europe? Or a tropical island? She could even try to twist Abby’s arm to join her?

There was time to decide, she wasn’t going to make rash decisions because a cowboy broke her damn heart.

The mechanic had texted earlier to confirm her car would be ready by Friday. She was looking forward to being independent again. There was so much to explore. The Yellowstone National Park was close by, maybe she could visit for the day.

What she was not going to do was cry over a cowboy, even if he’d actually rocked her world.

Sighing, she trudged up the stairs. Well, she now had time to sit down and put the story of Pepper, the awkward little dragon, to paper. Barry who was also the editor for children’s books, would be over the moon if she finally sent him a story.

Chapter Nine

The last thing Dylan wanted to do was go to the farmer’s market on Saturday. His mind was so full of thoughts about June, about his past, the relationship between his parents, his head wanted to explode. Carson was exhibiting some of his photographs, though, and Isabella and Ricardo, her husband who was one of the cowboys working on The Weston Ranch, had a stall where they would sell Isabella’s sourdough starter—whatever that was—pies, and freshly cut flowers. Dylan wanted to support them.

Apparently, there was also a picnic afterward in the gardens surrounding the courthouse, where everyone from the ranch would have food prepared by Isabella.

Dylan arrived in town around twelve. It had been raining most of the week, but the clouds had disappeared, granting the farmer’s market a perfect summer’s day. The sun was shining and with Daisy joyfully jumping around his heels, he walked past a street musician and coffee carts, as well as baked goods and freshly picked wild huckleberries for sale.

All around him people called out greetings. Some stopped to chat, others pointed out the beautiful pottery, paintings, photography, jewelry, and woodcarvings.

On his way to Carson’s stall, his eyes fell on a table filled with jewelry. He zoomed in on a particular fine gold chain with a pendant the exact color of June’s eyes and he stepped closer. Without thinking, he bought it, not even wincing at the price.

As he turned, he saw June across the street. In a short white dress with nude-colored sandals, her long hair cascading down her back, she simply took his breath away. She was talking and laughing with some cowboy. As the man turned, he recognized Nash Johnson. Gnashing his teeth, he lengthened his stride until he reached her.

Taking her elbow in a firm grip, he vaguely smiled in Nash’s direction. “Excuse us.”

June tried to pull away, but he took her hand, lacing their fingers. “I need to talk to you.”

“I have nothing to say to you, Dylan …”

“You wanna make a scene in front of everyone? I’m totally game, but the town is going to talk about it for a long time.” Steering her through the crowd of people, words just flowed out his mouth. “I was an idiot, I know. I was scared. I have no idea how relationships are supposed to work. That’s why I reckoned it would be better if you met other people. I was wrong. I can’t stop thinking about you or about kissing you. Even if you’re only staying for another week, I want to spend as much time with you as you’ll let me.”

They kept walking until they reached the end of Main Street, but June wasn’t talking. He finally looked down at her. “Say something, please?”

“There you are, June!” Willow called out as she, Ellie, and Rose approached them from across the street. Willow’s eyes dropped to their hands. “We’re all about to go to the gardens for Isabella’s picnic. Are you guys ready?”

Pulling her hand from his, June quickly moved forward. “Yes, please. I’m stunned by everything I’ve seen. And Carson’s photos are amazing. I’d really like to talk to him.”

The women all turned and chatting, they crossed the street to the courthouse gardens. For a moment Dylan stared at their retreating backs before he followed them. Well, damn it, he wasn’t quite finished talking with June.

*

As June joined everyone on the blanket under the trees, she was aware of Dylan somewhere behind her. What was she supposed to do with what he’d said? He was an idiot and she was supposed to trust him again? So what happened the next time he asked her on a date and decided to get cold feet again?

With a plate filled with everything Isabella had brought along, she sat down. Behind her was a movement and the next moment Dylan’s big body dropped down beside her.

From somewhere came the sound of someone crooning a song. Tilting her head, she tried to catch the words of the slow song. Something about sweet love.

Swallowing a groan, her eyes met Dylan’s. A soft wind moved the leaves ever so slightly away and for a moment the sun fell directly on the handsome cowboy by her side. Her heart sighed. She felt at home here for the first time in her life and the reason was sitting right beside her.

What this craziness inside her was she had no idea, but she also knew if she didn’t find out she’d be sorry for the rest of her life.