Page 26 of Home to the Cowboy

Smiling, she leaned toward him. “Okay.”

Putting his plate down, he stared at her. “Okay what, exactly?”

“Okay, let’s spend time together.”

He smiled; one of those that made her knees turn to rubber and woke up the butterflies. “Yea?”

She smiled. “Yeah. But we have to talk. Let’s have fun, but remember, I’m leaving soon and …”

Before she could finish her sentence, he kissed her. Right there in front of the whole of Marietta.

All the other Westons, and probably some of the bystanders as well, whistled and clapped.

“So, I hope this means he’s taking you to the ball tonight, June?” Arlene asked.

“He hasn’t asked me, yet,” June said blushing.

“Better do it quickly then,” Ellie chuckled. “Nash Johnson is heading this way.”

“I’ll pick you up at seven?” Dylan smiled before he kissed her again.

Whether Nash had seen them, she’d never know. By the time Dylan lifted his head, Nash was walking in another direction.

With Dylan’s arm warmly around her body, they spent a lovely afternoon under the trees.

Hayden got up. “We have to get back,” he said. “See you all tonight.”

As he got up a tall, older man approached them.

“Good afternoon,” Hayden said. “May I help you?”

“You’re all Westons, aren’t you?”

“Yes, we are,” Hayden said.

“I’m Jeff Thomas. I went to school with your dad Jackson and his brother, Grayson.”

Dylan and Carson inhaled simultaneously.

The older man smiled. “I moved away after school and lost touch, but would you believe it, my daughter married a rancher and moved to Marietta. Never thought I’d see Copper Mountain again.”

“So you’re just visiting?” Hayden asked politely.

“I am. Sorry for intruding, but you all have the Weston smile. That’s what I recognized as I walked past.” He grinned. “You know, I remember your dad and his brother both liked the same pretty girl. I’ve always wondered …”

Arlene got up. “Hi, Jeff.”

As he turned to her, his eyes widened. “Arlene, so you …?”

Before he could finish his sentence, she took his arm. “The kids are leaving, but I still want ice cream from the shop across the street.” And still talking, they moved away.

They were all quiet as they packed up. As they were leaving, Hayden cleared his throat. “Let’s not jump to conclusions, okay? Well talk to Mom tomorrow.”

*

It was around seven on Saturday night when Dylan parked his truck in front of the Graff Hotel. His blood was roaring in his ears, his heart was galloping away at an alarming rate. How he was going to survive looking at June, never mind dancing with her, holding her in his arms, he had no idea.

She turned to him. “Dylan, I don’t know what is wrong or what happened, but it’s clear you’ve changed your mind again. Please take me home.” Her eyes were glistening with tears.