Page 36 of Home to the Cowboy

“Hi Lucy,” she said, crouching down. “How are you?”

“I’m fine. Have you written the story yet?”

Smiling, June nodded. “I have. And I’ve added some of the ideas you gave me at the library.”

Lucy beamed.

“Lucy, don’t bother the lady.” A harried-looking woman hurried closer. “So sorry about this.”

Shaking her head, June got up. “She’s not bothering me at all.”

“She is so inquisitive,” the mother sighed. “Always asking embarrassing questions.”

“Asking questions is always good.” June smiled.

As the mother grabbed the girl’s hand to leave, Lucy turned around. “I told Dylan he should marry you if he wants babies.”

“Lucy!” The mother gave June an apologetic smile before she dragged the child away.

Stunned, June stared after the little girl. No wonder Dylan decided to flee. Babies were probably the last thing on his mind.

Babies. Shaking her head, June moved through the pharmacy looking for something that would ease the scratching in her throat. Having a family had been a dream when she was a little girl, but she hadn’t thought about it in a long time. Little boys with their daddy’s smile …

Grabbing something from the shelf, she quickly moved toward the short queue. If she ever wanted kids, she’d have to find another daddy for them. Dylan clearly wasn’t interested.

As she waited in line to pay, she heard the conversation of the women standing behind her.

“I promised myself this year I’m going on the Myer’s River Trail hike when they convert Wishberry Hollow’s into a retreat for migrating fairies,” one of them said.

“That sounds like fun. When and where?” the other one asked.

“The Myer’s River Trail is just outside town. Wishberry Hollow is changed into a fairy wonderland around late summer, so sometime in August. A few artists have joined forces to make temporary dwellings for the fairies. It’s apparently something to see and attracts a lot of people. I think everyone is looking for an escape from reality nowadays.”

“Have you hiked the Myer’s River Trail before?” the second woman asked.

“I have. It’s about four miles and is so beautiful. At some point you walk along the Yellowstone River.”

It was June’s turn to pay, so she didn’t hear the rest of the conversation but as she left the pharmacy, she was smiling. Imagine that—a hiking trail with a fairy sanctuary along the way. She’d love to see that, but by August she wouldn’t be here anymore. She’d be back in Seattle.

As she looked up to cross the street, a familiar truck approached. Her heart skidded to a stop. Dylan was behind the wheel. He was wearing his cowboy hat and a pair of sunglasses. Turning her way for a brief moment, he saluted before he sped away.

Sniffing, she hurried down the road. She’d walked to town, something she now seriously regretted. Her throat was burning, and she felt like crying.

Squaring her shoulders, she walked faster. Crying never solved anything, she knew that from experience. She’d take her medicine and have a nap. By tonight she would feel much better.

*

On Monday night, Dylan was hungry, tired, and grumpy as he parked in front of Hayden’s house for dinner. Opening his door, he picked up Daisy who promptly licked his face.

“Yeah, I know I’m not fun. I promise we can play when we get back home. Let’s go eat.” Eat was a word Daisy was well acquainted with by now and excited, she barked, charging toward the front door as he put her down.

Since he’d caught sight of June this morning in the street, he’d been out of sorts. Even in the brief moment he’d looked at her, she’d looked pale, not herself. Had she been to the pharmacy? Was she feeling ill?

There were fewer people around the table tonight.

“Hi, where’s everyone?” he asked as he sat down.

“Becket and Ellie have invited June for dinner,” Willow said. “June and Becket still have business to discuss.”