Page 46 of Home to the Cowboy

Because he’d overslept after taking June home around two o’clock, Dylan missed breakfast so by lunchtime he was starving. When he walked into the kitchen for lunch on Thursday, Hayden and Cooper were talking about the difficult bull, and the women were whispering among themselves.

Willow quickly looked up when she saw him. “Everything okay, coz?”

“Everything’s fine.”

Becket cleared his throat. “Our dogs were very restless in the early hours of this morning. I wonder why?”

Dylan shook his head. This family. “I brought June back.”

Chuckling, Becket slapped him on the shoulder. “When’s the last time you had a good night’s sleep?”

Before Dylan could answer, he caught Willow’s eyes on him. “What?”

“You sure everything is okay with you and June?” she asked, frowning slightly.

“As far as I know, why?”

“I met her in town this morning and I don’t know … maybe I’m seeing things that aren’t there.” Willow shrugged. “The other person I noticed in town was Jeff Thomas, Mom’s friend who talked to us during the picnic.”

Hayden quickly looked up. “I hope you didn’t question him about Dad?”

Willow shook her head. “I didn’t have to. Mom said something during book club on Tuesday. She opened up for just a second, but it was long enough for me to get a glimpse of what she’s been carrying around for so long.” She didn’t elaborate, though.

Fortunately, Becket asked the question on Dylan’s lips. “Are you talking about the fight Dad had with Uncle Grayson?”

Willow shook her head. “I’m not saying another word.”

Hunter chuckled. “Really?”

“It’s Mom’s story to tell.” Willow smiled, leaning against her husband. “Hayden, you should talk to her.”

Grunting, Hayden got up. “If she wants to tell us, she’ll tell us. Leave her to figure this out on her own, please?”

When Hayden left, the conversation around the table changed to ranching again, but Dylan couldn’t concentrate. When he’d finished, he excused himself and with Daisy following him, he walked outside to his truck.

He phoned June.

“Hi,” she said as she picked up. “Everything okay?”

“That’s what I want to know.”

“Everything’s fine,” she said a tad too quickly. “I’ll see you at seven?”

“Yes, we can go for a pizza or …”

“I’m cooking. I’m no Gordon Ramsay, but I like to cook.”

“Gordon who?”

She laughed. “I’ll see you later.”

Frowning, he got into his truck and drove away. What was this strange disquiet inside of him, a feeling that something was just slightly off? Whining softly, Daisy moved closer and put her head on his leg.

“I don’t know what’s wrong, Daisy,” he said, stroking the dog.

*

June pulled out all the stops for Thursday night’s dinner. After she’d made the food, a roast with potatoes and something sweet for dessert, she cleaned the house, emptied the fridge, packed most of her things, and put Fat Ruby in her car. The few other items she’d simply take with her when she left the next day. After sh said goodbye to Dylan.