Page 48 of Home to the Cowboy

“Dylan!” Cooper called out. “Vivian is here to check on you.”

June quickly moved away so when Cooper and Vivian entered, she was standing near the window.

“Morning, June,” Cooper smiled before he stepped closer to Dylan. “How are you feeling, coz?”

“Hello, Coop, Vivian, I’m fine. You didn’t have to come, Vivian.”

“You’re my patient, of course I have to be here,” Vivian smiled. “Lie down so that I can see for myself you’re fine.”

“Coffee, anyone?” June asked as she walked to the door.

“Thank you, yes,” Vivian smiled.

“I’ll help,” Cooper said as he followed June out.

*

Adding water to the coffeemaker, taking out coffee mugs were such mundane tasks, but at this moment being busy was what June needed. While waiting for the coffee machine to finish, she cleaned the few plates and cutlery in the sink while trying her best not to think that in a few minutes she’d be leaving this place forever.

“You don’t have to, you know?” Cooper said softly as he stepped into the kitchen.

Acting as if she hadn’t heard him, she looked over her shoulder. “I haven’t had a chance to thank you for whatever it was you did on Tuesday night. I felt so much better when I woke up.”

“I’m glad you’re feeling better. You don’t have to leave. Tell Dylan how you feel.”

Sighing, she finally faced Cooper. “My life is back in Seattle. I’ve just been visiting.”

“You were going to stay for a month or two, if I remember correctly. Why leave now?”

Fortunately, at that moment the coffee was ready, and she had something to do. Not that it would make a difference. Today she didn’t want anyone reading her mind. “You know why. I don’t even know what I’m feeling. In a few weeks, I’m sure I’ll have forgotten all about it. I had a great time, but I stopped expecting happy outcomes a long time ago. I’ll be okay. You’re such a great family, thank you all for making me feel welcome.” It was on the tip of her tongue to ask Cooper to look after Dylan, when both Dylan and Vivian joined them in the kitchen.

“Well,” Vivian said, “I don’t know what you’ve done, Cooper, and I can’t pretend to understand, but Dylan is perfectly fine.”

“Thanks for coming, I appreciate it,” Dylan said.

Vivian checked her digital watch. “Of course. I have a patient waiting for me, so I’ll take a rain check on that coffee, thanks June.”

June moved forward. “Let me walk you out.”

Daisy followed them outside, staying close to June.

“Why don’t you look happy?” asked Vivian as she opened her car door.

“What do you mean?”

“I’m not Cooper, but I can see something is wrong.”

“I … I’m going back to Seattle. It’s been so lovely to meet all of you, but my work and life is back there.”

Stepping closer, Vivian hugged her. “You’ve fallen for Dylan, haven’t you?”

Swallowing against the lump in her throat, June nodded. “I have no idea what this craziness is! He’s not interested in anything permanent, though.”

“Why don’t you talk to him?”

Shaking her head, June moved back. “He’s been very clear. Take care, Vivian, and give my love to everyone, I’ll miss you guys.”

Shaking her head, Vivian got into her car. “You may as well tell him how you feel, you know?” With another wave, she drove away.