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“Fine. Your room’s the third door down the hall. Trevor, get up and give the lady a hand. Come on, move it.”
Jess had never heard him sound so brusque. Had something gone wrong? Maybe she’d have a chance to ask him later.
The bedroom had been a lovely surprise. She’d expected, maybe, a camp cot and a sleeping bag for her first night here. Instead, Cooper had set up a comfortable bed, a dresser with drawers for her things, and a chair. The fact that he’d taken the time, when he had his own work to do, made her feel even more grateful.
She’d dropped her packages on the bed and directed Trevor to do the same with the remaining ones he’d brought from the car. He’d responded to her thanks with a murmur and returned to his TV program.
The groceries she’d bought earlier had stayed cold in the trunk. She’d carried them to the kitchen and put them away. After that, before going back to her room to unpack her other purchases, she’d wanted to thank Cooper for the work he’d done.
His office door had stood ajar. She’d rapped lightly, then when she heard his voice, stepped inside.
He was working at his computer, his desk piled with notes, books, and magazines. As Jess walked in, he’d swiveled his chair in her direction. “Hi.” His voice had sounded cool, or maybe just strained. “Is there something I can do for you, Jess?”
“Not now. I just came in to thank you for setting up the bedroom. That was going the extra mile.”
“No trouble at all. I figured you’d be too tired to do it yourself.”
“But you were busy, and you still took time. I appreciate that.” When he didn’t respond, she’d continued. “I can see you’re busy now, so I’ll leave you to get back to work. I won’t be underfoot long, Cooper. Something’s bound to turn up soon.”
If she’d expected him to assure her that she was welcome, she’d been disappointed. Earlier in the day, he’d invited her to stay, even talked her into it. Had he changed his mind? Was it something she’d said or done?
The same questions nagged at her as she put the finishing touches on Sunday dinner. At first she thought she might be imagining the change in Cooper. But no, the man who’d kissed her so deliciously yesterday was definitely avoiding her, especially when Trevor was around. As a psychologist, she prided herself on her ability to read people. But when it came to those involved in her personal life, she was as clueless as the next bewildered woman.
They’d invited Abner to come and share the meal this afternoon. That should ease the tension around the table. But if Cooper continued to send his silent messages, she would need to find another temporary refuge, even if it meant taking a motel room in Cottonwood Springs.
* * *
Cooper finished his second helping of pot roast and fresh buttered biscuits. Jess had gone all out to prepare a tasty meal—and the food was wonderful. But now, as he studied her from across the table, he could see anxiety written on her beautiful face. Knowing that he was the cause was its own kind of hell. Every time he looked at her, the urge to hold her in his arms made him want to curse. But his choice had been made clear—Jess or his son. And there could be no doubt about which way to go.
The worst of it was, he was just beginning to realize how much he cared for her.
Abner soaked up the gravy on his plate with the last hunk of biscuit. “My, but that was the best meal I’ve had in a racoon’s age. I’ve been eating my own cooking for so long, I’d forgot what good food tastes like.”
Jess smiled. “There’s plenty left over. I’ll give you some to take home and warm up. Now how about some blueberry pie for dessert? I didn’t bake it myself, but nothing beats the pie from Stella’s Bakery.”
“I’ve saved just enough room,” Abner said. “How about the rest of you? Pie for all?”
Cooper and Trevor nodded. Jess got up from the table, carried the empty plates to the sink, and was about to slice the pie when a sound like the rumble of oncoming thunder rattled the windowpanes.
“They’re coming!” Trevor jumped out of his chair and raced outside. Jess flashed Cooper a startled look. Only then did Cooper realize that he hadn’t told her about the contract with Judd Rankin for the lease of the pastures. Cooper had signed the papers yesterday and dropped them off at Judd’s impressive rambling ranch house. Now the cows were here.
“It’s all right, Jess. The pie can wait,” he told her.
Abner had already headed outside behind Trevor. Cooper stepped out onto the porch to see a herd of fifty Black Angus cows thundering up the lane. Driving them were two men on horseback. One was a young stranger, probably a hired hand. The other, mounted on a fine palomino, was Judd Rankin.
Cooper had left the pasture gate open. As the lead animals came into the yard, Judd turned them aside, through the gate. The others began to follow them, with Glory doing her job, barking and darting, keeping them in line.
“Wow!” Trevor stood beside his father. “This looks like something out of a western movie.”
“Except that the cows are Angus instead of longhorns or Herefords.” Jess had joined them on the porch.
“But those guys are real cowboys!” Trevor said. “Not like those fake guys at school. Look, they’ve got ropes and everything. This is cool!”
Getting all the cows through the gate and into the pasture took no more than ten or fifteen minutes. The hired cowboy closed the gate and began filling the water trough from a hose attached to a pump outside the fence.
Judd rode up to the porch. In the saddle he looked as impressive as John Wayne. “Sorry about the racket,” he said to Trevor. “They’ll spread out and settle down to graze before long. After that you’ll barely notice they’re around. Let me know if there’s any problem.”
“I’ll be sure and do that,” Cooper said.
