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“He’s still feeling guilty about Tony, Mama. That’s all it is. He doesn’t really want us underfoot.”
“Well, it’s too late for that now. I told him yes.”
“Mama, you didn’t.” It wasn’t like her mother to be this impetuous.
“Honey, this house hasn’t been painted since your father left. You know how many years that’s been? More than fifteen. The paint’s peeling in every room! I’ve got the money saved up for this, and it’s the perfect time.”
“But how...what am I supposed to... Mama, I can’t believe you did this without checking with me first.”
“It’ll be fine, darling. You’re taking time off to plan the wedding starting Monday so you won’t have to commute to the hospital. It’ll be like a little staycation, isn’t that what they call it?”
“Yes, that’s what it’s called, but that means staying at your own house.”
“Oh. Well, no matter. I’ve given Turner Painting a cash deposit. So pack a bag or two, sweetheart, and don’t forget your wedding binder. We’re moving to Stone Ridge tomorrow.”
Two (#u3cdd52d6-6a6f-5425-81a3-cb4b2ca8c146)
On the drive out to Stone Ridge, Lauren couldn’t stop wondering if she’d been bamboozled into moving into Cooper’s house by her wily mother. Boy, when her mama put her mind to something, she was like a wrecking ball. That was one of the traits she loved most about her. And her mama wasn’t about to let an opportunity like this one slip between her fingers. She wanted her house painted inside and out, and they didn’t have the funds to move into a motel for the weeks it would take to finish the project. So what if her mother saw living at Stone Ridge as a perfect solution to a problem? Even Lauren saw the merits. It was just that...she didn’t want to take advantage of Cooper.
Sure, he was wealthy and could afford having guests in his home, especially if those guests were like family. Maybe he was lonely and wanted company.
She scoffed out loud at the thought.
“You say something, honey?”
She cleared her throat. “No, Mama. Just a little froggy.”
Her mother smiled.
Cooper couldn’t be lonely...not for female companionship, anyway. That man was hot with a capital H. Lauren had noticed. Any red-blooded woman would. And she wasn’t going to beat herself up about how hard her heart pounded when he walked into a room. She’d crushed on him as a girl, and you never really get over first crushes. Especially if the crush had deep, sea-blue eyes, a square jawline and long, thick, dark blond hair. Especially if the man filled out his shirt with broad shoulders and granite arms.
Cooper Stone was all man, all Texan, all the time. She giggled.
“What’s funny?” her mother asked.
“Nothing. Oh, look, Mama.” She distracted her mama by pointing to the gates of Stone Ridge. “Gosh, I haven’t been here in ages. I’ve forgotten how beautiful it is.”
Acres upon acres of rich green pastures surrounded the property. This time of year, the dogwood trees that lined the road to the house were in full bloom, flourishing in pinks and whites. She recalled Cooper telling her years ago those trees were his mother’s favorite thing about the ranch.
For Lauren, catching her first glimpse of the house as they drove up was the ultimate experience. The design had a modern-day, country-home feel, with slate stone and cedar wood and a beautiful wood-framed, glass double-door entry. It was hardly a traditional ranch house from the past, but more a contemporary marvel.
The barns and stables were quite a distance off, so the scent of fresh blooms didn’t have to battle with cattle smells and packed earth. It was something, this ranch, and suddenly inspiration hit, giving Lauren a million ideas for her wedding. She particularly noted the well-groomed garden leading up to the steps to the mosaic stone-front entrance.
She parked her Honda and took a breath. “Ready for this?”
Her mother only smiled. “You have no idea how much.”
It did her heart good to see her mother finally coming around, finally warming to the idea of her marrying Roger. Once the initial shock had worn off, her mother seemed to be all-in.
Lauren was jumping over one hurdle at a time, heading toward the finish line.
It was awesome to feel this way. To know her life had direction. The shock of Tony’s death had stymied her and she hadn’t known where to turn. Then she’d starting dating Roger, and found him compassionate. They’d shared their grief over losing such a wonderful man and things just sort of rolled along from there. Up until that point, she hadn’t had much luck in love.
Her friends said she was a dreamer, a passionate soul who got restless too easily with the opposite sex. As grounded as she was in nursing, her private life hadn’t been all too...stable.
Cooper drove up in his four-wheel-drive Jeep and pulled in front of her car, grabbing her attention. He parked, then gripped the roll bar in one hand and hopped out.
“Oh, look, there’s Cooper,” her mother said.
How could she miss him? He was slapping dust off his chaps and blue chambray shirt as he began his approach, his stride confident, his smile welcoming. All golden tanned and muscled, he sauntered over.
“Hey,” he said.
The rich, deep tone of his voice made her gulp air. She’d grown up in Texas and rugged cowboys were a dime a dozen.
But Cooper Stone was in a class by himself. And the feminist in her said she could react this way about a handsome guy without tripping over guilt about Roger. Her fiancé.
Plus, Coop was doing her a big favor.
“Hi, Cooper. We made it,” she said lamely. Of course, they’d made it. It wasn’t as if she’d traveled across state lines to get there. Stone Ridge was a mere twenty miles from the Dallas city limits.
“I can see that.” He ducked his head into the turned-down window, which brought his face within inches of hers. “Morning, Loretta.”
“Cooper, it’s good to see you. Looks like you’re working already.”
“I like to get my hands dirty every so often, reminds me of my heritage.” He winked. “I was helping my crew tear down an old shack we had on the property. Glad I made it back in time to greet you.”
He pulled off his tan leather gloves and stuffed them into his back pocket. “Let me help you carry your luggage into the house,” he said. “I’ll show you to your rooms.”
“Are you sure we’re not putting you and Jared out? We don’t want to get in your way,” Lauren said. She’d never even considered the fact that this might inconvenience his brother, too.
“You’re not putting me out,” Cooper said automatically, which made her feel a ton better. “And my brother has his own place. He lives up the road at the other end of the pasture, and he’s on board with having the wedding here.”
“Good to know,” she said. She didn’t know Jared very well. He was younger than Cooper and Tony by a few years. She was happy that Jared didn’t mind. “But if we ever get in your way, you just say the word and we’ll make other arrangements.”
“Lauren.”
Okay, so maybe she was overdoing it, but Lauren wasn’t too good at accepting big favors like this. Or was it something else, something that had to do with her breath catching as soon as Cooper smiled at her?
“We appreciate your hospitality, Cooper,” her mother said.
“Anything I can do to help.” He walked around the car and gave her mother a hand as she got out of her seat.
Lauren climbed out, as well, and popped her trunk. Her life for the next month was crammed into her luggage, four bags in all. Her mom had brought two bags.
Cooper walked to the trunk. He didn’t blink an eye as he hoisted four of the bags like they weighed nothing. “I’ll get the rest on my next trip out.”
“I can get them,” Lauren said, pulling two pieces of rolling luggage out and setting them on their wheels.
“Cooper, for heaven’s sake, I’m not ancient,” her mother said. “Give me one of those bags.”
Copper grinned. “Sure thing.” He handed her the smallest one. “Here you go.”
In that one move, he’d saved her mother’s pride, telling Lauren he had enough confidence in his own manhood to allow her mom to help. Lauren made a mental note. Add that to the growing list of things she found appealing about Cooper Stone.
Once inside, Cooper stood in the foyer and pointed to a wide, winding staircase. “I’ve given you both the rooms facing west. You’ll see some amazing sunsets.”
“Thanks, Cooper,” she said. “Gosh, it’s been so many years since I’ve been to your ranch. This place is completely transformed.”
The living room was huge, with a floor-to-ceiling fireplace made with sleek slate and light wood. A sitting area faced the fireplace and another faced a set of windows overlooking the gardens and green pastures beyond. Overhead, thick beams lent a slightly rustic tone to the contemporary décor.
“I’ll show you around a little later, after you get settled in.” He began climbing the stairs and the two of them followed until they reached the first guest room.
“Oh, this is lovely,” her mother said immediately.
“Then I chose correctly,” he said. “I figured you’d like this room, Loretta.”
It was bright and cheerful with white-shuttered windows and ivory furniture upholstered in a floral motif. The room almost looked too girly for a bachelor’s ranch home.
Cooper dropped off her mother’s bags and then led Lauren to the next guest room, done in light blues with pale gray walls and stained mango wood furniture that instantly made her feel at peace. “This is nice.”
“Glad you like it.” He set her luggage down on the bed. “Here you go. I’ll see you later after a quick shower and change of clothes.”
Her eyes dipped to his body, an involuntary movement that brought a flush to her cheeks. If he noticed, he didn’t react.
“Okay, thanks again. See ya.”
“Lauren,” he said, a serious tone in his voice.
“What?”
“Stop thanking me. Please.”
She scrunched up her face. She couldn’t help it if her mother had drilled manners into her, could she?
“I’ll try.”
He gave her a nod. “Good enough.”
And then he was out the door, heading for a shower.
This time, she forced an image of Roger into her head.
Yes, that was a nice, safe place to be.
* * *
Cooper pulled out a pitcher of lemonade just as Loretta walked into the kitchen. “My goodness, what a pretty kitchen you have.”
Cooper only smiled. He’d had this house built seven years ago on the same spot as the old ranch house. His mother hadn’t minded tearing the old place down. She was quite progressive and didn’t like to dwell in the past. She and his dad had had a good life, but after he’d died, she’d spent all her energy on helping Cooper plan out a new modern-day version of the house. And his mother was a perfectionist, down to the last detail.
The enormous room had white cupboards, dark granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances. There was everything imaginable, from a brick oven to a six-burner stovetop with a covered grill to a table that seated eight. “My mom’s doing.”
“How is Veronica these days?”
“Mom’s good. She’s remarried, as you know, living down in Houston. Her husband keeps her pretty busy traveling.”
“Well, you tell her I said hello next time you talk to her.”
“Will do. Lemonade?”
“Sure, thanks.”
He poured them both a glass and handed one to Loretta. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me, too,” she said as she glanced out the kitchen doorway. “Cooper, I had to do some scheming to get my daughter here,” she whispered. “But I know it’s the right move. Otherwise, I’d never be so underhanded.”
“What did you do?”
She smiled. “Hired a crew to paint my house inside and out.”
He grinned. “Did you now?”
“Had to, and even paid them extra to get the crew to start today. I needed a reason to get Lauren to move out of the house. She’s a little uncomfortable about it.”
He knew the feeling. Hell, he hadn’t had a woman here since he’d given up dating six months ago. Now he had two females under his roof. “She’ll be fine. I’ll try to ease her mind a bit.”
Loretta’s eyes softened. “You’re a blessing, Cooper.”
“I’m nothing of the sort, Loretta.”
“You’ve got a good heart for doing this.”
He scratched his chin. “About that, Loretta. I hope you know you’re both welcome here, but I’m not exactly sure how this is all going to work. I mean, Lauren’s set on marrying this guy and I can only do so much. I came up with this plan pretty quick and all.” He hadn’t really thought it through, but Loretta seemed set on breaking up Lauren’s engagement, or at the very least, making sure Kelsey was an upstanding man, deserving of her daughter’s hand.
The only real plan in his head was to keep watch over Lauren while he tried to find out Kelsey’s true intentions. His gut was telling him her fiancé was no good, and he trusted his gut. If the guy had been cheating Tony, then he should be exposed for the creep that he was. Protecting Lauren was Cooper’s job now...at all costs. If his secret plan went awry, he could lose Lauren’s friendship, but it was a risk he was willing to take. He owed Tony that much. Hell, he owed the entire Abbott family.
Period.
“It’s a start. We can keep an eye on Lauren better at your ranch, without too much interference from Roger,” Loretta said, breaking into his thoughts. “We’ll figure it out as we go.”
That was an understatement.
“How’s your brother?”
“Jared’s good.”
“Will we be seeing him while we’re here?”
