Free Her Secret Cowboy by Marin Thomas Page B

house.
    Marsha took a seat at the table. She’d never been inside Will’s childhood home but from the looks of the kitchen there had been a lot of love inside the walls.
    “Conway and I are in the process of remodeling the house—one room at a time. We’re saving the kitchen for last.”
    “If you wait long enough the wallpaper might come back in style,” Marsha said, admiring the miniature white-and-blue teapots against a rose-colored background.
    Isi pointed to the black spot on the floor in front of the sink. “Can you imagine how many dishes their grandma Ada must have washed over the years to wear away the linoleum?”
    “More than I would ever want to do.”
    “I hope your father doesn’t mind the boys pestering him. Miguel and Javier can be a little overwhelming. Having a big family is new to them and they can’t get enough of everyone’s attention.”
    Marsha admired Isi’s long black hair and pretty brown eyes. “Will mentioned that you and Conway married this past spring?”
    Isi set a cup of coffee in front of Marsha, then poured a mug for herself. “That’s right. And I have Will to thank for bringing us together.” She carried a plate of cookies and a mug of coffee outside.
    When Isi entered the kitchen again, Marsha asked, “Did Will fix you up on a date with Conway?”
    “Heavens no. Conway and I had been friends for a couple of years.” Isi smiled. “Unbeknownst to Conway he was falling in love with me, but he was running scared. He set me up with Will, thinking his brother was a safe bet.”
    “Was Will a safe bet?” Marsha cringed. She hadn’t meant to speak the question out loud.
    “No sparks. Will and I knew right away nothing was going to happen between us.” Isi waved a hand in the air. “We tried a kiss to be sure.”
    Marsha ignored the burning sensation in her stomach. She assumed Will had kissed plenty of women since he took her to the prom, but she never expected to sit across the table and talk with one of them.
    “It was obvious to me and Will that we were meant to be friends, but he made sure Conway believed he had romantic feelings for me.”
    “What did Conway do?”
    Isi smiled. “He proposed.”
    At least Isi got her happily-ever-after. “Is Will dating anyone?”
    “No, he hasn’t had a girlfriend in a long while.” She offered a hesitant smile. “If I can be nosey...what happened between you and Will? Conway said Will just learned Ryan was his son.”
    “It’s a long story. I believed I was doing what was best for everyone by raising Ryan alone.”
    “But you changed your mind?”
    Marsha nodded.
    “Did Ryan ask about his father?”
    As much as Marsha enjoyed Isi’s outgoing personality, she wasn’t sure what Will wanted his family to know about the situation.
    “Don’t answer that,” Isi said. “I didn’t mean to pry, but—” her gaze shifted to the door “—the twins’ father refused to claim them as his. I didn’t find out he was married until I was four months pregnant.”
    “I’m sorry, Isi.”
    “I couldn’t have picked a better father for my sons than Conway. We’re lucky he loves us.”
    “I’m glad it worked out for you.” Marsha stared at the inside of her coffee cup. “How did your parents take the news that you were marrying a Cash brother?”
    The light dimmed in Isi’s eyes. “My mother and father are deceased and so are my twin brothers. I’m all that remains of my immediate family, but I know in my heart my parents would have approved of Conway.”
    “What about Aimee Cash and the fact that all her sons were fathered by different men?”
    “Does that bother you?” Isi asked.
    “No, but my father isn’t as understanding.”
    “Aimee’s lifestyle turned a lot of heads in Stagecoach and of course you know better than me because you went to school with the Cash brothers, but I hear they took a lot of ribbing about their names.”
    “I’m hoping my father eventually comes around but...”
    “But