Free The Rancher's Blessed Event by Stella Bagwell Page A

“That’s good. You never did have enough grazing land. The licks will help.”
    Emily knew her mother was right. The Diamond D cattle needed all the nourishment they could get, but it irked her to have Cooper supplying it.
    Gazing into her coffee cup, she said, “Daddy didn’t ask me anything about Cooper. You did tell him he was back on the Diamond D, didn’t you?”
    â€œYes, I told him. I expect he didn’t mention Cooper because he figures the guy is just passing through and his being here isn’t going to make any difference one way or the other.”
    Emily wished she could think in those terms. “I hope he’s right. I hope Cooper is just passing through, but he keeps telling me otherwise.”
    â€œDo you think he really means to stay?”
    Closing her eyes, Emily drew in a long breath, then let it out slowly. “Deep down I think this is just a passing thing with Cooper. I think the luster will wear off soon and he’ll decide to hit the road again. Personally I can’t wait.”
    â€œWhy? Has he been—forward with you?”
    Opening her eyes, Emily looked at her mother. “In what way?”
    â€œIn any way.”
    Emily grimaced. “Why do you ask something like that?”
    Rose gave her daughter a gentle smile. “Darling, the man was attracted to you at one time.”
    Cooper had been attracted to her, Emily silently agreed. But the attraction had only been a physical thing, and certainly nothing strong enough to keep him here in New Mexico. “Oh, Mother, that was so long ago. It doesn’t mean anything now.”
    â€œMaybe not to you. But Cooper might not have forgotten.”
    â€œMother! That’s...well, I can’t believe you of all people could even think such a thing!”
    Rose actually laughed, surprising Emily even more.
    â€œIt isn’t really such a shocking thing,” Rose insisted. “You’re still a young, beautiful woman. And for some reason Cooper has never married.”
    â€œNot because of me!”
    â€œHow do you know? Did you ask him?”
    Emily gasped at her mother’s question. “Of course not! I mean—well, I did ask him if he’d married. But that was...only because I was curious. Any self-respecting man would know I’m still grieving over my husband.”
    Sighing, Rose took another drink of coffee. “Are you grieving, honey?”
    Emily stared at her mother as if the older woman had suddenly lost all her senses and morality. “Mother! What has come over you? Do you think I wanted Kenneth to die?”
    Seeing how offended her daughter was becoming, Rose slid from the stool and curled her arm around Emily’s shoulder. “Darling, calm down. I’m not thinking anything of the sort. But I am going to speak frankly to you. Because I think it’s what you need now.”
    Emily went very still as she looked into her mother’s lovely face. “Talk to me frankly? About what?”
    â€œYou. I realize down through the years I never really questioned you about your marriage to Kenneth.”
    â€œNo. You’ve never been an interfering parent.”
    Rose shook her head. “I’ve tried not to be. But actually, I didn’t have to ask about your marriage. I knew you weren’t happy. At least, not happy the way your father and I are.”
    Emily’s gaze dropped to her lap. “Not every couple is as blessed as you and Daddy.”
    Rose smiled softly. “No. Not every couple. And I realize Kenneth’s death was a dreadful shock to you. I know you would have given anything for the accident to have never happened. But that’s not the same as the deep devastation a woman feels when she loses her soul mate—”
    â€œBut Kenneth—”
    â€œWasn’t your soul mate,” Rose finished before Emily could.
    Emily opened her mouth to further protest, but then her shoulders sagged with