Page 37 of Lost and Found Cowboy
She snuggled into him, relishing the feel of his exquisitely muscled body, and thinking that for two people who were starting a fake relationship, their first date had ended in a way that was all too real.
But those thoughts were for tomorrow. For tonight, she was going to let go and enjoy this man, again. And again.
Chapter Sixteen
“You got this, Dylan,” Mack called out to the boy the next day. “You’re doing great.”
He and Judy stood just inside the fence as they watched the boy lead the pony in a slow circle around the corral.
“Look at that smile,” Judy said. “He loves this.”
“Duke told me that mare turned twenty this year, so she doesn’t get ridden much anymore, but she’s doing great with Dylan.”
Judy nudged his arm. “Us old gals can still have a little spunk left in us.”
“Come on, Miss Judy. What would you know about being old?”
A hearty laugh burst from her. “You definitely inherited the Lassiter charm. But I’m feeling every one of my years today. Raising a grandson in your sixties is not for the faint of heart.”
“Seems to me like you’re doing a great job with him. And you scored major grandma points by bringing him out here today.” Mack couldn’t imagine his motherevertreating him to a special outing like this, let alone taking him out of school for it. He pointed at Dylan, who was giggling as the horse broke into a trot. “He’s really getting the hang of it. Might just turn out to be acowboy yet. Although that astronaut thing should probably still be considered as a contender.”
“I’m sure he’ll keep it in mind. He’s also tossed around fireman and furniture salesman. He’s a fan of our recliners and thinks it would be nice to get a discount on the next ones we buy.”
Mack laughed. “Smart kid. And thankfully, he’s got plenty of time to decide.”
“I notice that my grandson isn’t the only one who can’t stop smiling today,” she said, her lips quirking up in a teasing grin. “You seem to be in a pretty good mood, too.”
He gave her what he hoped looked like an innocent shrug. “Yeah, I guess I am.”
“Does this good mood have anything to do with the date I heard you were on last night with a certain pretty coffee shop owner?”
He grinned. “Yes, it just might. But how did you hear I took Lorna on a date last night?”
Judy chuckled. “Oh honey. Of course I heard. This is averysmall town. And apparently you were holding hands and walking right down Main Street.”
Maisie was right. And it seemed like their plan had worked. People were already talking about them as a couple.
Hopefully Lyle had heard about them as well.
“I ran into her at the grocery store this morning, and she seemed pretty happy, too,” Judy said. “It’s nice to see her smiling again. Especially after what that douche-hole Lyle Williams put her through.”
Just thinking about Lyle had Mack’s temper flare, and he curled his hands into fists. He took a deep breath and tried to let his rage out with his exhale. “I haven’t heard that particular terminology, but I’d agree it seems fitting.”
“I don’t know a lot about their marriage,” Judy said. “But I know enough to tell you that Lyle is bad news, and there is nothing good about him being back in town. A lot of people felt bad for Lorna when he took off on her, but I was glad to see him go. And I wasn’t the only one.” She shook her head and wrinkled her nose as if she’d just gotten a whiff of cow manure. “I can’t imagine why that sweet Misty would give up everything and leave town with him. And I honestly can’t believe he’s back. I’m not one to gossip, but I think he left owing money to more than one person in this town, and I can’t imagine he found that much while they’ve been gone.”
“I agree on the bad news. And it seems to me that the best thing Lyle ever did for Lorna was to leave her.”
Judy brushed a hand over his shoulder. “I’m glad she has you now.”
“Thanks. I’d like to make her happy, but sometimes I’m not sure I’m the right guy for her.” He wasn’t sure why he’d just admitted that to someone who was practically a stranger, especially since the whole plan was to make them seem like an established blissful couple. But the older woman was easy to talk to, and the words had just come out.
Her brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”
He looked down and kicked at a clod of dirt with the toe of his boot. “I like Lorna. A lot. But I’m not sure I know how to do this whole serious dating thing. I’m not sure what Duke’s told you about my past, but my dad was never around and even when my mom was home, she might as well have been gone too, because she could care less about me or what I was doing.” He stared out over the mountains behind the corral. “I want to be a good boyfriend, but what do I know about how to have a healthy relationship?”
“Well, it sounds like you sure know what anunhealthyone looks like.”
“I do.”
