Always a Cowboy by Linda Lael Miller

lips. “Specifically?”
    â€œI know you saw that picture of me and Drake.” She felt a flush hit her cheeks.
    â€œI could lie,” Blythe told her, “but I’m not good at lying, and besides, why should I? I saw it. Slater is elated and I don’t blame him one bit. That shot couldn’t be orchestrated in a thousand years. Drake would never do that in front of a camera on purpose and that horse is definitely an...interesting addition.”
    Luce gave a small hiccup of a laugh. “Drake’s going to view him as more of a nuisance than ever.”
    â€œI assume you mean the horse. Well, Drake viewed you as a nuisance when you first got here, but he seems to have decided otherwise in a very short period of time. I was going to have a cup of tea. Care to join me?”
    â€œI’d love to.”
    â€œI’ll be right back. We’ll sit at the table in the corner.”
    It was a pleasant afternoon, pots of pansies vibrant in the slanting sunlight on the veranda-style porch. When Blythe returned with a tray holding an old-fashioned teapot and two delicate floral china cups with saucers, Luce hurried to take it from her, letting her hostess choose a chair first.
    â€œOf course, Harry insisted on the oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, since she was just taking them out of the oven.” Blythe sat down and reached for the teapot, pouring them each a cup. “She makes those for Drake, lemon bars for Slater, and Mace’s favorite is her blue-ribbon-winning pie. If asked, I’m fairly sure the boys would describe her as the most thoughtful tyrant in Bliss County. Now, then, what are you going to do about Drake?”
    That was certainly direct.
    But so was the picture, and he’d just kissed her again . Drat the man. Not that she’d pushed him away or anything...
    The raspberry-lemon tea was wonderful. “I have no idea,” she said with a rueful smile. “I don’t know if I can do anything about him. He lives here and I live in California.”
    â€œHis father lived here and I lived in California.” Blythe took a dainty sip. “I really fell for that hardworking, honest-as-the-day-is-long cowboy. Slater looks like my late husband, but Drake reminds me of him more. Stubborn as all get-out. He’s also a very good, kind man. Intelligent and yet compassionate enough that children and animals are instinctively drawn to him.”
    Luce nibbled at a cookie. She could level with Blythe, and she did. “You don’t have to sell me on Drake. You saw that film.”
    Blythe’s smile deepened. “I did indeed. A lot of people will see it. You’re fine with that?”
    â€œNo one will know who I am. I told Slater I was okay with it.”
    â€œThere are worse things than a woman being kissed by a handsome young man.”
    She couldn’t agree more. “Everything in life is about timing. Did you catch that bus on schedule? Or if you missed it, did you also miss being in an accident? Did you walk across the street at the wrong time? Did your parents divorce when you were in high school? Did you catch your fiancé with your best friend? All kinds of scenarios like that. I just don’t know if this is the right timing for us.”
    Blythe laughed, the sound light and musical. “Honey, you can’t wait for ‘right.’ There’s no such thing when it comes to love. I’d never tell you what to do, but to me, effort is the key to any relationship and I’m living proof that you have to do your share and maybe a little more if you want a man like Drake.”
    Luce shrugged. “I’m not convinced it’s an option.”
    â€œSure it is! Keep in mind that Drake’s never going to be forthcoming, especially regarding anything emotional. That’s just who he is. Mace expresses himself effectively, Drake not enough and Slater’s in the middle.”
    That didn’t bother her too much.