Boots and The Rogue: Ugly Stick Saloon, Book 10 by Myla Jackson Page A

Maggie McFarlan’s voice. She glanced at Angus and Colin and almost laughed at the shocked expressions on their faces. She wanted to cheer for the older McFarlan and her fierce desire to join life again instead of sitting on the sidelines.
    “What?” Maggie said. “You don’t think your mother should have needs and desires?”
    Angus covered his ears. “I don’t want to hear this.”
    “I don’t know.” Colin grinned. “I think Mom deserves to be happy, especially after putting up with us all these years.”
    “Don’t you want me to be happy, Angus?” she asked.
    “Of course.” Angus took her hands. “And Dad would have wanted you to be happy. I just can’t see you with anyone but Dad.”
    Mrs. M sighed. “Me either. But I can’t live in the past. Besides, this is just dinner. I’m not marrying the man.”
    “But what if you do?” Angus asked.
    “We’ll cross that bridge if we come to it.” She patted her son’s cheek. “I’m glad you’ve found someone who makes you happy. I hope your brothers are as fortunate.” Maggie stared at Colin who’d settled in his chair and shoved another forkful of lasagna into his mouth.
    “What?” Colin asked.
    “Have you done anything about getting on with your life?” she asked.
    Colin set his fork down. “Hey, I got Brody here.”
    “By lying to him.” His mother crossed her arms. “I can’t believe you told him I was sick.”
    “He came, didn’t he? Proves he still cares about you, even if he doesn’t care about the rest of us.”
    “Give him time.” Angus took his seat. “He’ll come around.”
    “I don’t know.” Colin stared at the wall as if seeing something other than a calendar with the picture of a cow in a field. “With Fancy back in town, he might decide to leave sooner.”
    “What happened between Brody and Fancy?” Mrs. McFarlan asked. “He never told me.”
    “She discovered she didn’t love him enough to marry him, and called it off before they both made a big mistake.” Colin polished off the last bite on his plate, pushed back from the table and stood. “Jessie, good meal. Angus, enjoy it. Mom, I hope you have a nice time out with Mr. Landers. You deserve to be happy.” After his little speech, Colin carried his plate to the sink and left the room.
    Mrs. McFarlan stared after her son. “Did I say something wrong?”
    Angus concentrated on the food in front of him. “Who the heck knows? Colin’s had a bug up his butt ever since Brody and Fancy broke it off. He and Brody haven’t talked much since.”
    “You think Colin had something to do with Fancy breaking up with Brody?” Mrs. McFarlan asked.
    The way Colin lit up when he saw Fancy today, Jessie wouldn’t doubt it. The man had feelings for the pretty lady.
    Jessie sighed.
    Based on Brody’s reaction to seeing Fancy today, Jessie would go so far as to say he wasn’t over the woman.
    And for a moment in that diner, Jessie had thought Brody was happy to see her —Jessie. Boy, had she been wrong. Why she’d been disappointed at the realization, she didn’t know. Hell, they’d only known each other a short time.
    A knock on the front door shook her out of her musings.
    “That will be Carl.” Mrs. McFarlan smiled and her cheeks glowed a soft pink. “I feel like a teenager going out on her first date.”
    Jessie forced a smile for the woman. “You look like a teenager.”
    “Thank you, dear.” She touched Jessie’s arm. “Wish one of my boys would see what a lovely young woman you are.”
    “Oh, ma’am.” Jessie raised her hands. “I’m not in the market to marry.” She glanced at Angus. “I hope you don’t think that’s why I signed on.”
    Angus’s lips twisted. “I know why you accepted our offer. You’re crazy about that horse of yours. I still can’t believe you rode away from your last job with not much more than the clothes on your back.”
    “Scout was a gift from my father,” Jessie whispered. “I would never abandon