Dee, Lavada - Nothing to Lose [Blackhawk Brothers] (BookStrand Publishing Romance) by Lavada Dee Page A

almost the same size with the same coloring except for his blue eyes, which came from his mother. Coop would look just like his father someday.
    Lydia motioned them all forward. “We were just having second cups of coffee.”
    Cooper interrupted her. “We can’t stay. I just wanted to let you know we are going be gone all day and probably won’t get back until sometime tomorrow. We’re going to take a run around Flathead Lake. I want to show Galynn some of the country.”
    His mother gave him the look that brooked no argument. “You have time for one quick cup. It’s been awhile since we’ve seen you.”
    “I know. First I was trying to get that mall job to a point where we could be inside before the weather hit, and then I got buried in that office mess.” He held up his hands. “You know that Bev isn’t coming back, don’t you?”
    “No, we hadn’t heard. The grandkids?” His mother smiled. “I can certainly understand her wanting to be closer.”
    Her voice held just a trace of censure, and Cooper’s dad held up his hand. “Lydia!”
    With mock giving in, she poured Coop and Galynn coffee. Under her breath she said, “Well, you can’t blame a wannabe grandmother for trying.”
    Coop laughed. “She’s been angling for years about babies and getting old and…”
    Lydia winked over at Galynn. “I won’t scare you off, will I?” She wagged her finger at Coop. “And if you aren’t careful, I’ll drag out all those old photo albums.”
    Coop rolled his eyes, promising to not say another word. Laughter and fun brightened the kitchen. Coop’s dad told him about the property he was interested in, and Cooper promise to go into Missoula on the way back and take a look at it. Glancing down at his watch, he gave a groan. “We’ve been here for over an hour. We have to get going, or it’s going to be dark before we clear Blackhawk.
    Cooper’s dad handed him a set of keys. “Here, you’ll need these. Be sure and look at the floors, they’re beauts.”
    With hugs and promises to not make it so long between visits, Cooper and Galynn finally made it to the car and within minutes were heading out the drive. Galynn settled back in the seat and a comfortable silence filled the SUV.
    The weather was cooperating. It was crisp and cold, but the sunshine was out. Cooper finally broke the silence. “You’re awfully quiet.”
    “I was just thinking how lucky you are.”
    Cooper didn’t try to act like he didn’t know what she was talking about. “I know having three brothers is…well, pretty great. The only thing missing in our family”—he held up his hand—“and I know my brothers and I didn’t miss it, was a girl. Mom wanted so much to have a daughter, and none of us have provided her one through marriage, which also has eliminated a granddaughter.”
    “I have to admit, I’m surprised that none of you are married. Coming from such a close family, I’d think it would be hard to live by yourselves.”
    Cooper seemed to think this through. “Never thought about it. But now that you bring it up, maybe we’re like wolves or bald eagles that mate for life. Maybe we just haven’t found the mate we know is for us yet.” He looked over and a grin played across his lips. “Or maybe one of us has and just hasn’t been able to convince the other party.”
    Galynn laughed. “You are so full of it, Mr. Blackhawk. Wolf indeed.”
    “Hey, from what I’ve heard, only about three percent of the four thousand mammal species are monogamous.” He stopped and waggled his brows. “…and Homo sapiens isn’t one of them.”
    “So you’re saying you think the Blackhawk family is the exception?”
    Cooper’s voice turned serious. “I’m saying, for me, it’s for life.” He paused, and his voice dropped to a whisper. “If you leave, you’re going to take my heart with you.”
    Galynn swallowed the lump in her throat and averted her head to look out at the beautiful countryside. It wasn’t an issue