Wishing for a Cowboy (Wishing River #3) - Victoria James Page 0,28

looked more at home here, on the wide-open pasture, with the wind whipping around them, than he did at his bar. She looked up at him, her breath caught somewhere deep inside as she was struck by how beautiful he was, how he fit out here in a way that seemed so natural. The mountains behind him and the open, hard land around him didn’t make him seem small. It made him look as though he was one with it—as though he belonged here.

She shook off the thought, feeling ridiculous. How would she know anything about the great outdoors and who belonged in it?

Janie walked with him and tried to picture a younger version of Aiden being happy with Maxi, but she couldn’t. They seemed so opposite.

Men are fickle creatures, her mother had told her. They’re attracted to beautiful women like moths are to a flame. Maxi will never have to work a day in her life—she can get by on her looks—which is why I’m so forceful with you, so that you learn how to earn your own way in the world. I won’t be here forever, dear. I know you have a good heart, but our hearts are inside. No man will find you beautiful because of your heart.

Janie had long ago figured out her mother had so many issues that she’d dumped on her and her sister. She knew that—rationally—but sometimes, when she least expected it, those old memories, old words would rise to the surface and cut her all over again.

They walked back to the house in silence, and Janie could tell Aiden was deep inside his own thoughts. As she went up the front steps and he went to his truck, insecurity gripped her. This town, this man, and this ranch were all new to her. All of this was so foreign.

They weren’t supposed to be here. They were supposed to be on their way home now. Despite his assurances, Aiden had made it clear he wanted to be a father to Will and he would stay in Wishing River, where he had roots.

And despite what she wanted to believe, the facts were that Wishing River wasn’t her home and Will would never be her son.

All her life, she’d rolled with the punches. Took hit after hit, just dealt with it, and every problem she conquered made her stronger to face the next one. Now, she wasn’t so sure this was a fight she could win—a fight against herself to accept that this situation was one she couldn’t change.

But if Aiden Rivers was going to be the thing that finally knocked her down, she swore right then, she would go down swinging.

Chapter Seven

The next morning, Janie and Will were having breakfast together while Aiden was out in the barn. Will hadn’t been lured out by food last night, and she and Aiden hadn’t discussed plans or a future at all. Aiden seemed to shut down, and Janie had been fine with that. She had been emotionally exhausted herself and needed some time alone.

But now, Will had come wandering into the kitchen, looking like a lost puppy with the appetite of a bear. He was currently on his third bowl of cereal while Janie sat with a mug of coffee.

“How are you feeling?”

Will shrugged, the answering method of choice at the moment, while shoving another spoonful of cereal into his mouth.

“I know this is difficult, and you must have so many different feelings and questions, and that’s all okay. I’m here for you. Aiden is here for you, too,” she said gently.

He put his spoon down for a moment but kept his gaze focused on the bowl. “I called Mom last night. It was bad.”

Janie’s stomach dropped. “What did she say?”

“She admitted she’s the liar. Not this stranger we just met a couple days ago. My mom is a liar. She lied to you, to me, to Aiden. She didn’t want me, so she gave me to you and didn’t even bother telling my real dad that I existed. I want to go back to a week ago, before I knew any of this. I was happy before we came here, with just you and me. This is all messed up now. We’re like some screwed-up family on a talk show.”

Janie’s chest tightened, and she reached out to grab his hand, like she’d always done when he needed comforting, praying he wouldn’t pull away. “I’m sorry, Will. I’m so sorry, honey. But you know what? That’s