Her Cowboy Billionaire Bachelor

by Liz Isaacson

  She once again left the soup and came over to where he sat at the bar. “What is it?”

  “I didn’t leave,” he said. “I was fired. Something happened in Nigeria, and I got blamed.”

  His mom didn’t demand to know more, or ask if he’d really been at fault. She simply put her hands over his, and said, “I’m sorry.”

  “And I thought if I came here and opened that clinic, that I could prove that I was a good doctor.”

  “Oh, Liam, of course you’re a good doctor.”

  He shook his head. “But I’m not. Good doctors know how to help people, and I don’t even know how to be a person.” As he spoke, he realized how right Rose had been. He had no idea who he was. A profession shouldn’t define him, simply because he was good at it and enjoyed it.

  Surely he’d be good at other things and enjoy them too.

  “Tell me what you mean,” his mother said, a line from his childhood he’d always hated but that he now appreciated.

  “I mean, I know how to look at a chart or a patient and diagnose what’s wrong with them. I know which drug will fix the problem. But I don’t know…people. I don’t know how to relax the way other people do, and I don’t know how to be happy the way other people do. I thought if I just worked hard enough, the happiness would come.” He sighed and looked at his mother. “But it hasn’t.” Something inside him snapped, and his chin trembled when he said, “I lost Rose, Mom.”

  “Oh, honey.” She stood and gathered him into her arms again. Liam liked the comfort and strength within that circle, and he realized that he did have a very good mother. She’d done her best, the way most people did.

  “Tell me what to do,” he said.

  His mom left him at the bar and went back to the soup. She pulled down a bowl from the cupboard and started ladeling. “First, you’re going to eat this. Then you’re going to tell me what happened with Rose, and we’re going to figure out how you can get her back.”

  “Mom,” he said. “I meant with….” What had he meant?

  “Liam,” she said, a bite in her voice. “I know you’re a good doctor, whether you believe that or not. Rose knows it too. What she doesn’t know is if you know how to be anything but a doctor.”

  She set the soup in front of him and opened a drawer to get a spoon. “You don’t know how to be anything but a doctor either. And honey, she’s not sick, and she doesn’t need a doctor.” She pushed his hair off his forehead, her touch cool to his fever. “She needs you.”

  Liam knew his mother was right. Now he just needed to figure out how to be Liam Murphy and not Doctor Murphy. It sounded easy in his head, but he knew it wouldn’t be as simple as trading out a title.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  As the weeks passed and the trees lost their leaves, Rose grew accustomed to her new routine. She couldn’t spend all day writing songs and wishing for a past that wasn’t going to come back. Her sisters were happy in their new roles, and Rose wanted that for herself.

  She didn’t accept any invitations to dinner, because they mostly came from single dads dropping their kids off at the daycare where she’d taken a job. She wasn’t opposed to marrying a man who already had a child, but she simply knew she wasn’t ready to jump into another relationship so soon on the heels of the one ending with Liam.

  She also knew, and only admitted to herself late at night when she couldn’t sleep, that she was waiting for Liam to come back to her. Waiting, and hoping, and praying.

  Because she worked in town now, she became acquainted with more people in Coral Canyon, and she’d heard through the gossip grapevine that Liam had quit at the clinic. Why he hadn’t called her to tell her, she wasn’t sure.

  In her most desperate moments, she told herself it was because he hadn’t fallen in love with her the way she had with him, and that he’d probably moved out of the summer cabin and was off on some grand life adventure.

  She’d allowed herself to drive up Prospect Lake Road once, and she’d found his SUV in the driveway, so those insane thoughts had quieted.

  Snow fell, and she answered Lily’s call for help at the lodge. She and Beau wanted to make everything just right for Charlie’s first Thanksgiving and Christmas, and Rose could definitely help make that happen.

  She’d taken a pie-making class offered through the church, and she’d volunteered to make all the pies for Thanksgiving. Celia was on-hand to help, as Rose’s last attempt at a pie had not gone super well.

  “I think I’ve really improved,” she said as she separated an egg.

  “You have.” Celia gave her a warm smile. “I’m not here to hover, Rose. If you need something, let me know.” She lazily flipped a page in the recipe book she had on the counter in front of her.

  “So just to make sure,” Rose said. “One pumpkin, one pecan, and one chocolate mousse is going to be enough? How many people are coming?”

  “Everyone except Eli,” she said. “So that’s six adults. Amanda and Jason.” Celia started lifting fingers as she counted. “Todd and Vi. You, your parents.”

  That was up to thirteen adults.

  “And the kids.”

  “Three littles, and Bayley,” Rose said. “And you, right?”

  “And me.”

  “But not Bree or Annie.”

  “I don’t think they’re coming this year, no,” she said. “But there’s—” She cut off and her eyes rounded. She quickly looked down at her book again. “Yeah, that’s it.”

  “So three pies for fourteen people, plus kids. Should I maybe make another one?”

  “What about this lemon chiffon?” She turned her book for Rose to see. “I could make that one.”

  Rose had never seen such a beautiful pie. “Yeah, you make that. I’ll stick to the ones I can mix and dump into a shell.” She gave a light laugh and added, “Okay, let’s get this custard right this time.”

  It was the morning before Thanksgiving, so if the chocolate pie didn’t turn out right this time, she had time to make it again. But things went well, and there were no lumps in the custard when she finished.

  She took a finger full of the hot custard and put it in her mouth. “I think it’s great,” she said, offering the rubber spatula to Celia. She tasted it and said, “Yep. That’s going to be perfect.”

  So Rose poured the filling into the cookie crust, and carefully pressed plastic wrap over it so it wouldn’t get a skin.

  Celia joined her in the kitchen after that, and they made a double batch of pie dough together. The hours passed, and they were enjoyable, with easy conversation and the scent of sugar and lemons and pumpkin.

  During times like this, Rose didn’t miss the music so much. She never wanted to go on tour again. And she knew that family and friends were more important that the next song, the money, or the fame she’d achieved in her life.

  But back at her house, with everything quiet and dark and smelling like air freshener, she wondered again. Thankfully, she got up early and went right back to the lodge, where this time, the scent of roasting turkey filled the air.

  “I’m here,” she said to Celia when she walked in. She set her purse on the counter out of the way and grabbed her apron from the hook. Lily was already there too, her almost white hair pulled back out of her face.

  “Hey, Rose.” She beamed at her. “You ready for today?”

  Rose took a deep breath and looked at all the moving parts in the kitchen. “I think so. I’m doing mashed potatoes and creamed corn, right?”

  Celia had her hands wrist-deep in dough, and Rose couldn’t even fathom doing that.

  “Yes.” Lily exchanged a look with Celia that Rose didn’t understand. “And all the whipped cream for the pies.”

  “Oh, right.” Rose turned away from the other two women. She positioned herself at the sink and started peeling what looked like fifty pounds of potatoes. After only doing two, she decided peeling wasn’t her favorite chore. In fact, it made the muscles in her forearm ache, and she gripped the peeler extra hard so s
he wouldn’t drop it.

  Little by little, the meal came together, and Rose even managed to get her two side dishes hot and ready at the same time as everything else. Celia whisked the gravy one final time and said, “We’re ready. Lily, go ring the bell.”

  “Ring the bell?” Rose asked, wiping her hair off her forehead. She’d probably just smeared something across her face, as she felt a bit sweaty and a little buttery. She’d stepped over to the sink to wash up when the loud, clanging sound of a cowboy dinner bell filled the air.

  “Oh, wow,” she said, but she couldn’t even hear herself.

  The bell stopped, but she just stood there, the ringing of it still echoing in her ears. People began pouring into the dining room, seemingly unfazed by the obnoxious noise they’d just endured.

  The Whittakers had not rung this bell at any of the Christmas celebrations Rose had attended, and she realized that Thanksgiving dinner was obviously different. There were no name cards on the table, which Lily had set, and everyone stood behind their chair instead of sitting in it.

  Lily came into the kitchen and said, “Look who I found,” in a falsely bright voice. She stepped to the side to reveal Liam.

  Rose gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. She started to shake, and she didn’t even know why. Her stomach tightened, and every cell in her body stood at attention, ready for something to happen. Now, whether that was something exciting or something that would cause them pain, they weren’t sure. But they were ready.

  Liam looked wonderful, absolutely wonderful. Still as handsome as ever, with that clean-shaven face and those magnetic, ocean-colored eyes. He wore a simple pair of jeans with a button down shirt, a leather jacket over that, and that cowboy hat that took Rose’s breath away.

  “Hello, Rose,” he said, that voice reaching right into her chest as if it were a hand and squeezing her heart. “Hello, everyone. Thanks for inviting me.”

  Inviting me?

  Rose’s gaze flew to Lily’s and then Vi’s. They both stood there smiling like this was a great moment. Rose wanted to slap them both and run out.

  Becca stepped forward and said, “I invited him, Rose.”

  “What?” she asked, her brain trying to take in so much at once, and none of it made sense. She’d become great friends with Becca and Andrew over the months, as she’d babysat for them several times. Even Chrissy reached for her and said, “Rose.”

  Becca shifted the girl to her other hip and passed her to Andrew, who whispered something to her. “I’ve been working at the clinic as their new public relations director, and I found out he didn’t have anywhere to go. So I invited him.” She lifted her chin. “Everyone should have somewhere to go for Thanksgiving.”

  “He has parents,” Rose said, her tone slightly acidic. Okay, maybe a lot more than slightly. She looked at Liam again, which was a huge mistake. He looked so…different, and yet exactly as she remembered him.

  “I don’t work at the clinic anymore,” he said.

  “I heard.” She lifted her chin as if to tell him he wasn’t the only one who’d made something of himself in Coral Canyon. “But not from you.”

  “I wanted to tell you,” he said, taking a step toward her. “But I wanted to be the man you deserve before I talked to you again.” He cut a glance at the audience they had, and when he looked at her again, she found vulnerability in his expression.

  “I’m in love with you,” he said. “And I’m not Doctor Murphy anymore.”

  Rose had no idea how he’d crossed the kitchen quite so quickly. But suddenly, he stood before her, one hand reaching up to push that errant hair off her forehead that she’d already moved with her greasy hands.

  He ran both hands down her arms and laced his fingers between hers. Excitement poured through her, along with a heavy dose of anticipation.

  “Who are you?” she whispered.

  “I’m Liam,” he said. “And I love you. I’m so, so sorry, Rose. Can we please try again?”

  She knew he wasn’t perfect, but he had just delivered the most perfect words, and the freeing feeling of forgiveness ran through her.

  “Oh, come on,” Lily said. “Kiss him.”

  Liam looked at her and then back to Rose. “What do you think?”

  Rose squeezed his hands, a smile touching her mouth. “I think we can probably try again.”

  He leaned his forehead against hers, a simple, sensual movement. “I meant about the kissing.”

  Rose half-laughed, half-sobbed, and she tipped up on her toes at the same time Liam leaned down. This kiss ignited her blood and cemented the fact that while Liam might not be perfect, he was the perfect man for her.

  Somewhere beyond them, cheers and laughter rang out, and Liam pulled away much sooner than she would’ve liked. He chuckled too, somehow having wrapped his arms around her during the kiss.

  “Thanks for being my friend,” he whispered.

  “I love you,” she whispered back, and then they faced their friends and family, who stood behind their chairs, clapping.

  Embarrassment ran through her, especially when a tear escaped. She swiped at it quickly and waved for everyone to stop. “All right, all right,” she said. “It’s time to eat. Beau? Where’s Beau?”

  He stood down at the end of the table and lifted his hand. “Right here.”

  “You’re in charge here. Let’s say grace and get eating before everything gets cold.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he said, calling on Graham to say the prayer.

  Rose ducked her head and leaned into the warmth of Liam, saying her prayer of gratitude to the Lord for bringing him back to her.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Liam had never tasted such good food. His nerves buzzed at being so close to Rose, at being with so many friends as everyone passed the platter of turkey, the bowl of mashed potatoes, the creamed corn, the yams, the olives, the cranberry sauce, the rolls with jam, honey, butter. He’d never seen so much food.

  “I made the mashed potatoes,” Rose said among the other conversations. “And the corn, and the pies.”

  He forked up a piece of turkey and scooped some potatoes with it. “I’m sure they’ll be delicious.” He put the food in his mouth, honestly not sure what to expect. But it was salty and savory and creamy, and absolutely delicious. “Wow, this is great.”

  “Celia has trained me a little,” she said. “And I took a pie class at church.”

  “I heard about that.” Liam had a lot to tell her, but he didn’t want to get into his therapy with so many other people so closeby.

  Dinner passed quickly, at least to Liam, and he engaged in several conversations with those around him, namely Becca and Andrew, who had been more than welcoming. When Becca had invited him, he’d flat out refused. He knew Rose wouldn’t want him there, and he didn’t want to try to make up with her in front of everyone.

  But Becca could be very convincing, and before he knew it, he’d said yes. He’d planned to contact Rose before Thanksgiving, but he’d never been able to figure out how. Would she answer if he called? Should he stop by the daycare, where he knew she’d taken a job?

  In the end, he’d done nothing and Thanksgiving had come. He’d tried texting Becca that morning, but she’d beat him to it. He’d woken up to two texts from her and they’d said the same thing, the second time in all-caps.

  Don’t even think about canceling today. I’ll see you at noon.

  So Liam had showered and taken care of his responsibilities and shown up at the lodge at noon. After all, he knew Becca would drive down to his place and get him if he didn’t.

  “I’ll put the coffee on,” Celia said, and Liam realized that a few people had gotten up to take their dishes into the kitchen. He stayed at the table and leaned toward Rose.

  “Thanks for not throwing me out.” Though she’d said she loved him, Liam wasn’t sure that wasn’t just because she’d been put on the spot.

  She slipped her hand into his under the table and said, “You seem different.”r />
  “I feel different.” He glanced at Lily as she reached for his plate. “I can get it.” He stood and took his plate and then grabbed Rose’s too. He took the dishes into the sink, dodging a few people.

  Lily grabbed onto his arm before he could turn back to the table. “I’m so glad you came,” she said quietly. “She was so surprised.” She sounded giddy.

  “I don’t think that was a good thing,” Liam said, smiling at her.

  “Oh, it was,” Lily said. “Rose loves surprises.”

  Liam hoped that was true, because he had a lot of them yet to reveal. Lily started getting out mugs and putting them on the counter. Beau pulled an assortment of creamers out of the fridge, and Celia put the sugar bowl on the counter too.

  He caught Rose’s eye just before she slipped out of the dining room. He left through the other kitchen exit, and they met in the hall.

  “You want to go downstairs for a bit?” she asked.

  “Sure.” He followed her away from the fray in the kitchen, his nerves returning. Once they were alone, she turned and kissed him again. Her fingers explored the sides of his face, as if she was trying to make sure he was the same man she’d dated before.

  “I have a lot to tell you,” he said when she pulled away.

  “All right. Let’s sit.” She didn’t go into the theater room, where all the recliners were, but chose to stay out in the living area and sat on the couch.

  He joined her and clasped his hands together. “So I’ve been seeing a counselor for a few months now.”

  The shock appeared on Rose’s face, and she blinked rapidly. “You have?”

  “Yeah.” He started nodding. “Yep. I had a lot to work out from my last job. And the clinic. And my family.” He exhaled. “It’s been a pretty rough couple of months.” Especially without her. But he didn’t want to tell her that. Rose shouldn’t be made to think that she could’ve solved his problems. That wasn’t fair to her, and his counselor had told him specifically not to put that weight on her.