A Real Cowboy Never Walks Away (Wyoming Rebels Book 4) by Stephanie Rowe Page B

nice."
    "No, I just meant—"
    "Lissa." Mira eyed her, leaning casually against one of the metal racks. "The Stockton men had a really, really bad childhood. They're extremely loyal to each other, but they don't trust easily, especially women. They put on a show for the world, but privately, they have more walls around them than you could even imagine."
    Lissa frowned, trying to reconcile the image Mira presented with the funny, charming, intense man from last night. "Really?"
    "Yes." Mira hesitated. "If Travis spent his evening in here helping you out, it's because he saw something in you that touched him."
    A little thrill thrummed through Lissa. "You think?"
    "I do." Mira tilted her head, watching Lissa curiously. "Are you going to see him again?"
    The thrill faded. "No."
    "Why not?"
    "Because neither of us are interested in a relationship or dating or anything like that. Plus he's leaving town."
    "Hmm..." Mira ignored Chase's shout from outside to hurry up. "I really like Travis," she said. "He's a good man, but he's got a lot of issues. If you were to decide to see him again, you'd have to be willing to hang in there because he's got a lot to battle through before he could be there for you."
    "I'm not—"
    "But once he commits, he'll be there for life. He'd be worth the battle." Mira rolled her eyes as Chase called her name again. "I have to go. We can't be late for the children's concert, right? Chase is hoping Travis is a surprise guest performer there so we can corner him." Mira hugged her quickly. "I'll keep an eye out for someone to waitress for you. Love to Bridgette!" With a quick wink, Mira hurried out, leaving Lissa staring after her, a thousand questions rolling through her mind.
    What interviews did Travis have? Why would he be at a children's concert? And was Mira right that if he committed, it would be forever? Loyalty. God, loyalty. She couldn't imagine trusting anyone, especially a man, to always be there. She didn't think she would ever believe in a forever guy. She didn't want to. To surrender that kind of power to a man made her too vulnerable—
    "Mom!" Her daughter's joyous voice made her spin around just in time to see Bridgette race through the kitchen door. She was wearing sparkly denim shorts, a pink tank top, and her favorite faded cowboy hat. Lissa was struck by how long her legs were getting. She realized suddenly that her daughter didn't look like a little girl anymore. She looked like a preteen now.
    "Bridgette!" Lissa caught her in a hug as her daughter launched herself at her. "I didn't know you were coming by today."
    "Mom!" Bridgette pulled back, her nose wrinkled in dismay. "You promised you'd take me to the calf roping preliminaries this afternoon. It's tradition!"
    Lissa's heart sank. "Is that today? It's usually on the second day."
    "The schedule's different because they added bull riding this year." Bridgette put her hands on her hips, her face crestfallen. "You're not going to come, are you? You have to work."
    "I'm so sorry, hon. It's just that Katie quit, and I have all this prep—"
    "I'll do it." Martha Keller, the older woman who was watching Bridgette this week, walked in, wearing white jeans, rhinestone boots, and a bright aqua shirt that made her red hair pop. "Don't be a martyr, Lissa. Take one hour to be with your daughter."
    "But—"
    "Just go." Martha grabbed the same pink apron that Travis had been wearing last night. "I've eaten here a hundred times. I know what you need done."
    Lissa hesitated. She knew she should be at the café, taking advantage of the one hour when she was closed to catch up, but with Bridgette staring up at her with such hope on her face, her heart ached to be with her.
    Martha laughed softly. "Go, Lissa."
    She looked back at her. "Martha—"
    "Just bake me a lot of pies when this week's rush is over." Martha winked. "You know how I love pies, girlie."
    "It'll just be for an hour. I'll be back before—"
    "Go!" Martha waved her off and picked up a