Page 21 of A Marriage Pact for the Cowboy

Had Letty snickered? Eryn could ignore that.

“I hope you have a good trip, and I’m sure I’ll see you when I next visit the ranch.”

“Oh?” How hadn’t she realized Maribel made the trip? Of course, she would. All her sons lived there plus her two grandsons.

“I work remote for Sullivan Enterprises, and there are semi-annual board meetings. Since Walter bought the ranch, the meetings have been there, but I believe the next one will be back in Chicago. But I also visit for family reasons, when my ex-husband can be bothered to fly me there.” Maribel tightened her lips.

Maxwell had mentioned his parents’ not-so-amicable divorce.

“I look forward to seeing you next time you come, in that case.” Eryn tapped the container. “I can return this then.”

“That won’t be necessary. It’s an extra. I expect to visit for Thanksgiving, even if I have to fly commercial.”

A fate worse than death itself, by the sounds of it. Eryn wouldn’t know. When she’d told Maxwell she’d rarely been out of Kansas, she meant by car. Planes were beyond her experience.

“I’ll see you then.” Maribel started to turn away and bumped into Dad. “Oh, excuse me, Keith. I just gave your daughter a bit of food for your trip. I hope it helps.”

“That’s very kind of you.” Dad smiled at the woman before turning to Eryn. “You ready? I thought maybe there was no point in waiting until morning. We can get a few hours’ head start today since everything is already packed but our toothbrushes.”

Eryn blinked. “Um, sure. You’re right. There’s no reason to wait.” Normally, she’d worry about the extra night in a hotel, but Sullivan Enterprises had issued generous funds for relocation. She’d also received a small bonus with her final paycheck from Debby’s.

“What will you be doing at the guest ranch?” Joanie asked.

Letty jabbed her elbow into Joanie’s side and they both snickered before glancing at Dad and Maribel and straightening up.

“I’ll be kitchen staff. That’s my skillset, after all.” Eryn had been a bit disheartened with that appointment, but Maxwell had stressed there would be an opportunity to try something else later on, if she wanted. Cooking was fine. People needed to eat. She got that. But she wanted to experience all that Montana beauty, not be cooped up in a stuffy kitchen.

“Sounds fun. I love me a good kitchen and prepping food people will love.”

Right, Letty owned a coffee shop. Of course, she’d be a fan.

Why was everyone still watching her? Eryn didn’t love being the center of attention like this. “I’m just thankful to have a job waiting for me in the off-season.”

“Well, keep in touch, girl.” Joanie reached in for a hug and whispered in her ear. “Invite Stuart and me to the wedding.”

Eyes wide, Eryn jerked out of Joanie’s arms. “There won’t—” Best to zip her mouth, since Dad and Maribel were still right here. Talking to each other, but they’d surely overhear any vehement denial.

Joanie winked. “You say that now, but you wait and see. It’ll come.”

Letty hugged Eryn. “I can guess what Joanie said, and that goes for me, too. Shh.” Then she linked arms with Joanie and dragged her away, tossing a wink over her shoulder.

“What was all that about?” Dad asked.

“Nothing much.”

But Joanie had voiced the tiny, tentative hope buried deep in Eryn’s heart. What did it matter if Amelia had dreamed of the boy Maxwell? She wasn’t here to claim the grown man. Could Eryn?

Chapter

Eight

Wednesday.

Maxwell had been patient. Eryn was driving an older car without Bluetooth and, besides, she wasn’t dating him. He couldn’t expect her to update him on their whereabouts every hour. No, he’d been relegated to a daily text when she and her father stopped for the night. Sometimes she answered his reply, but not always.

Patience. Not a virtue that came naturally.

They’d left Kansas a day early, but instead of pushing through, they’d spent yesterday in Yellowstone and were coming the rest of the way today.

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