Page 23 of A Marriage Pact for the Cowboy

He was going to do his best to make certain. “Okay, well, follow me. It’s only another quarter mile or so.” He jumped on a golf cart, drove toward the staff duplexes on Hummingbird, and parked in front of #4.

Keith smoothly backed the trailer in, a skill he’d learned with farm equipment, no doubt. Good sign.

“Welcome, Eryn.” Maxwell opened her car door and indicated the right-hand door to the cedar-sided building. “Your temporary home sweet home.”

“It’s cute.”

No one had ever said that before. The duplexes had been a cheap, quick build ten years back and were already showing their age. Maxwell and his grandfather had been discussing options. Yeah, maybe it was going to be quite a while before all the Sweet River projects were complete.

“It’s small, is what it is.” He opened the door and let her precede him inside. “They’re all the same design and are more like glorified motel rooms than apartments, but that’s okay, since no one needs to cook here.”

The all-in-one living, dining room, and kitchen came first, with a bedroom and bathroom tucked beneath the loft. “There are staff laundry facilities down the lane. This time of year, the machines are usually vacant. In summer, you’ll need to sign up for slots. Except the farmhouse has its own washer and dryer, so never mind.”

She smiled at him then glanced behind him as her dad entered. “What do you think, Dad?”

Keith looked around, nodding. “Looks good for now.” He reached a hand to shake Maxwell’s. “I can’t thank you enough for coming along at the exact right time with this offer. I’d been praying the good Lord would direct our paths like it says in Proverbs 3, and He came through, loud and clear.”

“It’s not every day a man gets to be an answer to prayer. I’m glad it worked out.”

“Yo, you’re here! Let the party begin!”

And now Maxwell got to introduce his brother to Eryn and her dad. Hopefully she wouldn’t be enthralled by Bryce like half the female staff seemed to be.

The other half ignored Bryce or laughed in his face. That was the best-case scenario with Eryn.

How was this her life?

Eryn climbed the ladder to the loft and looked around in amazement. The duplex was not that fancy, but it was temporary.

The trip here, however, had been awe-inspiring. The mountains were a thousand times more majestic up close than in photos she’d seen. The geysers in Yellowstone were unbelievably impressive. And now here they were, her and Dad, a half-hour drive up a paved mountain road with a small lake glinting between enormous trees, some of which were already turning color at the beginning of October.

She’d only had a glimpse of the expansive log lodge with its wide windows and a welcoming deck with Adirondack chairs and even a swing. To think she lived here now! Worked here.

Best of all was Maxwell Sullivan. She’d never be able to repay him for this opportunity as long as she lived. She’d be employed by his family and, yes, he’d hinted at a relationship last weekend, but men like him didn’t date lowly employees. Kitchen staff.

She wouldn’t get her hopes up on that account, but coming to Sweet River was still the experience of a lifetime. She’d make the most of it, and if Dad did well operating the farm side, it would remain a place she could retreat to even after she moved on herself.

But no thinking about that now, not while voices from outside on the stoop made her realize they had company. Must be the guys Maxwell had asked to help them unload… which only meant more people would be privy to the few shabby belongings they’d brought. There was no hiding that.

This loft would likely be her room, as Dad probably wouldn’t want to climb the ladder multiple times a day at his age. A previous tenant had rigged a makeshift curtain to offer some privacy from the main floor. It would do.

“Eryn? Can you tell everyone where to put things?” Dad called.

“Coming right down.” She turned and descended the ladder only to find a man standing right at the bottom to help her off. Not that she needed assistance. “Oh!”

“Hi. I’m Bryce, Maxwell’s bigger and better-looking brother.” He lifted her hand to his lips.

She jerked it away and stepped aside. “I’m Eryn.”

The other stranger chuckled. “I’m Jordan, and I work for Max. Pleased to meet you, Eryn, and welcome to Sweet River Ranch.”

“Thank you.” She gave an irritated look at Bryce before turning to Dad.

Maxwell stood beside Dad, his eyes crinkling in amusement. “Sorry about my brother.”

Eryn felt like shaking her fingers out, but that might be offensive. She might have to work with Bryce and didn’t need an enemy. But she’d be keeping an eye on him, for sure. The guy didn’t seem trustworthy.

“Dad, the main floor bedroom is smaller than the loft, but I’m not sure you want to access yours by a ladder? You pick, and I’ll take the other space.”

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