Page 27 of A Marriage Pact for the Cowboy

If not here, where? If not now, when? She was 28 years old, and she’d existed in her sister’s shadow since birth. Amelia had been the healthy twin who learned to crawl and walk before sickly Eryn caught up. How could Eryn possibly still feel Amelia’s shadow all these years later? Her sister had never been to Montana. No one here knew her except Dad.

And Maxwell.

Eryn had read a few more snippets of Amelia’s journal in which she gushed about adolescent Maxwell, reliving every interaction between them. Maybe by the 2010 diaries, Amelia would be on to some other boy. Eryn could hardly wait to find out, because the descriptions and anecdotes were killing her with jealousy.

She only had a crush on him now because he was the first man in her entire life to make any attempt to draw her out. That was all. He’d never be truly interested in a wallflower like her. Not if he’d been a fraction as interested in the juvenile version of Amelia as she had been of him.

No, she’d have a front-row seat here of him falling in love with some other woman. Maybe someday it would be her turn for romance. At least the ranch seemed more possible for that than Gilead, where everyone had known the twins since birth.

She glanced surreptitiously around the dining room. There were several tables with only men and several with only women as well as some with mixed groups. How many employees stayed over the winter?

“What do you think, Eryn?”

She gave her head a little shake and looked at Paisley. “Pardon me? I missed what you said.” She’d have to do a better job of focusing.

“You must be tired after days on the road. My nosy questions can keep.” Paisley nudged Maxwell. “Is tomorrow a date, or are you too busy?”

“A ride sounds great. I’m caught up with the projects for now. Janessa says we’re waiting on the flooring for the next three cottages. Something about the vinyl planks we need being temporarily out-of-stock. She figures they’ll be available Friday.”

Eryn hadn’t even stopped to wonder about what Maxwell did at the ranch or that he might work with women. Women who were probably more attractive and fun than she was. Maybe he was even in a relationship.

No, that couldn’t be right, or he wouldn’t have hinted the way he had in Kansas, like he might be interested in her.

Dad turned to her. “Weston says we can have a look at the farmhouse tomorrow after lunch.”

Paisley slung her arm over Weston’s shoulder. “Can you make that later in the afternoon? I invited Eryn and Maxwell to go riding with us then.”

The serious-looking cowboy covered his fiancée’s hand with his. His whole demeanor softened as he looked at her. “It won’t take long to swing by Joseph’s. We can still be on the trail by two. Sound okay?”

“Okaaay.” Paisley dragged out the word and batted her eyelashes at Weston. “There’s still plenty of daylight.”

Weston nodded at Maxwell then at Eryn. “That’s a plan, then. Joseph and Marie won’t move out until after Thanksgiving. When I gave that extension, I didn’t realize we’d be able to fill his position so quickly. On the plus side, it means you can work with him for a while and learn the ropes. I’m far more active with the horses than with the cattle, so this works out well.”

“Will you be living at the farmhouse, Eryn?” Paisley asked. “Or in staff housing?”

“I… I didn’t realize I had options.”

“The farmhouse is old, but it’s homier than the duplexes. If it were me, I’d stick with my dad.” She grimaced. “If I had a father worth sticking with.”

Eryn’s eyebrows rose.

Paisley shook her head. “Long story. I’m a bit jealous of your relationship, that’s all. Let’s leave it at that for today.”

Maxwell elbowed Paisley’s arm lightly. “Let her see the options before she makes a decision.”

“Of course. I wasn’t trying to push her. But I’m talking too much again, right?” Paisley wrinkled her nose. “I always talk too much.”

Maxwell’s eyes crinkled as he grinned at Eryn. “I’m not sure about too much, but it’s a lot, right, Eryn?”

“Not too much at all.” Eryn smiled at Paisley. She hadn’t had a good friend in forever. Maybe she and Paisley could hang out some. Then again, the other woman was planning a wedding, and she probably would have her own friends in place to help with that. She was just the sort who was friendly with everyone.

“Anyone want more garlic toast? There are only a few pieces left.” Nadine stood between Dad and Weston at the table. She carried a platter and held out a piece of toast with a pair of tongs.

“Thanks, Mom.” Weston held out his plate as she set one on it.

“How about you, Keith?”

“Uh, sure. Th-thank you.”

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