Page 18 of A Marriage Pact for the Cowboy

“Two hundred. I’ve been farming it for 30-some years and never made enough to buy into the fancy machines. I’ve got the basics. You in the market for equipment? I can show you.”

“No, that’s not it.” Maxwell looked between them again then leaned forward on the table. “We talked yesterday about the guest ranch my grandfather bought in Montana. We’re dependent on the tourist industry there, but we also have a herd of cattle and the hayfields to sustain them.”

Where was he going with this? Eryn tried to keep her face neutral, but Dad looked intrigued. Right. In her experience, men bonded over engines and farms.

“We don’t grow grain at all on our spread. We haul that in from further east, but mostly we feed the cows alfalfa hay. The horses like it, too, but of course we supplement with grains as needed.”

“We haven’t had any horses around here since…” Dad swallowed. “Since we gave up doing the sleigh rides years back.”

“My cousin Weston is in charge of our livestock, which includes the farming aspect. He’d said something the other day about the farm manager planning his retirement.” Maxwell shot a glance at Eryn too quick to decipher. “I just gave Weston a call to make sure I had my facts straight, and I do. Keith, we have a vacancy for a man of your experience. Sweet River Ranch pays well, and there is staff housing available. Would you consider moving northwest?”

The cookie Dad held halfway to his mouth dropped to the table, bounced once, and landed on the floor. Which demonstrated how Eryn felt, too.

Tears filled Dad’s eyes, something that had become far too commonplace since Amelia’s death, but there was also a smile. “You mean that, boy? You don’t know me or my work ethic. I can’t recommend myself, because I can’t even make a go of it here.”

“I’ve heard nothing but good about you around town.” Maxwell held up both hands. “Not that I’ve been asking, but people noticed your daughter and I together at the reunion events.”

Eryn had an idea which classmates might have tried to either warn Maxwell away from her or encourage him.

“The offer stands. I’m a man of my word.”

Dad rubbed both temples as he stared at the table for a long moment.

Eryn held her breath. Something akin to hope rose in her. Was a fresh start, far from Kansas, in the cards for them both? Because surely if Dad took this offer, she’d go, too. Montana! Land of skies even wider than those of Kansas? Home of mountains and plains, lakes and rivers.

“What do you say, Rynie?” Dad looked her way with more anticipation on his face than she’d seen in the past two years.

“I think you should go.”

“Me? What about you?” Dad looked at Maxwell then back.

Maxwell turned to her. “We have numerous employment opportunities at Sweet River, Eryn. I’m sure we can find a place for your talents to shine.”

“I have no talents.”

“Pshaw!” Dad exclaimed. “You have many talents. You’ve just been hiding them.”

She wanted to be angry, but he wasn’t wrong.

“What do you say, Eryn?” Maxwell’s hopeful eyes smiled at her. “Sweet River will be a better place if you come.”

And there went her biggest reason for not accepting Maxwell’s offer to keep in touch as friends. Agreeing to a job there seemed like she was saying more, and she wasn’t sure she should.

On the other hand, she couldn’t let Dad move all that distance by himself and leave her behind. Not if she had a chance to change her life’s direction… and maybe find love.

It wouldn’t do to look too eager, though.

“We can consider the possibilities.”

Dad laughed, the deep lines etching his face lessening a little.

Maxwell threw both hands in the air and did a seated victory dance, his smile big enough to reveal that dimple.

Eryn was so, so in trouble.

Chapter

Seven

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