Page 79 of A Marriage Pact for the Cowboy

“You’re right about that.” Paisley laughed. “No one but me knows all the places the resort’s party inventory is stashed. And no one has as many activity boards on Pinterest as I do to pull ideas from.”

Eryn could learn a little self-confidence from her friend, but she didn’t want to turn into her. Being Paisley must be exhausting.

Weston came in with one more armload of firewood and added it to the reserves on the hearth. “Brr. The wind is really picking up out there.”

“You haven’t met wind until you’ve spent a few weeks in Kansas.”

He shook his head. “Remind me never to go there. I’m a Montana boy, through and through.”

Paisley nestled against her fiancé. “Sometime, we should go to their Easter passion play, though. It sounds impressive.”

“Maybe.” He kissed her hair. “Is it that great, Eryn?”

“It is. It’s probably the only thing about Gilead that I’ll miss.” Though she should let Letty and Joannie know she’d landed on her feet. If she had, at least. No, that was the old Eryn talking. She knew she was in a better place mentally as well as physically, and Paisley had a lot to do with that. As did Maxwell.

Boots stomped on the front deck, and the door opened, bringing with it a swirl of snowy wind as well as several bundled-up figures. Maxwell’s gaze came straight to Eryn, and his smile was visible in his eyes even before he unwound his scarf.

Cadence and Kaci came in, laughing and talking, while Bryce removed his boots and set them in the tray, Graham right behind him. Maxwell had elected not to invite his work crew to this more intimate gathering.

Eryn wasn’t so sure about Bryce, either. Now he took Kaci’s coat and hung it. She thanked him but didn’t give him the adoring look he was probably angling for. Eryn kind of wished they hadn’t had to invite Bryce, but it would have been rude, and they were trying to be better. Something was certainly going on in Maxwell’s middle brother to make him so abrasive.

“Are Tate and Stephanie coming?” Maxwell crossed the space to the fireplace and scooped Eryn into a bone-crushing hug.

“Yes. My dad and Nadine headed to their house to watch the boys about ten minutes ago, so they should be here soon.”

He looked into her eyes. “You okay with them dating?”

“Yeah.” She chuckled. “It’s weird, but Dad’s so happy. I hadn’t realized what a huge strain he was under in Kansas after Mom’s death and then Amelia’s and all the medical bills and… everything. With all that weight off his back, plus a new love, he’s doing so well I hardly recognize him some days. He even whistles! He hasn’t done that in years.”

Maxwell’s eyes crinkled with his grin. “I’m glad. I’d hate for him to be unhappy when you and I are on the same page. We are, right?”

“You know it.” She stretched to give him a quick kiss.

Bryce made a gagging sound.

Maxwell didn’t turn around. “And you wonder why no good woman will have you, bro?”

“Who wants a good woman?”

“Me.” Maxwell gazed into Eryn’s eyes. “I want a good woman, and I’ve found her.”

“Ain’t that grand,” Bryce muttered.

Paisley clapped her hands. “Okay, we’ve got some games to get our evening started while we wait for Stephanie and Tate. Charades, guys against girls.”

A collective groan went up.

“You’ll love it! You know you will.”

“But do I know that?” Maxwell whispered into Eryn’s ear. “I thought we were going to dance the night away, and I could just hold you close for hours and hours.”

Eryn shivered with anticipation. “It’s coming, but I let Paisley run with the program, so we’re at her mercy.”

“Charades, huh. Can’t remember when… or even if… I’ve done that before.”

“Me, either,” she giggled.

“Hey, birthday boy. You’re up first. Get over here.”

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