Page 9 of Roaring Fork Wrangler

“For you? Never.”

I went inside,took the stairs up to my room, and sat on the bed in the suite Mrs. Chance had upgraded me to, not that I needed it. I would’ve been just as happy in a smaller one, given how nice this place was compared to where I’d slept on the road.

I opened and read the attachment on Six-pack’s email for what had to bethe tenth time.

The Roaring Fork Truststipulates that the disbursement of the assets listed herein will be reevaluated after a period of one year from the date designated by the attorney of record.

The terms of the trust require that Cordero Rooker Wheaton maintain residency at the Lilacs, an estate in East Aurora, New York, full-time, meaning he cannot leave for more than forty-eight consecutive hours. Also, at the end of the year, the ranch must continue to show a profit. If either of those things don’t happen, then the proceeds of the estate will be distributed at the discretion of the trustee, in their entirety, to include proceeds from the sale of the aforementioned assets, to local charities including, but not limited to, the Miracles of Hope Childrens’ Charity of Crested Butte, Colorado.

On this read, the words “maintain residency” jumped out at me. I sure as hell hoped there was a place for me to live on the estate.

3

JUNIPER

Since Cord wouldn’t walk away until I was inside the car with my door closed and the engine started, I waited until then to release the deep breath I’d been holding in.

I glanced over at my mom. She was looking at me but didn’t say anything. Never a good sign.

“What?” I finally asked after backing out of the parking place and turning onto Main Street.

“I didn’t say a word.”

“I know. That’s the problem.”

“He seems like a very nice young man. Maybe a tad old for you.”

“Mom, I’m twenty-three.”

“And according to his ID, he’s twenty-eight. Not to mention, I don’t get the impression he’ll be here longer than he has to.”

“I don’t think five years constitutes ‘too old.’”

“It would if youwere twelve.”

“Ew. Well, I’m not. Jeez, Mom.” I glanced over at her. Her hand was over her mouth, and she was trying not to laugh.

“He is hot. I’ll give you that.”

My eyes opened wide. “Mom!”

“What? I’m not Miss Cena’s age. Although, if she met Cord, she’d probably think the same thing.”

I shook my head, thankful our drive home was a short one. “I’m having breakfast with him tomorrow.”

“At seven?” My mom gasped.

“We compromised. We’re meeting at eight.”

Since we were both exhausted from the long day at the inn and Grayson and Dad were already in bed, I kissed my mom good night and made my way upstairs as soon as we got home.

I took a quick shower to rinse the smell of the grill off me, then hurried and crawled into bed. Eight would come too soon and, at the same time, not soon enough. While I couldn’t wait to see Cord tomorrow, I hoped I’d dream about him tonight.

I was up at seven,showered and ready to go, wishing I hadn’t suggested meeting at eight since, now, I had time to kill.

“You’re up early,” said my dad, shuffling into the kitchen in his bathrobe and slippers.

“She’s got a breakfast date,” said my mom, walking in behind him and straight over to the coffeemaker. “And I love her so much right now,” she added, pouring two cups and handing one to him. “Thanks for getting a pot brewing, sweetheart.”

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