Page 52 of The Way to a Cowboy's Heart

Sue and their mom, Sarah, had been best friends for years—more sisters from another mother friends. They’d been through thick and thin together and Sue’s marriage had held together far better than Sarah’s had. They had a home in Las Vegas and one here in Montana that she spent springs and summers in, though they were returning for this ceremony early.

Liam lifted the last of the folding white chairs into place for the ceremony before starting with the covers. “Maybe all that Vegas bling has gotten old. Maybe she just wants a real Montana ceremony.”

“I guess.” Shay side-eyed him. “What about you? I saw your truck parked outside her cabin this morning. Got anything you want to share with me, little brother?”

“Nope.”

She nodded, expecting as much. “Whatever. I’m happy for you. For now.”

He flinched at her words. “I’m working on it.”

“Better work fast is what I hear. You know, if it’s just the green card that’s messing things up, I’ve heard of people marrying for them.”

He straightened the aisle of chairs with more than adequate precision. He didn’t want to talk about this with Shay. Or anyone besides Emily. He’d woken this morning feeling as if waking up beside her was the most natural thing in the world. But he also knew she was determined to go back home, find her life again in England. A quickie green-card marriage was not what he wanted with her.

“I haven’t told anyone yet,” Shay said, bringing the first armload of chair covers over to lay them on a nearby chair. “But Cooper asked me to marry him. I said, what took you so long?” She pulled the pretty diamond engagement ring attached to the gold chain around her neck from under her blouse.

“What? That’s fantastic, Shay. I’m really happy for you both. No surprise to anyone, however. Seriously. We all knew it would happen from day one.”

“No, you didn’t. Cooper and I hardly spoke for the first few weeks he was here.”

“Only because you’re so stubborn.”

She shrugged. “True. But… I had Ryan to think about and this ranch.” She sent him a bittersweet smile. “It all worked out in the end. But I wish it hadn’t taken us ten years.”

“Timing is everything. Things work out when they’re supposed to, I think. But why the secret?”

“It’s not really a secret. But I have a feeling Ray is going to propose any minute to Mom, and I don’t want to steal his thunder. We’re just waiting until the time is right. That’s all.”

They heard the sound of an electric golf cart stopping outside the barn and looked up to see Emily walking through the door. As if their conversation had conjured her.

“Hey—” he said, unable to disguise his pleasure at seeing her.

“Hi, yourself. I hope I’m not interrupting you or getting in your way. Hi, Shay.”

“Hi, Emily. We were just talking about you.”

“Oh? Were you hoping I was going to bring you a piece of the flourless chocolate cake I just whipped up in your mom’s kitchen?” She proffered the Tupperware container and popped off the top.

“Stop it.” Liam’s mouth watered.

“Uh, yes, please,” Shay said. “I can find a knife.”

Then, like a golden retriever following his nose at the scent of food, Gary Nevers poked his head out of the kitchen, pulling his earbuds out of his ears with annoyance. “All this chatter in here is distracting me.”

They all went quiet, unsure what to say. Finally, Emily held up the Tupperware. “We’re sorry. Cake?”

Nevers narrowed a look at her, then at the cake. “Yours?”

She nodded.

“Well… since my concentration is already blown… I might as well. What’s the harm now?”

“I don’t think you’ll be sorry,” Liam said, cutting the cake and sliding pieces onto paper towels to serve.

“Inelegant,” Nevers complained. “Presentation is ninety-five percent.”

“Oh,” Liam said, “I think you’ll find it’s the other way around.” He took a bite and moaned with pleasure. It was everything he remembered and more. It practically melted in his mouth. “Wow. Mmm-mm.”

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