Page 5 of Curvy Girl and the Ex-Military Cowboy

"Plenty of time for that," Aaron interjects, returning to the kitchen. "Elena's had a long journey. Maybe we should let her rest before the interrogation."

He shoots a pointed look at his brothers, who respond with varying expressions of innocence.

"No interrogation," Jackson says, holding up his hands. "Just getting to know your... friend."

Again, that pause before "friend" that speaks volumes.

"Lunch is ready," Ethan announces, setting a large dish on the table. "Brisket with roasted vegetables and homemade rolls. Nothing fancy."

It looks absolutely delicious, far more appetizing than the airplane food and airport sandwiches I've subsisted on for the past twenty-four hours.

As we gather around the table, I observe the brothers' dynamic. Jackson naturally takes the seat at the head of the table—the patriarch, I assume, since Aaron mentioned their parents had passed away. Vincent helps Lily into her chair, placing a napkin in her lap with practiced ease. Cole and Ethan move around each other with the choreographed precision of people who have shared a kitchen for decades.

And Aaron... Aaron seems both part of this unit and somehow separate. He watches his brothers with clear affection, but there's a guardedness to him that I recognize because I see it in myself. The wariness of someone who's learned to keep parts of themselves hidden.

"So, Elena," Cole says as he passes me a plate heaped with more food than I can possibly eat, "how long are you planning to stay with us?"

I glance at Aaron, unsure how to answer. Our arrangement is for three months—a trial period to see if we're compatible for marriage. But clearly, that's not what his family thinks I'm here for.

"I'm... not certain yet," I reply carefully. "It depends on how things work out."

"Work out?" Cole repeats, his eyebrow raised.

Aaron clears his throat. "Elena's between teaching positions. She's considering opportunities in Cedar Falls."

Not entirely untrue. I had been between positions, though I'd deliberately left my previous job to come here.

"Well, you picked a good time to visit," Vincent says kindly. "Early fall is beautiful here. Not too hot anymore, and the leaves will start changing soon."

"Are there schools nearby looking for teachers?" Jackson asks, his fork paused midway to his mouth.

Again, I look at Aaron, who seems to be regretting our hasty cover story.

"Not specifically," I say. "I'm taking some time to... reassess my options."

The table falls silent for a moment, and I can feel the weight of unasked questions.

Lily breaks the tension. "What's your favorite animal? Mine's horses. And cats. And sometimes lizards, but only the ones with the sticky feet."

I smile gratefully at her. "I'm quite fond of horses too. And dogs."

"We have dogs!" she exclaims excitedly. "They're mostly outside working with the cattle, but Ranger gets to come inside because he's old now. He sometimes sleeps on Uncle Aaron's bed.”

"Tattletale," Aaron mutters, but affection is evident in his voice when he looks at his niece.

The meal continues with Lily chattering happily, the brothers taking turns asking me questions that seem innocent but are clearly designed to figure out who I am and what I'm doing here. I answer as truthfully as possible while avoiding the central truth—that I came thousands of miles to marry a man I've only spoken to through screens.

It sounds crazy when I think about it that way. Perhaps it is crazy. But after years of feeling adrift, of relationshipsthat led nowhere, of wanting a family of my own, Aaron's straightforward proposal had been strangely appealing. No games, no pretense. Just two adults who know what they want and are willing to work for it.

Looking at him now, sitting across from me at this table, I wonder if he's having second thoughts. If the reality of me in his home, with his family, is more complicated than he anticipated.

After lunch, Aaron stands. "I should show Elena to her room."

"I'll help clear up here," I offer, not wanting to appear rude.

"Nonsense," Ethan says, waving me off. "Guest rule. First day, you don't lift a finger."

"Then I'm still a guest too," Aaron says with a grin.

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