Page 57 of Pretend To Be My Cowboy
“You two kids have all the time in the world to spend together,” she said by way of apology. “But I’ll never live it down if everyone here doesn’t have a chance to meet you.”
Emma laughed, allowing Delphine Donahue to drag her away to the kitchen, where a handful of older women were sipping lemonade around the table.
She had to blink for a moment to take in the modern splendor that was the kitchen. While the house retained a log cabin charm, it had all the upgrades and modern functionality of the grandest new home. The kitchen alone felt like half the size of the entire O’Sullivan ranch house.
“Here she is,” Delphine announced, pushing Emma forward gently by the shoulders and showing her off like a new work of art.
She was treated to a whole host of curious stares, but as they were all paired with warm smiles, it didn’t bother her.
Delphine made the introductions, ending with the elementary school principal Abigail Toulouse, a friendly middle-aged woman with a round face and dark hair.
“Something tells me you two will have quite a bit in common,” Delphine said. “Emma here teaches kindergarten.”
Delphine ran off to replenish snacks for the table while Abigail and Emma kept up a lively conversation about the local school and Emma’s teaching career. By the time dinner was served and the crowd was pouring back outside to help themselves to the buffet-style meal, Emma felt like maybe she’d made a new friend.
“Are you coming?” Abigail asked as she gathered her things to follow the others outside.
“I’ll be out in just one moment,” she said. “Could you just point me toward the bathroom first?”
Following Abigail’s instructions, Emma found her way through a hallway, pausing to check out the large den with its high-ceiling and big-screen TV, as well as a formal dining room and an office.
The home was the perfect blend of homey and spacious. Like you could cozy up with a good book in any of these dark-wood trimmed rooms but thanks to the large picture windows and skylights, you never lost the sense that you were out in the open, surrounded by nature.
It was perfect. Exactly the sort of feel she’d want to convey if she ever redid the O’Sullivan ranch house.
She stopped short in the bathroom, considering her reflection as she registered that errant thought.
She wasn’t really thinking about redoing the house, was she? That would only make sense if she meant to stay and make it into a real home.
Her own gaze stared back at her until she gave her head a shake.
No, Chicago was her home. That’s where her family was, her school, her life.
When she was done in the bathroom, she stepped back into the hallway. Her stomach growled, teased by the smells of dinner this past hour, but she’d rather find Nash first and eat with him.
She hadn’t spoken a word to him since they’d first arrived and she’d been whisked away. Oddly enough, she missed him. Or...no. She just needed a moment with a friend, that was all. He was familiar, that was probably the only reason he seemed like home base at a party full of relative strangers.
“Emma!” The sound of her name had her stopping short.
She’d been so lost in thought she’d nearly run smack into Patrick Donahue, Nash’s father.
They looked so similar, her face automatically creased in a smile. “Patrick. Sorry I didn’t see you there.”
He gestured toward the back porch. “You heading out to eat?”
“I was, yes.”
“Then let me walk with you.” He flashed her a grin. “This house can be a maze if you’re not used to it.”
“Thanks,” she said with a laugh.
“And while I’ve got you alone for a moment…” The change in his voice was slight but for some reason, it put her on edge. “I’d love to chat with you about your plans and how you’d do well to sell the ranch to me.”
“Oh! Uh…” Emma couldn’t say she hadn’t been warned. And yet, she’d gotten so comfortable chatting with Nash’s family she was caught off guard. “Well, you see, there are a number of loose ends I need to tie up before we can take any next steps.”
His smile fell slightly. “I see.” His brows drew down. “But youareplanning on selling.”
She blinked. “Like I said, the family has to attend to some business before we decide what to do next.”
