Page 10 of A Match Made in Montana

“So, are we going to eat or not?” Mitch grunted from the kitchen door.

“Yes, we are,” Annie said. “Have you opened a bottle of wine, Mitch?”

“Let me get it,” Aiden said from behind as he slapped Craig on the shoulder. “Is Mitch giving you the cold shoulder?”

Relieved, Craig grinned. It was good to have his cousin here as well. “I’ve just arrived.”

Annie walked toward the kitchen. “Grab a chair around the dining room table, I’ll check on the food.”

Aiden leaned closer. “So, how is the hand?” he chuckled.

“Just about crushed,” Craig said flexing his fingers.

Mitch frowned and opened his mouth, but Vivian took his arm and steered him away from them before he could say anything.

“What’s up with the brother?” Craig asked.

“He feels the same way about his sisters as we feel about Riley. And you ogling Annie isn’t helping.”

“I’m not ogling Annie. Whatever gave you that idea?”

Aiden laughed. “You’re ogling her, whether you want to or not.” He sobered, giving Craig a stern look. “I have to mention though, Annie will soon be my sister as well and I know about your two-date rule. Don’t mess with her. Having your hand crushed would be the least of your problems then.”

This was getting way beyond ridiculous. “I have no idea what you’re all going on about. I’m here because Aunt Janice asked me to help Annie with marketing. It’s strictly business.”

Aiden grinned. “Great. Then we won’t have a problem. Come on, I’ve ordered wine from our favorite Californian cellar for the wedding and also some extra bottles for Annie’s guesthouse. There’s a very nice cabernet sauvignon…”

They stepped into the big dining room and Craig stopped listening to his cousin. Even though the sun hadn’t set yet, Annie was lighting candles on the table. As he watched, she blew out the match she’d used. His body tightened.

What the hell was happening here?

Chapter Four

Annie just aboutleapt out her chair when Mitch finally put down his spoon. She was so glad dinner was finally over. Her brother had been glowering at Craig all through dinner and had hardly said a word. Craig had also been silent and if the slight frown between his eyes was any indication, he was probably wishing he was anywhere but here.

Aiden patted his belly. “Annie, that was sublime. I can honestly say I’ve never had anything in Portland that comes close to your cooking. Thanks so much.” He got up. “You and Craig have a website to discuss, I’ll clean up.”

“That’s not necessary,” Annie began, but Vivian pushed her away from the table. “You’ve been in the kitchen since early this morning. Maybe you and Craig can use your office? I’ll bring coffee.”

Annie touched her tummy where a flight of butterflies was suddenly coming to life. Alone with the sexy Irishman in her office.Help.Vivid images from last night’s dreams were running through her mind. So not the time to be thinking about those, seriously.

It was the reason why Craig was here, though, she couldn’t postpone being alone with him a moment longer.

“Craig, this way?” She vaguely smiled in his direction before she marched toward her office. There was a small coffee table and a couch, they could work there.

Annie only realized her dilemma as Craig closed the door of her office behind him. It was a small room. More than spacious enough for her, but with the big Irishman in it, the space seemed to have miraculously shrunk to the size of a doll’s house.

“Um, you can sit on the couch. I’ll join you in a moment. I just want to get a pen and pad and my laptop.”

“I have to agree with Aiden about your food. I can’t remember when last I had meal this good. You’re an amazing cook.”

“Thank you,” she murmured while rummaging through the drawers of her desk. In an effort to find her equilibrium, she was taking deep breaths but probably overdid it, because by the time she had the pad and pen in her hands, she was light-headed.

“Seriously, Annie,” she muttered to herself as she moved to join Craig.

Oh, my goodness. Had the couch always been this small?

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