Page 7 of A Match Made in Montana

“Well, I’m not going to, so can we drop it, please? Tell me about your house? Do you think it’ll be ready by the time you get married?”

Shaking her head, Vivian laughed. “Oh, no, we’re not changing the subject this quickly. The kitchen was alive with strange vibes just now.”

“The only vibes you’re feeling are the ones between you and Aiden.”

Vivian shook her head. “Nope, sorry, but this was different. I’ve never seen you this rattled. What happened? Come, on, sis, it’s me. Your sister.”

Groaning, Annie threw up her hands. “Nothing happened. I was reading on the porch when he arrived. I nearly fell from the hammock, he helped me. That’s it.”

“So why are you blushing when you mention falling from the hammock?”

“I was reading a romance novel and it was… awkward.”

Peals of Vivian’s laughter filled the kitchen.

Fed up, Annie glared at her sister. “It’s not that funny.”

“It’s very funny,” Vivian called out. “Don’t tell me you were reading a steamy scene when he appeared?”

“How do you know?” slipped out before Annie could stop herself.

Vivian burst out laughing again.

Heartily exasperated with her sister and the whole situation, Annie stormed out of the kitchen, Vivian’s laughter following her all the way to her room.

She only had to get through the next two weeks and make sure she stayed as far away from Craig O’Sullivan as possible. Surely that couldn’t be so difficult?

Chapter Three

Aunt Janice waiteduntil they were eating before she began her questioning. Oh so subtly, of course, but Craig had known her most of his life and could tell when she was in her matchmaking mode.

“So, do you think you could help poor Annie with her marketing? I’m really so sorry for her. She’s spent a lot of money turning that place into the beautiful house it is now. Of course, Bramble House Bed-and-Breakfast has been operating for much longer and they have loyal guests who wouldn’t even think of trying another guesthouse. Annie got some bookings over Valentine’s weekend when Bramble House was full, but she needs more. The next two big events in town after next weekend’s summer festival are the fair and homecoming, but that’s only toward the end of summer. It’s important for her to get visitors for next weekend.” His aunt was just about out of breath by the time she finally stopped talking.

“She doesn’t want my help,” he said, helping himself to more of the pork chops his aunt had prepared.

“Of course she’ll say that, but isn’t part of your job persuading clients to go with your advice?”

Grinning, he looked at her. “Why the sudden interest in Annie Miller’s place? Are you trying your matchmaking skills again? I’d thought you’d be happy now that Aiden and Vivian are getting married. You’ve had a hand in that, haven’t you?”

“I may have tried in the past to get you and your cousins to have a little fun, but now that you’re all grown up and living your own lives, I don’t interfere.”

“So, you haven’t asked me here for the sole purpose of getting me to talk to Annie about her B and B?”

His aunt looked hurt. “Of course not. Remember, I asked both you and Riley to visit me, not just you. To tell you the truth, I was hoping Riley could make it. She’d be able to take beautiful photographs of Annie and her B and B. Ones Annie could use on her website. I don’t know anything about marketing, but even I can see her website is problematic.”

“Tell you what—I’ll have a look at her website and if… note theif,” he warned, “she agrees to it, I’ll give her some suggestions. Okay?”

His aunt beamed. “That’s all I ask. Thank you, dear. Have you heard from your parents lately?”

Craig shrugged. “Last I heard, the team of Doctors Without Borders they’ve joined was heading to some or other West African country. I haven’t heard from them since.”

Janice leaned over and patted his hand. “I’m sorry. At times I could shake that brother of mine and his wife. You were so young when they first started leaving you with Sean and Cara. I know they’re both doctors, I know they treat and heal people all over the globe, but you were only ten when they’ve decided to join Doctors Without Borders. Of course, Aiden and Riley were very happy to get a new ‘brother,’ but it was hard on you.”

They’d finished dinner and Craig stood up and began to clear the table. “I found a new home with Aiden and Riley’s parents, gaining a brother and sister to boot. I had nothing to complain about.”

Aunt Janice cocked her head. “I’ve often wondered—are your parents the reason you’re still single at thirty-six and always dating more than one woman at a time?”

He grinned. “I’m single because I choose to be. I’m always up-front with the women I’m dating. If they know I’m also dating other people, there are no expectations. We have fun until we don’t and then we move on.”

---