Page 42 of A Surprise Wedding for the Cowboy

“I love the view here, too.” Kaci stared out at the lake with a satisfied smile.

“You’re from Dallas, right?” Stephanie asked. “Did you have a nice view from your place?”

She was going to love his penthouse with its vista of Lake Michigan. On the other hand, was he going to keep the place? Because he’d be here for at least two years, and Jewel Lake was Stephanie’s home. She wouldn’t want to leave. Would she? Ugh, something they should have talked about before planning a quickie wedding.

“I’ve lived near Dallas.”

That was ambiguous. Tate focused on Kaci. “I thought our grandparents knew each other?” Though he didn’t recall a family of Moores. Which meant nothing. Grandfather knew many people that might not have come across Tate’s radar.

“My grandparents know a lot of people.” She turned back to the stairs. “I should get back to work.”

“Yeah. Mine, too.” But it seemed an odd reply on top of an equally strange one. She didn’t need to give a street address, but why so excessively vague?

Maybe he’d ask Grandfather for a few more details of just how the families had been acquainted. Not that it mattered. Kaci seemed perfectly capable of doing the job she’d been hired to do, and wasn’t that all that counted?

Sure.

Probably.

Chapter Fourteen

Three weeks until the wedding.

Stephanie let Jamie strut into the lodge in front of her at lunchtime. There were half a dozen vehicles parked outside, and the great room teemed with unfamiliar faces. She guided the little boy around the edge of the space, blocked him when he veered toward the stairs, and nudged him toward the staff table with his booster already in place.

“Hi, Stephanie!” Nadine called.

“Hi, can I help?” It was her standard greeting, since it always seemed the older woman had more on her hands than necessary.

“I’ve got help.” Nadine’s eyes crinkled as she gestured at two young women. One ladled chili into bowls while the other cut squares of cornbread.

Everything would be different now. Seemed strange to think that she was one of the old guard and that she probably wouldn’t get to know everyone who was here to work for the summer. Not tucked away with Jamie as she was. She could thank Walter Sullivan for insisting she and the toddler took lunch and dinner at the main lodge. At least, she’d get to see a few other adults from time to time.

Not that she minded hanging out at Tate’s duplex with him, but it was best to minimize the temptation. They could hold out for another three weeks, then Maribel would stay with Jamie while Tate whisked Stephanie off to places unknown for a week. All he would tell her was that it was a good thing she had a passport, thanks to that missions trip to Guatemala a couple of years ago. She also needed a swimsuit and beach clothes. It wasn’t a lot to go on, but it was enough.

“Hi. I’m Tina. Nadine sent this for the little guy. Jamie, right?” The blonde, her hair in a net, set a tray on the table then squished the toddler’s suction-bottomed bowl to his tray. “And here’s for you.” She finished unloading.

“Thanks, Tina. I’m Stephanie, Tate’s fiancée, and currently Jamie’s nanny.” Soon to be his mama for real.

The girl smiled. “I’ve heard. Congratulations.”

“Thank you.” Tina was pretty, but Stephanie had gotten here first. Of course, Tate had five brothers and cousins for the other women at the lodge to fight over. Tate was all hers.

She searched the group as they coalesced into a line to pass the food counter. Ah, there he was talking to a young woman in jeans and a Sweet River T-shirt. So, she probably worked here. Walter Sullivan had distributed branded clothing among the employees a few days back. Similar items were for sale in the small gift shop, but didn’t have the word ‘staff’ across the back.

Stephanie narrowed her gaze as the woman laughed over her shoulder at something Tate said. He chuckled in reply, his gaze warm.

No way. He was Stephanie’s. He shouldn’t be flirting with the staff.

Tate looked up and his gaze met Stephanie’s across the dining area. His smile widened as he looked at her. Be right there, he mouthed.

She nodded and looked at Jamie as he mashed cornbread across his tray. Then she ducked her head and offered a quick prayer of thanks for the food. Also, that maybe God could squelch that flare of jealousy she’d felt.

It was just like when Harper started working at the church office after Mrs. McDiarmid’s heart attack last summer, and Eli had been showing her the ropes on how to run things. Stephanie hadn’t suspected a thing. She’d felt secure in Eli’s love for her.

Now, she nearly spat out the chili she’d just put in her mouth. Eli hadn’t loved her. She’d only thought he did. Maybe she figured she’d loved him enough for both of them, and that he’d grow into his feelings. They’d live happily ever after.

Stephanie had been so sure of Eli. Granted, her parents had fed that certainty, as had her dad’s best friend, Pastor Marshall. Everyone was convinced Eli would pop the question any time. Instead, he’d broken up with her, promising it had nothing to do with Harper. Right. Then why had they started dating only a couple of weeks later? Not Harper, indeed. Did they think Stephanie had been born yesterday?

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