Page 15 of A Surprise Wedding for the Cowboy

“Would the nanny get a room in that lodge? Those are pretty nice.”

Tate shook his head. “No, I don’t think so. They’re basically hotel rooms, and we’re just in there for a few days. Apparently, there are several groups of cabins on the property, and Grandfather has designated one area for staff housing. He said there are a bunch of duplexes, but they need some work. We’re all going out to look them over in the morning, and my brother Max will confirm if they’re habitable. He’s made a name for himself flipping houses, so he’ll know what’s what.”

It sounded better and better.

“There are other cabin groupings, too. There are reservations for some of them already, but we’ll need to start getting word out to entice potential vacationers immediately.” Tate took a deep breath and shook his head. “There’s an awful lot to do. I’ll need a nanny as soon as possible, but this kid—” he scrubbed Jamie’s head “—doesn’t go to just anyone easily.”

Stephanie grinned. “He likes me.”

“You’re amazing with him.” Tate lifted his burger to take a bite.

“So, hire me.”

* * *

Tate nearly dropped the burger from his suddenly nerveless fingers. He stared at Stephanie’s face just above the seeded bun. “Pardon me?”

She shrugged, tossing her hair back over her shoulder and not quite meeting his eyes. “Hire me.”

“But, you have a job. Right?”

Stephanie glanced around the diner then leaned closer across the table. “I don’t love being a teller. Not as much as I love Jamie.”

Tate blinked. “But…”

Their gazes locked for a long moment. Then she seemed to read something in his. She looked down at her salad and picked up her fork. “Never mind.”

“You can’t just ‘never mind’ after that.”

“You obviously are looking for someone else. A professional nanny, or some matronly woman with more experience. It’s fine.”

“Stephanie.”

“No, really. I understand.”

Which was more than Tate did. “Sorry, it’s just that you caught me by surprise.”

“You don’t need to explain.”

“I think I do. Grandfather tossed a hand grenade into the mix this afternoon, and I’m still trying to figure out which direction is up.”

“Because of the length of the project?”

“Not just that. He had more than one bombshell.” He lowered his voice. “It seems he fathered a daughter before he met my grandmother, but didn’t know it until recently. And his daughter has two sons who will be working with my brothers, my cousin, and me.”

Her eyes widened. “Oh. Wow.”

“I feel a bit like a marble in a pinball machine, but your offer — it was a true offer, wasn’t it? — sounds like the best news I’ve heard all day. If you’re serious.”

“I’m serious.”

“I don’t want to talk you out of it, but are you absolutely certain? Because you have a job, a home, a life. It’s not like you’d be a prisoner up there, but there won’t be a lot of free time.”

“I work for my father, and we’ve already discussed how I’ve disappointed him. I live with my ex-boyfriend’s fiancée who is in full wedding-planning mode. And my life consists of going to church, teaching Sunday school, and going to my parents’ for dinner three evenings a week. Unless you tell me I can’t attend church, I’m your girl.” Her face flushed instantly.

“You can definitely attend church. We all will. Grandfather insists on it.”

“Well, then.” She picked up her fork again.

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