Page 18 of A Surprise Wedding for the Cowboy

“Grandfather said I needed to find a local nanny for Jamie. I did. She’s good with him, and he adores her.”

“He’s not the only one she looks at with googly eyes,” Bryce drawled.

“She’s pretty, and she’s nice. Beyond that, we don’t really know each other.”

“Yet,” Max said.

Tate acknowledged his brothers with a tip of his head and took a sip of Sprite. “Seriously, what do you think of this project here?”

“It’s right up my alley.” Max gave a decisive nod. “There’s a lot of scope for fixing up some of the older buildings, and Grandfather wants to add more cottages.”

“What’s the gist of the whole place?”

Bryce spread his hands. “This lodge building is basically a boutique hotel with a couple of dozen guest rooms. There’s a decent commercial kitchen—”

“It needs some upgrades,” Max interrupted.

“—and a dining area,” Bryce went on. “There are offices in that wing, and I’m sure you noticed the gift shop and reception office at the main doors.”

“Okay, so we’re running an inn? We know how to do that.” It didn’t sound as bad as a ranch. “Plus, there’s staff housing? And I imagine some barns and stables or whatever if there are a bunch of horses.”

“Right. But several cabin groupings, too. Those are self-contained vacation rentals with kitchens.”

Max rubbed his hands together. “One set of those was barely brought through to lockup before the other guys ran out of money. It’s going to be a lot of fun getting those finished and ready to rent.”

“Seems the basic problem might be getting people here. Is this area really such a tourist hotspot? Because the Smiths may have had too grand a vision for what’s feasible.”

Bryce waved a dismissive hand. “They’ll come. There’s an airport in Missoula, and there’s even an airstrip here on the ranch. Grandfather figures on Dad flying him in from Chicago whenever he wants.”

“One of you should get your pilot’s license.”

“Not you?” Max’s eyebrows angled up.

“Nah. I’ve got enough going on.”

“Oh, right. Chief Operating Officer. Don’t forget to bow, Bryce. Our big brother has moved up in the world.”

“It should have been Wally.” Bryce looked pensive.

It wasn’t like Tate had been responsible for Wally’s death. He glugged back more soda. “So, you guys think retrofitting this ranch is a good idea?”

“Max thinks so.” Bryce glanced between them. “I’m not so sure, but maybe a fresh start won’t hurt me, either.”

“What’s been going on?” Tate had been way out of the loop by staying at Mom’s in Kansas since Christmas.

“Nothing much. I broke up with Madison.”

Max elbowed Bryce. “Tate’s got dibs on Stephanie.”

“I’m going to be single for a while.” Bryce shook his head with a chuckle. “Being this far out of a two-horse town with a bunch of guys for company ought to ensure I stay that way.”

Tate leaned forward on his elbows and lowered his voice. “And the new cousins?”

“I’m going to take out that surly, cocky one.” Bryce glowered. “I can’t believe I’m related to him.”

“Jude’s not as bad,” Max put in. “But yeah, this is going to take some getting used to. I can’t imagine Dad and Uncle Theodore bringing these yahoos into the bosom of the family.”

“But Grandfather has the final say, and he already sealed the deal.” Tate finished his can and rose to his feet. “Surely Dad already knows?”

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