Page 19 of A Surprise Wedding for the Cowboy

“They must. He and Theodore are flying in for the weekend. Things are about to get interesting.”

* * *

“You’re doing what?” Harper stared at Stephanie, who paced the room.

“It’s a great opportunity to do something different with my life. Something unexpected.”

“You can say that again.”

“Look, it’s nothing personal. You bought this house, and Eli’s going to move in after the wedding. I was going to have to find a new place to live, anyway.”

“Not for four more months!”

“I know, but… this job really is perfect for me. Just wait until you meet Jamie. You’ll see what a sweetie he is and how I simply couldn’t turn it down.”

“And the boy’s uncle?”

“He’s a nice enough guy.” Had she sounded nonchalant enough? “I wouldn’t take the position if the guardian seemed creepy. You know that. I’ve got a good sense of self-preservation.” She did now, anyway, after Robert. The guy had sent her multiple messages last night and today. She’d finally blocked his number.

“But… isn’t this a bit extreme? Sweet River is as far out of town as Rockstead Ranch, and you know how rarely we see the Cavanagh wives. I’m afraid I’ll never see you.”

“I’ll be around on Sundays, for sure. And when you need stuff done for the wedding, let me know, and I’ll make sure to fit it in.”

Harper wrapped her fingers around a mug of tea and eyed Stephanie for long enough she began to feel twitchy. “Is this because of Eli?”

“Eli? Of course not. I’m over him.” It was even mostly true.

“I believe you, except not all the way. I know how badly you want to be married. That’s why I’m asking about the boy’s guardian. Are you interested in him?”

Gah, Harper knew her all too well. “Seriously, I barely know the guy. I mean, something might come of it, but probably not, right? I get that. But I also suspect that my parents have been feeding that desire in me, and if I’m not under their thumbs all the time, maybe I’ll be able to figure out what it is that I really want. It might not be a husband and babies.” She was lying through her teeth. A family was at the very top of her personal list.

“I’m just concerned that this is so sudden. You took a few days off and went to Butte with barely any notice.” Harper’s eyes widened. “Had you already met this guy online? Is that why you drove there?”

“No, I’d never met Tate or heard anything about him before yesterday, other than general rumors about the ranch’s new ownership.” That much was true. “Besides, Carey and Ryder’s wedding caught me…” She’d been about to say that it caught her the wrong way. That she’d been jealous. But then Harper would wonder if she were really up for being her maid of honor in August. “Caught me in all the feels,” she finished.

“It was a beautiful wedding.” Harper smiled mistily. “I’m so happy for them both.”

“Me, too.” And Stephanie was, mostly. She’d never had designs on Ryder Cavanagh, and Carey was a good friend. What was not to like about their Victorian-inspired wedding? Except that it reminded Stephanie there was no significant other in her own life.

“Anyway, tomorrow I get to break the news to my parents. I should have gone over there tonight, but it’s too late now. Somehow I had it in my head that I’d give my notice at work and then talk to Mom and Dad more over dinner. And then I remembered it’s Dad I have to give my notice to.”

Harper looked at her strangely. “You forgot your father was your boss?”

“Well, I didn’t forget, exactly. I just didn’t think through my line of attack well enough.”

“Is it too late now?” Harper glanced at the clock. “It’s only nine.”

“Do you have any idea how long the interrogation will last?” Stephanie shuddered. “I’m not looking forward to it in the least, but I’d rather put it off than stay up until midnight with my mom in tears and my dad telling me how much I’ve disappointed them both again.”

“Ugh. I see your point. Well, I’ll keep your secret until you’ve had a chance to break it to them. At least, if it’s tomorrow. I can even keep a secret from Eli for that long.”

“Whew. I need to pack, too, but I haven’t seen the place where I’ll be living.”

“Did they tell you about it?”

“Not really. Staff housing is in duplexes near the lodge. I think they’re cabins of some sort. I don’t even know if they’re furnished!”

“Sounds like you should make a list of questions. You don’t know how much you’re getting paid—”

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