Page 33 of A Surprise Wedding for the Cowboy

“I don’t think he’ll go for that. There’s a lot to do before we open for the season.”

“Oh, I’ll call it a team-building exercise. He’ll be all over it.” Weston smirked at Stephanie. “You’ll see.”

She shrank back against Tate, who steadied her. She’d go for a ride if Walter Sullivan dictated it… and if Tate went, too. But alone with Weston? He might be Tate’s cousin, but she didn’t trust him. He reminded her too much of Scotty Erickson. Just a little on the sleazy side and not above taking advantage of whatever situations he might find himself in. He might not be overt about it, but that didn’t mean she wanted to find out.

Nope. Keep her with Tate or even Bryce and she’d be fine. Weston on his own? Not so much.

“It’s time to pray over lunch.” Walter’s voice rang out as he launched into a heartfelt grace.

Everyone’s heads bowed. Stephanie’s did, too, but not so much she couldn’t peek around.

Her own family prayed before meals, too. Sat in church every time the doors were open. Dad had railed against his best friend, Pastor Marshall Smith, when the church leadership had decided to cancel the Sunday evening services. Dad might be the chairman of the board of elders, but he’d been outvoted. It had happened again over mid-week prayer meeting several years later. That the vigil had been replaced by small groups far more members attended was beside the point. Dad wasn’t big on changes to church traditions.

Somehow, Stephanie figured the Sullivans would be among those pushing for change. They’d likely adapted plenty of areas in their family business since Walter had been a brash young man learning the ropes from his own father.

What must it be like to have that kind of family heritage? To be part of it several generations in?

Stephanie added her own silent prayer that God would bless her and Tate, so she could find out what life as a Sullivan might be all about.

Chapter Eleven

It felt strange being on the other side of the table at the job fair. Sullivan Enterprises had taken over the town square in the center of Jewel Lake with the mayor’s permission. Tate and the other guys had set up several tent canopies with tables, and nearly the entire crew from Sweet River was present to talk to potential employees.

Stephanie’s job was to chat with folks approaching the area and direct them to the table that best suited their area of interest. Thankfully Weston’s table for stable hands was at the far end. Nadine held court beside him, looking for another chef and several kitchen helpers and dishwashers. Max had only a few openings on his construction crew, since he already had much of that in place in Chicago, with most following him to Montana. Bryce needed a couple of people on the grounds crew, while Jude needed some in maintenance.

Stephanie had met Kaci Moore from Dallas last night. The young woman had accepted the position of head housekeeper and was looking for additional chambermaids. Stephanie hoped she and Kaci could be friends, though there would be more women at the ranch soon in various roles. But Stephanie’s situation as Jamie’s nanny would keep her out of the limelight.

She’d contacted her friend Dakota Cavanagh to watch Jamie today. Dakota and Travis’s daughter, Oakley, was about six months older, so that had worked out well. Or so Stephanie hoped.

“This is so cool, Stephanie!” Her friend Sage Grant stepped into the shade of the canopy. “Look at you, all in with the new big business in the area!”

“I know. I’m so blessed.”

Sage leaned closer. “Have your parents forgiven you yet?”

“I’m not sure.” Stephanie tried not to twitch at the thought. “I haven’t seen much of them beyond a hello at church last week, but then I hung out with Harper for the afternoon.” It had killed her to be apart from Tate and Jamie for even that long. ”She’s neck deep in wedding planning.”

“I bet.” Sage shook her head. “She’s got a lot of big ideas.”

Big ideas came with big money, like Harper’s family had. Eli was getting a better financial deal with Harper than he would have with Stephanie. Youth pastors weren’t exactly rolling in cash, and neither were bank tellers. For the first time, it didn’t hurt to think about what Stephanie had lost with Eli. It wasn’t a negative that Tate came from money, but was that the real reason she was attracted to him? Nope. He was a genuinely nice guy. And also hot.

“Rumor has it you’re dating one of the Sullivan grandsons. Is he here? Which one?”

“I am.” Stephanie’s gaze found Tate unerringly. “The cute one at the second table.”

Sage giggled. “They’re all cute. And yes, I know I’m married, but I’m not blind.”

“It’s Tate. See him there?” Stephanie pressed a hand to her chest. “The one smiling at me.”

“Ooh, looks like a keeper.”

“I definitely don’t plan to let him go.”

A man cleared his throat behind Sage, reminding Stephanie that she was supposed to be welcoming jobseekers, not chatting with friends. But when Sage stepped aside with an “oops!” and a guilty smile, it was Dad standing behind her.

“Dad!” Stephanie rose from her chair. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“I can see that.” He crossed his arms over his black suit jacket, and one eyebrow rose.

---