Page 5 of A Surprise Wedding for the Cowboy

“That’s a waste of money.”

Tate shrugged. “It doesn’t matter.”

“It does to me.”

“Can you simply accept a good turn? I’d like to get Jamie changed, haul in our stuff, and go for dinner. I’m starving, and I’m pretty sure food will improve my nephew’s disposition, as well.”

Stephanie looked at him through narrowed eyes. Even annoyed, she was pretty with her long dark hair. She wore jeans, cowboy boots, and a fitted jacket unzipped just enough to reveal some pink ruffles. Interesting combo. Had she ever told him why she’d come to Butte? Not that it was any of his business.

“Fine.”

“Excellent.” Tate set the monstrosity of a diaper bag he’d been carrying on the nearby bed and flipped open the attached change pad before reaching for his nephew. “Come here, shorty. Let’s get a clean diaper on you.”

The boy eyed him dubiously but allowed Tate to remove him from Stephanie’s arms. After changing him, Tate set him on the floor to run around while he washed up.

He came out of the bathroom to see Stephanie sitting on the floor, her back to the wall, with Jamie ripping in circles nearby. “You okay with him for a few minutes while I go for the gear?”

Stephanie angled a look up at him. “Why do you trust me?”

Tate held her gaze. “Shouldn’t I?” He hadn’t gotten this far in Grandfather’s company without being able to read people.

“I’m trustworthy.”

“Okay. Be back shortly.” He tucked a key card into his pocket and headed out of the suite. Lord? Please don’t let me make a big mistake with Jamie.

* * *

Dinner was going well. Tate had been right about Jamie. The kid had obviously been hungry, and his uncle knew what to order for him. Jamie was polishing off more blueberries than Stephanie would ever have guessed, along with cucumber slices and a scrambled egg — and no, the restaurant didn’t serve all-day breakfast, but they’d been happy to oblige Tate’s request, accompanied by the man’s killer smile.

He’d turned it on her a couple of times now.

It left her breathless.

How was this man not married? He seemed like the real deal. He’d prayed before their meal — not a rote grace, but one that implied a relationship with the One he thanked.

He was sweet. He was good-looking. He was adorable with his nephew, and what kind of single thirtyish man took on guardianship?

Any woman would be lucky to snag this guy. Stephanie would be lucky to snag this guy. She eyed him across the table. Could he be the answer to her prayers? Could God have allowed her to come to Butte today just to meet Tate Sullivan before any other woman in Jewel Lake even had the chance to lay eyes on him?

Stephanie kept her eye-roll to herself. Nearly all her friends were in committed relationships, if not married, then well on their way. She was the oddball, the perpetually single one.

She’d like to blame her parents, but how long could she get away with that? They had… expectations. Dad, especially, had fully planned for her to marry a man in full-time Christian ministry. Specifically, Eli Bryson, at whose upcoming wedding Stephanie would be the maid of honor, not the bride.

Dad was disappointed in her. So was Mom. For twenty-eight years she’d bent over backward to be their perfect daughter, never giving them a moment of grief, but it wasn’t enough. She’d failed in their objective. In hers.

“You seem far away.”

Stephanie blinked Tate back into focus across the table. “Sorry.”

“It’s fine.” His mouth quirked to one side, and his eyes smiled. Could eyes smile? Tate’s could.

Yeah, this guy was a keeper. But she couldn’t keep what she didn’t have. She leaned on the table. “Have you always met your parents’ plans for you?”

Tate pulled back a little as he studied her. “Uh… no?” He grimaced. “But mostly.”

“Sounds like a story.”

“My parents have been divorced more than half my life. My mom complained that my dad was married to the company, which wasn’t entirely wrong. He worked super long hours. Still does.”

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