Page 57 of A Surprise Wedding for the Cowboy

“Penthouse?” Her voice lifted in disbelief.

“Uh. Yes? I’ve got a great place at the top of a building overlooking Lake Michigan. You’re going to love it.”

“I doubt that,” she muttered. “Anyway, you were telling me…”

“That ten- or twelve-hour workdays were not unusual, but none of us protested because we didn’t have a life outside Sullivan Enterprises. This winter in Gilead, I filled up my extra time with rehearsals for the passion play. I’m not much for idle time.” Tate realized his mistake the second he said it. “Because I didn’t have a gorgeous wife to hang out with before. It will be different now.”

“Does your grandfather know it will be different?”

Tate thought of the dozen emails that had come in while Grandfather knew good and well Tate was on his honeymoon. Did the man understand boundaries between work and leisure time? Little evidence supported that theory. “I’ll make sure he understands.”

“Okay. I’ll hold you to that.”

Grandfather versus Stephanie. Tate couldn’t decide which to bet on. Good thing he wasn’t a gambling man.

* * *

Old habits die hard.

That’s all Stephanie could think when Tate stayed for a late meeting for a second time since their return. It was just this week, he assured her. Because so much had happened while they were gone, and he needed to be caught back up to speed.

Uh huh. And what would his excuse be next week?

Oh, things were different than before the wedding. Now they could cuddle and fall asleep in each other’s arms. Another employee had moved into her one-bedroom on the other side, and she was all in with Tate and Jamie.

But, was Tate all in with her? He said all the right things. He treated her like gold. But he still jumped at his grandfather’s command. He didn’t know any other life but working for the family corporation.

It was nice not to have to worry about money, but was that reward enough for the kind of life they lived?

Right after breakfast on Friday, she buckled Jamie into the car seat Tate had installed in her little gray car. She needed off this ranch. Needed grownup conversation. Chatting with Nadine at the lodge was only so helpful, since the older woman was busy preparing the next meal with her staff. Everyone had guest-related tasks to do except Stephanie. Did she want them? Of course not. She had Jamie to care for. And Tate, when he bothered to show up.

She knew she’d only been invited to stay in the first place because Jamie needed a nanny. That had always been her primary task. But now that she was married to Tate, it seemed like he should need her for more than caring for the toddler and warming his bed.

“We’re going to town, Jamie. We’ll see Auntie Harper and Grandma.”

“Gama?”

“Oh, you sweet thing. She’ll love hearing that from you.”

He nodded emphatically. “Gama.”

Stephanie fired off a text to Tate to let him know they wouldn’t be around at lunchtime but would be back by dinner, put the car in gear, and headed down the mountain. She cranked praise music, loving how Jamie bopped to the beat in his seat. Besides, it lifted her spirits, too.

Had she expected marriage to cure all her insecurities just because she and Tate had signed legally binding papers? No, she wasn’t that dumb. But… maybe she’d hoped it, regardless.

Did Tate really have to prioritize his work above her and Jamie? Not every guy did. She kept mulling over that as she pulled up in front of Harper’s house. Harper worked from home for her father’s investment company headquartered in Atlanta, and was able to take a couple of hours off to catch up with Stephanie.

Main thing was, she was going to need to be careful what she said to her former rival. Harper needed to think that Stephanie had it all together, that she was deliriously happy with Tate.

Because she was.

She had no regrets. He was amazing. He was attentive. He was sweet… when he was home, which wasn’t nearly often enough. Okay, so she had regrets. They simply weren’t ones she could voice to either Harper or her mom.

Harper swooped in to unbuckle Jamie from his seat. “Hey, sweet thing! Aren’t you the cutest little guy?”

Stephanie exited the car, chuckling. “He is pretty awesome.”

“And Mama Stephanie.” Harper pulled her into a sideways hug. “Come on inside. I hope I’ve baby-proofed well enough.”

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