Page 65 of A Surprise Wedding for the Cowboy

They’d hired a chuckwagon catering service and music by the Delgados. Brothers Trevor and Kade played their fiddles for events in the Saddle Springs area, a couple of hours northwest of Missoula. Tate was sorry to miss hearing them play and dancing with his wife. The Chicago gala would be formal with an orchestra. Stephanie would enjoy that, too, right?

Right. She’d seemed happy to attend. Had she been putting on a show? Realizing how futile it was to argue with Grandfather once he’d made up his mind? Because it totally was, but that wasn’t the point. She’d hesitated for a few seconds before putting her happy face on. He’d noted the instant she’d made that decision. Part of him applauded her for it, but the other part dreaded the repercussions if she used it as an opportunity to dig at him later.

No, he was wrong to think that. Marriage to a Sullivan would be a big shock to any woman, let alone one not raised in their circles. Stephanie was doing great, and they loved each other. They’d find their footing as they went.

It would be fine.

Okay, so it looked like things were ready for the ranch’s Independence Day celebrations. Paisley Teele was head of activities at the ranch, and she’d stepped into the position as if born to it. Tate could cross that day off his to-do list.

Really, he wasn’t needed in Montana every single day. Maybe Grandfather already recognized that and was easing him back toward the Chicago office. That’s what Tate wanted, right?

It’s what he’d thought he wanted. This next week would give him assurance of it… or not. Stephanie’s reactions would be key.

He wasn’t so much worried about Jamie. The boy was young enough to adapt to wherever life took him. In Chicago, he’d go into a private school when he was a little older. Wally and Ashley had registered their son at birth for the program at their church.

If they stayed at Sweet River, what were the education options? Creekside Fellowship ran a well-respected Christian school, but it was a long way to town, and there was no school bus service way up here. Would Stephanie want to homeschool Jamie, at least for the first couple of years? They’d have to talk about it.

Tate blinked and shook his head. There was time enough for all that later. Right now, he needed to go through the employee notes from the various department heads. All the hours had been submitted, and Graham would run payroll on Friday once Tate had approved the files.

Sweet River Ranch boasted nearly three dozen employees right now, most of them summer temps. He’d asked the supervisors to keep an eye for the right people to invite to stay on. Mom had built a functional website. It was up and running and bringing in a fair bit of traffic with bookings well into the fall, though they still needed a photographer. They also needed to have a staff meeting soon to consolidate their Thanksgiving and Christmas offerings. Get those on the calendar.

More to do. More meetings. Maybe he wouldn’t be moving back to Chicago anytime soon, but if it looked like things were going that way, he needed to train a replacement here. Was there anyone on the current staff who seemed to have the interest, the experience, and the aptitude?

* * *

“Mom has what?” Stephanie clutched her cell phone, as though by the act of clinging to it was the same as clinging to her mother. But it was Dad’s voice coming through the line.

“She thought it might be a kidney stone — you know she had that one a couple of years ago, right?”

“I remember.”

“But she just got results back from her doctor, and it sounds like…” Dad choked the words off.

Stephanie sank into a chair at the kitchen table. “Cancer?” Her gaze sought Jamie as it always did. He’d figured out a few days ago that his favorite dump truck talked to him when he poked a certain spot. Now he kept touching it then jumping back, eyes wide and hands clasped behind his back. It was all Stephanie could do not to laugh out loud.

Not this minute, though.

“There’s a tumor of sorts, and they’ll do surgery as soon as possible to see what we’re up against. They want us to come in tomorrow afternoon to discuss the details. Can you be there for your mother?”

“Of course.” Oh. Wait. They were leaving for Chicago on the 12:45 flight. “I can’t.”

“Stephanie. Your mother needs you. I’ll be there, of course, but she needs you, too. You’re her only child. You need to be in the loop, be there to ask questions and support her.”

A gala in Chicago with Tate. A doctor’s office with Mom. What a choice.

It wasn’t like Mom was trying to interfere with this getaway. She hadn’t timed kidney pain for the first week of July on purpose. Tate hadn’t planned this trip, either. His grandfather — his boss — had. And he wouldn’t be able to change the dates, not with the gala on the Fourth.

Stephanie had gotten to know Walter Sullivan enough to know the old man might smile widely and talk sweetly, but nobody changed his mind once he’d made it up.

Besides, there was the gala. Stephanie had found a ruby red, off-the-shoulder gown in a boutique just this morning. Harper had said Tate wouldn’t be able to keep his eyes or hands off of her in that sexy number. Which sounded mighty good.

“Stephanie? The appointment is at two o’clock. You need to be there. Your mother needs you.”

She couldn’t do both. On the one hand, she was married to Tate, so his wishes should come first. But, old habits died hard, and she’d always be her parents’ only daughter. What if it were serious? What if Mom up and died and Stephanie hadn’t been present for her? She’d never forgive herself.

“I’ll talk to Tate and get back to you.”

Dad sighed. “Just tell me you’ll be there. I’ll text you the medical center’s address.”

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