Page 9 of A Surprise Wedding for the Cowboy

“Maybe your insurance will go a long way toward a newer one?”

“Can he fix it? How much?”

“He can. Just over a grand.”

“Ugh,” she groaned.

Jamie patted her elbow, all he could reach. “Mama?”

Tate could buy her a new car without a second thought. Apparently, her bank account didn’t look like his. Fair. Not many people’s did. Also, he was pretty sure she’d be insulted, maybe even angry, if he suggested that solution.

“What would you suggest?”

Not fair. He stared back into her hazel eyes. “Uh… replace it with a newer model, I guess?”

“I was hoping my dad wouldn’t find out I messed up the car.”

“Let’s drive over and have a look at it. Maybe we’ll get some clarity. What do you say?”

“I guess. But don’t you need to be on the road?”

“It’s what, two hours to Jewel Lake? Just so long as I make it to the ranch by three, I’m good.” He didn’t even want to think about being late for Grandfather’s meeting. Walter Sullivan might be over eighty, but he was sharp as a tack and didn’t suffer fools. When he scheduled a meeting, all the invitees showed up. On time. With smiles.

“If you’re sure.”

“Absolutely.” And Tate was also certain he wanted to see more of Stephanie Simpson after this day was over. It sounded like she felt stifled in her small-town life. Maybe she’d like to experience Chicago.

And maybe he was a fool.

* * *

Stephanie pointed at a small sign beside the highway. “That’s your turnoff right there.”

Tate hit the brakes and the turn signal simultaneously. “First thing Grandfather needs to do is get bigger signage. I bet most people fly past without ever seeing that.” He glanced at the woman in his passenger seat. “Are you sure you don’t mind coming up to the ranch? It’s my fault we’re running tight on time.”

She laughed. “It’s Jamie’s fault. That was an impressive blowout.”

“It was.” Tate had had to practically bathe the kid in a gas station sink, change all his clothes — how had poop gotten up past his shoulder blades? — and scrub out the car seat, to boot.

“I already told you I don’t mind. No one is expecting me at any specific time. If your meeting isn’t too long, I can take you two out for dinner afterward. There’s a cute little diner, the Golden Grill, down near the lakefront in town.”

“Sounds good. And I think you made a good decision on your car. You’ll let me know when it’s ready, right? Jamie and I can take you to pick it up.” At least, if Grandfather didn’t have Tate working twenty-four-seven on this mystery project.

Stephanie let out a long breath. “You’ve done so much for me already.”

“That’s what friends are for, isn’t it?” He angled a peek in her direction as he navigated up the bumpy lane. The second thing Grandfather would want to do was grade the road. Maybe pave it. “We are friends now, right?”

“Friends?” She glanced at him then away. “Sure.”

Odd answer, but whatever. She had no clue that he couldn’t remember the last time he’d been friends with a woman. Not since high school, probably. He hadn’t had much time to date since then, not with intensive college courses and then the real education in the Chicago offices. He also hadn’t had much inclination. Women tended to see dollar signs when they looked at him.

“How long is this driveway?”

“Five or six miles, maybe? I’m not sure. But it’s pretty in summer. You can see a few glimpses of Sweet River out this side.”

“Sweet River seems a stupid name for a waterway. Like it was named by a romance novelist or something.”

She laughed. “Why, you read those?”

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