Page 8 of Promise You Forever

“I know.” She wraps me in a hug. “I’m sorry. He just pisses me off sometimes.”

More like all the time. She grimaced when I told her we were engaged. She tried to play it off like she was cringing at the public spectacle of it all, but I know it was him in general. Luckily, he’s pretty oblivious to her dislike of him.

“I just need you to lay off him this weekend. Can you do that?”

“Yes, of course. I’ll play nice.” She glances around the kitchen. “Do you think I should grab a hotel room or something? Your grandpa seemed upset by me being here.”

“I don’t know. I don’t want you to leave, but I also worry about him. Let me go find Jasmine and ask her what she thinks.”

Amber goes off to do some studying while I wander down the hall toward my grandparents’ bedroom. I find Jasmine in the laundry room switching over a load of bed linens. It’s only been a short time since I’ve met her, but she has the best demeanor about her. I can only imagine how challenging it is to be in this line of work.

“Do you need something?” she asks kindly.

“I was just talking with Amber, and we wondered if it would be better for Grandpa if she stayed somewhere else? Could it be too jarring for him?”

“That’s tough to say.” She leans a hip against the dryer and looks off out the window while she thinks. “He’s going through a big transition and a jarring one at that. Has he ever met Amber before?”

“At my college graduation when he and Grams flew out to LA, but otherwise, no.”

She nods pensively. “Honestly, it might be good for her to stay somewhere else. I know she came out with you as support, but he’s likely to be surprised by her presence every morning. It might just make it easier for him.” She walks over and squeezes my arm gently. “I know that’s probably not the answer youwanted, but I’ll always be honest when it comes to the care of my patients.”

“No, thank you.” I manage a wan smile. “It’ll be fine. I appreciate your honesty.”

Time to find a place for Amber to stay. I know Janey and Sam would open their home to her, but with Cooper being sick, it’s probably not a great idea. The closest hotel with availability is forty-five minutes away.

I walk back into the kitchen expecting it to be empty but find Colt at the coffee pot. He turns when he sees me, and his eyes light up with joy.

“Hey you.” He sets his travel mug down and opens his arms for a hug.

“Hi.” I let him wrap me in a tight squeeze. “What are you doing here?”

“The coffee pot in the stable broke last week, so we’ve just been using this one.” He steps back and gives me a concerned once over. “How are you doing?”

“Okay, I guess, all things considered.” I give a slight shrug. “I was just looking for places for Amber to stay. Grandpa didn’t do so well seeing a stranger in the house this morning.”

“She can stay with me.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I have plenty of space.”

I know he moved a year ago into a house just up the road from the ranch. He’s got enough land to start his own small operation if he wants, but for now, it’s just him and his cats. I’m sure the renovations are immaculate based on what his house in Wyoming looks like.

“I’ll ask Amber and let you know.”

He goes back to filling his coffee. “Have you spoken to Luke?”

“Only when necessary.”

He stares at me as he takes a drink. “Are you going to have a chat with him?”

“About what?”

“You know what.” He raises a brow.

“I don’t think it matters.” I tuck a stray hair behind my ear.

His eyes widen as he zeroes in on my hand. “What is that?”

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