Page 103 of Country Contract

We’re not touching each other, and we’ve barely even talked today, but still I feel so connected to him.

“I’ll still make plenty of time for her before I leave for California.”

For the briefest second, I see his brows pinch, and then it’s gone.

“Good.” He pats Majesty a few times and walks back over to Tommy.

Something is so off about him with me, but right here in front of his whole family isn’t the time to get into it.

Chapter 40

Harrison

“That is one beautiful girl,” my mother says. We’re all in the main house, but I’m helping in the kitchen before dinner. I’m a mama’s boy, just like my brother. We’ve never had to fight for our parents’ attention. They always gave it so willingly that we never felt like they had a favorite.

“Right? I think guests will love her.” I try to avoid talking about Harlow more to my mom than I already have. I can’t keep much from anyone in my family. I love talking to them and telling them all about what’s going on in my life.

Did I tell my mom that I signed a notebook contract with Harlow to be her fuck buddy for some extra cash? No.

Did I tell her I have an amazing guest who I enjoy spending time with? Yes.

Does my mom think I’m in love with her because of this? Yup.

“Harrison James. I know you are not sassing me.” She wipes her hands on her apron and turns to me. I hate it when she middle-names Hunter and me. We share thesame one, just like our dad has his father’s name as his middle name. She didn’t think only one of us should have it.

“Ugh. Mom. I know she’s beautiful. She’s fu—” She raises a brow at me. “Absolutely stunning.”

“She’s sweet, too. I can tell.”

Leave it to my mom to look at the gothed-out girl who has a naked cat from out of town for an instant and know she’s sweet.

“She is.”

“How does she like Pebble Creek?”

I think over my answer for a moment. Harlow has seemed to enjoy Pebble Creek. She likes the small-town charm and the connections of the community. More than anything, I can tell Harlow loves the Hill property. She loves wandering on the land. She loves the animals. She loves my brother and his wife. I think maybe in some way she even loves me.

“She loves it.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, Mom. But she has a life to get back to, and possibly a fiancé.”

“Possibly?” she asks genuinely before getting back to finishing the touches on her dinner rolls.

“Yeah, her family is different. Her parents picked a spouse for her sister and approved the other’s spouses.”

“I can’t imagine my parents picking me a husband. Unless it was your father, but it wouldn’t have been. I knew I was in love with him after our third date, but he says he knew after one. Maybe her parents believe that they can spot the perfect partner?”

“No. It’s more like the most overall beneficial partner.”

My mother scrunches her nose up atmy wording.

“Interesting.” She tosses the rolls in the oven and stirs her beef stew. “Is she staying for dinner?”

“Yeah, she’s close with everyone here. She’ll love a family dinner. From what I hear, her family dinners aren’t like ours.”

My mom smiles and turns to me. “Well, we better get that table set and this food out. I’m sure everyone is starving.”

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