Page 292 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

She shrugged. “That’s what the article said.”

“BecauseVogueis the scientific authority on aging.”

“Good point.”

Gertrude was always so contrary, but she didn’t feel like arguing with her today. Her mind was focused on more important matters—like whether or not her plan would work. It had been touch-and-go at the wedding, and she’d been on pinsand needles, fearing something would go wrong and that the wedding would get canceled. Now, she just needed to figure out how to make Brooke and Nash fall in love. She rested her hands on her hips, cocking her head. “Do you think this will work?”

“I’ve had my doubts.” Gertrude paused, looking thoughtful. “But so far, it seems like things are right on track.”

Gracie felt a burst of hope. “They seem well suited for each other. And Nash can certainly hold his own.” She’d nearly freaked when Brooke accused Nash and his family of being miserable leaches, but then he hurled back a rapid-fire insult. “They just need a little push. If Alex and Dawson had not gotten stranded out in the snowstorm, then they never would’ve realized they still loved each other.” There had to be a way to make Brooke and Nash come together.

Gertrude’s eyes went large behind her pink, cat-eye glasses. “That snowstorm nearly killed Alex and Dawson. Under no circumstances are you to pull anything like that again.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “Like I could make it snow in the summer … in Texas.”

“Gracie, promise me that you’ll be sensible this time. I mean it!”

From the intense way Gertrude was glaring at her, she was starting to feel like a bug under a microscope. “Geez! All right! I won’t do anything stupid.”

Gertrude looked unconvinced. “So what’s the plan from here?”

“Well, as luck would have it, Stewart assigned me the task of keeping track of the hours that Brooke and Nash spend together. That’ll give me an excuse to keep tabs on her.”

Brooke began to stir. Gracie motioned. “I still can’t believe she zonked out on the couch—wearing a twenty-two-thousand-dollar dress. Look how wrinkled it is. ” She shook her headremorsefully. “She’s been given everything, and she doesn’t even appreciate it.”

“Money doesn’t buy happiness … or love.”

“No, but it certainly helps. I would’ve loved to have a hundredth of the resources that Brooke has access to.”

“It won’t do you an ounce of good now.”

“Yes, I’m aware of that,” Gracie said, fighting to keep her voice even. Why did Gertrude insist on pointing out the obvious all of the freaking time?

Brooke groaned and then sat up, rubbing her forehead.

Gracie changed the subject. “At least sleeping beauty is finally up. She’ll never be able to get out of that wedding dress on her own though. It took forty minutes for her mother to get her buttoned into it.”

At that, Brooke gasped and scooted back against the sofa. “What’re you doing here?”

For a second, Gracie thought she might’ve been talking to Gertrude and her, but then realized they were in invisibility mode. She looked behind her to see who’d come into the room, but no one was there.

“What’re you doing in here?” Brooke demanded. “Did Daddy send you to check up on me?”

Gracie was dumbfounded. It certainly felt like Brooke was talking to them. She turned to Gertrude. “Is she talking to us?”

An indignant sneer twisted over Brooke’s face. “Of course I’m talking to y’all! Who else would I be talking to?”

“You can see us?” Gracie said.

“Duh! A person would have to be blind to miss you.” She stopped and looked at Gertrude, a new suspicion firing in her eyes. “I recognize you. You’re the woman from the inn.” Accusation hung heavy in her voice. “And you’re Gracie!” Her nostrils flared. “I knew it was you from the moment I saw you in Daddy’s office! I’m going to expose you for the rat you are!”

Alarm pummeled over Gracie. “I thought we were in invisibility mode.”

Gertrude’s face was the color of chalk. “We are.”

Apprehension flashed in Brooke’s eyes. “Invisibility mode? You’re both crazy! Get out of here before I call the police!”

“Is everything okay?”

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