Page 1 of Sweet Surprise

Chapter One

“So, are we getting a new sister-in-law?” En route across their father’s office, Rachel paused to kiss Carson Sweet on the cheek, then collapsing into her favorite chair, finger by finger, tugged at her driving gloves.

“Not exactly.” Desperation and relief tumbled about in Carson’s gut.

Frozen, tugging on her last finger, Rachel stared at him. “What do you mean, not exactly?”

Garret leaned forward. “I thought you said you were going to propose last night.”

“I was.”

“She said no?” Jillian’s eyes rounded before she blew out a deep sigh.

“I never asked.”

“Oh.” Rachel whipped off the glove and leaned back. “So you’re going to ask tonight.”

Carson shook his head. “It’s probably for the best, but last night before our date, she FaceTimed to announce that her troublesome ex had appeared on her doorstep with not one but two dozen roses and a diamond ring the size of Gibraltar—how could she say no?”

“Well, crap.” Rachel tossed her gloves aside.

“Sorry we’re late.” Like young teens with hands clasped practically skipping into the room, Preston took a seat on the leather sofa, his wife Sarah Sue sitting beside him. Of course, still holding hands.

“How are you liking the new living arrangements?” Jillian looked up from pouring herself a cola.

“Not bad at all.” Preston smiled.

“Not bad?” His wife frowned at him. “It’s perfectly lovely. When Clint and your mom said they were going to makeover one of the unused bunkhouses, I had visions of living like a college dorm.”

Rachel smiled. “I’m guessing Mom had other ideas?”

“Yep.” Sarah Sue bobbed her head. “The kitchen and table were already there, but opening up the living area by combining it with one of the bunk rooms makes the space seem so roomy.”

“It’s always boggled my mind how Mom can envision beauty from junk.” Jillian took a sip of her drink and turned to Carson. “I’m guessing that’s where you inherited it from?”

Lost in his own thoughts, it took Carson a moment to realize his sister was talking to him. “Sorry?”

Jillian rolled her eyes. “You’re a good real estate investor because you learned how to see the potential in things from Mom.”

“Oh. yeah. Mom always has great ideas.” Too bad she wasn’t in on their plans to offer an idea of how he could find and marry a wife quickly in order collect on the stupid trust and help save the ranch.

“So,” Rachel crossed her legs, “what do we do now?”

“Have either of you men considered an old girlfriend? Surely there’s a still single one floating around somewhere?”

Two heads moved from side to side.

Garret heaved a sigh. “What about you girls? You two were very popular in high school. No prospects on that end? Even a friend would do.”

“We weren’tthatpopular,” Jillian huffed. “Or Blake Kirby would have taken me to the prom.”

“Sure,” Rachel teased, “if we were more popular he would have stopped touring to go to a high school prom.”

It seemed to Carson that they were all just spinning their wheels. This same conversation had been had over and over for the last few weeks. Nothing new had come from any of it. No friends, old or new, were a good or realistic prospect for a temporary marriage.

“Maybe we should just tell Mom the truth and see if she gets on board with the plan.” Garret waved toward Preston and Sarah Sue. “After all, it worked out for you two. Maybe that would make Mom more willing?”

“No!” multiple voices echoed in precise and adamant chorus.

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