Page 21 of Marrying Bonnie

The only solace right now was knowing that Wyatt would threaten to hunt Lew down for leaving Bonnie stranded like this.

She might very well let him.

* * *

“Thanksfor the help repairing the barn roof.” Cabe pulled to a stop in front of the main house and held a hand out to Jace. “I think we got that hole patched in record time.”

Jace shook the older man’s hand. “Not a problem.” When Cabe had mentioned water leaked through the roof during the last rainstorm, Jace had volunteered to lend a hand. Cabe had picked him up at the house first thing Saturday morning. Jace promised Noel he’d be back before lunch, and here it wasn’t even eleven yet.

A fancy black car approached and parked in front of the house. A man got out wearing a suit, complete with tie, and a briefcase in his right hand.

Jace didn’t recognize him. “Let me see what this guy is up to.” He got out of Cabe’s truck and approached their visitor. “Is there something I can help you with?”

The man handed Jace a business card. “Milton Hays. I work for Hays and Patterson Real Estate. I wondered if you had a few moments.”

Movement at the front door caught Jace’s eye and he saw Noel watching them with a quizzical look on her face. Jace turned his attention back to Mr. Hays. “I only have a moment. What is this about?”

“I’ve got a client who would very much like to buy this property. Perhaps we could go inside and talk some numbers?” The man turned toward the house, the sun shining off his slightly greasy hair.

“I’m just going to stop you right there. We’re not interested in selling this place, and I sure would hate to waste your time.”

“I’ve got a purchase price you might not be able to refuse.” Mr. Hays pulled his briefcase up and started to open it.

Jace shook his head. “I’m not selling this place for any price. Please relay that to your client. I hope you have a wonderful Saturday afternoon, sir.” With that, Jace escorted the guy back to his car accompanied with some sputtering and objections that Jace chose to ignore.

Mr. Hays’s face was red as he got into his car and closed the door behind him.

Jace stood there, his hands to his sides, until the car disappeared from sight. Only then did he go back to Cabe’s truck. “Sorry about that. Hopefully he’ll let his client know we’re not selling, and that’ll be the end of it.”

Cabe hitched a thumb in the direction of the realtor’s car. “You weren’t even curious about the offer?” He chuckled dryly.

“Nope.” He waved to Noel in the doorway. “Thanks again for the ride, Cabe. Have a good rest of your Saturday.”

“You, too.”

Jace stepped into the house to find Noel waiting for him, clearly curious about the conversation. He told her about the realtor and what all was said. Only then did he notice she was squinting a little. “You getting one of your headaches?”

Noel nodded and flinched. “I’ve been fighting it with everything I can think of, but it’s not helping much.”

Noel got bad headaches frequently, but this looked like the beginning of a migraine. He glanced at Gunner who was noisily playing in the living room. “Tell you what. I haven’t had lunch yet. How about I take Gunner into Clearwater. We’ll get something to eat, play at the park, go to the mall, and I’ll bring back dinner later?”

Noel smiled gratefully. “Have I mentioned you’re the best big brother ever?”

He shrugged. “I have an occasional stroke of brilliance.”

She laughed then, but the crinkles in the corners of her eyes revealed her discomfort. “Thanks, Jace.”

* * *

Jace whistledalong with the radio station as he drove his truck through Clearwater. It’d been a busy afternoon with Gunner. By the time Jace went to the supply store, the park, and the mall, his young son was completely worn out. They hadn’t been in the truck more than five minutes and the little guy was passed out cold in his car seat.

Now Jace planned to go through a drive-through and get one of Noel’s favorite meals to take back to the ranch.

Jace glanced at his son in the rearview mirror and smiled. He’d already seen more of Gunner since they moved to the ranch than he had the previous two months combined. Not only that, but Jace experienced less stress than he had in longer than he could remember. Normally, he was already going through the list of meetings coming up in the next week. Today? He’d simply enjoyed spending time with his son.

The move he’d agonized over was undoubtedly one of the best decisions he’d ever made.

His mind flitted to Bonnie. He hoped she was happy with her apartment and the new job arrangement. What was she doing right now? Noel had invited Bonnie to join them for dinner, but Bonnie said she had plans. And yes, he’d noticed that her car was still in front of the garage when he left.

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