Page 30 of Marrying Bonnie

Jace barked out a laugh. “When Grandpa died, my parents had every intention of selling this place. The land is worth a small fortune–-as if my parents don’t have enough money.” He shook his head. “When Grandpa left the ranch to Noel and me in the will, my parents were furious. They think it should be sold and split four ways with my mother and father each getting one of the shares.”

Bonnie didn’t know what to say to that. That someone would be so money-hungry… She knew Jace must have a fair amount of money himself, but at least he didn’t act like it.

“Well, I never met your grandpa, but I’m sure I would’ve liked him. And I have no doubt he would be happy that you, Noel, and Gunner are living here now.”

Jace remained silent. When Bonnie tilted her head to look at him, she found him watching her. She couldn’t quite decipher the expression on his face, but she wasn’t sure she’d seen it before.

“So what about you?” Jace gave her a small smile. “Are you close with your parents?”

Bonnie immediately made a face and then laughed. “Not particularly. My parents have a lot of money and had an inheritance set aside for my sisters, brother, and me. Originally, we just had to wait until we were twenty-one to get it. Then my oldest sister got there first.”

It’d been years ago, but the drama of it all felt like yesterday. “She took her money, toured the world, and came back nearly broke two years later. She’s spent the last sixteen years married to a man that didn’t have nearly as much money as she’d like him to have. To say my parents were less than thrilled is an understatement.”

“Let me guess, they took it out on the rest of you.”

“To a degree. They changed the stipulations to where we got the money if we stayed connected to the family business in one way or another, were twenty-five, and married. They said it was to make sure our lives were stable. After everything that happened with Violet, my other sister, Lucy, followed their guidelines.”

“But you haven’t.” Jace chuckled. “You don’t seem like the type to follow rules like that.”

Bonnie feigned offense but couldn’t keep the smile off her face. “You’re right, and neither is my brother. Wyatt quit the family business when he opened up Joyful Hope Stables. And me…” Her voice trailed off.

Jace tapped her knee with his. “What about you?”

“I’m thirty-one, unmarried, and I work as a nanny. As far as my parents are concerned, I’m the very definition of a failure.” She tried to keep her tone light as though it didn’t matter. Because, truthfully, she wouldn’t change a thingabout her life. But her parents’ opinion of her still stung. She supposed it probably felt that way to Jace, too. “My mom, especially, puts a lot of importance on money and a rich husband. She likes to tell me often that I should be the one hiring a nanny for my children, not working as the hired help myself.” She pinched the bridge of her nose. “Sorry. I hope you know that’s not the way I feel."

She loved everything about her job as Gunner’s nanny. But her mom had frequently reminded her that she would never find a man to marry her as long as she worked as a nanny for a single dad, and Bonnie sometimes wondered if she was right, even if the risk was worth it to her.

* * *

Hearingabout how Bonnie’s parents treated her made Jace angry on a personal level. He’d had to go through a lot with his own parents. Now talking to Bonnie just reinforced how desperately he wanted things to be different for Gunner. To stop this cycle before it could continue. He wantedhis son to know that Jace enjoyed being a parent and that Gunner was a true blessing in his life.

As far as Bonnie went, he didn’t understand how she was still single. Any guy who met her and didn’t snatch her up was insane.

Except there was a small part of him that was glad that hadn’t happened yet. Picturing Bonnie in the arms of another man kicked jealously into high gear, and that was an emotion he had no right to.

She deserved love. Happiness. She deserved a doting husband who saw how amazing she was, and a houseful of her own children, if that’s what she wanted.

So why was he picturing her in his house? Why could he suddenly imagine Gunner playing with a little sister who looked a lot like Bonnie?

He watched Bonnie sitting on the porch swing beside him and the need to pull her into his arms and kiss her was nearly overwhelming.

Jace cleared his throat and stood to put some distance between himself and Bonnie before he followed his instincts and messed everything up.

Bonnie must have taken his thoughtful silence for uncertainty. She stood and Jace reached for her hands. Bonnie stilled the moment they touched.

“Your parents are idiots if they don’t get how amazing their daughter is.” Jace’s words were firm, and he meant every syllable of them. “The right guy is going to come along, Bonnie. And when he does, he’ll be a fool if he doesn’t do everything in his power to make you the happiest woman on the planet.”

“Thanks,” Bonnie spoke just above a whisper. She pulled her hands away and stood still. She didn’t quite meet his eyes. “I’d better go get a few things done before Gunner wakes from his nap.”

She turned and went inside, leaving Jace wondering whether he’d said something to hurt her. Unable to just leave it like it was, he followed her.

“Bonnie? Did I say something wrong?”

“No.” The tone of her voice was anything but convincing. However, the expression on her face clearly said she didn’t want to talk about it. “I need to check on the roast.” She paused. “Noel asked if I would put it on for tonight. I hope you don’t mind.”

He’d always made a big deal of Bonnie not cooking for him. Now, seeing her hesitation, he regretted being so rigid about it.

“Of course not. But I hope you’ll stay and have dinner with us.”

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