Page 47 of Marrying Bonnie

The decision made, she checked on Gunner and then tackled the kitchen.

She'd only been working twenty minutes when her phone pinged. Jace's name brought a smile to her lips.

"Sorry I missed you this morning. I'll try to stop by at lunch. Have a good morning."

It was a simple text, but knowing she was on his mind made Bonnie's day. "I'll look forward to it. Don't work too hard today."

All she got in response was a smiley face, but it was enough to keep her cheerful for most of the morning.

She'd been afraid the time would drag, but between her extensive to-do list plus Gunner, it went by pretty quickly. The moment she heard Jace's boots on the front porch, Bonnie smoothed her hair and took in a deep breath.

"Just act like a normal person, Bonnie."

She knew when he entered the living room because Gunner ran by yelling out, "Daddy!"

Jace scooped his son into his arms and hugged him close. His gaze sought out Bonnie's and rested on her face.

She raised a hand in greeting. "Hey. Did your morning go okay?"

"Yep. It's been super busy. The new lambs are doing well, though." He set his son down and put a stack of envelopes on a nearby table. "I'm glad you insisted on helping me with them last night." He took a step closer and reached for her hand.

Bonnie's breath caught. "I am, too."

“Maybe I could take you out this weekend. We could go into Clearwater, get some dinner. You know, without a certain little boy or newborn lambs to act as distractions.” Jace chuckled.

Her smile widened. “Are you asking me out on a date, cowboy?”

“Yes, ma’am, I am.” He traced an invisible pattern on the back of her hand with his thumb.

“I’d like that.” Warmth spread through her at the thought of going out on a date with Jace.

Her gaze wandered to the stack of envelopes he had set down. Her heart stalled as she recognized the handwriting on the top envelope. "Oh no."

Jace looked confused. "What's wrong?"

She lifted the envelope with her free hand. "This is from my parents." Why would they be contacting Jace? The handwriting wasn't her mom's—Bonnie wasn't sure if Mom had ever addressed an envelope herself. But there was no missing the swooping letters of their housekeeper because Nell had been handling Mom's mail for years.

Jace glanced at her, curiosity filling his expression. He let go of her hand and broke the fancy seal on the back. As he slid an invitation out, Bonnie's stomach fell to her feet.

"It's a birthday party invitation. For your birthday party." A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth until he must have realized just how unhappy she was about it.

What made them think they could just invite anyone they wanted to the party? It was supposed to be her party—not that she wanted one. This gathering, like everything else, was all about her mom having the chance to show off her status in the town of Clearwater.

Bonnie snatched the invitation from his hand. "Yeah, trust me, you don't want to go to that."

Jace withdrew another envelope. "Looks like Noel got one, too."

Bonnie groaned.

Jace's brows drew together. "I take it this party isn't your idea."

"Nope. It never is. In fact, every year I ask that wenothave a party. You can see how well that request goes over."

"I'm sorry. Well, you met my mother. Trust me, I get it." His gaze roamed over the wording on the invitation. "It's this Friday evening. You have to go, right?"

Bonnie nodded, slightly amused by the phrasing of his question. "Yes, unfortunately."

"So if I happen to show up, you'll have one more person in your corner. Surely that can't be all bad. I can even give you a ride."

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