Page 37 of Rose's One Night to Forever
“Fern.” Cody nearly tripped over his own feet stepping backward. He scrambled to stay upright as Fern eyed him.
“That’s a good look on you. But so’s your cowboy gear,” she offered.
His brother seemed to have lost his focus along with his balance. He opened and closed his mouth a few times then coughed lightly, meeting Chance’s gaze firmly. “I’m going downstairs to take another peek at the show. Great job. Catch up with you tomorrow. Fern, we’ll see you ’round.”
Then he was gone, pushing past Rose and Tansy, who had stopped beside the desk.
“What’s his hurry?” Tansy asked.
“Running from fate. Skipping out on destiny,” Fern said smoothly. “Something like that.” She grinned then all but pranced across the room to help solve a problem with a station.
Rose slid her fingers into Chance’s. “What did we miss?”
“I’m not sure,” he admitted. But with Rose beside him, Cody’s inexplicable behaviour could be ignored for tonight. “Did you need something, love?”
“You.” She leaned her head against his arm briefly then straightened. “And I need to tell you that the Krugers just followed us upstairs. They have their pocketbook out and are making noises about how it’s vital they buy the canvas on the upper southeast wall before someone else does.”
He somehow held back a hoot of delight. “Well, I should go see if I can relieve them of their worries.”
“And some cash from their wallet,” Tansy suggested with a smirk. “Go. I’ll take care of your sweetie until you return.”
“I can take care of myself,” Rose muttered.
Chance was already moving. He kissed Rose first, sweet and deep and extraordinarily restrained, if he did say so himself.
Then, while Rose was still all flustered and flushed, he turned to Tansy and kissed her cheek. “You’re on. Hold the fort, or something Western like that.”
With Tansy snickering and Rose aflutter, Chance hurried away, knowing he was rock-solid with what, and who, was truly important.
Just one final thing to make all his dreams come true.
15
“You know,” Tansy said, staring after Chance. “We didn’t do so badly after all. Not getting to expand, I mean.”
Rose was still buzzing from the kiss. How could she be expected to understand that out-of-the-blue comment? “We didn’t?”
Her sister lifted a shoulder. “We still ended up with an entire new shop to do more with. Me, extra catering. You, extra decorating. Fern’s got a job that allows her to work with her training and build her artistic talents. All without us adding rent expenses.”
It was true if they looked at it like that.
Rose peered around the room, not one bit surprised when Chance landed in her line of vision. Like a magnet, she was drawn toward him. “It’s been a touch magical.”
Tansy curled her arms around Rose and hugged her tight, whispering by her ear, “It’s been pure magic all right. I’m so happy for you, sis. A whole mysterious prince coming from far-off lands to sweep you off your feet. You deserve this.”
Rose squeezed her back fiercely. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“Yes, you are,” Tansy corrected. “You’re moving forward, and that’s how it should be. I’ll miss you,” she said, “but not too much, since we live in each other’s pockets and you’ll be at Buns and Roses every day like usual, whining about how much sex you’re getting.”
“You’re such a brat.” Rose kissed her. “And I love you.”
“Then the world is as it should be.” Tansy winked and shoved her away. “Now git. You’re giving me sweetie-poopsie-pie cooties, and I don’t want them. I like my single life, thank you very much.”
Rose bounced off something, only to be captured by warm, strong hands.
“Thanks for the delivery service,” Chance said. “And thanks for the great job on the catering. I’ll give you more notice next time.”
“Family and friends get to short order,” Tansy said. She glanced at Rose then back at Chance. “Looks as if you’re potentially both.”
