Page 19 of A Cowboy's Bride
Aiden accepted the dish and scooped a healthy portion on his plate. “How long is going to depend on how quickly we get our housekeeper-slash-cook in place and how many ranch hands we get in the meantime. How attached people become to our situation. If the woman who shows up tomorrow needs you to stick around for a few months while she finds her feet, I hope that’s okay.”
Petra waved a hand. “I didn’t imagine the engagement would be called off instantly. But you do know I’m not a therapist or anything.”
“That’s not your role. We have a trained expert who’ll be joining us sooner than later. I expect you will get a lot of the kids—sorry, ranch hands—bending your ear, both because you’ll be in the house and because you’re a woman. We’re all going to get quick lessons from Kevin when he arrives so we know how to guide those conversations to his court.” Aiden’s smile softened, growing a little sad. “It’s hard to wrap our heads and hearts around, but some ranch hands will come into High Water and leave a few days later. Those are the ones who have a better spot to live while they make a change, and we’re just a safe place on the journey. The ones who will need a home could be there for a while. We won’t know much about them until they arrive, not even their names, because until they walk in the door, it’s their right to change their minds and say no, and the less we know about them, the safer they'll be.”
Zach asked a few questions, and Petra did as well. Then Aiden turned the tables and got Zach and Julia talking about Red Boot ranch.
They were passing around plates of pie before Petra got an elbow in the side from her sister-in-law.
Julia leaned closer. “He’s smooth.”
Petra looked Aiden over again, admiring the muscular lines of the man as he spoke with Zach. Aiden had been a lot of fun on the night they’d fooled around years ago and again on the recent night when they’d kissed.
Smooth only began to describe him.
“You’re drooling,” Julia said softly.
Petra wiped her hand over her mouth then stiffened as Julia snickered. “You’re such an ass.”
“Maybe, but you were one step away from eating him up with your eyes. You sure you know what you’re doing?” Concern clouded Julia’s tone.
Which was rich, coming from her. Petra raised a brow. “What? You have an issue with fake engagements? Really?”
Julia’s cheeks flushed. “Zach and I weren’t a fake engagement.”
“Oh, excuse me. Fake dating and accidentally married.” Petra stared at the ceiling and considered. “Yeah, I can see how this is totally different.”
Julia laughed softly. “I was just thinking about how tempting it’s going to be for you to get more involved. He seems like a good guy with strong morals and a smokin’ body.”
Petra nearly snorted her water out her nose, glaring at Julia. “Comments on his body are not appreciated.”
“Just saying. He’s temptation, and you are sort of on a rebound right now.” Julia winced. “I wasn’t going to say that, but…”
“You’re showing amazing restraint and not asking what actually happened that first time Aiden and I met that made both of us willing to throw ourselves onto a limb like this.”
Julia rolled her eyes. “Please. As if it’s not obvious.”
Nope. Not falling for it. Petra leaned closer and whispered her response. “That’s my brother’s favourite ploy. Pretend you know more than you do and hope the beans get spilled. Not a chance, sis.”
A pout curled Julia’s mouth. “Not fair. You know all my best cards.”
“I do trust Aiden.” The words popped out so easily Petra blinked.
Julia leaned into her side. “You also have a heart of gold, and helping others pushes youryesbuttons. I’m just saying we’re here for you, even as you dive into the deep end.”
“High Water begs for a dive or two.”
“Cannonballs are my favourite,” Julia volleyed back.
Petra snickered.
Across the table, Zach waved his hands in the air enthusiastically as he shared some story. Aiden nodded, but his gaze was on Petra, and for a moment, it was as if there were only the two of them in the room.
His sweet mischievous grin teased the butterflies in her stomach into motion. The great unknown was right there, and she needed to walk forward to find out what might happen next.
Aiden was going to walk with her.
It felt far too simple. Far too right. But after a lot ofnot simpleandnot right, Petra welcomed it.
