Page 21 of A Cowboy's Bride
“We’ll stay in touch,” Petra promised before heading to the cabin where her things were stashed. In a relatively short time, she was already leaving her fresh start for something entirely different.
Funny how quickly life could change.
6
Sydney lifted the box Petra pointed to obediently, but her expression matched the tone in her voice. Kind of a mix between disbelief and amusement. “You’re moving into Tansy’s grandma’s old house.”
“You’re holding my bathroom stuff, so yes. Follow me. Tansy said she’d be here in five, so please hold your questions so I only need to explain once.”
“Fine,” Sydney offered smoothly. “Do I need to grab the bottle of tequila I have in the truck for this conversation?”
“You have truck liquor? Is this something I should be worried about?” Petra stopped in her tracks and eyed her friend. “I’m not even kidding. Not one bit.”
Sydney waved off the concern, pushing Petra into the house with the box in her arms. “I have it in case I get to some old-timer’s place and they’re being a pain in the ass about accepting treatment. Plus, it’s cheaper than whiskey, so I don’t feel bad making them do a shot or two then pouring the extra over a site I need to sterilize quickly.”
Petra could only imagine a small-town doctor getting away with that kind of medical treatment. Unorthodox, but what needed to happen to help.
Like the concept behind High Water.
At least her conscience had no problem fully jumping into the deception. Now to make sure the other most important people in her life were in the know and on board.
They were back at the truck, grabbing the third and final load, when Tansy pulled up in her extremely beat up minivan. She scooted over and grabbed a suitcase, shaking her head even as she did so. “I am so looking forward to you explaining what's going on. Because that text message you sent saying to get our asses over to the animal rescue and be prepared to zip our lips and swallow the key was cryptic, even for you.”
“It will all make sense,” Petra promised.
Sydney's head swung to the side as she eyed the three trucks parked on the far side of the gravel beside the newly renovated second building. “The guys aren't helping you move?”
“They would have, but Aiden suggested I give you two a call.” Which was a brainwave Petra appreciated immensely the more she thought about it.
He’d also muttered something about staying out of range of Sydney’s knife skills until the coast was clear, which was extra smart on his part.
“I don’t mind being grunt labour, but please satisfy my curiosity, ASAP,” Tansy ordered. “Also, I have a pie in the van if we need it.”
Sydney's laugh was quick and sharp. “Be careful. Petra’s going to be worried that you have van pie. That's a dangerous habit. It could become addictive, you know.”
Tansy lowered her voice to a hush. “It started innocently enough. It was just a few apple turnovers, and the next thing I knew I was hauling out the pecan and pumpkin every night.”
Which meant the three of them were all laughing as they stacked the boxes labeledcoatsandshoesbeside the door then carried the final suitcases into the primary bedroom.
Petra patted the bed. “Sit.”
Sydney lifted a brow then spoke to Tansy. “This must be big. She's making sure we're stable so we don't fall over.”
Another snort escaped. The tension that had slowly built as Petra considered how to tell her friends was dissipating quickly because of who Sydney and Tansy were.
Still, Petra made sure they were solid before she sat on her suitcase and faced them. “I'm moving in to help the Skye brothers with a small deception for a good reason. We're all trusting you with a big secret, but I know that you’ll be one hundred percent behind what I'm about to tell you.”
It didn't take long to share the outline of what was going on, mostly because both Tansy and Sydney kept their mouths shut, although Tansy wiggled a whole bunch, pinning her lips together to keep from blurting out questions.
But when Petra stopped and looked at her friends expectantly, there it was. The exact response she’d hoped for.
Sydney dipped her chin firmly, although she still looked a little worried. “I've got your back. Plus, you tell the boys that if they need medical assistance for any of their ranch hands, especially the ones who are too skittish to hit the hospital, they should let me know right away.”
Which was something Petra hadn't thought about, but she was sure the guys would be grateful for. “I'll pass that on.”
Tansy lifted her chin. “You have my full support, which means the guys do as well. We can keep our mouths shut. This sounds like something that could make a big difference in people’s lives. That's worth a little lying, I think.” She glanced around the room and out the window before meeting Petra’s eyes again. “Two questions, though. How does this work with the thing brewing between you and Aiden?”
Petra considered the question seriously. She did like the man, and the very hot and needy thing between them was real, but neither of them were adolescents without any control. “The pretend engagement and me living here is a temporary situation to help somebody who needs it. If there's going to be anything between Aiden and I, it can wait until a more appropriate time.”
