Page 61 of A Cowboy's Bride
He threw his hands in the air. “Not me. Remember, she’s a woman of many talents.”
“And on that note,” Petra said brightly, because this was not the time to admit she’d been looking them up online. Curiosity was an evil gift at times. “Jinx is at the road and she’s waving. Wave back, everybody.”
It was the oddest sensation, watching the young woman who’d only been in Petra’s life for a week stepping onto the bright orange vehicle and vanishing from sight.
Dixie dejectedly paced back to the ranch house alone, the absolute picture of doggie sadness.
“This is going to be one hellishly long day,” Declan complained.
Jake whirled, pointing a finger in his face. “Don’t you dare show up at her school.”
“I am her guardian,” Declan offered innocently. He eyed Aiden. “What was in the envelope?”
“Ayou can do thismessage along with twenty bucks so she can buy herself and Sasha something from the cafeteria as a treat.” Aiden winked at Petra. “I’m going to be her favourite big brother.”
“You’re a pain in the behind, as usual,” Declan said, glancing around at the small gathering. “She’s going to be fine, but in the meantime we should all keep ourselves busy. Easiest way to make this day pass quickly.”
“I have plans,” Petra assured him.
“I won’t be around for lunch, but I’ll be back by the time the school bus arrives,” Jake said.
“Same for me.” Declan sighed heavily. “Guess I should get started.”
Aiden walked back inside the house with Petra as Jake and Declan headed toward the barn and studio. “We’re all going to be there when the school bus arrives,” Aiden said softly. “It’s going to feel like forever, isn’t it?”
“Yeah. It seems so odd to know she’s not in the house or with one of you guys.” Petra twisted and pulled herself against him. “How did that happen so quickly? The feeling as if she belongs here?”
His strong arms wrapped around her and held her tight. “As if she’s been around for a split second, and yet all of forever.”
“Pretty much.”
Aiden pressed a kiss to Petra’s forehead. “There’s a strange magic when things are right.”
She nodded. No use keeping him from his tasks as well. “I’ll see you later.”
“Hope you have a great day.” He squeezed her one final time before slipping out the door.
As Declan had suggested, distraction was a good idea. Petra booted up her computer and got to work on the accounting system for Red Boot ranch. While her brother and his business partner might have no timeline expectations, sitting on her butt and worrying for the entire day wasn’t going to help anyone.
She had just finished setting up the initial data links when her phone pinged with a message.
Jinx: Everything is going great. Thought you should know. Sasha says hi.
She’d attached a selfie showing her and Sasha sitting on the bleachers in the school gymnasium. Both girls were smiling, their innocent faces shining with happiness.
Relief rushed in, and Petra carefully considered her response to not let on exactly how worried she’d been.
Petra: Glad to hear it. Have fun, work hard, and you can tell me all about it at supper.
Jinx: Okay. Putting my phone away now because RULES. Give Dixie a pet from me.
Petra sent a quick message to all three Skye brothers, letting them know Jinx was doing fine. Then she dove headlong into programming, relief and happiness making her fingers work double-time.
By one o’clock, she was nowhere near done but had accomplished enough she decided it was time for her treat. She tidied the small desk Aiden had set up for her in the room they were using as an office, closed her computer, and headed to the bedroom. The soaker tub in the corner of the primary bath was about to get a workout.
She stripped off her clothes and wandered into the bathroom, pausing when she spotted three bright red boxes lined up on the edge of the tub.
“What the hell?” She lifted the first and pulled the card with Aiden’s handwriting from under the ribbon.
