Millie sipped her honey-laced cinnamon tea. “Whatcha got?”
She picked up her phone and consulted the notes she’d made. “Rafe hit the ceiling, like I told you, but he gave me a couple of good ideas. I dismissed his comment about taking out an ad in the Gazette, but nearly everyone in town reads it.”
“You’re seriously planning to advertise?” She nibbled on her brownie.
“Why not? It’s no different than listing any other job.”
“I beg to differ. You’re not looking for an employee.”
“But I’m looking for someone to fill a position.”
“A non-paying position.”
“That’s where Rafe’s other idea comes in. He was being sarcastic, but it’s not a bad idea. He suggested I offer to feed the guy dinner once a week in exchange for acting as my pseudo husband. I could do that on my night off.”
Millie finished her brownie and reached for another one. “Here?”
“Why not?”
“It’s too damned cozy. He’s liable to get ideas.”
“Which could get awkward.”
“Unless it turns out you start liking the guy.”
Kate made a face.
“It could happen.”
“Nope. I’m never falling into that trap again. I had stars in my eyes when I married Enrique and glossed over the legal ramifications of becoming a man’s wife. I’m still paying for that, literally. If I’m forced to do this to help Ginny, it’ll be strictly business.”
“If you say so. But I wish… I don’t know what I wish, to be honest.”
“It’s probably a good thing Rafe turned me down. The idea of trying this with anybody else gives me the heebie-jeebies, though.” She took a restorative breath. “But it’s my only option, so let’s keep brainstorming.”
“Okay.” Millie drained the last of her tea and set the cup and saucer on the coffee table.
“I still think offering to cook dinner for the guy might be a draw.”
“I think so, too, but you don’t have to eat with him.”
“You’re right. I could take it to his door and leave.”
“Just don’t offer to clean for him. That’s too personal.”
“And I don’t enjoy it. Cooking is something I do like. And shopping for food. I wouldn’t mind that, either. I’m a good bargain hunter. I could stretch his food budget so he’ll eat better for less.”
“You know, that might be enough for some guys. Find one who hates shopping and lives on frozen pizza.”
“I could even provide a few frozen entrees he just has to heat up to get him through the rest of the week. If he’s paying for the food, I’m only out the time to fix it.”
Millie gazed at her. “Believe it or not, I can see this working. In exchange for going through a simple ceremony and signing a marriage license, a guy gets a personal chef for the next four years. He can date, hang out with friends, and likely get healthier.”
“He can’t get married.”
“But he could have a really long engagement if he finds the perfect person. Your ad could say—Bachelors! Tired of frozen pizza every night? Want to eat better for less? I have the perfect deal for you!”
“I like it. I’ll head down to the Gazette tomorrow. Tonight I’ll tell Henri, because she should know. I doubt she’ll have a problem with it since I won’t let it interfere with my work.”
“It’ll take up a lot of your free time, though.”
Kate shrugged. “Who needs free time? I don’t party with you guys anymore, anyway.”
“And we miss you.”
“It’s better for Rafe when I’m not there. The one time I went with everybody to the Moose, he was like a zombie. And he really hated it when I showed up for chuck wagon stew night.”
“Then you need to hang out with us again, so he can get past that. If your plan works, you’ll be busier, but surely you can fit us in here and there.” She added an encouraging smile.
It wasn’t enough to calm the butterflies. “You’re right, I could, but...”
“But?”
She sighed. “It’s not so easy for me, either. After last night, it’ll be even more awkward.”
“The more you show up, the easier it’ll get. For both of you. And I’m not kidding about missing you. When you’re not at our gatherings, they feel a little off. You’re an important part of the gang, whether you know it or not.”
Her throat tightened. “I know it. I’ll do better from now on.”
Chapter Three
Rafe had just finished dinner cleanup duty in the bunkhouse kitchen when Jake texted. Need help getting the desk I bought for the Raptors Rise Visitor Center out of my truck. You free?
Be right there. He pocketed his phone and left the kitchen. Leo and Garrett had the checkerboard out and the potbellied stove going. The cookie jar sat on the table.
Leo glanced up. “Figured we could do a tournament. You in?”
“Sure, but Jake needs help unloading a desk for the visitor center. I should be back in fifteen, twenty minutes.”
“Then we’ll start and you can play the winner, which will be me.”
Garrett laughed. “That’s what you said last time.”
“This time it’ll be true. I can feel it.”
“See you jokers in a few.” Rafe unhooked his denim jacket from a peg on the wall and his hat from another one. “Don’t eat all the cookies.”
“No promises.” Garrett set up his pieces on the wooden board. “Tell Jake the market was out of the chili powder he likes for chuck wagon stew. He needs to bring some from his house tomorrow night.”
“Will do.” Chuck wagon stew night was a weekly ritual he used to love, but he’d begun to dread it. When Kate had come after their fight, it had been torture. Then she’d stopped coming and he missed her like crazy.
He took the back road to the visitor center. Supervising the construction had been Jake’s full-time job for the past couple of months and Rafe hadn’t seen much of him.
Jake’s suggestion to build a replica of a rustic log ranch house—porch, rocking chairs and all—was pure genius. The center looked as if it had been there forever. Raptors Rise Sanctuary was carved into a wooden sign hanging above the porch steps.
The lights were on and Jake’s truck was backed up to the wide steps, the tailgate down. Rafe shut off the engine and climbed out to survey the situation. A massive desk sat in the truck bed, dollies underneath the carved legs at either end. Hauling that thing from Great Falls must have been tough on the shocks.
Jake walked out of the building and grinned. “Whatcha waiting for? I thought you’d have it out of there by now.”
“I would have, but I didn’t want to show you up.” He gazed at the desk. “How much does that thing weigh?”
“You don’t want to know. Once it’s in the visitor center, it’s not leaving.”
“Where’d you get it?”
“Came out of an old bank building. I guess the president of the bank liked the idea of sitting behind it.”
“Looks like you could dance on it and it wouldn’t move.”
“Once we get it in there, you can test that theory.”
“Nah, I need to get back to a cutthroat checkers tournament in progress. Garrett said to tell you the market didn’t have your chili powder and we’re out. You need to bring some tomorrow night.”
“Duly noted. Which reminds me of something. Kate has a plan for getting herself a husband and it’ll probably work.”
The dinner Rafe had just eaten threatened to come up. He swallowed hard. “None of my business.”
“Maybe not, but you’re the one who gave her the idea.”
“The hell I did.”
“Millie talked to her this afternoon. Tomorrow she’s putting an ad in the Apple Grove Gazette.”
“And you believe that? She just said it knowing it would get back to me.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure. She and Millie nailed down the wording during their tea break. It
’s aimed at single guys who either hate to cook or don’t know how.”
“Damn it.” He began to pace. “I did give her that idea but I never thought—” He spun toward Jake. “Is she gonna put in the husband part?”
“No. That’ll be discussed during the personal interview.”
Personal interview? Any minute his head would explode. “Where’s she planning to do that?”
“At Gertie’s.”
Panic messed with his breathing. “If she strikes a deal, would he come to the house for meals? I can’t believe she’d—”
“It’s more elegant than that. She’ll handle his food budget, shop for him and deliver several home-cooked meals a week—one hot and the rest frozen and ready to heat up.”
“That’s a terrible idea. She doesn’t have time for that nonsense.”
“Of course she does. She’s efficient. It’ll eat up most of her spare hours, but it’s doable. I can already think of half-a-dozen guys who would take that setup in a heartbeat.”
He could, too. “I can’t let her do this.”
“I knew you wouldn’t like it, but—”
“I hate it. She’ll run herself ragged shopping and preparing nice meals for some idiot, when all he has to do in return is stand up with her and sign a piece of paper.”
“And spend four years legally married to her, which means if he falls in love with someone else, he’s—”
“What if he falls in love with her?”
Jake gazed at him, his expression infuriatingly calm. “I suppose that’s always a possibility.”
“You know it is, bro. A very good possibility. She’s beautiful, funny, and an amazing cook, which he’ll figure out real fast once he starts eating what she brings. What guy wouldn’t fall for someone like that?”
“You tell me.”
“I can’t let her go through with it.”
“So you said.”
He blew out a breath. “Let’s get this desk inside. I have things to do.”
“You don’t have to move it.”
“Hey, I said I’d help you and I—”
“Matt’s on standby, waiting for my call. You’re free to go see Kate.”
“Who said I was going to see Kate?”
“You’re not?”
“Okay, I am, but what do you mean, Matt’s on standby?” The light dawned. “You got me over here so you could tell me about the ad.”
“Yep. Found out about it during dinner with Millie. Matt was planning to help me until I told him to hold off and let me ask you, first.”
“You didn’t have to make it so complicated. You could have explained it to me over the phone.”
Jake grinned. “Yeah, but this was more fun. Now get the hell out of here.”
Rafe started toward his truck. Then he turned back. “Thanks, bro.”
Jake looked up from his phone. “Don’t mention it.”
“And thank Millie for me.”
“I will. Now go.”
“Right.” Rafe lengthened his stride and was in his truck with the motor going in no time. Picking up his phone, he called Leo and tucked the phone into its holder on the dash.
“Hey, Rafe, you’re late.”
“I’m headed over to Kate’s.” He backed around and pulled away from the visitor center.
“I thought you never wanted to set foot in that house again.”
“Things changed. I’ll give you an update when I get back. I won’t be long.”
“Stay as late as you want, but don’t expect cookies when you get here.”
“Just so there’s hard cider in the fridge.”
“Always. Good luck, bro.”
“Thanks.” He disconnected the call and checked the time. She might not be home from the dining hall yet. Hadn’t figured on that, but it didn’t matter. He’d wait.
Sure enough, her truck wasn’t parked in front of the cottage and no lights were on inside. He shut off the motor, got out and leaned against the fender.
The scent of burning cedar drifted from Henri’s house, but smoke wasn’t coming from the chimney. Paper lanterns glowed in the backyard and Ben’s truck sat in the front. She must be using the cast-iron fire pit Ben had given her.
Ben had been spending less time at the Moose and more evenings at Henri’s. Looked like a courtship was in progress. Was a wedding in their future? Henri wasn’t talking.
Rafe returned his attention to the cottage. So peaceful. Had it only been twenty-four hours since he’d barreled out of there, filled with rage?
Driving around for an hour after leaving her house had helped some. Talking it through with Leo and Garrett had helped some more. He’d had a heart-to-heart with Nick while they’d mucked out stalls this morning.
But despite their understanding and support, his anger had stuck with him, simmering under the surface. Then Jake had revealed Kate’s self-sacrificing plan and the anger had drained away.
He’d underestimated the depth of her commitment. He shouldn’t have. Going to the mat for her baby sister was totally in character.
At the sound of a truck engine, he pushed away from the fender and stood. Headlight beams swept the parking area as she pulled in. She slowed the truck, creeping forward as if buying time to compose herself.
He hated that his unexpected appearance caused that reaction. She used to greet his surprise visits with a happy smile. They used to be friends.
Walking to her truck, he opened her door. “Don’t be scared. I’m not mad anymore.”
“That’s not what I heard from various sources today.”
He swung the door wider and offered his hand. “That was before I found out about the idea you’d come up with.”
She hesitated, but eventually put her hand in his. “Where’d you hear about it?”
“Jake.” He loved holding her hand. Used to do it all the time when he’d helped her out of his truck and when they’d danced at the Moose. All that had ended in August.
“So Millie told him and he called you?”
“It wasn’t quite that straightforward.” Once she was out of the truck, he let go of her. “This is Jake we’re talking about. The point is, I know.” He fought the urge to take her hand again. She steadied him, and he was about to make a commitment that made his chest feel like a war was being fought in there.
“All right. You know. Why are you here?”
His heart hammered. “Because I don’t want you to work out a deal with some random guy who answers your ad.”
“Too bad. I’m—”
“I’ll do it, Kate.” He cleared the huskiness from his throat. “I’ll marry you.”
Chapter Four
Be careful what you wish for. Kate gulped. She’d adjusted to the new plan and had convinced herself it was better than her original idea of asking Rafe. Being legally bound to a relative stranger who would be compensated for his trouble was a more impersonal setup.
She glanced at Rafe. The darkness combined with the shadow of his hat kept her from getting a good view of his face. “You were justified in being upset with me. I’m not sure I trust this change of heart.”
“You wounded my pride. I thought you had a lot of nerve, asking me.”
“Which is a legitimate reaction. You have every right to—”
“But when Jake told me what you’re willing to put yourself through to help Ginny, I was ashamed of myself. You shouldn’t have to go to some stranger to get the help you need. You should get that support here. And I’m the logical person to give it.”
“I thought that way in the beginning, but now I realize you’re right. It’s too much to ask. A marriage arranged for financial reasons would stick in your craw.”
“I can handle it.”
“Can you? You may be the tallest, brawniest cowboy at the Buckskin, but you’re a sentimental sap. Don’t bother denying it, because I know it’s true.”
“I’ll just keep in mind why we’re doing it. This isn’t about me. It isn’t about you. It’s for Ginny.�
��
“That’s very noble, but I can’t let you participate in a mockery of something you believe in. I should have considered that more carefully before I asked you to—”
“It will be a mockery if you stand up with somebody you barely know. But if you’re with me, we can think of it as pledging our friendship. And by the way, I’d like to rebuild that. The current situation sucks.”
“It does.” She took a deep breath. “We can work on the friendship issue, but my new plan is the way to go. I don’t want you involved. It’s not fair to you and I should have realized that in the first place.”
“Damn it, Kate, the idea of you ferrying cartons of food over to some undeserving—”
“He won’t be undeserving. He’s giving up the right to get married to someone else for the next four years. That’s a huge restriction.”
“Not for me.”
“How can you say that? You want a wife and kids. Postponing that option for years means postponing your dream. Maybe I’ll find somebody younger who—”
“Now we’re talking about some wet-behind-the-ears kid? Good Lord.”
“Not a kid, but maybe someone in his mid-twenties who’s not ready to settle down.”
“And horny.”
“What?”
“You didn’t think of that? Okay, you’re not a guy, so you don’t get it, but it’ll be a turn-on to have a great-looking woman show up with delicious food she’s cooked with her own two hands.”
“Plus a stove and a few pots and pans.” She liked the great-looking woman part, though.
“He won’t see the hard work you’ve put into it. The food appears by magic. I know what it’s like to be twenty-five. If he doesn’t make a pass, I’ll eat my hat.”
“So what if he does? I’m not some blushing virgin. I can deal with that if it happens.”
“There’s no if about it. It will happen. Look, let’s just simplify this. We’ll have a quick, no-nonsense ceremony and call it good. Life returns to normal and you won’t have to worry about delivering food to a randy twenty-five-year-old.”
“You’ll hate going through the ceremony.”
Strong-Willed Cowboy (The Buckskin Brotherhood Book 5) Page 2