Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Thank goodness Tex had babbled nonstop on the way home from the party. If he’d fallen asleep in his car seat as usual, Uncle Graham would have had questions Zinnia wouldn’t have wanted to answer.
She’d had quite a challenge getting Tex to calm down long enough to tuck him in bed. By the time he’d finally gone to sleep, her uncle had given up and hit the sack himself.
Much as she’d wanted to stay awake until Mari got home, she hadn’t been able to keep her eyes open. Some insomniac she was. Maybe the Monty effect was still in force because she’d slept soundly until the rising sun ushered in a bizarro day.
Mari kept trying to get info on the party and the only person who gave her an unfiltered response was Tex. He had a new audience and was thrilled to chatter away about his experiences.
Meanwhile Uncle Graham kept giving her looks as if he was dying to quiz her. She pretended not to notice. Then Mari started with the looks, but with Tex constantly around, she sure wasn’t going to get into it.
Finding a private moment with her sister when either Tex or her uncle weren’t in the room proved impossible. She’d hoped Tex would take a nap to make up for his late night, but no dice.
Then finally, soon after dinner, he ran out of juice. She had no trouble getting him to bed and he was asleep before she left his room.
As she walked down the hall, Mari and Uncle Graham’s voices in the kitchen were pitched low, as if they wanted to make sure Tex couldn’t hear. She sucked in a breath and went to join them.
They both glanced up, Uncle Graham giving her a benevolent smile and Mari’s gaze full of questions she wouldn’t ask in front of their uncle.
“No worries. He went out like a light.”
“That’s good.” Uncle Graham let out a sigh of relief. “I’ve been telling Mari it looks like you and Monty have something going on, but I don’t want to jump to too many conclusions.”
“I appreciate that.” She took a seat at the old oak table next to Mari. “Monty and I do have affection for each other. I guess that was obvious to everyone at the party.”
Her uncle grinned. “Sure was. I was tickled to see it, too. I won’t say I told you so, but… I told you so.”
“The thing is, we’ve agreed to back off.”
Mari ducked her head to hide a smile. She’d likely assumed that was the cover story.
But her uncle looked confused. “Why?”
“Basically, because of Tex.”
“Tex? He thinks Monty hung the moon!”
“I know, but—”
“And Monty seems to really care about Tex. I have pictures of them doing the present thing and it was remarkable how they acted like father and son. Raquel was impressed, too.”
“Monty does love him.”
“See? I knew it. And it’s obvious you and Monty clicked, so what’s the problem?”
“Monty’s not ready to take on that kind of responsibility.”
“He said that? I can’t imagine him saying that.”
“But he did, and I admire him for being honest. I wish my ex had been that honest with me.”
“He just needs more time to think about it, to get used to the idea.”
“That’s exactly what I told myself about my ex, but it never happened. I’m not making that mistake twice.”
“I guarantee Monty is nothing like your ex. I suppose it’s only natural he’s a little nervous about becoming an instant father, but all you have to do is look at my pictures and you’ll see he’d be great at it.”
“I watched that whole thing, too, and it made me want to cry. Tex would love to have someone like Monty in his life, but if a man says he’s not up to the job, I’ll by God believe him.”
His expression softened. “My apologies, sweetheart. Pay me no mind. Guess I was too invested in the fairytale ending.”
“You weren’t the only one. I don’t regret going to the party. Tex had a blast. But now Monty’s whole family thinks….” She sighed. “I guess they’ll get over it.”
“I have a question.” Mari was looking at her, and the smile was gone. Had she figured out the affair was over, too? Probably. “If you and Monty aren’t pursuing this romance, will the Bridgers still want to socialize with us?”
“I’ll answer that.” Uncle Graham sat up straighter. “That family is true blue. They welcomed Zin and Tex the way I knew they would, and they won’t suddenly go cold because of this. That’s not how they’re made.”
“I’ll second that.” Zinnia gazed at her sister. “Sure, they’ll be disappointed about Monty and me, but they’re not petty. They won’t judge. I can’t wait for you to meet everyone. You’ll love them.”
“I can’t wait, either. I’m glad we’ll still be welcome. They sound like fun.”
“They are.” Would she have some awkward moments? Yes, but that was on her. They’d be as lovely as ever.
The discussion then turned to Monty the Colt. Mari had suggested that label the day before, and even Tex had thought it sounded cool.
Zinnia had already shortened it, calling him MTC. Yes, it sounded like she was saying Empty Sea, which was ridiculous, but she was desperate to eliminate the name Monty from her life. Was she insane to go over there tonight?
As if Fate had decided to throw a monkey wrench—haha—into their rendezvous plan, Uncle Graham chose to stay up later than usual. She considered ducking into her bedroom and texting Monty to cancel. Couldn’t seem to do it.
The minute Uncle Graham bid them goodnight and walked into his room, Mari grabbed her by the arm and motioned toward the front porch. She followed her sister out and took one of the Adirondack chairs.
“Are you really calling it quits? Even the sex?”
“Yes.”
“Aw, Zin.”
“Last night he asked for one more night, so I’m supposed to go over there, but I’m wondering if that’s smart.”
“Because someone might see you?”
“No. It’s totally chill over there late at night. But why dig myself in deeper? I’ll just miss him that much more.”
“Are you in love with him?”
“Afraid so. Which is stupid. You can’t be in love with someone you just met.”
“Sure you can. Happens all the time. Sometimes it lasts and sometimes it doesn’t.”
“Well, this episode is doomed, so I might just be torturing myself unnecessarily if I go over there.”
“Your call.”
“I know.”
“Uncle Graham showed me those pictures while you were putting Tex to bed.”
“I figured he might have.”
“He’s right. Monty looks like a doting father.”
“He looked exactly like that, which is what makes this so effing hard. Maybe he would come around, but I’ve been burned before.”
“Maybe I shouldn’t have talked you into having sex with him. I’m starting to feel bad about that.”
“Well, don’t. Celibacy isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.”
Mari laughed. “Good one. So are you okay with spending time at that ranch? I know what you said, but if it’s problematic for you, then….”
“I like them so much that I’ll power through any awkward moments. Raquel’s wonderful. They all are. Oh, and remember Uncle Graham telling us about the Jordan Sterling training center over there?”
“I do. Sounded like a big deal.”
“I didn’t get a look at it, but I’m sure it’s awesome. And Jordan offered to help train Tex and MTC.”
“Won’t that be expensive?”
“She’s giving me a discount.”
“Are you sure the Monty situation won’t affect that?”
“It won’t. We need to remember that Spence Bridger was best friends with our uncle. They used to hang out all the time. He’s the reason everyone’s so friendly to us. They love him.”
“Then lucky us, huh?”
“We are. There’s one other thing I haven’t told you, but you have to promise not to let on you know.”
“Ooo, a secret. I love secrets.”
“I’m aware. So, have you noticed how many times our uncle mentions Raquel?”
“Now that you say that, he does talk about her a lot.” Her breath caught. “Are you saying—”
“He’s got a huge crush.”
“No.” She giggled. “Now I really have to meet this woman. Is she good enough for him?”
“I’m guessing he doesn’t think he’s good enough for her. Spence Bridger would be a tough act to follow.”
“Maybe, but Uncle Graham’s no slouch, either. I thought he was through with women, though.”
“So did I. Then I saw him light up on Thursday morning when we were there for the shoeing appointment. Yesterday whenever I went looking for him, he was with Raquel.”
“Does she know?”
“I’m not sure. I don’t know her well enough to be able to say. She looked happy, though, and he makes her laugh.”
“That’s so cool. After putting up with Aunt Adele, he deserves another shot.” She exhaled. “And so do you. I’m sorry this isn’t it.”
“Me, too.”
“Gonna go over there?”
“God help me, I am.”