Tess put a hand on his arm. “That’s not necessary.” The muscles in his forearm tensed and she removed her hand as if she’d touched a hot stove. “I can get out by myself.”
“I know you can.” He opened his door. “But that’s not how cowboys do things.”
Back in April his chivalry had been one of the reasons she’d invited him to her hotel room. She’d had a hunch that he’d know how to treat a woman, and wow, had she been right. Now she wished he’d stop because his manners reminded her of how considerate he could be when they were alone and naked.
But refusing to let him help her in and out of his truck would be petty and pointless. He wasn’t using the gallant gesture as an excuse to steal a kiss or a caress. His assistance was proper and impersonal. He didn’t even smile.
She turned toward him. “I’ll text you this afternoon.” That should give her enough time to create a new plan.
“All right. I might run some errands today but I’ll take my phone.”
“Sounds good. Thanks for showing me Lion’s Rest Rock. It’s beautiful up there.”
An emotion flickered briefly in his eyes. “You’re welcome.” He touched the tips of his fingers to the brim of his hat. “My pleasure.” He turned and walked back around his truck.
His pleasure? Really? She’d shot down his proposal. That couldn’t have felt very good. But if she’d hurt him, he wasn’t showing any signs of it. He’d only reacted emotionally when she’d suggested he think of himself as a sperm donor.
That had been insensitive of her. Now that she was more in command of herself, she needed to apologize. But he’d already put the truck in gear and driven away.
She’d see him again later today so she could mention it then. On the other hand, if she brought up the heated exchange on the rock, that would refocus attention on their sexual past. Not a good idea.
As she climbed the porch steps and walked toward the door, she wondered about protocol. She was a houseguest and could probably walk in. But instead she rapped on the screen door and called out, “I’m back!” as she opened it.
“We’re in the kitchen!” Rosie sounded excited. “Come and tell us whether our idea is crazy or not.”
Tess walked in and discovered Rosie and two women, one with her dark hair pulled back in a ponytail and the other with a mop of short brown hair. The one with short hair turned out to be Lexi, Cade’s fiancée. The other was Drew Martinelli, the videographer.
Rosie’s face was pink with excitement. “We’re thinking of having the ceremony in the barn. Is that completely nuts or completely brilliant?”
“I vote for brilliant,” Drew said. “I filmed the inside of the barn when I made the promotional video for Thunder Mountain Academy last month and the interior is suffused with a golden light, probably because of all the wood surfaces.”
Tess pulled up a chair. “I haven’t seen the inside of the barn yet, but it sounds like a fun idea. Would there be room for your guests?”
Lexi pushed over a yellow legal pad where she’d drawn a diagram. “This isn’t quite to scale, but it’s close. Rosie and I know that barn pretty well, and we think we can fit between thirty and forty people in there, especially if we use benches instead of chairs.”
“And we’ll gain extra space if we have all the Thunder Mountain Brotherhood standing here in a semicircle behind Cade and Lexi.” Rosie pointed to a spot at the front of the barn.
Tess glanced at Rosie in confusion. “What’s the Thunder Mountain Brotherhood?”
“Zeke never mentioned it?” Rosie frowned. “Come to think of it, he might not realize he’s automatically in. That’s a recent development.”
“It is,” Lexi said. “And I’ll bet nobody thought to tell him.”
Rosie looked over at Tess. “Sorry, you must have no idea what we’re talking about.”
“Not a clue.”
“Years ago, the first three boys we brought to the ranch declared themselves blood brothers. Secret ceremony in the woods at midnight, pressing bloody palms together, the works.”
Tess smiled. “Sounds like it wasn’t a secret to you.”
“Nothing’s a secret to Rosie.” Lexi gave her a fond glance. “But she let them think it was. They kept their group exclusive until last year when they figured out that was elitist nonsense and all the guys who’d ever lived here should be members. I need to have Cade talk to Zeke.”
“Damon might have more opportunity now that he’s over at Matt’s so much,” Rosie said. “He’s one of the original three. In any case, when all my boys are standing up there, Zeke should be with them.”
“It’ll be a great visual, all those cowboys in a half circle behind the bride and groom,” Drew said. “How many men are we talking about?”
Rosie ticked them off on her fingers. “Zeke would make nine. Lexi, I just heard from Austin, who says he’s flying home from New Zealand for the wedding. He put his RSVP in the mail but he’ll probably get here before it does.”
“Junior’s coming?” Lexi smiled. “Tess, you’ll love him. He was the youngest boy to come to the ranch, only nine when he arrived, so the older kids nicknamed him Junior, which I think he pretty much hates but he puts up with it. Oh, and before I forget...” She reached into a tote bag beside her chair and pulled out an envelope. “Here’s your invitation. I wasn’t sure whether I’d catch you today but I brought it so I could leave it with Rosie. I hope you can come.”
Tess gazed down at the hand-lettered envelope and her throat tightened with emotion. Lexi must have addressed the invitation this morning after hearing from Rosie. “This is incredibly sweet, but I can tell seating will be limited so you don’t have to invite me.”
“We want you there.” Lexi reached over and squeezed her arm. “No matter what happens with Zeke, you’re part of the family now.”
She swallowed. “Thank you. Then I’ll come.”
“Good! We’ll—”
Drew’s phone chimed and she quickly glanced at it. “Sorry, but I have to run. That’s my next appointment.” She pushed back her chair. “I love the barn idea. Text me and we’ll set a time to go down there and finalize the details.” She picked up a large backpack. “Nice meeting you, Tess!”
“Same here, Drew.” Once she was out the door, Tess gazed at Rosie and Lexi. “If I’m coming to the wedding, then I need to tell you what happened this morning.”
Rosie groaned. “I’ll bet I know.”
“Zeke proposed.”
Although Lexi gasped, Rosie nodded as if she’d expected that news. She wasn’t smiling in anticipation, either. “What did you say?”
“The only thing I could say. I can’t marry a man I barely know
