Alex: I’m so damn proud of you right now.
Cate: I’m speechless.
Cate: And proud.
While those two fall silent as they process my sassy reply to Sutton, I check the time and realize that I need to get ready for lunch.
Blair: I’ve got to go meet the rest of the ranch family now. Talk soon.
Cate: Can’t wait to hear how it goes.
Alex: Let us know if there are any other brothers who are single and ‘softer’ haha.
I laugh at that one before putting my phone down.
Time to meet the rest of the Coopers. At least I won’t be surprised this time.
“Welcome! You must be Blair,” A gorgeous blonde with bright eyes and a wide smile says after opening the front door for me. “You’re just in time,” she adds before stepping forward, linking her arm with mine and leading me inside.
“In time?” I ask, wondering which soon-to-be Cooper woman my super friendly host is. I already know Isla works at the hospital, but I can’t remember being told much about Birdie.
“For our first attempt at a wood-fired pizza. City boy built it last week and today we’re giving it a trial run. Hopefully it works out otherwise our weddin’ guests will be goin’ hungry.”
I arch a brow, deciding to tackle the first unknown part of her sentence. “City boy?”
Her cheeks blush. “Oh. That’s my name for Will. He’s my fiancée. We’re gettin’ married next month.”
A smile curves my lips. “That means you must be Birdie.”
“Shoot. Sometimes I forget that not everyone knows me.” She holds out her hand for mine. “Birdie Walker. Nice to meet you.”
“Blair Littlefoot. But I’m guessing you know that,” I muse.
“Sure do. Me and Isla have been so excited to have another woman here on the ranch. These men need a woman’s touch sometimes.”
I snort, her eyes widening as her words sink it. “Damn. I don’t mean likethat. I mean–”
“It’s OK,” I say with a laugh. “I knew what you meant. I grew up on a farm with two older brothers and my born-from-the-earth father. Mom, my sister, and Idefinitelyhad our hands full with all of the testosterone, believe me.”
“Ah, now I know why you put on the bookin’ form that this place reminded you of home.” Just as we reach the living room, she stops, steps back, and takes me in from head to toe. “Though you don’t look like the farmin’ type now.”
“I left for college at eighteen and never moved back. I’m still a farmgirl at heart though.”
“Hmm. Is that why you chased Grumps for your underwear? Not everyone would chase a wild animal for a pair of panties,” she replies with a grin.
“I’m somewhat of a loose cannon when I want to be.”
“You say loose cannon, I say bad ass. That’s how I know you’re gonna fit right in.” She looks me over again. “Say, do you read romance books?”
I jerk at the sudden change of conversation. “I haven’t for years. My best friends have been bugging me to read mountain men books though. Especially after I told them I was coming here. Why do you ask?”
“Oh, it’s nothin’. If you everdowant somethin’ to read, let me know. I’m a huge fan of romance novels, and Will’s cousin’s wife has written a whole bunch of ‘em. They’re mountain man romance books with a bit of a fated soulmates twist.”
“Is that Aster Hollingsworth? My best friends talk about her all the time,” I reply.
Birdie gasps. “That’s her! Wow. What a coincidence.”
I notice what looks like a pizza making assembly line laid out on the huge dining room table. Birdie’s eyes follow mine. “Normally I wouldn’t expect guests to make their own lunch, but we decided that we’d all make a pizza ourselves. That way, we can try a bunch of different types and whittle down flavors for the weddin’. That’s if you’re game of course?”
