“That’s totally fine. I bet you haven’t had much time to do anything else. At least there’s not long to go now.” I take a bite of the sandwich, humming my approval. They’re not as good as Sutton’s ones though.
Isla’s eyes light up as she chews her own mouthful. “As for the weddin’, I think we’re all set. We’ve got the bachelorette party comin’ up soon. You’re goin’ to come, right?”
“Ah. I wasn’t sure–”
“Blair?”
“Yeah?”
She grins and I find myself smiling back at her. “You’re one of us Cooper Ranch girls. Ofcourseyou’re invited.”
A warm fuzzy feeling rushes through me. “Thank you. I’d love to come.”
“Good,” she says. “All that’s left to do is stuff around the ranch. Things like settin’ up tents for the out of towners when they start arrivin’ the day before the ceremony.”
“How many people are we talking here?” I ask, curious as to how big a double wedding could be when the grooms are brothers and the brides are lifelong best friends.
“Not too many, thank goodness. Don’t get me wrong, I can’twaitto call Case my husband but weddin’s are hard work!” she sighs.
“Let me know if there’s anything I can help with. I’m more than happy to lend a hand.” I wave my hand toward the hospital. “Apart from working here, I don’t exactly have a lot on my plate.”
She places her sandwich down before tackle-hugging me. I laugh–and wheeze–as I wrap an arm around her back.
I didn’t expect to be welcomed into the fold so quickly. I’m a stranger and yet they’re treating me like I’m a member of the family. It’s definitely making it easier to be away from my life back in Minnesota. Even if I know it’s all temporary.
Isla pulls back and reclaims her lunch again. “Sorry, I’m a bit of a hugger these days. I blame bein’ in love and all that. The mountain likes to make us all ooey gooey once we’ve found our One.”
I sigh at the fact she calls Case her ‘One’, like he’s her soulmate put on this earth for only her. It’s a romantic thought–even if itisa little far-fetched.
“My best friend Cate is a hugger too. The other one–Alex–not so much. She’s more of a ‘doer’.”
“Yes! That’s Birdie for me. She’ll do anythin’ she can for anyone who needs it and never asks for somethin’ in return. I mean, we’re havin’ a double weddin’. She offered the same mornin’ Case proposed to me. She’d already asked Will and everythin’.”
“That’s amazing,” I reply. “It’s cool that you get to share one of the most special and memorable days of your life with your best friend, while marrying your other one.”
“Yes! I think you’ve just helped me with my vow writin’ block. That was very poetic.”
“Feel free to use it. You don’t even need to give me the credit for it,” I tease.
Isla chuckles and finishes the last of her sandwich. “Maybe I should just getyouto write them for me then. You can be my vow muse.”
A snort escapes me. “Not sure I’d be any good at it when I’ve never been in love before, let alone had a soulmate—my best friends, notwithstanding.”
“Whaaat?” she gasps, leaning in toward me. “Are you serious?Never?”
I’m already shaking my head before she’s finished talking. “Nope. I fell in love with medicine and then cardiology at a young age. There’s been no room for anything else.”
“What aboutnow?” she says and one look at her waggling brows tells me I’ve just been caught hook, line, and sinker.
My cheeks heat as a knowing smirk plays at my lips. “Whatever do youmean, Isla?”
“You’re not foolin’ anyone, Dr. Littlefoot. The whole ranch knows you and Sutton snuck out for a secret date the other day and we know you’re always textin’ each other. Sutt has never been on his phone as much as he has lately.” I can’t help but laugh. “Besides, did you really think Jude wouldn’t spill? You can’t trust any of the Cooper brothers to keep somethin’ like this to themselves.”
Sutton told me Jude had promised to be discreet and would help us keep our date quiet.That little rat!
The ‘don’t bother denying it’ look she gives me tells me there’s no point fighting this. “Since you apparently already know, yes. It was a great date.”More than great. The best date I’ve ever had, in fact.
She claps her hands together gleefully. “This isalmostas excitin’ as my own weddin’. Tell me all about it. Where did you go? What did you do? Was he as swoony as his twin brother is?” she asks, rapid fire style.
