“I’ve got two more days at work before I leave. My editor has been really understanding about the amount of time I’ve taken off. I don’t want to repay his kindness by not doing my job.”
Bonnie sighed. “We’re talking about true love. Even Mr. Phillips can’t argue with that.”
“He will if I don’t give him my last stories by Friday.”
“What about Logan?”
“He’s been awesome. I’ll enjoy working for him.”
“Maybe you could call Tess. She knows everything that’s going on. If Matthew is seeing someone, word would have gotten to the café faster than she could bake a cake.”
“Tess is already helping me. Everything will be okay.”
Bonnie patted her shoulder. “I hope you’re right. A lot is riding on what happens next.”
Ashley knew how important her first day in Bozeman would be. With Tess and Logan’s help, she was hoping Matthew would realize how much he meant to her. If she was too late, she didn’t know what she would do.
***
Matthew glared at his twin brother. “I’m not going.”
“Of course you are. Catherine and Toby have been talking about it all week. You can’t let them down.”
“Nathan and Amy will be there. They’ll be happy going with them.”
Sean stuck his hands on his hips. “You promised Catherine and Toby we’d take them to The Festival of Light. They’re looking forward to being spoiled by their two favorite uncles.”
In the past week, downtown Bozeman had been transformed by truck-loads of metal frames. Gradually, each frame had been covered in lights. The Festival opened tonight, and if theBozeman Chroniclewas correct, no one would want to miss it.
Sean threw Matthew’s jacket at him. “Amy said they’re leaving in fifteen minutes. If you want to follow them into town, I’d suggest moving off the sofa.” To make his point, Sean turned off the TV. “The living room lights are next.”
Matthew pulled himself to his feet. “I’m only going because I don’t want to let Toby and Catherine down.”
“That’s good enough for me.” Sean peered at his face. “You need a shave. You look like a caveman.”
He ran his hand along the stubble on his jaw. “It will be dark by the time we get there. No one’s going to notice if I haven’t shaved.”
Sean pushed him toward the bathroom. “Shave. I’ve got a reputation to maintain. If you look bad, it reflects on my appeal to the ladies. It’s not my fault we’re twins.”
“We’re not identical, so I don’t know what your problem is,” Matthew grumbled. “I thought you weren’t interested in dating anyone.”
A blush skimmed Sean’s cheeks. “I changed my mind. Now stop stalling. Amy won’t wait if you’re not ready.”
Within the space of eight minutes, Matthew shaved three days’ worth of hair off his face and passed Sean’s inspection.
“You’ll do,” his brother said with a frown. “Tomorrow, you’ll appreciate the effort that went into making you look normal.”
Matthew grabbed his hat off the hall table. “You’ve been spending too much time in the sun.”
The front door banged open. Catherine and Toby skidded to a stop beside Matthew.
“Are you ready?” Catherine asked.
Toby held onto Sean’s hand and sent him an excited smile. “We ready.”
A quick knock on the door made everyone turn around. Nathan stood on the porch, smiling at his children and brothers. “Is everyone ready for the best night of their lives?”
Catherine and Toby filled the hallway with a resounding yes. Even Sean looked more excited than he should have been. Whoever he was meeting must have made a big impression.
