After dinner,Becky placed a dirty bowl in the dishwasher. Sean had continued to impress her throughout the evening. He’d listened attentively when Mary had spoken to him, helped set the table, and offered to fill the dishwasher before they enjoyed their cupcake dessert.
He was easy to talk to and fun to be with, especially when he’d told Mary about the animals on his ranch. After hearing about the llamas, guinea pigs, kittens, and goats, Mary was so excited she could barely sit still.
Picking up a plate, Becky rinsed it under the faucet. “Do you enjoy living and working on the ranch?”
Sean took a moment to answer. “It’s all I’ve ever known, so I don’t have anything to compare it to. Although I stayed with my oldest brother, Liam, in Vancouver for a few weeks. That was enough to put me off living in a big city.”
“What didn’t you like about it?”
“It was noisy, crowded, and stressful. When I arrived home, it felt as though I could breathe again. What about you? Do you enjoy living in Montana?”
Leaning against the counter, she thought about the changes in her life since she’d left Ireland. “I’ve enjoyed it since the first day I stepped off the plane in Kalispell. Everyone was so warm and friendly and eager to help me find my place.”
“Your place?”
Becky smiled at the frown on Sean’s face. “Where I belong. I left Ireland with a battered suitcase and a heart full of dreams. My granny once fell in love with a rancher from Montana. From when I was little, she filled my head with stories about cowboys and a sky that ran into forever. When I was ready to travel, Montana was the only place I wanted to see.”
“Why Bozeman?”
“It was a spur-of-the-moment decision. The first bus leaving the airport was heading here. I found a small apartment close to town and eventually opened my flower shop. Molly joined me for a few vacations before our gran died. After that, we were both a little lost, so we made plans for her to move here permanently.”
“Having family around you is important.”
“It is. When Mary’s parents died, Molly and I wanted her to be part of the magic we’ve found here.”
Sean added another glass to the dishwasher. “How did they die?”
“They were in a car accident. Many years ago, I was engaged to Mary’s father. Jamie was a fine man, but we realized we were better friends than anything else. After I moved here, I went back to Ireland for his wedding and, when Mary was born, Jamie and his wife asked me to be her godmother and legal guardian.” Becky took a deep breath. The next words would always be the hardest. “Jamie and Sophia died just before Mary turned five. They asked me to look after her if anything happened to them, so here we are.”
Sean’s eyes widened. “You made it sound so easy. Does Mary have any other relatives?”
“Her grandma lives in Milwaukee, but Jamie didn’t want his mom looking after her. Mary and I have had our ups and downs, but we’re learning to live together. Molly and Jacob have been amazing. I couldn’t have spent as much time with Mary and continued to work at Happy Petals without them.”
There was so much more she could have told him, but it wasn’t the time or the place. She had a feeling Sean, more than most men, would understand the promise she’d made to Mary’s parents and the impact it would have on everyone’s life.
“What about you?” Becky asked. “What’s it like being a twin?”
Sean grinned. “Annoying, comforting, and crazy. Matthew is the most disorganized person I know, but I wouldn’t change anything about him.” Looking over her shoulder, he lowered his voice. “I have some news about the wedding. Pastor Steven can marry Ashley and Matthew on July 16.”
“That’s wonderful. Do you want Happy Petals to provide the flowers?”
Sean nodded. “I’ll choose a package from the options you sent me.”
Becky leaned toward him. “You won’t be disappointed. If there’s anything else you need, just ask.”
Sean started to say something, then stopped. He looked so worried that Becky wondered what had happened. “Tell me what you need before Mary comes looking for dessert.”
“Matthew thinks the scrapbook is all I need to organize the wedding, but I don’t know what I’m doing. I know you’re busy, but if there’s any way you could help, I’d appreciate it.”
Becky thought about Ashley’s book, the ideas that had filled the bride-to-be’s mind for months. “What about your sister? Sally is already married and knows what needs to be done.”
“Ashley and Sally are friends. If my sister knows what’s happening, she’ll eventually say something she shouldn’t.”
With everything that was happening in her life, organizing a wedding was low on her list of priorities. But, with a sinking heart, she realized she might not have a choice. Ashley was so excited when she’d explained what she wanted for her wedding. If Sean was struggling now, the wedding could be a disaster. And, if there was one thing Becky was good at, it was making sure no one was disappointed.
“It’s just as well I’m a kind-hearted soul,” she told him. “I’ll agree to help on one condition.”
Sean’s shoulders sagged in relief. “I’ll do anything. What would you like?”
