“I am.” His smile softened. “God, it’s good to see you, X. A whole month together! I can’t believe it.”
“A whole month of me critiquing your life choices and complaining about the lack of decent coffee,” I reminded him.
“Wouldn’t have it any other way.” He grabbed my shoulder and squeezed. “Come on, let me show you to your cabin. We fixed up the nicest one just for you.”
“My cabin?” I glanced back toward the cluster of buildings I’d seen from the driveway. “I thought I’d be staying in the main house.”
“You could, but I figured you’d want your own space. Privacy, your own bathroom, room to spread out all your wedding planning materials.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Plus, Beau and I can get loud.”
“Oh God, please stop.” I held up a hand. “Fine. Cabin it is. As long as it has running water and electricity, I’ll survive.”
“We’re not that rural,” Lucas laughed, opening the front door. “Come on, your bags can wait. I want you to meet Beau properly.”
I followed him inside and immediately understood why Lucas had fallen in love with this place. The main house was warm and inviting, all exposed wood beams and comfortable furniture that actually looked lived-in rather than staged. A fire crackled in a new-looking stone fireplace that dominated one wall, and the smell of something delicious wafted from what had to be the kitchen.
“Mabel’s already got dinner going,” Lucas said, gesturing toward the kitchen. “Frank’s probably out in the barn bossing the staff around.” He gave me a small grin. “Well, he’s probably just yacking their ears off, to be honest. The man loves to talk. I imagine Jack is with him.”
“That’s right, I forgot you two had a live-in maid.”
Lucas burst out laughing. “Don’t let her hear you say that. She’s the mama bear of the family.”
“I remember you being so independent back in the city,” I said, shaking my head. “You didn’t even want family. And now here you are, a big ranch, a thriving business, and a whole gaggle of people to get up in your business.”
“Honestly,” Lucas sighed as he stuffed his hands in his pockets. “It’s the best. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Before I could ask more, a figure appeared at the bottom of the stairs. He was tall, blonde, and built like he could bench press a small car—the man Lucas had rightfully fallen head over heels for. Beau Turner. He was wearing jeans that had real, live dirt on them and a flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up, revealing forearms that suggested he actually worked for a living. His blue eyes found mine, and I watched something flicker across his face. I always made him nervous. Maybe it was the crop top.
“Xavier,” he said, and his voice had that slow Texas drawl I’d heard over speakerphone a dozen times. “Glad you made it. Lucas hasn’t shut up about you coming.”
“That’s because I’m so delightful,” I said, extending my hand. “It’s good to see you again, Beau. Last time was such a blur I barely remembered what you looked like.”
He shook my hand, his grip firm but not aggressive. “Same here. Lucas tells me you’re the best in the business.”
“He’s not wrong.” I glanced at Lucas, who was watching us both with barely contained excitement. “Though I have to say, planning a wedding in the middle of nowhere is a first for me.”
“It’s not the middle of nowhere,” Beau said, but there was the hint of a smile tugging at his mouth. “We’ve got neighbors just five miles down the road.”
“Five whole miles,” I deadpanned. “Practically Manhattan.”
Lucas snorted, and even Beau’s smile widened a fraction. Good. If I was going to be stuck here for a month, I needed to know the groom had a sense of humor.
“Come on,” Lucas said, grabbing my arm. “Let me show you the cabin before dinner. You can get changed into something dry.”
I glanced down at my soaked designer jeans and pink crop top, both nearly soaked through. “Yeah, that would be great. Though I’m not sure I packed anything appropriate for monsoon season.”
“It’ll clear up by tomorrow,” Beau said. “Always does after these spring storms.”
We headed back out into the rain, Lucas leading me toward the cluster of cabins I’d spotted earlier. He took me to the one furthest from the main house, tucked slightly back among a grove of cottonwood trees. Even in the downpour, I could see it was nicer than I’d expected. There was a coat of fresh paint, a small covered porch with rocking chairs, and window boxesthat would probably have flowers in them once someone planted them.
Lucas unlocked the door and ushered me inside. I stopped just past the threshold, blinking in surprise.
The cabin was...actuallylovely. It was small, sure, but the space was well-designed with an open floor plan that made it feel bigger than it was. A queen bed dominated one corner, covered in what looked like an expensive quilt. There was a kitchenette with modern appliances—including, I noted with relief, a decent-looking espresso machine sitting on the counter. A small dining table, a comfortable-looking armchair by the window, and a door that presumably led to the bathroom.
“Lucas,” I said slowly. “Did you buy an espresso machine just for me?”
He had the decency to look sheepish. “Maybe. I know how you are about your coffee.”
I walked over to examine it more closely. It wasn’t my La Marzocco, but it was a Breville, which was respectable. “You didn’t have to do that.”
