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“You’ve read the article?”
Vivian nodded, the lump back in her throat.
Annie grinned. “So, while I have you struggling to speak for a moment, I’m going to tell you what Aiden and James have done for you.”
Vivian sniffled, dabbing her eyes. “For me? You mean to me.”
Annie rolled her eyes. “Seriously. Shush and listen. You are so stubborn!”
Chapter Fourteen
On Saturday morning,Aiden was already on his way to the airport when his phone rang. It wasn’t a number he recognized, but in his line of work, he’d learned to always answer his phone. You never knew—a call from a stranger might be your next big story.
“Aiden O’Sullivan,” he answered.
Minutes later, the call had ended. Dazed, he stared at his phone. This was huge. Steward was right, a television network wanted to talk to him about the story. Now.
Checking his watch, he searched for the first place where he could stop. He had to change his ticket. He wasn’t going to make the flight leaving just after twelve, and the only other flight that might get him to Bozeman in time for the ball tonight was leaving just after four. It could work. It was cutting it short, but by some or other miracle, it could work.
It was Valentine’s Day after all—anything was possible.
*
“Okay, seriously, you’vebeen staring at the house for ten minutes—say something,” Vivian finally called out in frustration.
With all the excitement of Aiden’s story this morning, Vivian had actually forgotten all about the house she’d fallen in love with. It was only after lunch she’d spotted the key in her room again and asked Mitch and Annie to accompany her. Fortunately, Mitch hadn’t yet left for the Graff where he still had to help with last-minute arrangements, and Annie had just finished serving lunch to her first guests. They’d walked the short distance. The house was just around the corner from Annie’s B and B.
“It’ll need a lot of work,” Mitch finally said. “A lot. And money.”
Annie was chewing her lip. “It must’ve been a beautiful old house back in the day.”
“And it could be again,” Vivian said. “Come and look inside.”
Minutes later, they were traipsing through the house. Mitch was muttering and shaking his head while Annie was looking more worried by the minute.
“I know it’s a tad rundown—” Vivian finally called out.
“It’s a mess, sis,” Mitch cut her short. “But I can see it has potential. You want to live here and have your doctor’s office here?”
“Exactly.”
Still shaking his head, Mitch inspected a part of the floor. “I would suggest you get a quotation of the costs to restore this to its former glory from a contractor. You can then maybe use that as a leverage to get a better deal on this place.”
“Annie?”
Annie sighed. “I can see why you want this, but what happens if you get married?”
Vivian grimaced. “I won’t be getting married, Annie, so this is my decision alone.”
Mitch frowned. “Why don’t you want to get married?”
“She’s in love with Aiden O’Sullivan,” Annie said.
“I’m not in love with Aiden!” Vivian called out.
“You sure about that?” Annie asked.
Mitch’s frown deepened. “You’ve known the guy for what… five days? And in that time, he’s made you cry, made you angry…”
