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“Sounds good to me,” Austin said with a laugh. “I never say no to good food.”
“Yeah, I don’t think you do, do you? Okay, so let’s finish up here in the kitchen, and then the guys can get the grill going, and then we’ll go and get ready.” Lucy looked at me. “Sound like a plan?”
“Sounds like a plan to me. Is there anything else you need us to do, Austin?” I asked him.
“Nope, we got it covered. I’m going back out with the guys. We’ve got a whole bunch of beers outside if you want some.”
“We’ll drink later,” Lucy said. “We don’t want to get drunk before we eat.”
“Speak for yourself,” Sadie said with a laugh. “I don’t mind getting drunk before I eat. You forget it’s normally me and the guys, so if I don’t drink right away, there are no beers left.”
“That’s not true,” Austin objected.
“It’s very true,” Sadie said. “Hold on. I’ll be right back.” She ran outside and Austin followed behind her. Lucy and I looked at each other and exchanged a smile.
She rubbed her hand on my shoulder and then asked me, “Are you sure you’re okay? I know you’re worried about Beau, but if Austin’s not worried, I’m sure he’ll be okay. And he’ll be here soon, so you can talk to him.”
“I guess so.” I shrugged. “I mean, what if he didn’t go to the ranch? What if he went to see someone else?”
“Stop thinking the worst, Olivia. We don’t know where he is, but that doesn’t mean something bad. He’s been stressed out about the ranch, and I guess with his parents going on that second honeymoon, he’s got a lot to deal with, right?”
“I guess so. Also, I don’t really think they went on a honeymoon. Do Amelia and Ranger seem like the sort that would leave town to go on a second honeymoon when they have a whole bunch of guests in their house?”
Lucy was thoughtful for a second, then she shook her head. “No, not really. Definitely not Amelia. Ranger, I don’t really know because he keeps to himself and doesn’t say much, but Amelia’s like the hostess with the mostest.” She chewed on her lower lip. “So you don’t think they went on a second honeymoon, huh?”
“Nope.”
“And if they didn’t go on a second honeymoon, then where did they go? Oh, shit. Do you think the ranch is in much worse condition than they’ve let on?”
“I think so.”
“What if they’re going to lose their land and their property? Wouldn’t that be absolutely horrible? Oh my gosh.” She looked nervous. “It would break Austin’s heart. Maybe I should find another job so I can help.”
“What job are you going to find, Lucy, that can help cover a million-dollar ranch?”
“I don’t know, something. Maybe I could teach. It’s not going to make a lot of money, but it will help some.”
“We don’t even know if they’re in trouble.” I stopped talking as Sadie came back into the kitchen, three beers in her grasp. “What are you doing?”
“I brought you two a beer. I know you said you don’t want to drink, but it’s a Hamilton tradition.” She handed us our beers, and then we clinked the bottles together. “Cheers, girls. So glad you’re here. I had so much fun the other night.” She smiled. “I couldn’t believe what a blast it was. I need to go out a lot more.”
“It was fun.” I nodded, even though I’d been missing Beau the entire time. “Okay, let’s get to work, and then Sadie, I’ll do your makeup, okay?”
“Okay. Thanks, Olivia.”
“You’re welcome.”
Sadie stared at her reflection in the mirror and gasped. “Olivia, you should do makeup for a living. I look beautiful.”
“You really do,” I said as I brushed her long blonde hair a couple more times and admired my handiwork. I’d applied a light eyeliner that really maximized her vibrant blue eyes. I’d placed some glittery silver eyeshadow on her upper lid and put on some eyebrow pencil to make her eyebrows a little bit darker and more defined. I applied a hot pink lipstick with a juicy lip liner and gloss, and then I’d applied some bronzer to her cheekbones. She looked like a beautiful model on the catwalk. This cowgirl was about to blow a lot of cowboys’ minds.
“Shall we go out and show everyone?”
“I’m kind of nervous,” she said, not moving.
“Why? You look amazing.”
“I know, but the guys aren’t used to it. I’m normally just one of the boys, and I don’t want them to tease me.”
