Page 22 of Her Bachelor Cowboy Billionaire

“Hi, Jessie. Set the table, would you, please?”

“Sure.”

“Set it for three. Mr. Brandt is coming over for dinner.”

Jessica raised her eyebrows. “Mr. Brandt. You mean Uncle Philip? Dad’s best friend?”

“He called on me a couple of weeks ago, and we’ve been having some wonderful conversations. We’ve gone out to dinner twice, and I invited him to dinner today. I want your opinion. I value it, but I’m also happier than I’ve been since your father died. Philip and I have a lot of things in common and not just that our spouses have died. It’s becoming serious, and I wanted you to know.”

“Mom, I’m thrilled for both of you. I know he’s been as unhappy since Aunt Jean passed as you have been since losing Dad. It’s time for you both to find some happiness again. That it’s together is wonderful. You’ve known each other for years already, so there’s no awkward silences.” She hugged her mother again. “I have some news myself. That matchmaker you sent me to, Mrs. Madison, at Love International, set me up with someone.”

“I know, a Mr. Sullivan, if I remember correctly.”

“Yes,Roark Sullivanof Sullivan International Holding Co. He and I signed up the same day and were matched.” The more she talked about and thought about Roark, the better she felt about going to Montana. Her stomach was filled with butterflies. “Oh, Mom. He’s wonderful. I’ve never felt like this about anyone, not even Joseph. Maybe that’s why he cheated with Mandy. Maybe he found something with her he couldn’t find with me.”

“Mom, I’m going with Roark to his ranch next week.”

“Oh, that will be nice. You love to ride horses and all of that stuff you and your father used to do.”

Jessica’s jaw dropped. That was not the response she was expecting from her mother. She pulled the plates out of the cupboard on the right side of the sink and glasses from the cupboard to the left side next to the refrigerator.

She set the plates and glasses on the dining room table and then retrieved the silverware. “Yes, I do. But I want you to know that…well…his ranch is in Montana. We’ll fly to Bozeman on his private jet on Friday and probably return on Thursday or Friday of the following week. I’ll be taking my laptop with me so I can work if the weather turns bad.”

Her mother lifted an eyebrow and looked at Jessica. “You’re a grown woman. Twenty-seven years old now, and you don’t need your mother’s permission to do anything. I’m glad you feel comfortable enough to tell me what you’re doing. I like that you trust in our relationship enough to do that.”

She hugged her mother. “Of course. You’re my best friend and my mother. I always take your opinions into consideration. I might not agree, but I do consider them.” She looked at the gravy on the stove and pointed at it. “You need to stir the gravy.”

“Oh, my goodness.” Sally turned off the burner, then used the skirt of her apron to pick up the pan and take it to the sink. “I’m afraid I ruined it.”

“You still have drippings. Just make some more. If Uncle Philip comes, I’ll take care of the gravy while you see to him.”

Her mother put together the sauce and stirred it.

The doorbell rang.

“Let me go get him.”

Sally chuckled. “All right. Go. He won’t believe how much you’ve changed. You’re not that teenaged girl he knew from your daddy’s funeral ten years ago.”

Jessica hurried to the door and opened it. Standing on the stoop was a man about her height with beautiful silver hair and a floral bouquet.

“Oh, Uncle Philip, you didn’t need to get me flowers.”

He laughed. “Give us a hug, you cheeky girl. These are for your mother.” He opened his arms wide.

Jessica went into them and hugged him tight. She received a bear hug in return. “Come on inside. I’ll take those and put them in some water. Mom’s cooking.” She turned and headed toward the kitchen.

Philip followed.

They entered the kitchen and her mother turned and beamed at Philip.

“Sally. You look beautiful, as always.” He gave her a peck on the cheek.

“Oh, Philip.” Her mother waved away the compliment.

Jessica felt like the third wheel. She would stay for dinner, but then she’d leave. Lanie would suddenly have a crisis or something. Besides, she needed to talk to Lanie and tell her how the date went. Jessica smiled at who could soon become her parents. “Mom, the gravy.”

Sally startled. “Oh, my.” She turned toward the stove and stirred the contents of a saucepan. “Thank you, dear. It wouldn’t have been good to ruin two batches of gravy.”