Page 4 of Mountain Cowboy

Starting now.

Because I have to be at the ranch in thirty minutes to start prep. My sous chef won’t meet me there for another hour, since I like to begin alone in the quiet to really get in the zone, and there’s still a lot that needs to get done.

When I arrive at the Rocking M Ranch, Fancy greets me at the door of the main house. “Well, howdy, Hailey. It's been a while. How are you, hon?”

“Good. I didn't realize you…” I trail off because I really don't know what Fancy's doing here. I heard that she sold her diner to a niece or cousin or something, but I figured that meant she retired, not moved onto the Rocking M Ranch.

Fancy smiles. “I make sure all these behemoths are fed on a daily basis. Thought about offering my services to cater the Madsen reception, but said, ‘Hell no. I want to relax.’ Cormac had the same thought, sweet boy.”

“Well, your loss is my gain,” I joke, following her into a massive kitchen. She points out where everything is before wishing me luck and heading out, letting me get to work.

I guess Davie spent the night at her friend Autumn's, while Cormac is finishing up some morning chores.

So it's just me in the house.

“Just the way I like it.” I've always felt at home in peace and quiet. And while kitchens are rarely calm, they’re my safe space, to my parents' chagrin.

They were so determined for me to succeed. It was the driving factor behind ending me and Connor before we could even begin. I needed to earn my high school diploma, then a college degree. Maybe go on to graduate school. Become some big shot lawyer or doctor.

They didn't account for my love of cooking—something home economics nurtured. Something that was actually encouraged and earned me an excellent grade.

I wasted three years at UW following the pre-law track before my advisor hit me with a blunt piece of advice. She noticed how miserable I was, and while my grades were great, my heart wasn't in it.

She’d lifted the tin of cookies I'd baked her for Christmas and asked what I really wanted out of life, because it wasn't too late to change.

After that, she helped me gain enough credits to graduate with a business degree, then I went on to culinary school. Apprenticed under a few chefs in restaurants before moving into the catering world.

Until I finally created a plan and took the leap to form my own catering business.

I moved to Suitor's Crossing to be closer to my parents. Close, but not too close. Hoped to fix the fracture between us after I disappointed them with my new career path.

The rebuilding of our relationship is taking time, but business has been good.

There aren't a lot of caterers around here. Most organizations order from one of the few local restaurants or have someone from Seattle drive the two hours to cater.

I'm filling the hole the surrounding area has.

“Good morning! Are we ready for a successful day?” My sous chef announces his arrival with a clap of his hands, and I jolt out of my musings.

How did one hour pass so fast?

It's not unusual for me to get lost in my head, but I hate the abrupt jerk back to reality every time someone else enters my bubble.

“You know it,” I say, a smile forming on my lips. “We’re going to rock this vow renewal reception. I can feel it in my bones.”

“And then everybody in High Ridge and Suitor's Crossing will be begging for our services. Speak it, believe it, manifest it, baby.”

I don't know about all of that, but Suitor's Crossing is known for its legend of soulmates and heart sparks, which is a little mystical already. So, maybe my sous chef is on to something.

“Speak it, believe it, manifest it,” I whisper.

You've got this, Hailey.

CHAPTER TWO

CONNOR

“Do you really need a best man for a vow renewal?”