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Tate shuddered. “Not a chance. It was just a guess. Why, do you?”

“I’ll never tell. Have you ever heard of sweetgrass?”

“Uh… no?”

“It’s a wild grass common to this part of Montana. You’ll find lots of places named for it, one way or another. It’s considered a sacred plant by the indigenous people.”

“Huh. So that’s where Sweet River got its name? I’ll have to look for the plants, I guess. Get my local lore up to par.” It would only be nickel knowledge if he were returning to Chicago soon, though.

The road wound up a hillside, following the riverbed. A bit of snow lingered in the shadows here and there. He’d heard horror stories about Montana snowstorms even this time of year, but there wouldn’t be one today. The thermometer on his dash gave the outside temperature as a balmy 48. Kind of a pleasant change from Kansas, actually.

They topped a hill and Tate pulled to a stop to study the lay of the land below them. There was a small lake, and he could make out two — or was it three? — clusters of cabins on the shore. The roofs peeked between the tall trees. And there, at this end of the lake, sat a rather grand log lodge with a wide veranda wrapping at least two sides. He could make out several smaller outbuildings nearby.

“So. That’s it, huh? Sweet River Ranch.”

“Yes?”

He caught her darting a quick look his direction, but he was focused on the spread. “Looks… not bad.”

“It could be really amazing.”

“You think?” Tate should have been picking her brain about the operation on their drive from Butte, but he’d been planning to drop her off in town before heading up this way. He couldn’t completely regret Jamie’s blowout, though. Not if it gave him a little longer with Stephanie. After all, she’d offered to watch Jamie while he attended Grandfather’s meeting. That counted for something right there.

He didn’t want to get too deeply into exactly what it counted for.

Jamie screeched from his car seat.

Right. Time to face whatever was going to happen down in that lodge. Tate tossed another prayer heavenward and eased the Lexus down the last leg of the lane.

Chapter Four

Awkward.

That was Stephanie’s foremost thought as she preceded Tate through the massive carved doors into the lodge. Of course, he was being a gentleman carrying Jamie and his bag, not even stopping to realize she might need someone to hide behind.

Maybe he did, too. Huh. She’d have to think on that.

Polished slate covered the lobby floor then transitioned to wide planks beyond. On her right, glass windows and doors were dark beneath an unlit gift-shop sign. Across, also dark and roped off, sat a reception desk next to a coffee counter with stools.

The real view was straight ahead, across a massive space with an enormous river rock fireplace centered between wide windows overlooking the lake. Leather sofas and chairs formed several conversation groups.

How could a gorgeous place like this fail as a resort? Tate was right about both the inadequate signage and pot-holey road, but Montanans wouldn’t be dissuaded by minor inconveniences like that. This ranch deserved to be on the glossy cover of tourism magazines across the Lower 48.

“Tate?”

Stephanie startled as a guy came around the corner. He wore loafers, slacks, and a button-down, making the brand-new cowboy hat on his head look all the more incongruous.

“Bryce! Hey, bro.” Tate reached out to exchange a man-hug with the newcomer.

Bryce reached for the toddler, but Jamie pulled tight into Tate’s arms. “Aw, don’t you remember your uncle Bryce?”

No reply. Jamie burrowed deeper.

Bryce’s gaze pinned on Stephanie and narrowed as a smirk lifted his lips. “Tate. Bro. You’re holding out on me.”

Tate shifted a reluctant Jamie to the other arm. “I’d like you to meet my friend Stephanie. Stephanie, this is my brother Bryce.”

“Charmed to meet you.” Bryce bowed slightly as his hand clasped Stephanie’s.