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Joey was more intrigued by the elegantly laid platters on the island, turning wide eyes on Ella. “Wow, when you messaged that you had this covered, you weren’t kidding! This looks amazing!”

“Thank you! And if you’re thinking I’m blatantly showing off, you’d be quite correct. It’s been a while since I had the opportunity to do anything like this, and I happily hijacked this occasion for my own selfish purposes.” She shrugged. “Not just so you’d think I was awesome.”

Joey’s laughter rang through the vast space. And without looking over, Ella knew Leo was chuckling as well.

Moving to her side of the island, Joey threw an arm around Ella’s waist. “But we already know you’re awesome, don’t we Leo?”

Leo looked at them, his expression amused, but he caught and held her gaze for just that fraction too long. “Sure do.” Then confusing her by pulling back to an expression so bland that it left her wondering if it had been her imagination.

Oblivious, Joey added, “And as I told her, despite how cute it is, she also deserves a break from all that constant baby babble.”

Determined to prove to him she wasn’t affected by any lingering glances, imagined or not, Ella’s eyes immediately found her employer. “But it’s okay, Leo, I explained how it’s not all bad, that you’re almost managing words of three syllables now.”

Eyes dancing with laughter, he stared straight back at her. “Aww, and to think I’ve been holding back so you wouldn’t get lost in a language perhaps more developed than you’re accustomed to. And by the way, in case you missed it, that sentence contained two three-syllable words.”

Ella barely blinked. “I can think of more appropriate ones.”

“Ella, Ella.” Both eyebrows rose to meet that rich cocoa-colored hair and he tsked loudly. “With three children present?”

“I don’t think they’ll object to philistine .”

His roar of laughter startled Benny, who scrambled to clutch at Ella’s leg.

Bending to pick him, she saw Leo’s little sister had been chuckling along with them, but Joey’s laughter had faded away somewhere between quips.

Now the woman stood there, mouth open, her eyes wide and sliding across from Leo back to Ella.

Uncomfortably aware of the flush that clearly signaled her awareness of Joey’s intent interest, Ella rushed to busy herself, grateful when Mia lifted her arms to her, so she scooped her up as well.

Leo reached for his daughter at the same time. Was he embarrassed too? And if he was? Served him right for being so irresistibly distracting; she mentally sidestepped the fact that it had been she who’d begun their banter. An exchange, that admittedly could be misinterpreted.

Ella scrambled to put her own attraction aside, as she silently reminded herself that she and Leo were building a friendship.

They were living under the same roof, endeavoring to create a stress-free, stable environment for the children—and if they’d found they shared a sense of humor?

Surely that wasn’t a bad thing. It was natural that they would develop some kind of rapport. Wasn’t it?

Leo cleared his throat. “I need to get back to work on the corral. Why don’t you girls go on downstairs with the other kids, and I’ll bring Mia and then lug all this stuff down. Is this all, Ella?”

She pointed toward a tray loaded with everything required for tea, noting that despite his outwardly calm nod, he barely glanced at her.

Which she noticed despite avoiding looking at him just as fiercely.

Thankfully Evie and Liberty arrived, and the subsequent hustle of greetings and gushes over small children who allowed the fuss with their usual, tolerant, oh-so-cute sense of entitlement, and blatant enjoyment of the grown-ups vying for their attention.

Downstairs the gushing continued as Liberty and Evie drooled over the morning tea she’d set up, asking questions about life in the United Kingdom that she answered, though she kept her responses non-specific.

Joey, on the other hand, was very quiet. Unable to avoid eye contact with Leo’s sister any longer, Ella lifted her chin, not at all surprised at all by Joey’s directness.

“So, you and Leo…”

“Yes, it’s… it’s working out well. Mia’s settled.

The children are getting along famously.

It’s so cute to watch Mia follow Benny, copying his every move.

And so heartwarming to see how Benny protects her—like it’s instinctive somehow.

I know from my short experience with daycare facilities that two-year-olds are not always so perceptive, so of course I’m very proud of him. ”

As she’d listened, Joey sucked in her top lip, obviously trying to hide the grin that was desperate to escape. “That’s great. But how about you and Leo? How’s that going? Seemed to me that you pair have really hit it off.”

Intently deliberating over a ribbon sandwich that she didn’t even want, Ella feigned a calm she also didn’t feel, acutely aware of the questions in the eyes of the other two women as well.

“We’re getting into a routine. Leo is very considerate of Benny’s and my needs, and we’re making it work.

It’s been a big adjustment for us all, but Leo and I are both dedicated to providing a calm, happy environment for the children, we want to make it as easy for them as possible. ”

“Well,” Joey said, not even trying to hide her enjoyment, “that’s, um, good, right?”

“Hmm, yes.” Nodding, Ella passed around one of the platters. “But hey, I really want to—”

Joey was nothing if not persistent. “Hmm, it’s just that I haven’t seen Leo so relaxed a long time. Even before Hope, he’d grown more serious—more like JD than Jack. But this is the Leo I grew up with, lighthearted funny. It’s great! But I’m just wondering what’s caused the change?”

Joey’s eyebrows were high. Her tone questioning; and her expression innocent.

But Ella wasn’t fooled, there was nothing innocent in that question.

“I would imagine it’s due to Mia being settled, and that he’s also fit enough to get on with his work after his rodeo injury.

Those things can make a big difference to anybody—pheromones, I suppose. ” Ella cringed. Wrong word to use.

“Pheromones, huh?” Joey nodded, still playing the innocent. “There’s a few things that can induce those…”

Ignoring that, and the knowing looks shooting between her guests, Ella focused on pouring tea. “What I started to say before was that I’m dying to hear about this triple wedding! I still can’t get my head around the fact you girls are really all getting married on the same day!”

Curiosity was replaced by enthusiastic smiles, and Ella breathed a sigh of relief.

Much as she loved her new friends, the last thing she needed was anyone getting into their head that she and Leo would make a great couple.

In fairness, while that scenario might also play a big part in her fantasies, it wasn’t something she could risk happening. Protecting Benny was her priority.

“I know—it’s crazy right? Especially for Jack and me—it might seem hasty, but…” Liberty shook her head, as if she was amazed by the craziness of their decision. “But it’s also fun…” She looked across at the two women who would soon be her sisters. “And perfect,” she added softly.

“Mom’s floating on air. And Dad keeps telling her to just take it easy, but then he’s going around inviting every person he bumps into! They’re so excited—like kids!” Joey rolled her eyes, but it did little to hide how thrilled she was with the reactions of her parents.

“You’re having the weddings here at the ranch? I know there was some debate…”

“Yes, here. The vote was unanimous,” Evie said.

“JD’s dad and some friends are clearing out one of the barns—it’s going to be huge!

Obviously, it’ll provide an indoor space in case the weather turns.

This is Montana! June or not, I’m told it still could snow.

It’s rare but apparently, it has happened, so they’re ensuring everything is prepared.

We’ve all had a say in how we’d like it decorated, and it’s going to be gorgeous. ”

A twinge of envy slithered through Ella, but she smiled through it. “You have your gowns and everything?”

“They have,” The mock despair in Evie’s voice made them all smile as she looked pointedly across at petite Joey who’d apparently bounced straight back to her pre-pregnancy figure, and Liberty, the gorgeous willowy Hollywood star, who would probably make sackcloth look elegant.

On a sigh Evie rubbed her hands across her protruding belly.

“The completion date of my dress is rather fluid. More of a month-by-month plan. And I’m sure one day, I’ll laugh about why I agreed to get married when I’ll be eight months pregnant. ”

Joey slipped an arm around her friend and soon-to-be sister. “Because it’s romantic, and you love the idea and because we’re doing it as a family.”

Tears filled Evie’s eyes, and smiling gently, Liberty leaned across to squeeze her hand. “Family,” Evie repeated. “Our family.”

Ella wiped her eyes. “Oh gosh, you’ve got me crying now. And I know you don’t need my opinion, but I think your triple wedding sounds wonderful!”

Joey beamed and Ella instantly suspected she knew where the idea had originated. “We’re hoping Mia and Ruby will be part of the combined bridal party—and hey! We should include Benny! That would be so cute!”

The other girls immediately agreed, all cooing over how sweet Mia and Benny would look, toddling down the aisle together. “Mia will be walking properly by then,” Evie added, “And it’s evident she adores Benny, so she’ll probably be more comfortable with him beside her.”

For a moment Ella couldn’t reply. The weddings were less than three months away, and while she had no plans to leave before then, her future—hers and Benny’s—wasn’t something she had complete control over.

Misreading her hesitation, Joey jumped, in her eyes apologizing before her words even left her mouth. “Ella, I’m sorry. I do that all the time—jump in, make assumptions… Of course, if you’re not comfortable…?”

“No, no—it’s not that at all. It’s—”

“Your own wedding?” Liberty suggested gently. “It couldn’t have been that long ago, and it would be understandable that talk of our plans might being up memories that are painful for you.”

“Oh Ella, I’m so sorry.” Joey was a picture of misery. “I—”

“Stop.” Enough was enough, and Ella hoped her smile took the sting out of her command.

“I’m fine and if you remember, I was the one who raised the subject, and I’d love to hear more.

I think your suggestion regarding Benny just took my breath away for a moment.

It’s lovely and such a surprise. You’ve all been so welcoming, but still, to be invited to be part of a wedding party is very special indeed, and I know he will love it. Thank you.”

“So, all this wedding talk hasn’t upset you? Really? Even given your own situation?” The relief on Evie’s face sent a shot of guilt through Ella, but she continued smiling, nodding to confirm her assertion.

‘Not at all.’

“Phew… But now I can say what I was really thinking. Ella, you must have been a beautiful bride. You’re stunning.

” Obviously with her concerns allayed, Joey was again beaming.

“And perhaps it’s your gorgeous accent, so crisp, but I can’t help but think it must have been like a wedding of the year of something. ”

Or something… Wedding of the year? More like shock of the year.

From her father’s perspective it was the disappointment of the year, although perhaps he was secretly glad given his reduced circumstances.

Maintaining her smile was difficult, and Ella found herself silently wishing she’d moved the conversation in a completely different direction when she had the chance.

“Nothing so grand, I’m afraid,” she said simply. “A quiet country wedding.” Very quiet.

“In England? The English countryside? That always looks so pretty…”

Ella sucked in air. “Ahh, no France, actually. My husband, Emile, was French.”

“France! That’s even more romantic.”

Ella smiled across at Joey and tried to redirect the conversation.

“France is beautiful, but everything is relative, isn’t it?

Montana is beautiful, too, and sounds very exotic to people from elsewhere.

Your day will be wonderful.” She was still smiling when she’d finished speaking, but she hoped this one held the finality as she intended.

“So, Liberty, Joey had mentioned you’re taking a break from films at the moment? ”

When the conversation finally moved to other things, a weight lifted.

Ella was eager to learn more about these women, loved hearing their meet-cute stories, and how they’d connected with their partners.

She was comfortable with baby talk—at least until it came to birthing experiences.

That she shut down with the assertion that Evie needed to focus on her own experience and not compare it to others; good or bad.

And knew she’d dodged another bullet. Though, for how long, she didn’t know.