“Isabel didn’t text you?”
“Haven’t heard a peep from her since early this morning. She’s probably busy getting updates about her roaster.” He sliced the last tomato. “That shower came together fast.”
“It’s now or never for the Babes.”
“I get that.” He rinsed off the cutting board and the knife. “I’m worried about their plan to brag on me, though. I told Henri it could backfire.”
“You don’t think some five-star reviews from the Babes could help your cause?”
“Not if they overdo it.”
“Let’s see how lunch goes. If she seems totally smitten during our picnic, then maybe you don’t need those reviews.”
He sighed. “I need time, not promotion. I wish I had another week.”
“Could you ask her to stay longer, offer to pay for changing her ticket?”
“That wouldn’t go well.” He grabbed an unopened bag of chips from the cupboard. “She’s worried about her shop. If her sister hadn’t stepped up, Izzy would already be on a plane.”
“Okay, forget that idea.” Jake tucked three bottles of apple cider in the cooler. “Assuming she goes along with your move to Seattle, what’s your timeframe?”
“End of summer, early fall. I’m not leaving Henri in the lurch during our busy time. If she finds a replacement and he works out well enough that I could take off, then I might go earlier.”
“Seems like you’ve thought this through.” He added paper plates and napkins to the cooler and closed the lid.
“I have. Gotta make it work. Somehow.”
Sadness flickered in Jake’s eyes. “Still haven’t quite grasped it, bro. When Seth moved, he was less than four hours away and in the same state. For some reason that made it less dire. But you….”
“It won’t be easy. But you’d do the same in my shoes.”
“Yeah. Glad I don’t have to, though. I’ve told Millie so many times that I’m grateful she wants to stay here. I feel like I should vet everybody’s girlfriend from now on. I can’t lose anybody else.” He picked up the cooler and started out of the kitchen.
“Did you ever think of sabotaging this relationship instead of promoting it?”
He glanced over his shoulder. “For about two seconds. Then I heard Charley’s voice in my head.” He headed for the front door.
“I hear that voice all the time, too.” CJ grabbed his keys and the bag of chips and followed him out the door. “That’s why I’m determined to make this happen.”
“Understood.” Jake put the cooler in the back seat but rode shotgun on the way over. Then he transferred to the back when CJ climbed out to fetch Izzy.
She opened the door before he made it to the porch. Her red T-shirt had Apple Grove stenciled across the front. Combined with her hat and boots, she could almost pass for a local. Just needed more wear on those boots.
He smiled. “Looking like a cowgirl, Iz.”
“Thanks.” She crossed the porch and came down the steps.
“What’s going on with the shop?”
“Old roaster’s gone, new roaster’s on its way. Did you know about the baby shower?”
“Just heard about it this morning, after I talked to you.”
She paused when she was only a couple of feet away, as if she wanted to talk privately before heading to the truck. “It’s so thoughtful of them. But like I told Lucy, it feels strange since I’ve only known about the baby for a week.”
“They want to give you stuff in person.” He nudged back his hat. “I get that.”
“Me, too.” She lowered her voice. “Guess we won’t have dinner together, though.”
“No, ma’am.”
“Do you still want to—”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She grinned. “You don’t know what I was going to ask.”
“Yes, I do.” Anticipation played hell with his breathing. “Mind if I bring a duffle over with a change of clothes and my shaving kit?”
“Not at all.” She fingered a button on his shirt. “I’ll leave the door unlocked. Come over and make yourself at home.”
The invitation sparkling in her eyes made his heart pound. “Best offer I’ve had today.”
“I don’t know how long the party will last. Since I’m the guest of honor, I can’t exactly leave early.”
“I understand.” While she was otherwise occupied he could add some romantic touches to the cabin. This could work out. “I don’t mind waiting.” He gestured toward the truck. “Ready?”
“Sure am.” She winked at him and headed for the truck. “Where’s Jake?”
“In the back. He vacated the front seat expressly for you.”
“Nice. I’m becoming fond of cowboy manners.”
“I’m glad. Gives me an edge.”
“Like you need one.”
“Oh, I do, Izzy. I definitely do.” He handed her in and she turned to thank Jake for giving her the front. By the time CJ rounded the hood of the truck and climbed behind the wheel, she and Jake were involved in an animated discussion about the raptor center.
“We have stakes in the ground,” Jake said. “The contractor came out yesterday.”
“He did?” CJ turned back to him. “You didn’t tell me.”
“You didn’t ask.”
“Didn’t think to. What else haven’t you mentioned?”
Izzy answered for him. “Jake’s started building the enclosures for the birds. Today we’re going to help him map out a possible pathway and potential locations for each one.”
“Sounds great.” CJ started the engine and pulled out. “But that’s a major assignment, bro. Do we have time to eat these sandwiches?”
“Plenty of time. I’ve already marked a preliminary route. I just need more input. I want you to pretend you’re a visitor to the center. Tell me whether my chosen path is the most logical.”
“That’ll be fun.” CJ took the ranch road back to the two-lane, made a left and went about three hundred yards to a newly created dirt road. By the time visitors used it, the road would be paved and have signage to offer directions. “Did you consult with Zane?”
“I’ve been videoconferencing with him.”
“Yeah?” Impressive. His buddy seemed to be moving smoothly into this role. “Did he have advice on the pathway?”
“Some, but he didn’t have enough time to work any of that out when he was here on
