“When do you work next, Sierra?” Reagan asked.
“Last night was the soft opening and our official open date is this coming Saturday. Maria was happy with the way it went and wants to make a few changes to the seating area along with adding some more flavors of soda. She’s also getting ready to stock the bar and hire a bartender since her liquor license should be valid by then.”
“So, you have a week off?” Marcus asked. “That sounds like just the right amount of time for what you need to do.”
“Is it?” I asked him. Marcus nodded and I glanced over at Sierra just in time to see a smile cross her face.
“I’ve got that paperwork drawn up that you asked for and my brother and his wife will be here within the hour so they can act as witnesses when you sign.”
“Can I talk to you alone for a minute before we get to that?” Sierra asked Marcus shyly.
“Of course,” he nodded.
“Reagan, will you come in there while I talk to Marcus?”
“Sure,” Reagan said, his face concerned.
“It’s nothing major, I just want to see if Marcus could add a certain stipulation to the paperwork.”
“What paperwork?” Leia asked.
“Mind your own,” I said softly to my daughter and she quickly apologized for butting into their conversation. “You three are going to go in there and leave me out here alone with the interrogation squad, aren’t you?”
“Just tell them that you won’t answer any questions without your attorney present.” Marcus laughed.
“I packed some clothes for both of you, so while Reagan and I are in there with Marcus, you can shower and change,” Sierra told our girls.
“And when I get out of there, I’m taking the three of you to the salon for manis and pedis,” Reagan told the girls.
They squealed in delight and I saw Marcus wince at the noise just like I did.
It was hard not to laugh as they shoveled their food into their mouths so they could run upstairs and get ready for their spa time. When they asked in unison if they could be excused from the table, I cringed.
Once they were gone I asked, “Does anyone else find it creepy that they do things in perfect unison?”
Marcus nodded and so did Reagan.
“You think that’s bad,” Sierra laughed. “Wait until they get a little older and their periods sync up.”
◆◆◆
Sierra
“What did you need to talk to me about, Sierra? Are you having second thoughts?” Marcus asked me as soon as the office door shut behind us.
“And 95th and 96th,” I laughed. “No, that’s really not what it is. I would like to see if you could put something extra in the paperwork for Rowdy.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” Marcus said as he spun his chair toward his computer monitor. “What is it?”
“I’d like to purchase the land that he’s living on, along with the house, and give it to him free and clear under his name as a wedding gift,” I told the two men. “He said that you had been helping him, Reagan, so can you do this for me? Handling the real estate part?”
“That is so sweet, honey,” Reagan smiled. “He’s wanted that land for years, but his credit just wasn’t solid enough to get a loan that size.”
“Is it for sale at a fair price?” I asked.
“Very fair. Nicole offered it to him way below market value because he’s been such a help to her with the horses and he’s agreed to keep them and any other rescues she gets there for free.”
“Can you find out what the actual value is for it all and pay that instead? I’ll have the money and there’s no sense in her getting less than she should.”
“We’ll make the offer as soon as you have the money in hand.”
“Okay,” I shrugged. “That’s all I wanted to ask. Can you wait until after we’re married to tell him?”
“I can do that,” Marcus and Reagan agreed in unison causing all three of us to laugh. “I’ll go see about wrangling the girls and send Rowdy in here for you two to start going over things.”
“Thank you so much, Reagan.”
“Of course, Sierra. We love Rowdy and consider him and Leia our family. Now we get to add you and Lexi too.” Reagan hugged me and then hurried out the office door.
“Are you sure about this, Sierra?” Marcus asked me seriously. “I respect the hell out of Rowdy and I know he’d never hurt you or your daughter, but I want to make sure that you don’t feel like you’ve been painted into a corner.”
“Honestly?” I shrugged and then laughed softly. “I’m excited.”
Marcus nodded, “Good. That’s what I wanted to hear.”
“Are we ready to get this party started?” Rowdy asked as he came into the office and shut the door behind him.
“I’m ready if you two are,” Marcus began as he slid two documents across the table, one toward each of us. “Let’s start on page one and go through it line by line.”
◆◆◆
ROWDY
“Lout, Willow, this is Sierra Guthrie, my future wife,” I said with a smile as I introduced Sierra to two more of my friends.
“Congratulations,” Lout said, but it sounded almost like a question. “I didn’t realize you were engaged.”
“He proposed last night with a spider ring I gave him after I beat him at skee ball,” Sierra deadpanned. “Most romantic proposal ever.”
Lout and Willow both raised their eyebrows but didn’t say a word, which caused Marcus, Sierra, and I to laugh together for a minute before I explained what was going on.
“That’s why Marcus needs us to witness some documents?” Lout asked.
“Yes, it’s a prenup that Rowdy suggested,” Marcus explained. “We’ve been through it line by line and ironed out some extra details already. Those will be an addendum on the final page and will require a seperate set of signatures from all of us.”
“Take him to
