I figured we were, why?

AJ casually murmured, Have I ever told you how long I can hold my breath under water?

Stunned silence.

But if we're done She shrugged and spun on her heel.

Cord scooped her up and headed for the hot tub on the deck. Oh we ain't done, baby doll, not by half. He bit her earlobe. And that's another five.

Chapter Twenty.

Your mom looks good, AJ. Better than I expected.

Thanks, Macie. It was sweet of you to make her lunch. Fancier than she gets from me, that's for sure.

Macie waved her off. All ingredients you had on hand, no biggie. How long's it take to get to town again?

Thirty minutes. So, what's the big secret? What are you looking at in Sundance?

Dewey's Delish Dish in the Sandstone building.

AJ turned slightly to look at Macie. You quitting the Last Chance Diner?

God no. I swear Velma would hunt me down and kill me. We're expanding. Velma's interested in taking over Dewey's place. He's getting ready to retire, he's got no one to pass it down to, but he doesn't want to leave Sundance without a family style restaurant. I'm here to check it out and see how much remodeling we'd have to do before we make a commitment or whether we'd be better off looking for a different location.

Those other storefronts are empty, which is sad because it is a cool building right in the middle of everything in town.

That's why I hope we can salvage Dewey's place.

AJ focused her attention on the landscape outside her window. How many more times would she make the trek from her house into town? Twenty? Thirty?

AJ? You okay?

I don't know. I'm trying to be mature about the ranch sale, because I understand I can't run the place from Denver.

But?

That single word made her think of Cord and the wicked penalties she'd earned last night. A shiver worked down her spine despite the unrelenting heat. Part of me wants to throw a weeping tantrum about losing my home. AJ sighed. Do I sound like I'm about four?

Not at all. I never had a home up until the last year, so I have nothing to judge it by.

Is it a home because of Carter?

Yeah, that 'home is where the heart is' saying is true, but Gemma and Dad's ranch feels like my physical home now.

Does Carter feel the same? Isn't he missing the McKay place?

Macie was quiet for a little too long.

What?

If I tell you something, you have to swear not to tell anyone, AJ. Macie shot her a glance. Especially not Keely.

I swear.

I'm pregnant.

AJ's jaw dropped. Get out. You guys haven't even been married a year.

It wasn't planned, but it wasn't unplanned.

That's cryptic.

After Dad and Gemma had the babies, Carter and I realized we wanted to have our kids while we were young. Plus, we want them to be raised around family his and mine. Ky's already four. Channing is pregnant, so our baby will have instant cousins and playmates. I didn't have family growing up. Carter did. He says the best part of his life is that connection. Dad and I are figuring that out. She smiled. We are really excited about having a baby, but I promised Carter to let him tell his family the news.

Can I squeal now?

Macie nodded.

After AJ did a happy dance in her seat, she demanded, How far along are you?

Barely. Like three weeks. Carter insisted on one of those early pregnancy tests, so we've known since I was five days pregnant. One of the other reasons we wanted to wait to tell anyone was because Channing just announced her pregnancy.

Yeah, but she's almost four months along.

Timing is everything in the McKay family.

Why would you be adding more work to your schedule with a baby coming?

I would oversee the one in Sundance, not run it. Remember my roommate Kat? She'd run it fulltime.

If you're not quitting the diner that means you'll be traveling. Won't Carter demand to be with you all the time now that you're preggers? AJ whirled in her seat. That's it, isn't it? Are you guys moving back here?

Yes and no. We'll be living here half the time and half the time at the Bar 9. Carter misses the McKay ranch and his brothers. And with all that's going on with Colt, I know Colby and Cord would appreciate his help.

Where would you live? Someplace on the ranch?

Macie squirmed.

Then AJ knew. You'll be living in my house, won't you?

Yeah. Are you upset?

During the moments she'd allowed herself to think about it, she'd wondered what'd happen to their home. Colby and Channing owned a gorgeous place a couple of miles from Carson and Carolyn's homeplace. Cord didn't need a house. Cam was in Iraq, Keely in Denver, Colt shared the old Andrews place with his McKay cousins. Her biggest fear had been the house she'd loved and grown up in would be turned into a den of iniquity like the infamous Boars Nest.

AJ? Say something.

I don't know what to say. When was this decided?

Colby and Carter had been kicking around an idea of putting a trailer up the road from your place, when Carson told us about them buying the Foster ranch. Cord suggested it'd be perfect for us with the extra large barn Carter can use as a permanent studio. And it's close enough to Cord's place that he could check on it when we were at the Bar 9.

In fact, when Cord called us to tell us about Colt, he asked me to talk to you about it first, since we're friends. Macie's hazel eyes were filled with concern. We'll still be friends, right, AJ? I can't stand the thought that this would hurt you.

Hurting me is inevitable, you heard my mixed feelings about moving.

AJ stared out the window and Macie let her.

Nothing would make Mama happier than knowing the house was filled with a happy family. Why didn't Cord tell me?

I honestly don't know.

Her cynical side thought Cord worried the news would lessen his chances of getting laid. But Cord probably believed hearing the news from Macie would be easier. She might've been resentful to the whole McKay family if it'd come from any of them even Keely. Cord's intuitive side surprised her. Lots of things about him surprised her.

We're here.

So tell me the truth, Macie McKay, were you mentally redecorating my house while we were eating lunch?

No. Macie reached over and whapped her on the knee. Being around my sis-inlaw has made you a real smartypants, Amy Jo Foster.

AJ laughed and it didn't feel as forced as she'd imagined.

The lunch rush at Dewey's was over. AJ trailed behind Macie as Dewey gave her the nickel tour. As many times as she'd been in, she hadn't noticed the details that made the interior unique until Dewey pointed them out to Macie.

When they started discussing ventilation systems in the kitchen, AJ excused herself and loitered outside the empty storefront next to the diner.

A woman riding a motorcycle parked next to Macie's Escape. A tattooed and pierced woman with short, jet black hair, the ends of which were dyed bright pink. She bounded up the steps, the jangling of the keys in her hand rivaled the jangling of the rings in her nose, ears, lip and eyebrow. She stopped when she caught sight of AJ lurking by the door and looked up.

Double whoa. The woman was absolutely stunning. Her face was sharp angles razor blade cheekbones, a square jawline. Her features were softened by pouty lips the envy of Angelina Jolie.

The woman didn't smile. Can I get you to move please? That door opens out, which is the first thing I'm going to change.

AJ's ears perked up and she shuffled aside. Change?

My sister and I are opening up a shop here once we can get the changes approved from the landlord.

Landlord? Doesn't Dewey own this building?

It'd be easier if he did. He sold it last year. Any changes have to get approval from this mysterious owner. The woman's vivid blue gaze narrowed. Why?

Because Dewey neglected to tell my friend that. She's talking to him about taking over his restaurant.

Blue eyes finally smiled. Dewey is a miscreant. Let's crash their meeting and see how old Dewey reacts.

AJ led the way. Dewey blinked rapidly when he saw the woman behind her.

Now, Dewey, please tell me you aren't misleading this lady? She does know you don't actually own this building anymore?

Silence.

Macie said, Dewey, Velma is gonna be majorly pissed if that's true. And you know what she's like when she gets a burr under her saddle.

B-b-but it's not what you think. The owner gave me full authority to turn over the restaurant to you, Mrs. McKay. You still have to submit your remodeling plans, but he already gave the go-ahead to proceed, if you're interested.

Who the hell owns this building?

I'd say that I can't say, but the truth is I doan know. All our communication is done through email. I send my rent checks to a P.O. Box in Denver. Dewey swallowed nervously. Never talked to a live person, it's some sort of architectural firm specializin' in historic Western preservation.

The blue-eyed woman demanded, I still haven't received approval on my proposed changes and I signed the goddamn lease a month ago.

Maybe because you're puttin' in a tattoo parlor, Ms. Ellison? Not the same as upgradin' a restaurant.

AJ whirled around. A tattoo parlor? In Sundance? That is so cool!

Yeah, Macie chimed in, I'd like to hear what you've planned for the space, since it appears we'll be neighbors. Macie thrust out her hand. Macie McKay. This is AJ Foster.

India Ellison. Come on over and take a walk on the wild side. India winked. I'm prepared to be the new resident bad girl who leads this sleepy Wyoming town into the temptations of body art.

Macie filled India in her tentative plans for the restaurant while AJ explored the space, which'd been a hair salon in a former life. A couple other eclectic businesses had tried to make a go of it, but none succeeded.

Only half is for tattoos and piercing. We'll use the front half as a salesroom for the products my sister manufactures.

What's she make?

Natural skin and hair care products made in Weston County. Ever heard of Sky Blue?

I have, AJ said. But you can't find it here. You have to drive to DeWitt's Pharmacy in Moorcroft to get it.

Which is why Sky wants to expand to Sundance. We both fell in love with this building, plus the third floor spans the entire length. I'm waiting for approval on changes to make it an apartment for when I move here permanently.

Where do you live now?

Denver. India sighed. So, help me out, guys. I'm looking for a reputable construction company to do all the remodel work if I ever get approval. You're local. You won't bullshit me.

Macie said, West Construction. My husband's cousins Remy and Chet own it. Not to be biased, but they do outstanding work. We'd planned on using them for the diner remodel and ah a house remodel.

AJ ignored the house remodel portion of the comment and added, They built a couple of beautiful homes for the McKays. I'm not related to them, so I can honestly say they're the best around.

Cool. Do you have their number?

While Macie and India chatted, AJ wandered over to another door. Hey, India, mind if I look in here?

Go ahead.