Page 24 of Forbidden Flame

I hoped to eat a home-cooked meal and fly under the radar.

When talk turned to Sarah and Knox’s wedding, I was grateful. With everyone excited about their upcoming Valentine’s Day wedding, I could tune it out. I would only be expected to help with setup and maybe usher guests to their chairs.

My ears perked up at the use of Daphne’s name. “Daphne has become a friend to us, and I’d love to have her pies for dessert.”

I swallowed down my thoughts of Daphne’s pies. I didn’t think anyone would want to hear my opinion. Not with the way Emmett tensed at Sarah’s declaration.

Lori’s forehead wrinkled. “You’re not going to have a cake?”

Sarah nodded. “We thought about it, and we’d like to have small pies, different flavors…maybe, peach, apple, and cherry.”

My heart rate picked up at the idea of seeing Daphne again. Would I have time to take her aside and kiss her somewhere private? Could I invite her back to my cabin? I hoped Heath and Marley didn’t have plans to stay on the farm that night.

Sarah raised her voice. “I’m wondering if anyone here has an issue with me hiring Daphne to make pies.”

Should I protest? I didn’t want anyone to know about me and Daphne. Plus, I wanted to support the Monroes, and I knew Emmett would hate the idea. “You know we don’t work with their family. They’re our competition.”

Inside, my stomach knotted. I hated blocking Daphne’s ability to earn money, but there was no chance my cousins would approve of her pies on Monroe property, even if their new sister-in-law wanted them.

“I don’t know what your beef is with her family, but Daphne hasn’t done anything to us. I love her pies. Everyone loves her pies.” Sarah looked around the room, but no one met her gaze. “And she’s my friend. I want to support her.”

Knox covered Sarah’s hand with his. “I want Sarah to have whatever she desires.”

Emmett groaned and sat back in his chair. “Surely, you can find someone else to buy pies from.”

“How would Daphne feel if I bought them from someone else?” Sarah’s voice rose in pitch.

“Are you saying that Daphne will be invited to the wedding?” I tried to cover the hope that soared in my chest.

“She’s one of my bridesmaids. I came today prepared to argue my case, but I don’t understand what the issue is. Daphne is not her brothers or her parents. I’m not even sure she’s involved in the farm. She sells pies and takes care of her daughter.”

Heath gave me a look across the table.

I could attest to that, but I wouldn’t want to admit that I’d talked to Daphne in depth about her family life.

Emmett shifted in his chair. “We’ve never associated with her family before. I don’t think it’s a good idea to start now.”

“You don’t make that decision anymore,” Knox said. “Things are changing around here, and we’re not going to vilify someone when they haven’t done anything wrong except be born into our competitor’s family.

“Her brothers won’t like it,” I felt comfortable adding.

“Their reaction’s as ridiculous and close-minded as yours,” Sarah said, and I winced.

Heath raised a brow at me. “Why do you care so much?”

My heart was pounding. I didn’t want to give anything away, especially not my support for Daphne or her pies. If there was ever a good time to mention my intentions regarding the farm, this was it. Hopefully, it would distract them from me and Daphne. “I’m invested in the farm. I know I’m not a co-owner like you, but I’d like to be more involved if you’ll let me.”

The table fell silent until Sebastian gestured around the table. “We already have a tough time sustaining the business with the number of people involved as it is.”

“We appreciate you working here,” Lori added.

My stomach sank. There was no room for me. I needed to let them off the hook and lick my wounds in private. “This isn’t the right place for me to ask to be part of the business. But I can’t lie and say I don’t want a stake in it.”

“We appreciate your input, Cole. You’ve worked here on and off for years, and we’ve always been able to rely on you. If there’s a way for us to include you more in the business-side of things, we can have that conversation at another time,” Lori said diplomatically.

I tipped my head in her direction, unsure what it meant for me going forward. “I’d appreciate that.”

Then she turned her attention to the rest of the table. “I want everyone to support Sarah’s decisions. Her ordering pies from Daphne for her wedding has nothing to do with the tree farm business.”

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