Page 83 of Forbidden Flame

“She didn’t spend much time on the farm growing up.”

“We’ll give her a warm Monroe welcome. She can work in the shop if she needs a job. Mom always needs more help.”

“I’ll let her know. Thanks.”

We got off the phone, and I couldn’t help but think that my extended family had always been there for me in a way my immediate family hadn’t. It was time for Charlotte to feel that in her life too.

I finished up the job and let the crew go a little early so I could meet Charlotte on the farm. She’d parked at the main house where I found her talking to Aunt Lori on the porch. They were drinking apple cider, and there was a box of open donuts on the table between them.

“Yum. Donuts,” I said as I snagged one for myself. It was apple cider. “My favorite. You make the best donuts, Aunt Lori.”

“Well, thank you. But I think that Daphne blows me out of the water with her baking skills.”

“I didn’t know she made them.”

“Why would you?” Aunt Lori asked and I realized my mistake.

“I kept her company at the wedding. I never thought to ask if she made anything besides pies. You would think she’d be good at all baking. But it doesn’t matter for us since we won’t be carrying her desserts.”

“Thanks to you and Emmett. But I suppose it makes sense we shouldn’t be carrying Calloway pies on our farm. It would be confusing for the brand.”

“Now you’re starting to sound like Marley,” I said, taking in Charlotte who sat quietly in the rocking chair in jeans and a burnt orange sweater. “How are you?”

Charlotte stood, and we hugged. “Thank you for giving me a place to stay.”

“We’re happy to have your help on the farm until you get back on her feet,” Aunt Lori said.

“That would be amazing. Thank you,” Charlotte said as she released me.

Charlotte was a communication major in school, and I was never positive what she’d do with a degree like that. She’d worked in a few public relations firms around town but hadn’t found anything she liked.

“Are you ready to get settled?” I asked her.

“Absolutely,” she said to me, then leaned down to kiss Aunt Lori’s cheek. “Thank you for the company.”

“Take those donuts to your place. I don’t want to eat them all.”

I chuckled as I took the offered box. “That’s not a problem. They’ll be gone in no time.”

We said our goodbyes, with Aunt Lori offering to have a family bonfire soon to catch up. Then I led the way to Heath’s cabin.

When Charlotte stepped out of her car, she said, “This is nice. I can’t believe they each have their own cabin. It feels so private out here.”

“This is the only cabin this far out. There’s a pond in that direction, and the Matthews’ Inn that way.”

“Isn’t that who Heath is with? A Matthew?”

I nodded. “That’s right. Marley came home to renovate and open the inn.”

“I remember thinking how magical this place was when I was a little girl, but we didn’t come often.”

I didn’t think Dad wanted his brother to know how bad things had gotten with his addiction. He certainly didn’t want anyone telling him to get help. So he stayed with my mom, and she enabled him to continue with his destructive ways.

I grabbed my sister’s suitcases from the trunk and carried them inside. “This is Heath’s place. I’m in one of the guest rooms. But you can have the other.”

She rested a hand on my arm. “Thanks for letting me stay here.”

“I couldn’t let you go back home,” I said tightly.

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