Page 85 of Forbidden Flame

“I didn’t realize you were there.” I tucked away the phone, determined to respond later when I was alone.

“Why were you looking at a video of a girl riding a bike? That didn’t look like Ember or Addy.”

“It wasn’t.” I moved around the kitchen, pulling out the chicken and veggies. I’d grill out. That would be easy and quick.

“Then who is it?’ Charlotte asked as she leaned on the counter.

It would be good to have someone to talk to about this with who wasn’t so close to the situation. “I’m seeing someone.”

“And she’s a mom?” Charlotte’s tone rose with interest.

“Yes,” I said tightly, a little worried about whether she’d have something negative to say about that.

“Wow. That’s kind of amazing.”

I turned slightly so I could see her face. “You think so? I’m helping the daughter learn to ride a bike.”

“That’s more than our dad ever did.”

“Her dad isn’t in the picture at all. He’s too busy advancing his career to bother to meet his daughter. He provides for her financially, but that’s it.”

“That’s sad.”

We both sat in silence for a few seconds. I was positive she was comparing our situation to Izzy’s, wondering which one was worse.

“I’m just going on feelings here. I really like Izzy and Daphne.”

“Then I say go for it. What do you have to lose? It sounds more like you might be just what they need.”

“There’s one problem.” I paused, cutting the raw chicken into smaller slices.

“What’s that?”

Her family owns a competing Christmas tree farm.”

“Oh?”

I forgot that Charlotte wasn’t privy to all the things that went on here. “I’m not sure how Aunt Lori or Emmett will feel about it.”

Charlotte frowned. “Why do you care?”

“I like it here. I’m living in Heath’s house. I work for him and help around the farm. I’d like to be more involved in the business.”

Charlotte rested her elbows on the counter. “But why?”

“It’s what I’ve always wanted.”

She tipped her head to the side. “You always wanted to live here and work for family?”

“Yeah.”

“Hmmm. You don’t want to live in a house you bought? On your own property?”

I shook my head. “I’d always thought I’d stay here.”

“But you’re in Heath’s cabin. It’s not yours and most likely won’t ever be. The reality is you might be a Monroe, but you’re not one of them.”

That sliced like a knife through my heart.

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