Page 28 of Sugar Coated Secrets

“He’s good. Active today, kicking and moving a lot.”

“Aw. I can’t imagine what that feels like.”

“It’s weird. Last night, Daire and I saw his hand push on my stomach. It was cool but freaky. Daire tried to high-five him, says his little man is cool already.”

I giggle.

Everleigh glances behind me to Easton, who’s lingering by the car

He pockets his phone and gives her an easy smile. “Delivered safely, as promised.” He nods at me and stops by my side.

Everleigh hugs him. “Thank you so much for doing all this. I owe you big time.”

“You’re welcome.” He straightens when she lets go. “And I’ll hold you to that favor.”

“Whatever you need. I’ll throw in another favor if you take Detective Pickles so I can show Sadie around.”

“No problem.” He grins, but it doesn’t reach his eyes.

I give him the cage. “Thank you.”

He holds my gaze for a moment, then focuses on the hamster. “Come on DP, it’s male bonding time.”

“DP?” I arch a brow.

“It’s less of a mouthful.”

Can’t argue with that.

Everleigh takes my hand. “Let me give you a tour.”

The entire side of this house has been transformed. The kitchen is complete and private for the cooks and servers she’s hiring. We enter a room with several sitting areas comprised of plush couches and tables with built-in checkers and chess boards. Next, we see a reading room with bookshelves and cozy nooks, then head upstairs to see the multiple bedrooms. The second floor is not finished at all. Workers paint the walls and lay tile in the bathrooms.

“We’re adding wallpaper to the bedrooms. The curtains and furniture will come in a few weeks. I saved the best part for last.”

We head back downstairs and enter a room surrounded by windows that overlooks the side yard. “I give you, the dining hall.”

The room is light and airy with topiaries and plates and teacups in weathered hutches. She’d sent me pictures of the English cottage theme she was going for.

“What do you think?”

“It’s beautiful. Perfect.” I walk to one of the many walls of windows. “And I love the view.”

It’s surrounded by a stone wall fence. Plants, flowers, and trees are in strategic areas, waiting to be planted in the ground. The entire area is private for the inn. A large chessboard on the grass and a brick patio for dining or sitting around an outdoor fireplace make up the rest of the yard.

“This is all new, right?” I gesture to it, never remembering seeing a space like this before. I think it was just a yard and trees.

“It is. I wanted a sanctuary retreat for the guests that doesn’t encroach on our side of the house or the backyard. Do you think it’s okay without a pool?”

I understand her concern. It gets hot in the summer.

“Daire didn’t think it made sense to add a second pool to the property,” she explains. “But he wants to keep the one out back private for us.”

“It’s shady with all the trees and a really beautiful retreat. I doubt the guests are coming here to swim.”

“They have access to the lake at the farm, too. For canoeing or kayaking. We added a dock to accommodate the new activities.”

“That’s what people will come here for, the farm. Well, that and to get married.” I clasp my hands together and give her a dreamy smile.

---