Page 14 of Close to My Heart

“He loves his daddy.”

Wes unlocked the door and pushed it open. Otto wagged his tail, his chocolate brown shaggy hair flying in the air as he waited for us. “Your house is mine for the day.”

I patted Otto’s head as I stepped inside, admiring the wooden beams and cozy interior. The idea of hiding out from my family was more and more appealing. I lived on the estate because it was easier to manage the day-to-day operations.

I also led tours of the common areas and the gardens, detailing our family’s history. I enjoyed it, but it meant that my life wasn’t private. Especially since I’d started filming the tours and posting them on social media.

At any time, I could be summoned to the big house for dinner or a conversation I didn’t want to have. Then there were nights when ultimatums were issued, and no one doubted that I’d fall in line. My parents wanted cash, but I wanted the house and grounds. I wanted to preserve our family’s legacy.

The house itself was gorgeous and opulent, but I didn’t want to live in it anymore. I didn’t have a lot of good memories even though it had felt like an adventure at times. As I grew older, I realized how alone I was. There were no siblings or other children to play with.

Someone always wanted something from me, whether that was to be quiet or to present as the perfect daughter or granddaughter. I was something to be hidden or shown off.

“I’ll let Otto out and get the fire started. Then I’ll bring in the tree and the stand. I grabbed one from the house before we left. Perk of living on a Christmas tree farm.”

“Did you happen to grab decorations?”

“Dad gave each of us some from our childhood and new ones when we moved into our new homes.”

Wes’s father was the best, even when he was deep in grief after his wife’s death. He was nothing like mine. “That’s sweet. Point me in their direction, and I’ll grab them.”

“They’re in the back of the coat closet.” I retraced my steps to the foyer and rifled through the closet to find the neatly stacked boxes labeled Christmas. I carried them into the living room and placed them on the floor.

The tree stand was already in the space in front of the window, and Wes returned with the tree. I helped him set it up. Then we pulled out the lights. Once the lights were hung nicely and we’d turned them on, we paused to take it in. “It looks amazing in front of those windows. It’s a shame no one else gets to see them but you.”

“I like my privacy, and I don’t need a lot of visitors. If I want to see my family, I go to Dad’s.”

“Your home is beautiful.”

“I always thought it would be the house I shared with my future wife. It’s big enough to expand and to have children. The bonus is that it’s in the middle of the woods, and there’s several hiking trails that link up to the ones in the park nearby.”

“You never met anyone you’d want to propose to?” I pulled out the ornaments and placed them carefully on the coffee table. A few of them seemed handmade. I could imagine a young Wes making these in preschool.

“There hasn’t been anyone serious.”

“For me either.” I’d never met someone I could see a future with. Now, I couldn’t believe I had to go home and choose a potential husband. Even if it was fake and temporary, it seemed big and scary.

“I’m going to make that hot chocolate, and Daphne gave me some pies the other day so we can have those too.”

“The perfect dessert.”

“Right?” Wes said with a wink as he stood, then held his hand out to me. When my hand closed around his, the tingles traveled through my fingers and up my arm.

This was why I avoided touching my friend. You weren’t supposed to feel anything when you touched a friend.

I stood in the kitchen and watched while he heated the milk then poured it over the cocoa mix. I helped him add marshmallows.

“Have you seen my new fire pit since it was finished?”

“I haven’t.” I blew on the hot liquid.

“Grab your jacket and shoes.”

I met him by the slider where Otto raced out ahead of us onto the deck, then down the steps, and into the woods.

“He’ll be back.” At the bottom of the stairs, Wes showed me the new outdoor area. It had a kitchen counter, grill, and fridge, in addition to a huge fireplace. “This isn’t a fire pit.”

Wes grinned as he set the pies on the table. “It’s the dream kitchen I’ve always talked about.”

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