Page 75 of Fire in My Heart

Recently, Fiona expanded the kitchen and hired cooks to provide a more substantial lunch and dinner menu for their guests.

Charlotte: Be there in twenty.

It felt good to be doing something besides working on the farm. I liked it, but I missed my friend too.

I parked at the historic inn, always awed by the columns and classic Christmas decorations. Inside the foyer, I couldn’t help but remember one of the last times I worked here, and Rick showed up.

When Fiona appeared in the foyer with a bright smile, I put Rick out of my mind. I wouldn’t let him ruin my good mood.

Fiona hugged me tightly. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Me too,” I said as I pulled away and followed her into the dining room. “I love this new addition.”

“We are booked solid now that we have a restaurant and thebar. It was a risk, but I think it will pay off.” We sat, and Fiona waved for a waitress.

We put in our drink and salad orders.

“You’ll love the wedge salad. It’s amazing.”

“It must be nice to be the owner of a business.” Technically, it was Aiden’s family’s business. But now that they were married, they were co-owners.

“You’ll get your business off the ground. I’ve heard about the improvements to the farm, and everyone’s raving about the holiday festival.”

“I’m pleased with how it worked out, and your family should be able to make it an annual thing. I might continue to consult with them on the festival and run the social media pages for them. We’ll see.” Teddy had said we’ll see about me consulting but now that we were dating it only made sense that I’d be involved.

“But how are you?”

I looked around the room at the smiling couples and friends. “I’m so happy.”

“Tell me everything. What’s it like living on the farm with Teddy as your closest neighbor?”

I sucked in a breath, not quite believing she’d cut straight to the heart of my happiness.

Fiona’s eyes widened as realization sunk in. “Wow. Okay. Is there something going on there?”

“At first, he wasn’t happy I was living in the cottage. He doesn’t trust easily. We spent a lot of time together and really got to know each other better.” I couldn’t believe so much had changed in my life since I first moved in a few weeks ago.

Fiona wiggled her brows. “And you two fucked like?—”

I held up a hand. “Don’t finish that sentence. Since when are you so crass?”

Fiona looked around, then leaned in to say, “I run an inn. Most people here are already in a relationship. They aren’tlooking for one. I’d found the love of my life at seventeen, so I have to live vicariously through you.”

“Your love life wasn’t without drama.” She and Aiden only reconnected when she had visited for the holidays and rented a room in the inn. She had no idea he was discharged from the military and running it. “So I’m not sure my life is pure entertainment for you.”

Fiona nodded, then waved a hand to continue. “Trust me. It is. Now start talking.”

“One night, we were in the barn?—”

Fiona leaned in eagerly. “Oh, I love where this is going.”

“I’d just gotten out the Santa costume, and we were talking about me consulting in the future.” I didn’t remember the exact conversation because it was like everything had slowed down. All I could focus on was the steady beat of my heart and the promise in his eyes. “Next thing I knew, we were standing close, and he was touching my hair.”

I looked around the room to see if anyone was listening, but the only other diners were seated on the opposite side. “He leaned in as if he was going to kiss me. Then Wes opened the sliding barn door.”

Fiona’s expression fell. “Boo. I hate interruptions. Brothers can be so annoying.”

“I think it was a good thing. I went home to take a bath. Teddy stayed to talk to your brother. Then the next thing I knew, he was pounding on my door.”

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