Page 80 of Fire in My Heart

“I think we’re just surprised thatyou’rein favor of it,” Wes pointed out.

“Even I can see that Charlotte has made positive changes around here. Our tree sales are up. Today, Fiona told her the guests at the inn enjoyed the festival and wrote about their experience in the room’s guest books.”

Wes nodded. “That’s great news. We want tourists to visit here too, and that wasn’t happening when we only sold trees.”

“Monroe Farm supplies the inn with all their trees. So they wouldn’t be coming here to cut one down. But they might enjoy a festival or shopping for holiday gifts.” Now that I spent so much time with Charlotte, I was starting to see how marketing worked. You paid for advertising or hosted an event to acquire customers, then increased your base through word-of-mouth referrals.

“I agree. I don’t see why we couldn’t keep her on as a consultant, unless she takes on another large account and doesn’t have time for us.” Dad’s gaze shifted to me. “Do you know what her plans are?”

I took a long pull of beer. “I’m not sure she knows. She was looking for more marketing clients, but she’s been so busy here at the farm; I’m not sure she’s been advertising.”

“That’s good for us,” Jameson teased.

That didn’t sit right with me. I didn’t want to take advantage of Charlotte. She deserved to get more business. She shouldn’t suffer because this position took up all her time to look for other jobs. Since when did I care so much about another person who wasn’t my family?

It should have made me pause and reconsider my current life choices, but I liked worrying about her. I wanted the best for her. I loved her. My heart expanded.

I could see now my love for her didn’t eclipse my affection for my family. I could have it all. I wanted to share it with my family, but we’d agreed to wait until Christmas. I wouldn’t do anything until I talked to Charlotte.

I checked my phone. She’d texted a while ago that she was stopping at a few more shops before heading home for a bath. I couldn’t wait to join her there. It was my favorite part of the day.

“You moving home soon?” Jameson asked.

“The house should be ready.” I wasn’t looking forward to moving farther away from Charlotte. But I didn’t have a reason to stay. Not when I had a perfectly nice house.

“Is Charlotte moving after the holidays too?” Dad asked.

“I don’t know what her plans are. I think she was hoping to have another marketing job lined up.” But she didn’t. I should have prompted her to take some time for herself and not spend all of it on helping my family.

“I don’t want her to feel like she has to rush out,” Dad said.

“The job’s over after Christmas. We don’t want her taking advantage of your generosity,” Wes said.

That was in two days. “How many rentals will be available this time of the year?”

We helped clean up, Dad speculating about how Axel would do with Luna in Florida.

I wished I could be open with my family about what was happening with Charlotte. Would they be okay with it? Or would they be concerned she’d distract me from my responsibilities?

I’d never brought a woman home before. It might take a bit to get used to.

I said my goodbyes, eager to catch Charlotte in the bath. I drove to her cottage and parked behind her car.

Her porch lights were still lit as if she’d left them on for me. My heart rate picked up. There was nothing better than coming home to Charlotte.

When my headlights landed on the front of the cottage, I saw figures on the porch. It was the back of a man caging someone else in.

The wind whooshed out of my lungs, and I was pissed that my gun was in the safe in the apartment.

I jumped out of the truck, leaving the engine running, and the door hanging open. But I had the wherewithal to grab my cell phone. Then I raced toward the porch.

It was rare for me to come upon a situation like this. I usually had some kind of heads-up as to what I was walking into. But not this time.

Assuming this man was attacking Charlotte, I didn’t have time to waste. I really wished I had my sidearm.

“Back away from her.” I used my cop voice, hoping he’d assume I was packing.

The man looked over his shoulder and sneered at me. “I’m just making out with my girlfriend. Nothing to see here.”

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