Page 11 of Fire in My Heart

I hadn’t wanted to burden him especially when he was so happy. He’d lived under the weight of my father’s alcoholism for too long. He was finally free from that, and I wouldn’t drag him down with my problems.

“You heard from Mom or Dad lately?” Cole asked.

We’d talked to them together to say we didn’t approve of Dad’s drinking or Mom’s enabling. Cole wouldn’t let them beinvolved in his kids’ lives until Dad went to rehab. “Last I heard, he was checking himself into a center.”

“I’ll believe it when I see it,” Cole said.

“Same.”

“Are you happy?” Cole asked me.

Daphne and Izzy were chatting in the kitchen. “You know I am.”

Cole just arched a brow. “You act like you’re happy, but I’m not so sure it’s real.”

“Feeling good is a choice I make every morning.” I’d decided when I was a kid I could be upset about my Dad, or I could make the best of my life. I’d chosen the latter and never looked back. It saved me from dark times.

Cole let his head hang. “I wasn’t happy—truly happy—until I met Daphne and Izzy.”

“You have to find happiness within yourself before you can find it with others.”

He lifted his head to meet my gaze. “I worry about you.”

“I know you do, but you don’t have to. I’ve got everything under control.” I knew Cole wanted me to find what he had with Daphne. But that wasn’t going to happen while Rick was still involved in my life. I needed to rid myself of him for once and for all.

CHAPTER 4

TEDDY

Dad gave me Charlotte’s number so I could contact her about setting up the tour.

Teddy: Dad suggested I show you around.

No one had shown her the day-to-day operations. There was no getting around it. Dad was moving forward with her whether I liked it or not.

Charlotte: You don’t have to do that. I’ll figure it out.

Teddy: You free now?

When I wanted something, I usually got it from sheer force of will and determination. Conquering Charlotte would be no different.

Charlotte: I was planning to take a bubble bath and read.

I closed my eyes, envisioning Charlotte nakedin the tub. Would she use bubbles that would tease me with the bare skin underneath?

Teddy: You have time for this. I’ll swing by in ten.

Charlotte: You don’t take no for an answer, do you?

Teddy: I don’t.

My badge radiated authority, and people listened to me. I’d thrown around my weight after Mom died. I took over managing the farm and my siblings. It was my job, and I took it seriously.

I dressed in jeans, a flannel so worn by frequent washing that it was soft against my skin, and work boots. When I pulled up to the cottage, Charlotte sat on the porch, waiting for me.

Surprised, I got out of the truck but left it running. I had no intentions of going inside or spending more time with Charlotte in her home. Nothing good could come from being in close proximity to her. I stepped one foot on the porch, my heart rate kicking up when I remembered her talking about enjoying a bath this afternoon. “You ready to go?”

She smiled easily and stood. “I can’t wait.”

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