Page 66 of Fire in My Heart

“That’s nice.”

Something was bothering her, but I wasn’t sure what it was. We had traditions, and I wouldn’t deviate from them. “You can come over for dinner if you don’t have plans. Daphne and Cole will be here.”

“That sounds nice. I might just do that.”

I liked the idea of including her with my family.

Charlotte chewed her lip as she grabbed a glass from the cabinet. “Would I come as Cole’s sister? Or would we tell your family about us?”

I set the roller in the tray and rubbed my chin. I hadn’t thought that through.

“Are you ready for that?”

I liked the idea of Charlotte being at my family dinner, and I didn’t want to pretend we weren’t together anymore. I wanted to be able to touch and kiss her. “Yeah, I think I am.”

She raised a brow. “You think?”

I nodded. “I know I am.”

She moved to me, her arms wrapping around my middle. “This is a big step.”

I brushed a strand of hair out of her face. “I want you there. And I don’t want to pretend that you aren’t mine.”

She smiled up at me. “I like the sound of that.”

“Me too.” Charlotte felt right in my arms, and I loved coming home from work to her last night. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen when I moved home again, but I wanted to include her in my life. It felt like the right next step, and I wouldn’t think too far beyond that.

I was following my instincts for this one aspect of my life and trusting that everything would fall into place.

“We’re living in this nice bubble, but after the holidays,things will change. I have to find another job and a place to live, and you’re moving home again.”

I tightened my arms around her. “We’ll figure it out.” I refused to believe this was a short-term thing. It was too good, too all-encompassing for me to walk away from it. And I couldn’t believe that every relationship was like this. Charlotte was special.

CHAPTER 17

CHARLOTTE

The week leading up to Christmas was insanely busy. Everyone seemed to be in a panic about their last-minute to-do lists.

I’d added refreshments and freshly baked cookies as an option for customers. We usually ran out long before the evening rush. I needed to add more, but it wasn’t possible with everything else that needed to be done on the farm.

I’d asked several of the vendors at the holiday festival to set up tables in the evenings, so we had things to sell. I took a small table fee for them to be there, but their sales were so good; I didn’t worry that it was too much to ask.

Any business arrangement had to be beneficial for the farm. I was always looking out for what was best for the Calloways. I just hoped Al and Teddy saw that.

Teddy wasn’t questioning my every move anymore, but I was still worried that their family wouldn’t be pleased with the results. I wanted to deliver value. I wanted this to be a worthwhile experience for them. A referral would be great, but also, I wanted to do a good job.

Teddy stopped by most nights and kept me up late. Othertimes he said he had to help his brother with something. He didn’t say what that was or even which brother. That bugged me for some reason. But I couldn’t say anything, not when I hadn’t been honest with him about Rick.

When he spent the night, I nursed a headache from lack of sleep the next day. It was worth it though. I couldn’t help but think everything was going to change after the holidays.

Soon, Teddy would move home and fall into his old routines. He’d remember why he liked his space and might see me as an intrusion in his carefully constructed life. He might not have room for me.

My chest tightened. I shouldn’t be worrying about things that hadn’t happened yet, but I couldn’t help it.

I’d shared the results from the festival with Al and Teddy. The Santa photos were profitable, and we had a record sales day for trees. I suggested they make it an annual event. I was confident it would only grow in scope and reach.

I was thinking of more ideas that could help the farm over the year too. So far, I’d revamped the website, adding more information about the family’s history and a little bio about the brothers and how they helped on the farm.

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