Page 78 of Fire in My Heart

“Now, tell me everything that’s been happening on the farm. I can’t wait to hear more about your ideas. Then I’ll tell you what the guests are saying.”

“Oh, your guests are talking about the Calloway farm and not the Monroes?”

Fiona nodded. “Uh-huh.”

“But Monroe Farm is adjacent to your property. It makes more sense that they’d go there.”

Fiona shook her head. “The festival was the talk of the town. People are asking if you’ll host one again. Tell Dad my guests loved it, and they wrote about it in their guest books. Which got the next guests asking about it.”

“I love that so much.” I enjoyed coming up with new ideas and implementing them. But it was encouraging when marketing worked like it was supposed to, by word of mouth.

“I think your partnership with the farm will open other job opportunities.”

“I hope so. I don’t want to have to go back to a marketing firm where I’m working long hours and not making a lot of money.”

“Trust me. Word will get around.”

“How has the restaurant been for the inn? You said you’ve been getting more reservations.”

“It’s exactly what we needed. We have a restaurant, the bars, the movie theater, and the game room. Now we need to hire more staff since we’re booked.”

“I’m so happy for you.”

“Your business will take off. You’ll see.”

I hoped she was right. Living in the cottage was only temporary. I couldn’t stay there forever. I’d have to find a new place to live and pick up more marketing jobs. “I’d better start advertising for more clients. I’ve been so wrapped up in the farm.”

I was a little worried that businesses wouldn’t be looking to hire anyone until the spring. I hoped that wasn’t true. I’d done work for Violet and Luna, but I needed to branch out more, get outside my friend circle.

That meant spending more time in town, where it was possible Rick would find me. I didn’t want to take the risk, but I couldn’t hide forever. I wanted to live my life in the open.

CHAPTER 20

TEDDY

Ihadn’t seen Charlotte since early this morning. She said she had some shopping to do. Then she’d texted that she’d met Fiona for lunch at the inn. She was excited that Fiona’s guests enjoyed the festival. I could tell by the number of exclamation points she’d used in her messages.

I hoped they weren’t discussing her moving back to the inn or returning to the receptionist position. Selfishly, I wanted her to stay on the farm for a little while longer.

I was happy that she’d taken some time off work. Since she moved into the cottage, she hadn’t taken any time off, and with the holiday season winding down, she wasn’t needed on the farm. I was sure she could use time with her friends.

When the farm closed for the day, our family met at the main house for dinner.

As soon as everyone was settled in the kitchen with a beer, Wes asked Axel, “Luna gone?”

“Got on a plane today.” Axel took a large bite of his sandwich. He chewed, then swallowed when everyone waited for more information. “She’s seeing a beach house tomorrow. Might put an offer on it.”

Jameson nodded. “Nice.”

Axel pulled up the picture on his phone, then passed it around.

Wes looked at the picture, then handed the phone to me. “She’s moving there?”

“She plans to flip it, but she said she might keep it.”

I wondered how Axel felt about Luna leaving. When I was around them, I felt a current of energy between them. They weren’t affectionate around me, but I felt the tension. They’d met when she rented the cabin next to his, and I assume they started a physical relationship that might have turned into something more from the way Axel was reacting to her leaving.

Luna’s business and family were in Florida. I wasn’t sure how they’d make that work, and neither of them had talked about it.

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