Page 28 of Choose You

But she doesn’t want my comfort. Even if she did, she wouldn’t accept it.

I’m the last of my family to arrive at Stocks and Stables. Momma was one of the ones to stay behind to finish setting everything up. Adam and Camille are standing with Momma. I don’t see Joseph or Leann, but I saw them pull in before me.

Emmie let’s go of my hand and runs across the room. “Uncle Adam!” she yells so loud most the eyes turn to look at what’s going on. That kid loves him so much that sometimes I think she likes him more than she likes me. I get it. Adam is great with kids. It’s a shame he never got to have kids of his own.

“Hey, munchkin.” He picks her up and gives her a tight hug.

I walk up behind him and give him a pat on the back before I reach over and give Camille a hug. It’s only been a couple of weeks since Adam and Camille made their relationship official, and I couldn’t be happier for my big brother. If anyone deserves happiness, it’s him.

“It’s good to see you again, Cami. Is the house remodel complete now?” I ask.

Camille moved to Watercress Falls several months ago and hired my brother to remodel the old chalet she bought. She ended up gaining so much more than a remodeled home. They fell in love in the process.

“Yes. The main house at least. There are still a few small cabins scattered in the treeline behind the house that I’m considering updating for rental property, but I’m not in any hurry. It’s not like Adam has time for that right now with the resort project.” Camille looks up at Adam and grins. “I might need to find a new contractor.”

“Nonsense,” Adam growls in response. From the playful expression on Camille’s face, I’d say she’s teased him about this a few times just to get him worked up. “Just say the word and I’m on it.”

“How’s the resort project coming along? Any more problems?” A few weeks ago, Adam had to fly to Chicago to put out a few fires. Last I heard, everything was still a go.

“Not yet, but it’s still early. I think the main challenge is going to be keeping the Kingslands quiet. They’re very vocal about their opinions, especially with what they do on their land. They’re too new to the area and the locals are concerned about environmental impacts. They’re making more enemies than friends.”

“I haven’t met any of them yet. I thought I’d get the chance when Leann went out with Korbin, but that didn’t last long enough.”

“What didn’t last long enough?” Joseph walks up behind me and squeezes my shoulder.

“Leann dating Korbin Kingsland.”

“Ahh.” Joseph nods. “I never met him, but Leann said he was nice enough. Just no spark. Noah, however, that boy can’t stand the oldest brother, Keaton. I think that’s his name. Says he’s a real asshole, but I don’t know what gave him that impression.”

Noah Strong is Wyatt’s, one of Adam’s closest friends, youngest brother. And he went to school with Joseph. He can be a bit of a hot head at times, but Noah is a good man. If he doesn’t like Keaton, there’s a good reason for it.

“That’s the only one I met,” Adam says. “I liked him. Seemed like a real stand-up guy. Just talks too much when he should shut it.”

Joseph shrugs. “Maybe he said something that pissed Noah off.”

“Uncle Joe said a bad word.” Emmie scowls at him and everyone laughs.

My brothers exchange a glance and Camille reaches for Emmie. “Wanna come with me to get some cookies? I saw some yummy looking chocolate chip cookies over there that I’d like to try.”

“Yes!” Cami takes Emmie and I turn to face my brothers.

“So,” Joseph steps closer after they’re gone and leans in before he continues. “Leann says Jessica doesn’t want to sell. Says she’s thinking about staying here now that the vineyard is hers.”

My head snaps up, and I meet Joseph’s stare. I haven’t heard anything, and this news has my ears ringing and my stomach feeling like someone dropped a lead weight inside me. If she said anything to Ryan, he’s been closed lipped about it.

If she stays, then maybe I’ll get the chance to win her back. Then again, if she refuses me, I’ll have to live in the same town as her. Knowing she’s here and I can never have her would be the worst form of torture. “How would Leann know that?”

“You know Leann and Gracie Strong are close friends now. Apparently, Jessica’s been spending a lot of time with them this past week.”

Jessica and Gracie, Noah and Wyatt’s sister, were best friends back in the day so it makes sense that she would go to her for support. I hadn’t considered that as an option for her. “I thought she was hiding out at Sweet Cakes?”

“That, too. Apparently, she’s working hard to avoid you,” Joseph says.

“So, what’s the deal?” Adam asks. “Are you and Emmie gonna have to move out?”

“I don’t know. But it's a strong possibility. I haven’t had a chance to talk to Jess about it. She’s succeeding at avoiding me. I haven’t really seen her since she arrived.”

“Well, here’s your chance.” Joseph nods behind me. “She’s coming right for us.”

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