Page 5 of Falling For You

At the moment, it was the latter because I didn’t want to talk about the grumpy stranger. I’d been spending a while trying to forget him stalking around the property, but I couldn’t.

He just looked too… good.

Or maybe the town had gotten too small, and my sense of self and others became warped. Social interactions had always been a struggle for me, and the stranger’s presence only amplified that.

“I’m not in a mood,” I said, smiling as I turned on the stove. “But have you heard anything about Vern’s place?”

Her brows shot up. “Mr. Medowski?”

“Yeah. Some guy was creeping around there this evening and wasn’t exactly friendly about it, either.” I frowned as Fifi chopped some tomatoes for a salad. “I tried to get him to tell me what he was doing there, but it was a definite wall-versation.”

My sister spun to look at me with a knife in hand. “Huh?”

“You know, like talking to a wall.”

“Ah. I don’t know how I didn’t get that one.” She grinned and shook her head. “You’d think I’d finally understand Violet speak.”

“It’s only been thirty-five years,” I teased.

Fifi rolled her eyes. “I was too busy being the upstanding eldest child.”

“How are my favorite two sisters in the world?” Liam, my younger brother, asked as he walked into the lodge’s central kitchen.

Once I mashed the potatoes, I planned on sneaking out to my tiny cabin on the back of the property. My parents always enjoyed serving the guests and spending the evening chatting with those who wanted to make their way to the reading room. But for me, I preferred solitude. I’d had enough late nights to last a lifetime, and I cherished the quiet moments in my cabin for personal reflection.

Fifi chuckled and shook her head. “Don’t let Sienna hear you. You told her she was your favorite this morning when you needed someone to go to town to get you a turkey sandwich with double avocado.”

Liam flashed a wry grin. “In my defense, I bought her one too. Plus, the farrier was about to show up. It was for the good of Honey Leaf Lodge.”

I chuckled as the water boiled and shook my head. “As in the farrier you have a crush on? Evie is her name, right?”

He shrugged coyly. “I can’t help if she’s the best in the area.”

I laughed and nodded. “I suppose you can’t, and I’m sure it doesn’t hurt that she’s a natural blonde with sparkling hazel eyes.”

“I wouldn’t know. I don’t pay attention to any of that stuff,” my brother deadpanned.

Fifi chuckled and shook her head. “So, what do you need this time?”

“I happened to ask said farrier if she’d meet me for drinks and dancing, and she told me she’d only come if I brought one of my sisters.” His eyes naturally landed on Fifi.

Why?

Because I was a horrible wing woman. It wasn’t purely my conversations that turned awkward. I could screw up anyone’s.

“Sorry, Liam.” Fifi shook her head. “I’m actually meeting someone later.”

“Bring him,” Liam suggested.

“No can do.” Fifi laughed. “We aren’t to that stage yet.”

Liam brought in a slow and steady breath while he turned to face me.

“Last resort, huh?” I teased.

“No. You’re my absolute favorite sister in the world.”

“If I tag along, any chance you have with her will go down the toilet. Guaranteed.”

---