Page 32 of Falling for Love

“Thanks,” I said, smiling as I grabbed a towel to dry Lance’s paws. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“I know,” he said, leaning casually against the doorframe. “But I wanted to.”

The familiar words happily swept through me.

Lance trotted over to Hayden, settling back at his side, and Liam turned his attention to me.

“Evie, you’re doing great. With all of this—Hayden, the chaos, everything. Just thought you should hear it.”

I felt my cheeks warm at his words, but I quickly busied myself wiping down the counter. “Thanks. That means a lot.”

“I mean it,” he said, his voice softer now. “And don’t forget, I’m holding you to that coffee date.”

I glanced at him, smiling despite myself. “I haven’t forgotten. Just let me get through this stomach bug first.”

“Deal,” he said, his grin returning. “I’ll see myself out before Hayden and Lance recruit me for bedtime stories.”

I laughed softly, watching as he opened the door and entered the crisp evening air.

The warmth he left behind lingered, and I wondered what it might mean to have someone like Liam around—someone who didn’t just fit into our lives but seemed to make them better.

Chapter Seven

Liam

I stood against the counter in Honey Leaf Lodge’s kitchen, where the smells of roasting chicken and freshly baked bread filled the air.

My sisters moved about the space swiftly, chatting as they prepared dinner for the evening’s guests.

The kitchen was as familiar as ever—the large wooden island in the center was piled high with ingredients, some open shelving my brother and I installed above the counters displayed neatly arranged jars of spices, and the copper pans hung like trophies on the brick accent wall.

But I wasn’t paying much attention to any of it.

My mind was stuck on Evie.

And Hayden.

It wasn’t just Evie’s quick wit or smile that made my chest feel lighter—it was the whole package. It was her actions in silence, like the way she carried herself with that quiet strength,balancing her farrier work and raising her son, while still managing to bake cookies like a pro and dashing off to the school nurse.

And Hayden? That kid was something else. His boundless energy reminded me of what it felt like to see the world through a child’s eyes, and I was drawn to it.

I’d always known I wanted kids someday, but being around Hayden had solidified it.

He was curious and funny, with a stubborn streak that reminded me of Evie in the best way. I couldn’t help but wonder about their family dynamic, though. I didn’t know much about Hayden’s dad or Evie’s ex—just that whoever he was, he’d missed out.

And if he was still in the picture? Well, that was a complication I hadn’t let myself think too hard about yet.

“You’re doing it again,” Violet said, her voice cutting through my thoughts.

My sister stood at the other side of the island, rolling dough for biscuits, her sleeves pushed up and a knowing smirk on her face. Her phone was propped on a recipe book to take photos for her blog.

“Doing what?” I asked, playing dumb.

“Looking like you’ve wandered into some dreamy Hallmark movie,” she teased, her tone dripping with amusement. “What’s her name, Liam?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I rolled my eyes.

“Oh, come on,” Fifi chimed in, nudging me with her elbow as she passed by to grab a tray of vegetables. “You’ve got that goofy look on your face again. Like you just met Cupid.”

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