Page 51 of Falling for Love

He turned to me then, his expression shifting into something more serious.

“That’s what I want, you know. For people to believe in it. To feel like they’re part of something special. A real community.”

“This place is going to be incredible.”

His gaze held mine for a moment, and I felt the air between us shift, charged with something unspoken.

“Thanks, Evie. That means more than you know.”

I smiled, my heart thudding in my chest as we stood there, the building behind us and the possibilities stretching out in front of him.

For a moment, I let myself wonder what it would mean to be part of those possibilities, to be part of his life.

But before the thought could take root, Liam broke the silence with a playful grin.

“Alright, enough serious stuff. What do you say we grab lunch? I know a place with the best pie in town.”

“Lunch and pie?” I said, laughing. “You know how to dangle that carrot.”

“Hey, it’s my specialty. So what do you think?”

“You’re not tired of me from coffee and this little adventure?”

“Evie, I could never get tired of you.” He bit his bottom lip briefly as his gaze stayed on mine. “It’s what scares me a little.”

He took a small step closer, and I caught the faintest scent of pine and coffee as the space between us shrank. The energy around us shifted, and a quiet buzz zipping through me made my breath hitch.

“Scares you?” I whispered. I’d meant to sound sure of myself, but a breathless voice was all that croaked out.

Emotions were swirling inside me at an unstoppable rate. Thoughts I’d never let myself dream about started intruding in my practical mom brain.

But I knew I could never afford to let myself dream of…

A boyfriend?

A husband?

“I’m just gonna lay it all out, Evie.” He pushed his fingers through his hair. “The first time you came to our property to work on our animals, I…”

I let out a slow breath. “You what?”

“I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I know it sounds crazy. We’d barely spoken, but the way you worked on the farm and the smile you saved for only the animals…”

His words touched me. These were little things he noticed. The only one who ever cared enough to truly see me was my young son.

“The way you’d whisper to the horses to calm them or refuse my help playfully so you didn’t wound my ego.” Hesmirked. “Not that I could actually do much to help you. You’re more than capable. But I feel like the luckiest guy when you come around.”

I nodded and looked toward the road back to town. “I wish it were that easy.”

Liam followed my gaze before bringing his eyes back to mine.

“Just being around you makes me happy.” He stepped closer to me, and I felt like my knees were about to give out. “Do I make you happy?”

I nodded, unable to lie.

The truth was that the first time he’d asked me out, I froze and randomly said I’d only go out with him if he could bring one of his sisters.

And the guy did it.

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