Page 75 of Two Risks I'd Never Take Again

Chapter 24

Iscanned my apartment. There were a few items of furniture that needed to go into storage and a few that needed to be sold, but everything else was either at the cabin or in the bed of Garrett’s truck.

He eased up behind me and circled his arms around me. “Everything that’s left goes to the storage unit?”

“Mostly. I’m selling the couch. What about the table and chairs?” I didn’t want to store something I wouldn’t want when I emptied stuff from storage.

“Do you like it?”

“It’s okay, but it’s not something I’d put in my dream home. If that makes sense.”

“Sell it.”

“Let me take some pictures. I’m not posting anything until Delaney gets back. Because she’ll see the posts, and then my surprise will be ruined.”

Garrett squinted and cocked his head. “What are you planning, Tessa?”

I flashed what I hoped was an innocent-looking smile. “A surprise.”

“Details.” One eyebrow lifted. The man had no clue how hot he was.

“I’m going to leave a post-it note on the door that says MOVED-Call Me. That’s it. Nothing bad.”

He laughed. “I hope I’m around when Delaney and Eli find you.”

“They are supposed to be back tonight. I don’t figure they’ll show up at my apartment until tomorrow.” I locked the door and followed him to the truck.

“How did today go at the shop?”

“Good.” I waited until he slid behind the wheel to share my other surprise. “I interviewed someone today.”

He snapped his head to face me. “You did what?”

“I can’t work every single day like I used to. Even if I just train someone to run the store and only have to show up to make doughnuts, that’s better than what I’ve been doing. It’s not healthy.”

He grabbed my hand. “How’d it go?”

“She starts Tuesday. Now I just need to find someone who likes to make doughnuts. Oh, I also decided that I’m going to start closing on Mondays. The weekends are busy, and being closed that day just makes sense.” I’d looked at the books and knew that hiring two people and closing one day a week wasn’t going to put me in the red.

Squeezing my hand, he backed out of the parking spot. “You amaze me, Tessa. I’ll do my best not to let work—”

“Stop. I know you are learning about the ranch and that it takes time. I also see the role model you have. It may have taken your dad more than a year to take Lilith on an exotic honeymoon, but he made it work. And the best part, it’s not just you running the ranch. One day, when Clint decides to retire, you’ll find another foreman who will run things with the same skill.” I rubbed his arm. “You’re a rancher. Hours may vary. I know that, and I’m totally fine with that.”

He pulled my fingers to his lips. “Thank you. I needed to hear that.”

“I love you. I love that you’re Mr. Henry now, but you’ll always be my Mr. Right.”

“You’re thebest.”

Eli pulledopen the door to the shop, and Delaney ran up to the counter.

She held up the note in front of my face. “Does this mean what I think it means?”

“I’m surprised you found that already.” I pulled two doughnuts out of the case, one of each of the newest additions. “Want to try my new flavors?”

Eli leaned over Delaney’s shoulder. “Yes. What kind are they?”

“Taste them.”

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