Page 43 of Sunny Skies Ahead
I mulled the day over as I walked back up the worn dirt path to the farmhouse. I knew Imogen had her walls built high. I knew enough of her past to know that those walls were more than justified.
Selfishly, I could admit that I wanted to know her. She was gorgeous, yes, but more important, she was kind, funny, and adventurous. I felt more myself around her than I did in most places.
I sat down at my desk, drumming my fingers along my closed laptop. Imogen had taken on a lot of the administrative work that I hated—that was the job I’d hired her to do, after all—but relinquishing full control over those aspects of Winding Road had proven more difficult than I’d expected.
Every spare cent I’d made in the last decade had gone towards purchasing this land and establishing this nonprofit.
I was creating the place I’d wish existed for my father.
Because if he had known there was a place where first responders could be in community with one another, where they could be with people who understood all the horrible things they’d seen, maybe things would have been different.
If he’d had someone to share his burden, maybe he’d still be here.
Maybe my mother wouldn’t be where she is now.
I let out a heavy sigh, rubbing a hand over my face. I stalked into my bedroom, opening up the windows to let in the cool evening air.
The crickets were already singing their night song, and the distant sounds of rustling treeswere a balm to my soul.
It would never be enough.
The next morning came quicker than I was prepared for. I didn’t sleep great, spending the first part of the night mulling over everything that happened with Imogen yesterday. I rolled over in bed and took my phone off the charger, groaning when I saw I had five unread text messages, most from Connor.
“It’s not even 7A.M.,” I muttered.
Big Daddy Connor
We’ll be there around 17:30 tonight. Abbie’s making peanut butter cookies.
Need us to pick up anything at the store?
He’d sent a follow up text less than twenty minutes later.
Big Daddy Connor
Don’t tell me you forgot
“Damn it,” I exclaimed, jumping to my feet. The kiss had completely derailed my ability to form a cohesive thought yesterday, and in the chaos, I had completely forgotten that Connor and Abbie were going to be joining us for dinner tonight. There were two more unread messages from Lucas, but I quickly decided I’d deal with them later.
I pulled on fresh clothes, brushed my teeth, and flew downstairs. Imogen was standing by the kitchen sink, a fresh cup of coffee in her hands. She was wearing a lilac dress that hugged her hips in a way that really should be illegal.
This was torture, I decided. Having the woman I craved standing in my kitchen, looking like she walked right out my dreams and into my house, and not being able to touch her was torture.
“Good morning?” Imogen said, glancing around, clearly confused as to why I was panting like I was being chased by a freaking bear.
“Abbie and Connor are coming over for dinner and I completely forgot,” I said. Imogen let out a low whistle.
“Well, it’s a good thing they’re really important grant proposal people and not our best friends. Otherwise we’d really be in trouble.”
“Ha,” I said, rolling my eyes. “Very funny. I still don’t have anything prepared.”
Imogen rolled her eyes.
“We have plenty of food here. I’m sure between the two of us we can figure out something to feed the children.”
I nodded. Between the two of us, we’d figure something out. Imogen didn’t seem concerned, and I decided I wouldn’t be either.
“I know we’re still waiting to hear back from the interview committee, but I’d really like to grab a few more shots of the property. Your website is pretty good, but I’m working on updating some of the copy and images, so it all looks professional. Do you have any nature trails nearby?” Imogen asked. “We can showcase that as a potential photoshoot location for wedding and event photographers.”
