Page 49 of Big Island Sunset
She nodded slowly. That much was true.
“I know it’s not an easy decision. I know how much work you’ve put into your land. But whatever animals you want to bring, we can integrate them into my farm. Paige and Piper love it there, and I could turn my office into a bedroom for them.
“Cody’s already got one foot out the door, but if he ever needs a place, I’ve got those cabins on the land that I rent out. He could have one. He and Juniper could share one, if that’s what they want. Heck, they couldeachhave one.”
Tara just stared at him, stunned, as he laid out a plan. She couldn’t remember the last time she had heard the stoic, steady man say so much all at once.
It was unexpected, but he was right: it could solve all of their problems.
Tara owned her house outright, and selling it could give her many years of financial freedom. She could invest it in her business, or she could take her foot off the pedal and spend more time with her daughters instead. It would give her time to breathe and adjust to the changes that lay ahead.
But moving in and of itself was ahugechange. Moving (or rehoming) that many animals was no small task. That house was the only home that her kids had ever known. She loved her land, and her neighborhood, and her neighbors…
And Cody… oh, he would hate this.
“It’s a lot to take in,” Liam acknowledged as her thoughts spun. “I don’t need an answer right this minute. But… will you think about it?”
“Yes,” she said, taking his hand. “I’ll think about it.”
“Do youwantto live with me?” he asked vulnerably. “Kids, logistics, all of that to one side. What doyouwant?”
“I want more time with you,” she said without hesitation.
His smile hit her like a burst of light; she only saw it for a second before he took her face between two calloused hands and kissed her.
“I would love to live with you,” she said after he’d released her. “I just don’t know about the timing. Getting there… it would be a lot.”
“I’m here to help you.” He took her hand and ran his thumb across her skin. “Just promise me that you’ll think about it.”
She let out a weak laugh. “I won’t be able to think of much else.”
“Good.” He bent and kissed the inside of her wrist. “Because these days, you’re all I can think about.”
Tara felt herself blush. With an offer like that, what could she do but accept?
But the thought of moving her entire farm was almost unbearably overwhelming. It wasn’t just the logistics of it, but the impact it would have on her family, uprooting them so soon after her divorce. She wasn’t sure that was fair to them.
But oh, once they got past the initial transition… life could be so beautiful.
Tara lay back on the blanket, holding Liam’s hand and watching sunlight play in the leaves overhead. It was the most peaceful spot on the island, and yet her thoughts were a spinning mess of worries.
What was she going to do?
13
Fern
Fern’s workday ended with a restorative yoga class, just her and a handful of aunties stretching their muscles on the lanai as daylight faded into dusk.
The sense of community that she got from seeing the same women week after week was deeply nourishing. She had been teaching yoga for years, but her new venture on the Big Island was the first time that she had ever run her own business; before that, she had just taught classes at big studios with hundreds or even thousands of students cycling in and out. The small business that she had cultivated in Hawai‘i felt different, and it fed her soul.
After she had said goodbye to the aunties and tidied up the lanai, she climbed the stairs to Ethan’s apartment. She hadn’t seen him or Theo in over forty-eight hours, which felt very strange after weeks of spending time together every single day.
Ethan had gone to Kona the day before, and Fern had been busy with classes. He knew her schedule and often came down to visit in between classes, but she hadn’t seen him at all that day. It had been so quiet that she’d wondered if he was even home, but his truck was there in front of the house. As far as she knew, he hadn’t even left the apartment.
That wasn’t like him, and she started to worry.
Was he sick? Was Theodore alright?
