Page 111 of Valentine Nook
Only to find myself back on the doorstep of Bluebell Cottage by lunchtime.
One thing’s for sure, I no longer have an aversion to going inside. In the space of a few weeks, we’ve fucked more in that house than I ever had before.
I can’t get enough of her.
In the end, I say, “I don’t know.”
“This isn’t just a crush anymore. You’re falling for her.”
Suddenly, I’m not so amused. I don’t need my brother projecting his shit onto me and snap out a reply, “It’s not the same as you and Haven.”
His brows sink low, and I see a concern I wish wasn’t there, especially when he says, “I know. It’s going to hurt so much worse.”
“I’mfine.”
My tone is enough of a warning to him not to push any further. He nods and gets up from his chair. “I’m buying it, by the way.”
Because his eyes are staring at the pile of papers on my desk, for a moment I think he’s joking about the crown for his newly minted England’s Most Eligible Bachelor title.
Then I realize he isn’t.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“It is.”
“Al—”
“Look, even without Haven, that land is incredible, and if we have it, then it stops anyone else from taking it and slapping on another ten hotels that Aspen doesn’t need. We can keep it as it’s supposed to be. You said yourself you thought a ski lodge there would be good.”
“Aski lodge, not a tree farm.”
“I’ll find something to do with it, but I’m telling you now, there’s no way Haven wants her parents’ place sold for hotels. Iknowher.”
I shake my head. “Al, c’mon, be reasonable. You knew her for a week, and you haven’t heard from her since.”
His stare hardens, along with his jaw, reminding me why he’s known as the most stubborn of all of us.
“Iknowher. She didn’t just lose one parent, she lost both. She’s not selling because she wants to. She was working all the hours to fund keeping it.” He throws his hands up, sweeping them around my study. “Take this place. We don’t have to worry about money, but that doesn’t stop us from working all hours to keep Dad’s legacy intact.”
My eyes drop to the paper on the chair, open on the picture of Holiday and me.
We both know Alex buying the land has nothing to do withinvestment and everything to do with getting Haven’s attention. And I realize if the situation was reversed, and Holiday had ghosted me, I’d do anything to try to get her to speak to me again.
“Okay, buy it. If that will help you, if that’s what you think is best.”
“Thank you.” He stops with his hand on the door and leaves me with a parting shot. “You know, you deserve to be happy too, Lan. Try to let yourself.”
I’m still thinking about Alex’s words when I make my way over to the yard later in the afternoon to ride Thunder. I haven’t called ahead. It’s been a while since I’ve tacked him up myself, and I like seeing him in the stable when I arrive, popping his head over the door to greet me.
I also haven’t checked in with Holiday. I want to prove to myself that I can go for a couple of hours and not behave like some pining teenager. I reason that I don’t need to know if she’s enjoying her day because I already know she will be, as she’d packed up a basket of apples and pears to take over to Pierre.
But the universe has other plans for me.
For a second, I stare at the curve of her legs, imagining them wrapped around me later, just like they were this morning. Her jumper rides up as she raises on her tiptoes and brushes a piece of straw from Thunder’s forelock, exposing a sliver of tanned skin I’ve run my tongue along in recent days.
When he lowers his head to help her, she kisses the white blaze down the front and I’m suddenly consumed with jealousy.
Jealous of my horse.
