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Chapter One
Cody Haines blew a breath as he drove through the small town of Clifton, Montana, his destination set for Hartland. Memories flooded back to him as he passed by the local church where his sister’s wedding had taken place a few years ago.
A smile graced his lips as he thought of Vivian, finally happy again after her first marriage to an insensitive man who had abandoned her during a difficult time. Grayson Beckett had shown her genuine kindness and love when he promised to adopt with her. Soon, they married, and Cody knew that his sister was truly happy again.
Lost in thought, Cody suddenly slowed down as he noticed a for sale sign on the side of the road. Curiosity getting the best of him, he pulled over and read the details: two hundred acres, chalet-style home with four bedrooms and four and a half baths, complete with a den, office, finished basement and two-car garage. Managers home on property. Immediate occupancy. Not to mention the large in-ground swimming pool and two barns on the property. He couldn’t help but be drawn in by the possibilities.
Following the gravel driveway indicated by the sign, Cody’s truck stopped in front of a house against the surrounding landscape. The entrance door was made of solid wood with an arched window at the top, flanked by double windows on either side. Above it all rose a tall gable that added to the majestic appearance of the home. A well-manicured lawn spread out in front, combined with bushes and flower beds. Cody noticed a walkway leading from the driveway to the porch steps as he stepped out of his truck.
Taking it all in, Cody couldn’t help but feel drawn to this beautiful property that seemed like something out of a dream. With a grin, he imagined himself living here, enjoying the peacefulness and serenity of country living. And with that thought in mind, he made a mental note to inquire further about this home.
With a push, he swung the truck door open and stepped out into the warm morning air. The sun was already beating down on him, its rays heating up the pavement and casting long shadows across the driveway. It looked as if fall enjoyed teasing everyone before it showed them what it was really about. He had to pick Vivian up for her doctor’s appointment soon, but there was still plenty of time.
Taking in his surroundings, he strode across the walkway. He climbed the front porch steps and crossed over to the door, finally stopping at one of the windows. Placing his hands against the glass, he peered inside to catch a glimpse of the foyer and a stone fireplace off to his left. However, his view was limited beyond that.
Descending back down the steps, he followed the driveway around to the back of the house. As he reached the spacious back porch, he couldn’t help but grin at the sight of a two-car garage tucked underneath it. But what caught his attention even more was the beautiful pool glistening in the sunlight.
He noticed a set of steps leading to the porch. Climbing them, he arrived at a set of French doors surrounded by large windows on each side and three more above. Peering through them, he could see a cozy sitting area and another fireplace, as well as stairs leading up to another level. To his right, a dining area awaited with an equally inviting fireplace open on both sides.
Moving across the porch, he saw a full-pane glass door and looked in to see the dining room, and he was right. The fireplace was open on that side too. Heading back to the French doors, he looked in again and could see the kitchen past the living room, but he couldn’t see it very well.
He walked back around the front and looked across the yard to see two large barns with three silos behind them. His boots kicked up billows of dirt as he approached them. He tried to slide the big doors open, but couldn’t, so he headed for the door, tried it, and smiled when it opened. He inhaled the sweet scent of cut hay and saw bales stacked against the far wall.
He stopped to look into the stalls as he walked along the aisle. They were all clean and had sliding doors with bars on them. He turned, strode back into the sunshine, climbed into his truck, headed down the driveway, and stopped to get the phone number from the sign. He called the realtor listed as the agent.
“This is Lydia. How can I help you?” a female voice answered.
“Hello, I’m at the property on…” he glanced up and down the road. “I don’t know what road this is,” he said. “I’m new in town.”
The woman laughed. “What does the sign say about the property?”
He read it to her. “Do you know where I am?”
“Yes, that’s the Baskin’s property. You’re on Rawlings Road. Did you want to see it?”
“I’d like that, but only if you have time.”
“I do. I’ll be right there if you just give me a few minutes. Who am I speaking with?”
“Cody Haines. I’ll drive back to the house and wait.”
“All right, Mr. Haines. I’ll leave the office now. See you in a few minutes.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He disconnected, put the phone in his T-shirt pocket, backed the truck up, and drove to the house to wait for Lydia.
Once he parked his truck, he climbed the steps and sat on the porch. The day was heating up. He knew he should call Vivian to tell her he was running late. He looked at his watch to see it was just after nine, and she would undoubtedly be in her classroom teaching. She expected a text from him when he reached town, though.
He got to his feet when he saw a vehicle approaching, and once it was parked, he walked down the steps to see a pretty woman get out and smile at him.
“Mr. Haines? I’m Lydia Griffin,” she said as she put her hand out to him.
Cody took her hand in his and grinned. “Please, call me Cody.”
“All right, Cody. Let me show you this beautiful home.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He followed her up the steps across the porch and waited while she opened the lockbox, removed a key, and unlocked the door. He noticed the wedding rings on her left hand. Figures.
“It has four bedrooms, four and a half baths, a den, an office, and a finished basement with a two-car garage. But I’m sure you read the sign. Everything you see in the house stays unless you don’t want it.”
