The theme from the movieThe Good, the Bad, and the Uglyruns through my mind, our little standoff causing me to stifle a giggle.
“How long are you staying this time?”
The guy is a narcissist, his lack of empathy getting on my last nerve. And it isn’t even business hours yet.
I take a long, lingering sip from my mug and purposefully make him wait an extra few seconds for my answer.
“I’m staying… forever.”
Kip’s eyes narrow, and his cheeks turn red. He looks constipated.
“Well, isn’t that just peachy.” He scowls and stomps away, leaving me shaking my head.
If that man, with his exaggerated sense of self-importance, thinks he’s got a chance at owning part of Jamison Farm now, he’s gonna be sorely disappointed. There’s a new girl in town, ready to knock him off his high horse and reclaim what belongs to George.
And that girl is me.
I love George. And that’s the beginning and the end of everything.
“Good morning.”
I turn at the sound of my lover’s voice, my stomach lurching into a backflip. He bends low and kisses me on the mouth. I kiss him back, reveling in his soft whiskers against my jaw. The pressure of his mouth on mine. The heat that immediately pours into me.
“Mmmm. Good morning.”
He stands tall and stares off at the horizon. The view from the front porch of the main house is breathtaking. It has a vantage point that allows you to look down on the farm—the fields, the windmill, the forests of Pine Mountain Ridge, the gardenia-lined pathway leading to the barn, and the old oak tree. It’s so quiet as I sit in my rockerand watch him.
George is brutally handsome. Gorgeous if I really want to admit it. Like my British supermodel obsession, only better if that’s even possible. His tall stature towers over me with broad shoulders and deep blue need-you eyes that twinkle like rhinestones. I like his messy hair that’s a little longer than most guys, curling over his ears and kicking up in a cute cowlick at his forehead. The way his firm muscles accentuate his long-sleeved shirt, and his backside causing my breath to hitch as he effortlessly leans over the rail in a relaxed pose.
Never has a man looked so physically powerful, so steady to me before.
But I know this version of George is the man no one else really gets to see. I’m glad he’s shown this side of himself, and I know I need to handle him with care. With his calming scent of lavender and fresh soap, this beautiful man across from me makes the air around me feel warmer with visceral memories of last summer, the heat between us hard to contain.
He’s a man grateful for sunsets and flowers, a cool drink of water from a spring, and the chance to love his grandfather and me. His bright, sparkling light gives me life, and I welcome the joy of this new beginning, untethered from my former stressful job.
I set my cup on the side table and join George at the railing. He immediately slides his arm around me and pulls me close.
“Did you get any sleep?”I ask.
“A little.”
I lay my head against his hard body and stare out at the horizon. The sun has barely risen, the golden glow of the new day edging its way up into the sky. I don’t want to burst his bubble and tell him I’ve already had a run-in with Kip Johnson.
“What can I do for you today? Anything at all. I’ll be your beck and call girl.”
He chuckles and looks down at me, his endearing smile causing more backflips in my tummy.
“Just having you near me is enough.”
I snake my arm around his waist. “I’m not going anywhere.”
We spend the day in and out of Pop’s bedroom. We keep him company when he’s awake and keep an eye on him when he sleeps, which is most of the time. There’s a quiet calm that’s settled over everyone on the farm. It’s as if we all know the end is near, and we’ve accepted it.
Before supper, Ralph is fast asleep, and the night nurse who came on duty insists we take a break. George suggests we go for a walk. We hold hands and meander across the property, tired from the long, uneventful day.
“How are you holding up?” I ask.
“I’m okay. You?”
