“About fucking time.” Hunter shoots me a look that tells me he might punch me if I push him too far. “Geez, who pissed in your Cheerios this morning?”
“Just another fucking job for Liam and Emma. I fall for theirsimpleprojects every fucking time. And it never is. I can’t wait for the ground to thaw so I don’t have to be their bitch anymore.”
I let out a belly laugh. They do somehow know how to play him, and now that Emma has our sister-in-law, Evelyn, offering up sex in exchange for helping them, he’s a goner.
“Well, I for one, am thrilled to have you out of my space.” I clap him on the shoulder as I walk by into the kitchen to drop my mug into the sink.
“Count your days. When I left the office, she and Violet were talking to Evelyn about getting this cabin staged so it can be booked with the wedding packages.” He chuckles under his breath.
“Shit. What the hell am I supposed to do for a place to live?”
“No idea. But you might want to figure it out, and quick. I think Tommy Peterson has a place that he might rent out near the orchards.”
“The old cabin at the back of the property?”
Kane and I have been helping Tommy and Aggie with photos and a website for their orchard and farm. They’re drawing more tourists now that the inn is up and running at full capacity again.
“Yeah. He asked me to help him do some repairs on that one and the other one closer to the house recently. Jack’s wife and daughter moved into the one by the house, so I think he wanted to try to rent the other.” He spins a knob into place before standing and tossing the packaging into the trash.
“Thanks. I’ll reach out to him if Emma is intent on disrupting my living situation.Again”
“She’ll probably offer room number eight in the inn.” He laughs hard this time.
“Oh yeah, the broom closet? Can’t wait. I’ll message Tommy now.” I shake my head and pull out my phone. I’m not staying in room eight.
“There’s always—”
I cut him off. “That needs too much work right now with your busy season approaching and me starting the blog.”
He holds up his hands in defense. “One day something is going to have to happen there.”
“I know. But I owe it more than I have to offer right now. Granddad wouldn’t want that.”
“I think you’re being too hard on yourself.”
Sighing, I run my hand through my hair. “Noted. I’m still going to call Tommy though.”
“Suit yourself, man. But you know I’ll make time for you whenever you’re ready.”
Hunter leaves after he finishes up the rest of the cabinets, and I’ve already done my tasks of reaching out to Dottie for a room at the inn and now Tommy for a room when I get home.
It’s time for me to be Liam’s bitch and head to the inn to see what tasks I’ve been assigned today. I can’t wait for this blog to get up and running so I don’t have to do whatever my brother says anymore.
I love the inn, and I don’t mind helping out, but as a career? No. It’s not for me.
The first stop is Hemlock Cove, and I’m hoping that will open me up for other New England hotel opportunities. Hopefully I can use my connections from the magazine.
It’s been almost two months in Balsam Cliffs and I’ve barely left the farm. Aggie and Tommy have so much beautiful land I haven’t found the need to leave. Lily is obsessed with the animals and we haven’t repeated a trail through the woods yet. It’s peaceful and quiet. Best of all, there’s no looking over my shoulder.
Exactly what I need. I ventured to the coffee shop, Emerald Roasters, once. But I was constantly worried that Black Key found me. So I haven’t left since.
But tonight my quiet bubble is going to pop. Aggie and Tommy work closely with the inn next door to them. The Keaton family. And tonight they’re coming for a dinner party. All of them. Allthirteenof them. What family has thirteen members?
I’ve only met Hunter so far since he was helping Tommy get the cabins fixed up. He was nice, but we didn’t interact much. Itried to make myself scarce when he was around. Call me silly for being wary of strange men after my door was almost knocked down.
“Baby, are you ready to go?” I call out to my daughter who’s been running around the house looking for all the toys she can to bring to Aggie & Tommy’s house.
“Yes, Mommy.” She runs over to me, a floppy bunny in her arms. “I’m bringin’ Mistaw Fwoppy!”
