Callan’s eyes were locked on that critter village. You couldn’t buy something like that at the toy shop. Every house, tree, and even the bubbling river made of crinkled blue cellophane had all been handmade. Callan frowned. A twist in a slow turn, and his gaze lingered on the painted walls and then the furniture.
He faced his father. “You did this,” he said.
Simon stuffed his hands back into his pockets. “Well, I… uh…” He cleared his throat. “Mim and Bron picked out the prints for the wall and all the soft furnishings…”
Callan strode over, and Simon, his eyes widening, took a step back, probably thinking his son was about to take a swing at him. I knew Callan better than anyone. He’d never do that.
Callan’s arms hugged tight around his father. “Thanks, Dad.”
Simon’s arms wove around, a weathered hand patting Callan’s back. “It was about time.”
26
That Happy Ending in Summer
Callan
My life wastooperfect.
I got my girl. The extra slice of chocolate cake Erin had sneaked into my lunch cooler was still sweet on my tongue, and the memory of the early morning wakeup call of her mouth on my cock—bloody hell. If that wasn’t enough, I got the farm, too. What I hadn’t done was drag my sorry ass to church with Mim, and now, I was going to pay the price.
That was the only explanation I’d come up with for why Bronte was waiting for me in the visitor’s car park at the bottom of the property.
“Well,” I said. “What’s the big emergency?”
Swiping my wrist over my brow to flick off the sweat, I scanned the crowd milling around the farm shop. Summer had welcomed back the tourists, and a steady stream of people waited to pay for a bucket to pick berries. Even more relaxed in the shade by theplayground, eating ice cream or enjoying a coffee out of the heat. No one looked pissed off. Everyone looked happy.
What the hell was going on?
Bronte jerked her head at the shop. “Look.”
I did nothing but frown.
“Look at yourlover.”
I put my hand on my hip and steadied a warning glare on her. “Bron.”
“Quit playing dumb with me. I know Erin’s living in the house.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “And sleeping inyourbedroom, I might add.”
“You called me away from a hundred workers to tell me what I already know?”
“Calm down, lover boy. Just look at Erin for a second, will you?”
Sighing, I searched for the familiar sight of Erin perfectly filling out her pink polo top and denim skirt. Where was she? I squinted into the sun. I smiled. There she was. She was showing a couple the preserves on the shelf.
“She looks like she’s handling it okay,” I said with a shrug.
“Okay?”Bronte’s mouth dropped open. “Everyone loves her.”
“Well, yeah…” My smile turned a little dopey. “What’s not to love?”
Bronte rolled her eyes. “I liked you better when you weren’t so gross. But I forgive you because your girl is killing it. Sales are up. She’s basically managing all the staff, and she’s training two of the local teenagers to take on extra shifts.” She sidled closer with a sly smile. “Have you given any more thought to my big idea?”
“No.”
“But Erin would be perfect!”
“No.”
