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Feels Like Home

Page 75

by Courtney Walsh

“Like at the resort? Seriously?” He laughs.

“I mean, I took two weeks off to finish the lodge and the wedding stuff. I didn’t count on being done a whole week early.”

“It’s up to you . . . but you’ve already taken the time off,” he says. “Maybe you should enjoy it?”

I scrunch my nose. “Doing what?”

“Whatever you want.”

I stare back. He wouldn’t get it. Bull riding isn’t exactly a normal job.

“When was the last time you took time off for yourself?” he asks.

I wince. “I was sick about three years ago.”

He laughs. “Hattie.”

“Noble.”

“Come on, like an actual put-your-phone-away vacation?”

I shrug. “I already live where thousands of people vacation. That counts, right?”

“Not if you’re working.”

“I like working,” I say. “And I really like my job. I’m not a workaholic, and I get to come home every night to this place.” I go still. “It’s a good life.”

“I’m glad it’s a good life,” he says. “It’s nice to see you happy.”

I want to see him happy too, I realize. I just don’t know what that would take.

He takes another drink. “But you’ve been working on the renovations for what, a year?”

I nod. “A little more.”

“So, now you’re done,” he says simply.

Done. The word sits there in the air. It feels wrong. I’m done?

I’m done.

Noble scratches the back of his neck, then says, “How about this . . . When do Finn and Raya get here?”

“Friday morning,” I say.

“So, technically, you have from now until Friday to do whatever you want?” His eyes light up.

I frown. “Yes?”

He laughs. “Why do you look like you’re scared of free time?”

“I am scared of free time,” I admit. “I feel like I’m forgetting something.”

And also, what is he proposing, that I spend all this free time with him?

He’s got his phone out, and he shifts into some sort of distracted mode where he’s stopped paying attention to me.

“What are you doing?”