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“I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”
“We have our side hustles. I have the landscaping business. Heath is working for Morrison & Sons Contracting. Talon has his artwork, and Emmett makes furniture. Sebastian handles our books and has an accounting firm in town. Mom would like more of the income to come from the farm. We want her to feel supported.”
“That’s so nice that you live here and take care of her and the farm.” I loved that he and his brothers were family men.
Emotions crossed over his face, maybe guilt or regret. Then he said, “We do our best. I’m just never sure it’s enough.”
Addy was sitting in the driver’s seat of the cart. “Can I drive?”
“No,” I said firmly.
“I can teach you when you get a little older. But you can’t reach the pedals yet.” Knox showed her the pedals, and her lips turned down.
“Oh.”
“When you get tall enough, I’ll take you out.”
Addy moved into the backseat. “When will I be tall enough?”
Knox’s lips twitched. “I don’t know. Maybe when you’re a teenager.”
Her shoulders slumped. “Uh. That’s forever.”
Knox’s lips twitched as he turned on the engine. “Is she always this dramatic?”
“Yes.” I was so used to being alone with Addy. There was no one to share these moments with. My parents watched her when they could, but it wasn’t the same as raising her with someone.
Gary had broken up with me while I was pregnant. He didn’t pressure me about my decision to keep her but said he wasn’t interested in being a father.
We slowly wound our way down the mountain. I enjoyed being in nature more than I thought I would. The air was cool, but the sun was shining. I bet the lights strung from poles on the path were pretty at night.
Knox parked the cart by the red barn. He climbed out and shoved his hands into his pockets. “You should come back when it’s dark. The lights on the paths are all lit. It’s nice.”
“I was just thinking about that. Do you have any more of those lights you put on our front lawn? The one that’s shaped like a present.”
“No, but Ireland asked if we could do a walk-through or drive-through light show with those. I think Talon is working on a few of them. Maybe we’ll have something ready before New Year’s.”
Addy’s eyes were wide. “A light show?”
“Mmm. Would you like that?”
“That would be neat.”
“High praise from a kid,” Knox said solemnly. “We’ll see what we can do. Heath contracted someone to build a second lane on the other side of the mountain for secondary traffic, whether it’s for an event or a wedding, or maybe even a drive-through light show.”
“I can’t imagine living here. It’s so magical.”
“Without the crowds, it is. Speaking of…” He nodded toward the road where cars were already lining up at the gate. “Let’s get you out of here.”
I touched his arm as Addy ran to my car. “Thank you for helping us this morning. I know you’re busy with the season. I can’t thank you enough.” I kissed his cheek, the stubble tickling my lips, and the brief touch was enough to send my heart stutter-stepping in my chest.
I headed toward my car, clicking the locks so Addy could climb in. Knox made his way to the gate, holding up his hand as he waved me through.
I didn’t let out the breath I’d been holding until we made a left onto the road and were headed back to town.
“That was fun. Can we come back?”
“Knox mentioned something about seeing the lights at night.”
