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“I don’t have a strong feeling about them one way or the other. I don’t put things into words often for my work. Although, I probably need a new contract.”
Sarah tipped her head to the side. “Why’s that?”
“I have a number of people not paying on time. Sebastian keeps saying I need to tighten the language in the contact and charge more for my services. Customers will take advantage of any loophole.”
“I have to agree. I struggled with the same when I first worked as an editor. Do I make authors sign a contract? Should I charge a deposit when I receive the booking or the manuscript? I realized if I wanted this side job to make enough money to be my full-time job, I need to be smart about it.”
“Would you mind looking at my contract?” I asked her, wanting to extend our relationship, even if it was business-related.
Sarah nodded. “I’d love to help. You’ve done so much for us.”
“I’d appreciate it if you could look at it when you have time.”
Sarah smiled, and the warmth went straight to my chest.
I wanted to close the distance between us and kiss her. I wanted to hold her in my arms and tell her she was doing everything right with Addy. I wanted to do nice things for her.
Instead, I pulled on my boots, feeling a little like I was jumping out of my skin. I’d said we were friends, and we were doing things that friends did. But it didn’t feel like any other friendship I’d ever had. My mind and my body were going in opposing directions. Then I stood and headed toward the front door.
Addy and Sarah were so grateful for the small gestures. It made me feel good. But I couldn’t forget my responsibilities. I needed to get some rest so I was fully functional on the farm tomorrow.
“Do you get any days off?” Sarah asked as she followed me, then grabbed a tin of what was most likely cookies.
“This year, I’m splitting my time between working on the farm and hanging lights on houses. I don’t have time for much else. It feels like I don’t have a life.” Although tonight was different.
Her hand landed on my arm. “I don’t believe that.”
“I’m so tired at the end of the night that all I do is grab something quick to eat and fall into bed. Then I get up and do it all over again the next day. Besides, Emmett isn’t as reliable as he used to be. He has late mornings with Ireland and early nights. I’m happy to work extra so he can have that time with his new girlfriend.”
She patted my arm before opening the door. “You should take care of yourself, too.”
“We just have to get through to January,” I said, repeating the familiar phrase my family had said for as long as I could remember. I stepped through the doorway and onto the porch.
She followed me outside, wrapping her sweater around herself. “You still have people buying trees after Christmas?”
“Not so much, but we have sales on our holiday décor, and people come out in droves for those. That keeps us busy from Christmas to New Year’s. Then we officially close for the season. Although, Ireland and Mom have been talking about keeping the barn open longer for Valentine’s Day. I guess we’ll see if that’s worthwhile.”
“I know it’s just a short time that you’re so busy, but I hate to see you do too much and exhaust yourself.”
Other than my mother and maybe Emmett, no one had ever worried about me like this.
Instead of expressing the emotions coursing through my body, I said, “I’ll be okay. I always am.”
“Thanks again for letting us pick out a tree and helping to put it up.” Then her eyes widened. “Are you sure I can’t pay you for this?” She made a move as if to go inside, and I stopped her with a hand on her elbow. “Don’t worry about it. Remember? It’s my gift to you.”
She smiled brighter than the lights on the porch. “Then that’s one of the best presents I’ve ever received.”
I moved closer to her, one hand moving to her hip. I brushed a strand of hair off her forehead. I wanted to drop my lips to hers and see if she tasted like cookies and cider, but I didn’t. “Then you haven’t been with the right guy.”
Her cheeks turned pink.
Before I could do something stupid like kiss the woman I said I wanted to be friends with, I forced myself to let go of her arm and stepped back. “Thank you for a nice evening. Please tell Addy the same.”
“I will,” Sarah said softly.
I turned and walked away. We were friends, but it didn’t feel right. Nothing felt as good as stepping close to her and imagining what it would feel like to kiss her.
This thing with Sarah and Addy was dangerous because I wanted a lot more than friendship. It started out as doing something nice for a single mom, but it had turned into so much more.
