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“Heath will take them back to the neighbor’s farm. It’s the one that borders Emmett’s side. I think Callum’s family refers to it as King’s Ranch.”
She gazed out over the land. “Your property is larger than I thought.”
“Over the years, Dad wanted to sell parts of it when we fell on hard times, but Mom wouldn’t let him. Even though it’s his inheritance, she’s always identified with the land. She couldn’t let go of it.”
“That was smart of her. And brave. I couldn’t imagine needing to sell off land to survive.”
“We always came up with another way to increase the revenue. It’s a continuing theme.”
“I think you’ve done a wonderful job with the farm.”
“We probably need to spread the word more so that people travel past Pine Valley Farm and visit us. But Emmett is against too much marketing. He’s worried it will bring in more people.”
Sarah shook her head. “But don’t you want more people so you can earn more money?”
I chuckled. “That’s the part that Emmett struggles with. Our business is people, not just the farm. And he doesn’t like people.”
“How can he not like people?” Addy asked, and I realized my mistake, speaking so openly in front of a child.
“He doesn’t like to be around a large crowd. It makes him nervous.”
Addy nodded. “That makes sense. I don’t like to speak in front of the class.”
“I’d imagine it’s just like that.” I breathed a sigh of relief that I hadn’t messed up with her too badly. “This is our home. We want to make money off the farm while still maintaining our privacy. Right now, we only have visitors from Thanksgiving until New Year’s. Then we’re by ourselves for the rest of the year.”
Addy nodded eagerly. “Like Santa. He’s busy those few weeks.”
“I’d imagine he’s busy all year building the toys.”
“You think so?” Addy asked.
I shrugged. “How could he make all those toys in just a few weeks?”
Addy was thoughtful for a few seconds. “I guess you’re right.”
I felt Sarah’s gaze on the side of my face, and when Addy wasn’t looking, I winked at her.
She responded with a grin, and the warmth of her smile spread through my chest. The carriage ride was a good decision. Sarah liked it when I included Addy in our plans. But it was more than that. I enjoyed all of us hanging out as much as I enjoyed alone time with Sarah.
I wondered if they’d spend the night again or if I’d have to say goodnight before I was ready. I held out hope for more but assumed it would be a while before I had Sarah to myself again. I wanted to pick up where we left off last night.
“My sister wants me to go out for a girls’ night next weekend.”
“Yeah?” I asked, wondering what that entailed.
“She promised me it would be low-key. Just dinner and drinks.”
“That sounds like fun.”
“Yeah, I haven’t been out in a long time.”
“You need me to watch Addy? We could have a movie and pizza night.”
“Can we?” Addy asked.
Maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned it in front of Addy without talking to Sarah first.
“Remember? Grandma and Grandpa had plans to make cookies. Maybe another time.”
