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“Get used to it. Three of us are in serious relationships now,” Heath said, never taking his eyes off me.
To be grouped with his brothers’ relationships felt good. For so long, I’d felt like an outsider, like I didn’t belong. But here at this table, and on this farm, I felt good. Like I was in the right place, doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing.
I snapped a selfie of me and Heath, then posted it to my social media with the caption, So thankful. My posts were almost entirely about work until recently. I’d posted pictures of the inn and the farm. My followers loved getting a glimpse into my personal life. If anything, my sales increased. I wondered if being authentic was the key to selling.
It was something I could discuss in my next live video.
“I’m so glad you’re here. That you decided to stay,” Heath said as we dug into the turkey and fixings.
“Me, too.” My chest was filled with that warm, expansive feeling Heath had talked about. And it wasn’t just being here with him; it was his family, the food, and the laughter. I felt like I belonged here.
When we finished, we sat around talking, and then everyone helped to clear the dishes. Emmett declared it was time for pie, and we decided to eat outside by the bonfire.
A table was set up with the various pies, plates, silverware, vanilla ice cream, and whipped cream. As we were getting slices, Cole asked, “Where are these pies from?”
“I made the pumpkin. But we got the rest from that place Marley was talking about. Pine Valley Farms,” Lori said.
“Aren’t they our competition?” Cole asked, his jaw tight.
“We don’t make pies, so I don’t think so,” Lori said.
Cole rubbed his chin. “They are competing with us when it comes to the farm and what we offer, though.”
Heath leaned over to touch his shoulder. “No business talk at Thanksgiving. We’re here to enjoy good food and great company.”
“I think the peach pie is amazing,” Talon said as he ate a large bite.
Cole shrugged Heath off, but thankfully he dropped the issue with the pies.
We sat around the fire, eating pie and drinking hot apple cider. The girls danced around us and dashed off to play tag. Eventually, they started roughhousing with Knox and Sebastian. Their high-pitched giggles filled the air.
“I’m looking for Marley,” a man said as he approached the fire.
His voice was familiar.
“Did we forget to close the gate?” Emmett asked.
He stepped closer so that the fire illuminated his face. “No one was at the inn.”
“Aiden, what are you doing here?” I shrugged Heath’s arm off my shoulder and stood to throw out my leftover pie.
“I came home to surprise you. I didn’t want you to be alone on Thanksgiving.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “I had dinner with the Monroes.”
A muscle ticked in his jaw. “Are you staying there? None of the rooms looked ready for guests at the inn.”
“I’ve been staying here during the renovations.” My heart was pounding under my arms.
“Where is here?” Aiden asked, his jaw clenched.
He should have been happy to see me, which meant that he suspected something was going on.
“I stayed with Heath while he was renovating. He has a cabin near the inn.”
Aiden tipped his head to the side. “Why didn’t you move in when it was habitable?”
“I was comfortable here.” Besides, I didn’t think of the inn as home.
