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“Appreciate that, son,” Grandpa said. “One of the many benefits of living in a town like this one. That true family feeling.”
“This place does have that,” Nicole said. “I never felt like this in Hawaii.”
“Nope,” Tessa agreed.
“Boston was okay,” Aliza said, “but I didn’t have many people I could count on there. Not like here.”
Isabel thought about her time in Pennsylvania. She’d been content there. She’d been able to make a living and socialize now and then. If she hadn’t come back to Maplehaven, however, she may have never realized what she’d been missing. Staying in Pennsylvania may have resulted in her staying with Scott. There hadn’t been anything wrong with the guy. He just hadn’t been The One.
Not even close.
What she and Jackson had—what they’d had since they were teenagers—was so big and intense. Her relationship with Scott had been a total joke in comparison.
Why isn’t Jackson here already?
Her skin literally itched to have him touch her again. Last night, she’d dreamed he’d come home and she’d had the best sex dream she’d ever had. It had felt so real that when she’d awakened alone in her bed she’d felt like crying.
Just a few more days.
“Let’s take a walk to the pond,” Christian suggested. “It’s a nice clear night and good for stargazing.”
“Such a romantic,” Tessa teased.
“What?” Christian threw his hands out to his sides. “I’m trying to help my brothers get lucky tonight.” He knocked knuckles with Donovan and Landon before slinging his arm around Nicole and leading the group onto the trail that led to the pond on his property.
The sun had lowered in the sky, but it was still plenty light out for this trek across the farm. Isabel took in the pinkish-orange glow reflecting off the leaves of lush maples and beeches. Cornstalks whispered in the gentle summer breeze and a cluster of barn swallows held a Saturday night meeting in a tall birch.
Isabel drew in a deep breath of fresh mountain air. She hadn’t expected to end up here on any permanent basis, but she was glad she’d landed in Vermont.
Grandpa sidled up next to her, Blaze, Remi, and Delilah trotting ahead of them. He hooked his arm around hers and pulled her in for a quick side hug.
“I love having you here, Belly, and I’m so excited to see the resort take off.”
“Me too, Grandpa. I think we’re going to be putting something super special together.”
“Of course. The only thing better than one Perri on the job is two Perris on the job.” He wiggled her arm before releasing her. “I always wanted the cottages to be more and now they’re going to get their chance. Thanks to you.”
“Thanks to us. We’re doing this together.”
“It is important to have a good team, isn’t it?” He squinted up at the sky, the lowering sun casting streaks of pink light over his face.
“We’ll have the best team.”
“Indeed we will.” Grandpa gave her an odd little grin then he snagged a small branch from the ground and hurled it into the water. The dogs took off after it, making a huge splash.
When the noise of doggie splashing died down, a droning sound grew in volume and Isabel searched the sky over the lake. “What’s that?”
“Paleozoic dragonflies?” Christian offered, making everyone but Isabel chuckle.
The thwap-thwap-thwap echoed from behind her so she turned around. A black speck approached, getting lower as it drew closer.
A helicopter.
The cornstalks whipped around a bit as the chopper hovered over the field.
“Take it easy on my corn!” Christian hollered, but he was smiling when Isabel looked back at him.
She focused back on the helicopter. “Is that Charlie?”
