“Remember that treehouse my dad built, and we’d both have to go home for dinner and then we’d meet back out there?” I chuckled at the memory. “We’d sit in there, goofing around before the sun went down and it was time to go home.”
“Uh, yeah, I remember,” he said, getting out of the truck as we both headed straight for the stables. “You decorated the treehouse like you were moving into it permanently.”
I laughed as we made our way to the stalls and saddled up. “I think I would have lived out there with you back then. I hated when it was time to go home.”
“Yeah, me, too. We had a damn good childhood, didn’t we?” He smirked as he effortlessly slipped onto Han Solo. I dropped my purse in the stall and did the same as I followed him outside.
I waved at Silas as we trotted out of the barn.
The sky looked more like a watercolor painting. The yellows and oranges swirled together with a hint of gold.
“Yep. It was the best. That’s why I’ve always wanted to raise my kids here someday. Give them what I had. It doesn’t get any better than Cottonwood Cove.”
He glanced over his shoulder and smiled at me, and my stomach did some sort of weird flip. Maybe it was the fact that he’d become a big movie star in the time since I’d been gone, but Finn’s sex appeal was on par. Even more so than it normally was.
I was seeing Finn differently these days. Maybe because I was trying to figure out my future with Carl. Either way, Finn’s good nature, kindness, caring for me, and making me feel special were all things I wanted in a relationship, and sadly, I didn’t remember having those things with Carl. Things with Carl were never this easy.
“You want to race?”
“You sure you’re up for the challenge, Mr. Hollywood? I always was able to beat you, and Han Solo doesn’t know you the way Millie knows me.” I shifted and grabbed the reins.
“Don’t you worry about me, Miney!” he shouted as he took off. “Race you to the sunset.”
We were both flying now. I had to give him credit. His horse was new, but Han Solo had some serious wheels. The wind whistled around us, and I looked over a few times to see him smiling as he leaned forward to keep the momentum.
This was my happy place.
Surrounded by nature, the crisp chill in the air, and the smell of the ocean mixed with the pine surrounding us.
And my best friend riding beside me.
Trying to race the sun before it tucked behind the clouds, just like we’d done our whole lives.
My hair whipped around me, and we stayed right beside one another.
Stride for stride.
And we made it to the water… just before the sunset.
Gracie had her little hand in mine, and Finn was holding her hot chocolate as we walked through the maze of pumpkins. Cage had stepped away to take a work call, and we were going to meet up with Olivia, Georgia, Maddox, Hugh, and Lila to go for a hayride in a little bit. Brinkley and Lincoln were traveling for a game and in Chicago right now.
“Can you come to my tea party in two weeks, Ree Ree?”
“I would love to come. I’m guessing it’s at The Tipsy Tea?”
“Yep. Bossman got it for me, but I wanted to wait until you got back from the faraway place you went to so I could have my tea party with you, too.”
My heart squeezed. I adored little Gracie Reynolds. She was dressed as a bumble bee, and there was no cuter human on the planet. All the kids were wearing costumes, and they’d go trick-or-treating tomorrow night, as well.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Who all is coming?”
“My Bossman and Aunt Georgie are coming, and my Bossman called Miss Matilda and made it so I can have all of my peoples at the tea party. So, Daddy and Grammie and Pops. You and Uncle Finny.” She paused as she counted on her fingers. “Aunt Lila and Uncle Hughey, and Auntie Brinks and Links are going to fly home just for my tea party. We’re going to have tea and pumpkin spice cupcakes.” Her long brown curls bounced on her shoulders, surrounding her little cherub cheeks. She really was the most adorable thing I’d ever seen.
“I can’t wait. I’ll have to find a special dress to wear that day.”
She covered her mouth with her hands and squealed. “Yes. I’ve got a special wedding dress that Links got me, and Daddy said I can wear it to the party.”
“I can’t wait to see it.”
“Yeah, she’s been talking about this tea party for months, but she didn’t want to have it until Ree Ree got home,” Finn said with a laugh, bending down to give her a sip of her cocoa.
“Hey, Reese,” a deep voice said from behind me, and I turned around to see Carl waving at me. I glanced at Finn, and he gave me the slightest nod, letting me know they’d be fine if I stepped away.
“I’ll be right back, okay?” I said, and Gracie smiled with a chocolate mustache above her top lip, which made me laugh.
“Carl, hey,” I said, walking toward him.
His girlfriend stood a few feet away, but her eyes were on me.
“Hi, I thought that was you. Is that Gracie Reynolds? She’s getting so big,” he said, waving at her. I looked over to see Finn and Gracie both frowning at Carl and a loud laugh escaped.
“Yeah, she’s in kindergarten now.”
“And she’s definitely not a fan of mine. I guess she likes you with her uncle, huh?”
“I think she does, yeah,” I said, and my gaze kept moving over to Finn and Gracie. They were laughing now, and Finn dropped her hot chocolate cup into the trash can and scooped her up, settling her on his hip. I’d always loved how much he loved his family.
“She knows a good thing when she sees it,” Carl said, pulling my attention back to him. It was a sweet thing to say. But my gaze kept wandering back to Finn and Gracie, watching her head fall back in laughter as he tickled her cheek with his scruff.
“Thank you,” I said. “So, we’re good for Monday?”
“Yeah, I’m looking forward to getting started. I can’t wait to see your new office space, too. That’s exciting.”
“It is,” I said. “I just ran into my old neighbors, the Johnsons, and they said they are looking to do a remodel on their home, so I may have just landed another client.”
“Wow. Look at you go. I’m proud of you.”
It was all I’d wanted to hear for the longest time, but I was too distracted to get lost in the moment because Gracie was shouting something to me, and Finn was trying to get her to stop yelling for me.
“Listen, we’re going on a hayride, and I don’t want to make her wait any longer. I need to get going,” I said.
“Yeah, of course. I’ll see you on Monday.” He reached for my hand and squeezed it. He was trying.
This was what I’d wanted.
But I couldn’t get back to Finn and Gracie quickly enough.
I gently pulled my hand away and smiled. “I’ll see you then.”
I was tempted to look back to see if he was watching me, but for whatever reason, my gaze was locked on Finn and Gracie, who were waving at me and laughing.
I had no desire to look back.
And that was unexpected.
thirteen
Finn
I glanced down at my phone after I slipped on my boots. The family group chat was blowing up this morning.
Georgia
Big day today, Finny. Are you and Reese excited about the interview?
Hugh
You’re going to kill it. Glad you’ll have Reese with you. It’s about time you tell your side of the story.
Brinkley
Agreed. Just act natural. Forget that the whole world will be reading this.
Wow. That’s helpful, Brinks. Thanks.
Cage
Sorry, I’m trying to text, but fucking Maxine followed me into my office, and she’s trying to climb me like a tree right now.
Hugh
Maxine Brooks? The librarian? Isn’t she, like, eighty years old?
Brinkley
Maxine Brooks banned me from the library in high school because I put caution tape over a section of books that I felt were sexist to women.
Georgia
I think Maxine Brooks left town with her lover. I heard the guy was, like, forty years younger than her. She’s a cougar.
Cage