Finally, she said, “That sounds nice. Building something that lasts. Is that what we’re doing, Arch?”
Yes.The word crowded my throat. But old scars held me back. I glossed over it to another topic. “So, what about your time at Bellamy so far? Be honest. How has it been going?”
“Well, the CEO is a handful… and a mouthful,” came her wry reply.
That brought out my cocky grin, and didn’t help calm the heat in my groin for her. “So you say. Seriously though, tell me.”
She shook her head. “I’ve learned so much, kept so busy, the days have blurred. Caleb, well, he’s Caleb as I’m sure you can imagine.”
“Let me guess. He pawns most of the work on Maya, and her overflow falls on you and the others.”
“He prefers to call it delegating.”
“Figures.”
“I absolutely adore Maya, though. She’s an amazing leader. Takes her time to show me how to do something properly. Gives advice and suggestions where needed. Really cares about the team and our projects, and we all care about her. Too bad she’s not the project leader instead of Caleb.”
“Hm. Noted.” My mind set to work, strategizing. If Caleb ended up with Holden as his one and only client, leaving my firm, which, by the way, went totally against our company noncompete clause of the improved employee manual, I’d promote Maya immediately. We could solve many problems with a move like that.
We continued talking and laughing, getting to know each other even more. Every minute I appreciated how special she was. How the hell did I get so lucky to find her on that app? What were the odds Dax’s app would match me to the stepsister of my ex? No one I knew could have bet on this.
By the time we rolled down the main street of Holly Creek, I wanted her in bed for all the obvious reasons—and one less obvious one: to fall asleep with her tucked against my chest and remember what peace felt like.
Friendsgiving had to come first, though.
The town—famous for its over-the-top Christmas festivals—took the season seriously. Every lamppost proudly wore a red bow and a wreath. Strings of white lights looped back and forth across the road from post to post. Snowmen were fashioned on the main square lawn. And Santa rung a bell in front of Flora’s Diner, still packed even on the holiday.
In front of Vivian’s bakery, the sandwich board kept tally on the number of cookies by the dozen sold, in a tradition of competition between her and Flora.
“Cute town.” Penny pressed a hand to the side window, taking it all in.
A few locals waved as we drove by, friendly as ever, even if they didn’t know us. It hit me how long it had been since I’d slowed down enough to notice any of this.
The snow deepened as we left downtown. A few minutes later, we turned onto a long driveway lined with frosted pines. Ahead, the Buchanan country estate rose from the white like something out of a postcard, barn lights twinkling behind it.
Richard called it his farmette—the billionaire who’d once ruled New York City’s skyline and Buchanan Energy, now happily dabbled in Highland cows, horses, and chickens. With his kind of money, he could afford any hobby he wanted, even pretending to be an average farmer. Vivian had gifted him a pair of green John Deere overalls and straw cowboy hat to complete the look for his birthday last year.
“Okay. I’m officially nervous.” Penny’s knee wiggled up and down.
“Hey, no worries. You’ll fit right in.”
“Tell me more about them again?”
“I’ve been friends with Rex and Richard for a long time. They’re more of the bosshole variety, even more than I am, if you can imagine. Keaton is laid back but will require you to taste test five new flavors of his latest brews. And Brooks—well, he’s not as adorable as me, but very likable.” I winked.
“And their wives?” Her knee didn’t stop. What made her so worried? I had never seen her like this.
“Well, it goes without saying that they’ll be jealous of your beauty. I expect cat fights the minute we walk in the door.”
“Shut up.” She chortled playfully, slapping my arm.
“Let me see. How to describe the wives? Honestly, that’s difficult. They each complement their husbands. Chelsea?—”
“The TV personality?”
“Exactly. She’s smart, and sweet, and somehow keeps Rex in line. Between her and Vivian—cousins—I don’t know which one would take you under their wing more and be the best friend you’ve ever had. Maisy and Sophie are besties, so, you know, they’re impossible to break apart. But all of them are career women and well respected, and wonderful mothers. There will be a bunch of kids running around too because these husbands and wives reproduce like rabbits.”
She twitched her lips. “And they know about us… about our situation?”
