I’d added a wing to the ranch with a few extra rooms. It was too weird to sleep in my parents room, so I’d created a new primary bedroom suite large enough for a big guy like me. Maybe part of me hoped that I’d have a place for a family someday, but for now I had an office space, gym, library, and a few extra bedrooms that largely sat unused.
I padded into my room, Velma following after she’d filled her belly.
I tossed my cardigan on the bed, and she jumped up to curl into the warm fabric. I hadn’t bothered with anything other than my sweater and sleep pants after my shower the night before so it was quick work to dress for the day.
After brushing my teeth and a failed attempt at taming down my hair, I shoved a ball cap on my head in disgust.
I really needed to get a haircut sometime today.
I gave Velma a good head scratch before I left out the back French doors of my bedroom to my backyard. Living and working in the same area didn’t help my workaholic ways, but I didn’t mind the quick commute. Conscious that I needed some security, I’d built a wrought iron fence around my personal property.
I’d learned the hard way that having money made me a target for more unsavory types. Two break-ins had reminded me while Haven was a safe town, my life had changed in more than one way. I tapped my phone on the gate lock and it opened. Without me, people needed approval from a security app I’d had made for me.
Sounds of machines and trucks had me quickening my pace toward what used to be my family farm and into the future Wonderland. The cement truck had arrived to pour landing pads for the new sheds coming in a few days.
Molly waved at me. “Morning.”
“You’ve been busy. Why didn’t you call me?”
She shrugged. “Figured you needed to sleep in after all the work we did to get ready for the parade.”
“You did just as much work.”
“Yes, but I require less sleep than you, boss.”
“Shut up with the boss.”
Molly grinned. “So, you and Amber, huh?”
“We are definitely not talking about that.”
She snickered. “You two were looking mighty comfortable around each other. I didn’t realize you knew her that well.”
“I don’t. It was...a surprise.” I walked with her toward the back pasture. We’d left the maze up for the following weekend,but then that would come down and we’d ramp up the wow factor with the holiday lights I’d designed with a local artist.
I’d had the front pasture graded for the sheds, but kept the different elevations to make the village more interesting. Once the pads were poured, we could finish the path.The design had been created to spread them out so there would be a natural walking path between the small shops. I’d planted juvenile trees that would grow with time and hopefully create something people would come back to see year after year.
“It’s really coming together.”
“You’re changing the topic,” Molly said with far too much glee in her voice.
“Yeah, well there’s nothing else to say about Amber. She’s my neighbor.”
“Who had beard burn on her face and neck.”
I huffed out a breath. “Can we not?”
My best friend gave a little shrug. “For now.”
I jumped in to help with the frames to be poured. That, at least, I could handle. I knew my way around a nail gun and shovel.
I needed to make Haven Winter Wonderland a success. I’d sunk a huge chunk of my money into this.
It couldn’t fail.
9
amber
