I go inside and wash my face, change into pajamas, and curl up in bed with my laptop. Normally my bedtime ritual involves finding the cool festivals and town events within a ten-hour drive, to start planning where I'll go next. Tonight I check out the Old Hemlock Valley website, since I know I’ll be staying a bit longer.
Oh. Wow.
For twenty minutes, I fall down the rabbit hole that is this beautiful town. I read how all the shops support each other. How the whole town pitches in if anyone needs help.
There are direct emergency contacts for almost everything – not just names, but their personal phone numbers. A photo of the lone police officer, James Ashworth, who I’ve seen strolling around town, saying hello to everyone. In fact, I’m pretty sure itwas him I spotted stealing a few of someone’s fries out on the patio of Jim’s Pizza the other night.
I keep reading. Apparently there was a power outage a few weeks ago that endangered people in a nearby area, but a few of the Wolfe brothers jumped in to save the day together with some local mechanics…got them all water and food, and checked if they needed batteries or anything. There’s a photo of Kai with several huge guys: two of them definitely look like they’re his brothers.
There's a spring sidewalk sale. An annual pie festival. A lighthearted rivalry between the restaurants in Old Hemlock Valley, West Stoneburg, and Cedarvale. Plus references to the Wolfes all over the place. The extended family must be huge.
It would be heartless to tear Kai away from all these town traditions. Not that he’d necessarily want to leave his life and travel with me, but I’m sure that he couldn't even if hedidwant to.
Which means our relationship has a time limit…unless I suddenly change all my plans and goals for someone I’ve just met.
I don't know what to think about that.
I didn't anticipate that I'd be looking to settle down for several years, but for Kai…and the way he makes me feel… I can't help but let the thought float through my mind as I fall into a tangled sleep, wishing his thick arms were around me.
11
KAI
I’ve always been the kind of person to jump right out of bed, excited to face the day. Mom says I’m "full of beans"…whatever that means.
I stare out my back window, the rich scent of brewing coffee filling my mind with both energy and possibilities. What is Leah like on a normal morning? When we were in New York, we went to a fantastic restaurant, then spent time sightseeing. Certainly not an average twenty-four hours.
Well, Leah loves traveling. Maybe checking out a new restaurant every day is what, to use another one of my mother’s pet phrases, floats her boat.
I haven't been this excited in a long time. It's funny: just a few days ago, this was my dream house. Now that I'm hoping Leah will move in as soon as possible, I'm eager to make any changes she wants. A hot tub. A pool. Greenhouse. An extension on the back with tons of skylights if she needs a yoga room. Does she do yoga?
Bottom line, I want Leah to have a place that's a lot more comfortable than a motor home. Even though I admire her courage and tenacity, living in such a place.
I fill a large lime green mug with coffee, then take it out to the back yard to pace for a bit. There’s been some talk recently about the health benefits of getting morning sunlight in your eyes, but I’ve been doing it for years. Get up and go outside, even if it’s just for five minutes. Okay, in the dead of winter it’s barely two. Still counts.
My steps today are erratic. I miss Leah. I'm already addicted to her. Every detail. Every flutter of her eyelashes, every curve of her perfect pink lips. The way she looks at me, pausing before she makes a little joke, as if wondering how I'll take it.
I'm not at all offended that she wanted some time alone – I've been told I have a “big energy” that might take some getting used to. The last thing I want to do is overwhelm the poor girl, or turn her off.
It was never my intention to try to impress her, yet she seemed so dazzled when we dropped by Palmerston Eals’ studio so I could choose a few more of his paintings. That’s what I’d love to use my wealth and connections for: dazzling Leah and making her happy.
My phone beeps, and I nearly spill my coffee while yanking it out of my jeans pocket. Leah?
No, it's just Kane, reminding me that we need to figure out a few more ways to give money back to the town this year.
It’s an interesting idea that my brothers and I are taking seriously, while trying to maintain our usual casual approach. We used to fund things around town totally anonymously. The whole family has done that for decades. Kept our charitable contributions on the down low. These days, it’s an open secret.
Take the school expansion, for instance. We’re not putting our logo on anything, that would be tacky, but if anyone asks, it’s okay for them to know that Wolfe Security is footing the bill.
Kane has been after us to keep brainstorming ideas of how to boost the area, both for the locals and the summer influx of tourists passing through.
I text him that I'm still thinking about it, then can't resist sending Leah a note.
Good morning. I know it's a bit early, but may I take you out for brunch?
It will be much mellower than yesterday's. No skyline views.
By the time I shower and dress, she's responded.
