“I was outside taking a picture of this place, then gave the camera to Paddy so he can take more pictures of Irene’s pies.” Grandma beamed at them, eyes twinkling as she looked from one to the other. “Well, now, isn’t this cozy?”
Lila groaned. “Not you too.”
“Oh, I haven’t said a word,” Grandma said sweetly. “Yet.”
TJ laughed, shaking his head. “I think I’ll take that as my cue to leave before I end up volunteered for more food testing.” He slid on his jacket, gave Lila one last smile, and stepped out into the autumn sunshine.
Grandma watched him go, humming. “Mm-hmm,” she said at last. “He walks like a man who doesn’t know whether he’s coming or going.”
Lila stared after him, her pulse still unsteady. “You’re not helping,” she murmured.
Grandma’s grin widened. “Oh, child, I don’t think he needs help. He’ll find his way.”
Lila wasn’t so sure. But as she caught herself smiling, she thought maybe Grandma wasn’t wrong. TJ was conflicted, and part of her hoped she was the reason. But he’d only been in town a couple of weeks. Still, she’d heard of people falling in love quick like and having that love last a lifetime. She could only hope.
“Grandma?”
“Yes, child?”
“How long did it take you to fall in love with Doc?”
Grandma smiled. “Well, let me tell you…”
The next morning, mist once again clung to the hills and settled on low fields in a silver fog.
TJ brushed a horse, preparing to saddle it. He needed the air and some quiet space to think. Ethan, Luke, and Caleb were already there when he arrived, talking low and laughing about something their father said at breakfast. He wasn’t sure how much quiet he’d get.
TJ’s boots padded across the straw-strewn aisle to the tack room, and three heads turned.
“Morning, sunshine,” Luke said with a grin. “We figured you’d show up eventually. Mom said you’re too restless to sit still.”
“Coffee?” Ethan offered, holding up a thermos.
TJ waved it off. “No thanks.” He entered the tack room, brought out a saddle, blanket, and bridle, and began tacking up the horse. “You guys going for a ride?”
Caleb raised an eyebrow. “Yes, I would think our saddled horses would be an indicator, brother.”
TJ gave him a playful smirk and continued to saddle his horse. It didn’t take long before the four were in the chill air, hooves thudding against the damp ground. They followed the familiar trail that wound around the vast property. They followed it to some stands of pine atop the ridge that overlooked the famous Jones Ranch and Clear Creek Valley.
Up here, the mist was burning off, revealing streaks of sunlight breaking through the clouds. For a while, no one spoke. They just stared at the sprawling horse ranch below.
Ethan broke the silence. “All right, TJ, out with it. You’ve been wound up tighter than a bungee cord since the festival. What’s going on? Still having girl trouble?”
TJ exhaled hard through his nose and tightened his hold on the reins. “I don’t know,” he said at last. “I thought coming home for a time would give me some clarity about what I want to do next. Instead, I feel like I’m straddling two worlds that don’t fit together.”
“You mean England and Oregon?” Luke asked, stating the obvious. “Don’t tell me you’re thinking of going to Paris or someplace like Norway, next.”
TJ rolled his eyes. “I know I’ve been traveling a lot the last eight years, and Cornwall’s been the latest stop. I thought I could settle there, It’s a great place. But after a year, it still doesn’t feel right.”
He stared ahead at the hills, his throat thick. “I thought I knew what I wanted and what I was chasing. Research, discovery…” He hesitated, then added quietly, “But now there’sLila. She’s sweet, kind, and just plain good. But I’m the opposite. Not that I’m bad, before any of you makes a remark.”
His brothers laughed at that. TJ smiled and kept going. “Think about it, you guys. I travel for work, live out of a suitcase half the time. I mean, what kind of future is that for anyone?”
Caleb rode up alongside him. “So, what are you saying? You care about her, but you don’t think you should?”
“I’m saying that…” TJ struggled to find the words. “Maybe it’s this place. Clear Creek does something to a person. You breathe the air, and it tricks you into thinking you could stay forever. But I’ve been gone too long. I don’t know if I’m seeing clearly anymore.”
Luke whistled long and low. “And you think leaving will help?”
