“I’ll do that.” Noah picked up the drone and slipped it into its case. “Do you want me to take this back to your truck?”
“That would be great.”
Cassie closed the laptop. “I’ll take this. We’ll wait for you by the picnic tables.”
Willow smiled and handed Cassie her keys. “I won’t be too long.”
Noah watched Willow stride toward one of the properties. She was a good example of the type of person he would least expect to be living here. Willow could have lived anywhere in the world but, for some reason, she’d chosen to live in a small town on the edge of Flathead Lake.
“What is it about Sapphire Bay that draws people to it?”
Cassie shrugged. “For some people it’s the scenery. For others, it’s the quiet, peaceful lifestyle. Then you’ve got people like me who are starting over and don’t want to live in a big city.”
He looked into her eyes. “Would you ever live in a big city again?” He held his breath while she considered his question.
“Maybe, but I’d have to find a way of balancing city life with what I have here.”
“There aren’t many places that could give you even half the things you’ve found in Sapphire Bay.”
“That’s why I’d have to think about it carefully.” Cassie slid the laptop into its case. “One day, I want to have children. But I can’t imagine raising them in a city like New York. It’s too noisy and polluted.”
“Living in a city gives you opportunities you won’t find anywhere else.”
“Probably, but life is what you make of it. Those opportunities will always be there, no matter where you live. What about you?” she asked. “Would you ever consider living anywhere apart from Manhattan?”
He knew Cassie would be disappointed with his answer, but it was the truth. “I need to be close to work.”
“What about when you have a family? Would you still stay in New York City?”
“If I had a choice, I wouldn’t want my children growing up in a big city. But sometimes, you don’t get a choice.”
“You always have a choice.” Cassie placed the strap of the laptop bag over her shoulder. “We’d better put Willow’s laptop and drone in her truck.”
He touched Cassie’s arm. “Once I’ve achieved what I need to do with Wilson Enterprises, we could live somewhere else.”
“You’re assuming I’ll move.”
Noah frowned. “I have to be there, Cassie.”
She looked into his eyes and sighed. “I know. It’s just…”
“What?” he asked softly.
“I’ve seen what big cities can do to people. It’s too easy to get lost in the crowds and lose sight of what’s important. I want my life to be more than that. I want to make a difference.”
“You could make a difference in New York City.”
Cassie’s eyes filled with regret. “I want to help people in Sapphire Bay.”
Noah let go of her arm. “Can’t you do both?”
“Maybe, but it won’t be easy.” Cassie looked across the yard. “We’d better take this equipment back to Willow’s truck. She’ll be finished soon.”
Noah hesitated. If he didn’t make some kind of compromise, Cassie would never move to Manhattan. “What if we could divide our time between New York and Montana for twelve months? After that, we can talk about moving back here or to another town.”
Cassie seemed shocked. “Why would you do that?”
“Because I love you.”
