“He won’t dare pull that shit.” A muscle clenches in Callan’s jaw. “He stands to suffer way worse reputational damage if we speak to the media. Can’t imagine it would do great things for their share price either. That threat alone will be enough to silence him.”
“You’re not just saying this to make me feel better?”
“Nope. The legal teams will thrash it out, and we’ll come out on top. Please don’t worry about it, and none of this is your fault. Feels like I need to say that.” Callan catches a stray strand of myhair, tucking it behind one ear. “You’re not responsible for his actions, and I don’t want you taking that guilt on. Okay?”
“All right.” I cock my head to the side and plant my hands on my hips. “But I’m paying for utilities, and it’s nonnegotiable.”
“Whatever you want.” The most glorious smile crests over his mouth, and it feels like I’m bathing under the glow of my own personal sun.
We stare at one another, and it’s as if the outside world ceases to exist. My smile grows, matching his, as hope swells in my chest. “This feels like the right path.”
“You’re back where you belong. Where you were always meant to be.”
73
ASTRID
The next two months fly by as life settles into a regular routine. Early morning swims are the norm before I get ready in the guest cottage to head to work at my office on Travis’s land. The new GH Construction office has its own access, separate from Travis, Jessie, and Marlon’s beautiful ranch-style home. It’s situated in front of their large supply warehouse, and they had built a small outbuilding without any real purpose in mind.
The day after I moved into Whispering Cottage, Travis and Callan presented me with a proposal, offering a reasonable price if I wanted to rent the outbuilding and use it for my new consultancy. I jumped at the chance and threw myself into setting up my office, creating a design showroom, and registering my business. The guys are now offering my services to their clients as an optional add-on, and they get a small cut of any new business I secure. I am also slowly building my own client portfolio, with most recommendations coming from word of mouth or via my Insta page. The rest of my time is spent sorting out the jumbled thoughts and emotions in my head.
My parents flew in to talk to me, and we spoke openly about everything. I have a greater understanding of why they did what they did, even if I don’t agree it was the right call. Callan told them about the rape, and my mom was inconsolable. Before they returned to Sweden, Callan hosted a barbecue with family and friends, and some other hurts were healed.
Callan has respected my request for privacy and space to sort out my head, and he lets me steer all our interactions. He is still seeing his therapist, and I’ve begun seeing a lady in town, needing help to work through everything that happened.
Most weeknights, I eat alone, but on the weekends, I eat with Callan and Darcy at the main house. Callan and I take turns cooking, or we do it together. Sometimes, we eat dinner with our friends, either at one of their houses or at a restaurant. The girls have readily accepted me into their friend group, and I enjoy spending time with them. A few times, we’ve had Sunday lunch at his parents’ house. It’s remarkable how easily everything has slotted back into place, and sometimes, I forget that any separation has existed at all.
Being back in Ryemont is as easy as breathing, and I haven’t felt this content in a long, long time.
I go walking with Darcy and Roni some evenings in the woods, and during weekends, I join Callan and Darcy on a bike ride or a hike, or we mess around in the lake. I even went fishing with Callan and Travis one time, but it wasboringwith a capital B.
I’m trying to bond with Callan’s daughter and not hold her mother against her, but it’s challenging. Some days, I can’t get past it. Knowing she’s a part of Callan and a part of Gwenhurts. Other days, I mostly forget, getting sucked into her playfulness, giggling and joking with her, until she tosses her hair a certain way that reminds me of Gwen, and I’m back to square one.
A rap at the door sprouts instant butterflies in my chest, and I’m smiling as I grab my bag and walk to greet Callan. Dara is visiting, and Darcy is spending the weekend at the Hunts, hanging out with her grandparents, her uncle, and her cousin. Rory is a live wire, and Darcy adores him, dragging him around the woods, showing him all her favorite insects. When Callan asked if I wanted to spend Saturday afternoon together, I thought of declining—he didn’t call it a date, but I know that’s what it is— but I don’t want to. He’s been incredibly kind and patient, and I want to start letting him in.
I yank the door open and smile. “Hi.”
“Hi.” His gaze skims respectfully over me. “You look beautiful.” He produces a bunch of wildflowers from behind his back. “For you.” I recognize them from the garden. I’ve been helping Darcy and Callan take care of the gardens. Having fresh fruit, vegetables, and herbs on my doorstep reminds me of growing up in my family home and the small patch I had cultivated. Callan admitted I was the inspiration for starting his, but it’s way more ambitious than anything I’ve ever grown.
“Thank you. Come in while I put these in water.”
I dump my bag on the small table in the hall and stride into the kitchen to grab a vase.
“I love what you’ve done with the cottage.” Callan smiles appreciatively as he glances around the open-plan living space.
“You said you didn’t mind if I redecorated.”
“I don’t. It needed a bit of TLC, and it looks way better than anything I could have done.”
“Nonsense.” I arrange the flowers in the pretty rustic vase and carry it to the small circular dining table. “You are selling yourself short. The main house is stunning, and you did it all by yourself.”
His lips tug up at the corners. “I robbed your designs, Astrid.”
“You still pulled it all together, and I’m impressed.” On instinct, I lean in and kiss his cheek. “Accept the compliment, Callan.”
“Thank you,” he croaks, lifting his fingers to his cheek.
Heat crawls up my neck, and it’s embarrassing I’m blushing like a teenager again. “Come on. I’m ready for my surprise.” Callan wouldn’t tell me what he has planned. I grab my bag and a cardigan, in case I need it. We’re having record temps for mid-September, but a girl should always be prepared.
