But I wouldn’t think about that. We had never used pesticides, and since starting this journey, I’d followed the guidelines to the letter. Poured over them on long nights and long mornings with Gabe keeping me company. It was something I’d worked hard at, and something wewouldsucceed at.
I was sure.
But seeing her with him had me shaking with tension. I could feel the coil in my chest pulling tightly, winding me up in a way I didn’t normally like. I tried to keep positive. Every problem had a solution and staying upbeat until you figured it out normally helped me keep a level head, but there could not be a happy thought while Preston was around.
And especially not when he was around Sydney.
I threw open the door and walked up to the table.
“I trust you’ll do more than think about it,” Preston told her.
“What are we thinking about?” I asked as I approached, my voice tight.
Sydney looked shocked, and so did Preston for a moment before he schooled his features and left, but not before trying to make me an offer I would always refuse.
I felt much more relaxed as he left, but Sydney didn’t. I wanted to push, ask if there was anything wrong, but I didn’t want to upset her further. I grabbed the cup Preston left, too lazy to throw it away, and tossed it before sitting across from her.
“I have news from the inn.”
Her eyes widened. “How did you know?”
I didn’t want to admit I’d gone just to check on her. “I had to drop something off with Judy for my brother’s wife that I forgot earlier.” It was a small white lie, but one that kept me from seeming as obsessed with her as I seemed to be.
That fucking blue vibrator.
She nodded. “What did they say?”
“Your room is totally flooded and needs to be fixed before anyone can stay in there again.”
“So they’re going to move me?”
I shook my head. “With the Blossom Festival happening soon, they’re completely booked.”
Her gaze moved to her now-empty cup. “So now what?”
I laced my fingers in front of me, pressing my thumbs together harder than necessary. “Well, I assume staying with Matilda is not an option, so you could stay up at Hallow Hill. It’s the ski lodge, and while it’s nice, it’s pretty out of the way.”
A long sigh was drawn from her. “I guess. I don’t know how I’ll get down to the farm, though.”
“Or you could stay with me.”
My eyes flickered up to hers, and she was looking right back. The air between us seemed to be crackling, but I couldn’t tell if it was just me.
“Really?”
I swallowed but nodded. “I have a spare room. And that would make work easier.”
She contemplated for a moment before nodding, and when I smiled, she gave me a small one back, one of many I hoped to be gifted with.
Baby steps.
“Cool. Let’s go.”
Chapter eight
Sydney
My music came throughthe truck speakers as we made our way back to the farm.
