Not because he’s been difficult. If anything, he’s been the opposite. Professional. Respectful. Careful not to linger too long in my presence.
But I miss the easygoing routine we once had.
Miss the lively meals with the kids.
Miss sitting with him once the house has grown quiet at night.
Miss seeing him smile.
Headlights sweep into the room, and I glance out the window to see Joshua’s truck pull up. I take one last look at my reflection — sweater dress, knee-high boots, hair loose. Content with my appearance, I grab my coat and head for the door, slipping out through the separate entrance so I don’t have to walk through the house.
Don’t have to face Hayden.
Cold air greets me immediately, smelling of pine and chimney smoke. Everything I’ve come to love about Sycamore Falls.
Joshua is halfway up the porch steps when I call out, “Hey. I’m here.”
He turns, a smile spreading across his face. “Were you waiting outside?”
“There’s a separate entrance to the in-law suite,” I explain, hooking a thumb in its direction.
“I see.” He skims his eyes over me, lingering on my legs long enough to make me feel appreciated. “Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
When we arrive at Holley Ridge a short while later, it looks like something out of a postcard. I’ve driven by this place a few times, but have never actually stepped foot on the property. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen.
Lights wrap around every railing and tree branch, reflecting off the lake beyond. Snow-capped mountains rise in the distance. But even with the Christmas festival drawing crowds, the restaurant itself is hushed — soft music playing overhead, candles flickering on each table.
“This is beautiful,” I tell Joshua after our wine is poured. “Have you worked here long?”
“Since I turned sixteen. At first, it was just seasonal. They hold a harvest festival with a pumpkin patch and tractor rides during the fall before switching gears and decorating for Christmas. That was before they built this inn and restored the barn for weddings. After that, I started working full time, doing various odds and ends before Parker made me her head groundskeeper.”
“It sounds like you love it,” I remark thoughtfully.
“I do.” His expression brightens. “It might sound cheesy, but I’ve always loved this place. Always loved what I do. It may not be as prestigious as being a lawyer or doctor, but I really enjoy working here. Love taking care of the grounds. Love that every day is different.”
“Prestige doesn’t matter,” I tell him with a slight roll of my eyes. “I think a lot of parents put pressure on their kids to follow a certain path. In my opinion, a high-paying or prestigious job doesn’t equal success. I hated being a lawyer. It was never my dream, just something I did because I thought it would make my father proud. It took a health scare for me to realize I’d wasted years of my life trying to make my father give a shit about me when the only thing I was good for in his eyes was continuing his legacy. So I left.”
“Have you spoken to your parents since then?” Joshua asks.
“I’ve sent them a few postcards from my travels, but I haven’t reached out. Maybe it sounds selfish, but this journey has been about protecting my peace and cutting people out of my life who don’t do that.”
“Like your parents.”
“Exactly.” I take a sip of my wine. “They’d probably lose their minds if they learned I was working as a nanny right now. But I actually like it better than working at that stuffy law firm. If anything, that job prepared me for this one.”
Joshua furrows his brow. “How so?”
“Many of my clients acted like toddlers when they didn’t get their way. Toddlers, at least, can be reasoned with. Grown adults? Not so much.”
He laughs, and the sound winds its way deep inside me. He’s so carefree and open. He shares things, doesn’t hide his emotions.
Unlike Hayden, who seems to keep his feelings locked up tight.
Throughout dinner, our conversation continues. To my surprise, there’s no shortage of things to talk about. It feels like I’ve known him much longer than the few days I have. He seems interested in everything I have to say.
He asks questions. Listens. Doesn’t interrupt. Doesn’t compete.
