Russ didn’t have to think very hard to find the answer to that one. The muscle memory of holding Alice close, of her nearness, was so strong it appeared in his dreams at night.Almost. “No.”
She rubbed his arm. “Sounds like I can give you a whole lot more than she can.”
Russ got caught up in the hungry look in Gabriella’s eyes.
“I’m here, Russ. I’m right here, and I want to take you home to California with me. With your raw talent and my connections, we can take the city by storm.”
Feeling himself pulled in, he let Gabriella kiss him once and then once again. Her kisses were rough and grabby, yet exciting. The idea that Gabriella wanted him created a sense of euphoria. She was loved the world over, and she was offering her love tohim. What man wouldn’t be flattered at her advances?
“Money flows freely out west, Russ,” she whispered between kisses. “You can have everything you’ve ever wanted. …Everything.” Pressing tightly against him, Gabriella deepened the kiss.
She was right. There was only so much money to be made in what he was currently doing. He didn’t need to limit himself. She was offering to back him, to introduce him to all the right people. Practically handing him a name that opened doors, financial freedom, his work seen by millions. This was his opportunity. He’d be a fool to say no … yet a part of him held back.
Alice.
What would a move mean for the two of them?
Alice would want this for me. She’d always told him to go for his dreams, to find his limits and then soar past them. She’d be proud of his success. “Okay.”
Gabriella squealed and bounced in her seat. “You’re going to love it!” She pulled out her phone. “I’m calling my agent; youhaveto meet him.”
Russ laughed, caught up in her obvious joy. He took another sip of water as Gabriella invited her agent to Harvest Ranch.
The cool liquid was like an alarm clock set to three in the morning: it pulled him slowly out of the dreamlike state Gabriella induced and back to his cushioned chair. Even though he’d only lived in Harvest Ranch for a few years, he’d put some roots down pretty deep. The library would have to find someone else for the board. He’d have to sell his house, or maybe find a renter.
And he’d have to tell Alice.
Suddenly not hungry, Russ pushed his plate away. Saying goodbye to Harvest Ranch would be hard enough; saying goodbye to Alice was something else altogether. It wasn’t that he couldn’t do it. He’d done hard things his whole life. In truth, he just plain didn’twantto leave her.
Gabriella giggled and brushed her bumpy lips across his cheek, infecting him with her enthusiasm.
What was he worried about? They had phones, email, Zoom. He didn’t have to lose Alice. Hecouldhave it all. Standing on the edge of that cliff wasn’t nearly as scary knowing he’d have AliceandGabriella.
At this moment, he believed his chance had finally come.
Chapter Ten
Russ and Alice wandered through the Fall Festival’s arts and crafts section. They passed a booth featuring honey and all things bees, run by a pair of twins. His head spun watching them flit from customer to customer, answering questions and selling wares.
Next to them was a furniture and décor booth. While not as busy, it was still a hive of activity. “See anything you want?” he asked.
Alice eyed the bar-height farm-style table—the centerpiece of the booth. “I wish I had a place to put that.”
He grinned. “It’s fit for a king.”
“Or queen.” She hooked her arm through his and tugged him along.
They reached the section of the field where people could rent a booth for a few days. More of a yard sale or estate sale section, there were family heirlooms for purchase alongside the latest game consoles.
Alice delighted in the engraved silver spoons, the handmade lace bedspread, the embroidered napkins, and even the nightstand with a heart around the initials M and T carved into the side. Russ fidgeted with tags, unable to focus on much.
Gabriella had said good night to Russ with a long, slow kiss that did a great job of distracting him from his doubts, but as soon as the sun came up, they were right there, staring him in the face. Harvest Ranch was his home base. Moving here had freed him from the “just getting by” mentality of his dingy New York apartment. This in turn bolstered his confidence and inspiration. He wanted to cling to the safety blanket and stay comfortable and warm.
Yet he understood that without risk, there was little reward. How could he ask God to provide opportunities for advancement in his field if he wasn’t willing to jump on them? Even though his stomach twisted at the thought of booking a flight, he’d given Gabriella the go-ahead to set up meetings with a few people in a couple weeks. Perhaps by then he’d be used to the idea, and his anxiety symptoms would abate.
To take his mind off his future, he vowed to focus on every moment he had left in Harvest Ranch, starting with this one right here, right now, with Alice.
Holding up two matching crystal goblets, Alice said, “I wonder why there are just two.”
