Page 122 of On One Condition

“Jesus,” I mutter, but my smile only grows wider as hope begins to swell in my chest from an idea that’s slowly forming. “You two . . .”

“Please know that it’s taking everything I have to bite my tongue right now and not razz the fucking shit out of you over this,” Callahan says as I chuckle. “I’m showing you mercy, brother, but it’s coming. There’s no way Mr. I’m-Not-Falling-in-Love falls in love and gets away with it scot-free from us.”

“Thanks for the warning.”

“Hey, Ledge?”

“Yeah?”

“Go get your lavender girl. You’ve waited fifteen years. I don’t think you should waste another minute,” Ford says. Or Callahan. I’m not sure which one, but it doesn’t fucking matter.

I already have more important things on my mind.

CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO

Asher

“Asher?”

“Yes. Hi,” I say, even though I already know from Caller ID that it’s Hillary.

“Hillary here.”

Dread drops into my stomach. Does she know I haven’t secured the loan yet? That I can’t fulfill my promises? Certainly the town rumor mill has already filled her in. “Hi. How are you?”

“Good. Great. Look, I have a prospective client coming into town in an hour. They’re a huge client of S.I.N. resorts. He’s extremely interested in seeing The Fields because he’s looking for a spot to hold quarterly meetings and the like. Is it possible for you to show him around?”

“Um. Yeah. But I’m not in town—”

“When can you get into town? What time? I only have him here for the day, and he really wants to meet with you and see if it’s a good fit.”

“But not everything’s done yet,” I say, my thoughts scrambled as I glance at the clock. It’s four in the afternoon. Tonight? What the hell?

“That’s okay. I explained that to him and he’s fine with it. Where are you? What time can you get here? Seven p.m.? Eight p.m.? Eight might be best so the lights can be on and the whole mood can be set.”

“Eight.” I make a split-second decision. “Eight is fine. I’ll call George and have him get everything we have set up so it looks perfect when he gets there.”

“Good. Thank you for doing this. I know it’s last minute.”

“No, thank you.”

I’m on an adrenaline high when I hang up. Funny how I’d already packed my bags given the decision I’d made earlier today.

It’s time.

It’s time to go home.

CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE

Asher

Traffic.

Who would have thought I’d encounter traffic on the way home? But sure enough, I did. I’m going twice the speed limit down the road leading to my house. Luckily no one is on it because it’s ten minutes till eight, and the last thing I want to do is screw this up and be late.

When I turn the corner and The Fields comes into view, it takes me a second to believe it’s mine. The lights illuminating the trees. The spotlights on the barn. The dark silhouette of the hill behind it.

It’s mine.