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What if I’m not ready to love again and ruin it by rushing anything?
“Dude.”
I glance at Caleb. “Huh?”
“We’re here…” He raises one brow.
We are. I have no clue how long it’s been since he set the truck in park and turned off the engine. I’ve been so lost in my thoughts that I zoned out, and I hate that he’s witnessing my struggle. I should be able to figure this out. I’m not an idiot, and I loathe how off my game this—she—makes me feel.
“Yeah. Sorry.” I force a quick, short chuckle. “Just tired and zoned out.”
“Maybe the drive up here rattled your brain too much.”
We exit the truck and head toward the house. He angles more to the side, to go to the cottage he shares with Lauren, while I trudge toward the house. “Wouldn’t surprise me. I’m half tempted to just pay for the construction to redo it all.”
He laughs, but shakes his head. “Nah. People around here are proud. They won’t want to just take charity for the hell of it.”
He’s got a point. I’m a generous man, but my giving is usually done through my foundations. It never feels good to receive something unwarranted. It’s grounds for imposing awkwardness for one thing. That’s why I operate with my foundations the way I do. I provide assistance, but with a merit system, that those who earn contributions are also contributing themselves by working their jobs they get and so forth. I don’t want to just give money away. I want to pay it forward to the next generation and help the recipients have futures and goals to live for, too.
I can’t find Aubrey anywhere, and when Lauren passes me in the hallway, she doubles back to give me a quick hug hello. “Catch a lot of fish?”
“Not really. But that wasn’t the point, anyway.”
She smiles.
“We had fun.”
“I’m glad. Are you looking for Aubrey?”
I mentally freeze at her words. Uh-oh. Looks like Aubrey enjoyed her girl time too. Kissing and telling now? Still, I stick with honesty. “Yeah, I am, actually.”
“She headed to the library earlier and hasn’t been back yet.”
I wince. “Dammit. She could’ve returned my copy of the thriller I couldn’t get into.”
“Oh, well, I’ll drop it off.” Her expression falls. “I forgot that you’re leaving soon.”
I nod, hating it too. “In a week.”
“Wow.” She shakes her head and sighs. “Are you excited to get back to the city?”
No. “Somewhat. I’ve got meetings I can’t miss.”
Marian comes through, stopping short when she sees us. “Oh! Welcome back, Dalton. Lauren, I think those sprinklers are going to flood your garden.”
Lauren gasps. “Shoot! I forgot to set a timer!” She runs down the hall, dashing away.
“Has she always had a green thumb?” I tease after she leaves.
Marian giggles. “I think she’s just hoping she has one.” Hooking her arm with mine, she steers me toward the kitchen. “How was fishing? Come chat while you help me in the kitchen.”
I chuckle. “But I don’t know your system.”
“I’m sure you can’t screw up removing corn husks,” she jokes.
Within moments, she’s got me set up with her. I sit on a chair near the pile of husks we’ll use to compost, and she stands closer to the sink rinsing berries she’ll bake in a pie. After I tell her about the fishing trip—which was mostly small talk—she mentions my departure.
“I’ll be sorry to see you go,” she says. “A couple is reserving your room. Newlyweds.” She raises her brows. “I’m not sure the guests on the floor below will appreciate the noise.”
