AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You know you need to book wedding venues in advance,” I chortle. “Especially around here, unless you two are gonna run away and elope with Sunny.” That’s his beloved Amstaff; she follows him everywhere, even to work.
Callan laughs, shaking off the notion. “Nope, my parents would kill me. And Celeste still deserves to have the wedding of her dreams.”
She was let down at the altar a while back by her ex — who was only in it for his green card. She moved back to Stoney Creek six months after the event, rekindling things with Callan after she started working in our retail store. They were high school sweethearts before she moved to L.A.
“Where is Sunny, by the way?” I ask, because it’s unusual for her not to be around.
“She’s with Celeste this morning. She’ll bring her in when she comes to work.”
Callan also lives on the property close to his parents. He renovated our grandfather's old cottage, modernizing the appliances, but keeping it very rustic and in theme with the southern charm and country feel. He can fix most things and builds absolutely anything. He’s even extended the cottage with his own two hands.
“Sunny that never leaves your side?” Beau makes a face.
“I know, I know. She loves Celeste now almost as much as me. Almost.”
One of Sunny’s favorite spots is on the decking, adjacent to the barn. She often trots into the back of the distillery to do the rounds and see where she can get her next pat. She’s a huge softie.
“Apparently Noodle was having a playdate with Gabe’s pup this morning, you could have dropped Sunny off for a puppy-fest. Gabe would love that.” I chuckle thinking about all three dogs running around his perfect house and all over the stylish furniture.
“I think Sun has really taken Daisy under her wing; she’s showing her the ropes and all the stuff only dogs can do.”
“Yeah, well, Blake is asking me for a dog, now. Apparently having Noodle at Eden’s isn’t enough in the dog stakes, she wants one here too.”
“How are the animals?” Beau asks. “I’ve been meaning to come over for a while and see the new donkey again.” He just loves Sawyer, she’s such a sweetheart.
“Things are good, bro. And I’ve got quite the harvest this year with my crops, you should swing by and grab some produce. I’ve been toying with this new compost, the veggie patch is going nuts.”
“You and your compost.” Beau chuckles as Callan steps out of the way so Beau can make his coffee. “What about you, Brook? Coffee or a shot?”
I don’t miss the irony there. “Better keep my hat on this mornin’, double strength coffee, please.” It’s not like Beau to make coffee for me, but he knows how much I want this meeting to go well. I appreciate the gesture.
“So you’re prepared for today?” Callan asks, pouring milk in his cup, lifting his mouth to the edge of the pottery mug and taking a sip.
“Yeah, I’ve been going over it for weeks. I don’t think I’ve left any stone unturned,” I say.
“Well, I’m definitely on board.”
“And you already know I’m in,” Beau adds. “The numbers add up. I think it’s worth the outlay in the short term.” He’s a figures nerd and practically sleeps with his calculator, so he would know. “And Autumn has offered to do the photography for the new brand. She’s running her own show now. I think she’s going to photograph the barn for the website once it’s finished.”
“Autumn, eh.” I raise my eyebrows at him, insinuation laced through my tone. He’s been friends with her for years. She’s a few years older than him and a stunner to boot. Her family are a high-falutin lot from Memphis and come from old money, as well as her father being a real estate tycoon, so she could do any damned thing she wanted to do.
“Don’t give me that look.” Beau shakes his head. “I know it’s hard for you to believe, but men and women can just be friends, you know.”
I scoff. “Really?”
“Well, you and Eden were married, and you’re still friends,” he points out.
I shut my trap because he has a point.
We’re still married. Little do they know my little secret, except Gabe, of course.
“That’s hardly the same thing,” I quip.
“And some of the best things can come out of a friendship,” Callan adds. “Me and Celeste were friends growing up, look at us now. It only got better, despite everything we’ve been through to get here.”
“I don’t know if I think of Autumn in that way.” Beau frowns at his own admission. “I mean, she sure is pretty.”
I scoff again. “She’s hot, Beau. Enough said. I mean, you’re still in your twenties and you don’t need to settle down. But if I had a friend like Autumn…”
