Page 123 of Forbidden to Fall

I hated that thought.

But would I resent James for it?

“James,” I said, “for once, I’m choosing what I actually want. Who I want. I’m not going to resent you for that.”

His gaze held mine as the door opened.

May appeared, smiling. “Not answerin’ your phones, are you? Dinner time.” She put up a hand when I opened my mouth. “Don’t waste your breath, darlin’. I made food for you, and I expect you to eat it.”

I laughed weakly. “Yes, Ma’am.”

She smiled again. “That’s better.”

I grabbed James’s hand, and we followed her up to the house in silence. Despite the work she’d done at the festival, her limp was less pronounced than it had been a week ago.

When the door to the house opened and I smelled dinner, I wasn’t upset she’d forced me to stay. I thought back on my first meal here at the farm and how much had happened since. This place had come to feel more like home to me than my apartment. May was someone I’d come to love—a second mother, of sorts. And James?

I watched him set plates on the table and noticed the moment he scooted the two chairs we’d be sitting in a smidge closer together.

How could Ryan hate him?

He didn’t.

Some people worshipped false gods; some hated false demons.

Ryan fell into the latter camp, and it wasn’t even totally his fault he hated James.

We sat down, and James served all three of us while May chatted about the results of the festival—a big spike in tour bookings, an increase in kindness from Autumn Ridge, and calls from towns near and far asking to stock Carver maple syrup and baked goods.

The discussion brought something to mind that had fallen to the wayside after babysitting fell through.

When May paused to take a drink, I launched into it. “Morgan Keller offered me her mom’s position.”

May’s drink paused at her lips, and James’s hands went still on his fork.

“Not her exact position,” I clarified, “but something like it. Morgan plans to handle the business side of things, but she wants me to take over daily operations when Mrs. Keller steps down after Christmas.”

“That’s incredible.” James grabbed my hand. “It’s about time they appreciated you.”

“I’ll say!” May beamed at me. “It’s no wonder, either. You’d put them out of business with your success.”

“Oh gosh,” I said, laughing uncomfortably. “I hope not! Mrs. Keller taught me everything I know.”

May cocked a brow as she poured herself more tea. “I think you’re giving her quite a bit of credit, darlin’. You could be successful all on your own. You’ve proven that beyond a doubt.”

“So, you’ve accepted?” James asked.

“Morgan told me to think about it, but, I mean…she basically said I’d be earning double what I make now. Can’t really argue with that.”

“Sure you could.” May said it so matter-of-factly.

I looked at James beside me, and he smiled like he agreed with his mom.

“Do you want to run Keller’s Bakehouse?” he asked.

I faltered. “I’d never really thought of it as an option until now. The whole lack-of-Keller-blood had been such an impossible hurdle, you know? It’s a huge compliment. Running the show there, selling my products, and having creative liberty to adjust the menu? It sounds pretty ideal. Doesn’t it?”

“Only you can decide that,” James said.