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I dropped my phone into my purse and reached for my fork. “Yeah. That was Carl. He just hired me to design his office.”
Finn smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “That’s great, Miney. Sounds like he’s starting to grovel. This interview will probably push him over the edge.”
I nodded. “Yeah. I hope so.”
I should feel happy. But so much was happening right now that I wasn’t solely focused on Carl at the moment. I was excited about launching my new company.
And I was enjoying being back home and riding Millie every morning with Finn and Han Solo, spending time with family, and seeing some of my friends who still lived here.
“Well, you know I want you to be happy,” my father said as he set his cornbread down on his napkin and brushed his fingers back and forth to get rid of the crumbs. “I’ve always liked Carl, but I’m enjoying this side of you, sweetie.”
“And what side is that?”
“Seeing that passion and excitement for something that you’re building. And if you want to get back together with him and he appreciates it, then I’ll support it. But don’t dim your light for anyone, okay?”
“I won’t, but Carl has been more supportive of this new venture of mine. Thanks for coming out today and helping me get set up.”
“Wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, darlin’.” My mother beamed at me before she started asking Finn for some inside on-set gossip.
We laughed and chatted until my parents left to go home, and Finn and I did the same.
“Wow. We stayed later than I planned. Do you think we still have time to take the horses out for a quick ride” I asked as we pulled down his long driveway.
The leaves were changing colors, and Finn’s lot was really something. The tall trees were covered in reds and yellows and oranges, and the branches created a canopy over his driveway.
“Of course. It’s always been our favorite time to ride. We can make it to the water before sunset.”
I chuckled. He hadn’t said that in a while. When we were kids, we were allowed to stay out until the sun went down. We lived three houses away from one another our entire lives, and we’d spend every last second outside.
“Remember that treehouse my dad built, and we’d both have to go home for dinner and then we’d meet back out there?” I chuckled at the memory. “We’d sit in there, goofing around before the sun went down and it was time to go home.”
“Uh, yeah, I remember,” he said, getting out of the truck as we both headed straight for the stables. “You decorated the treehouse like you were moving into it permanently.”
I laughed as we made our way to the stalls and saddled up. “I think I would have lived out there with you back then. I hated when it was time to go home.”
“Yeah, me, too. We had a damn good childhood, didn’t we?” He smirked as he effortlessly slipped onto Han Solo. I dropped my purse in the stall and did the same as I followed him outside.
I waved at Silas as we trotted out of the barn.
The sky looked more like a watercolor painting. The yellows and oranges swirled together with a hint of gold.
“Yep. It was the best. That’s why I’ve always wanted to raise my kids here someday. Give them what I had. It doesn’t get any better than Cottonwood Cove.”
He glanced over his shoulder and smiled at me, and my stomach did some sort of weird flip. Maybe it was the fact that he’d become a big movie star in the time since I’d been gone, but Finn’s sex appeal was on par. Even more so than it normally was.
I was seeing Finn differently these days. Maybe because I was trying to figure out my future with Carl. Either way, Finn’s good nature, kindness, caring for me, and making me feel special were all things I wanted in a relationship, and sadly, I didn’t remember having those things with Carl. Things with Carl were never this easy.
“You want to race?”
“You sure you’re up for the challenge, Mr. Hollywood? I always was able to beat you, and Han Solo doesn’t know you the way Millie knows me.” I shifted and grabbed the reins.
“Don’t you worry about me, Miney!” he shouted as he took off. “Race you to the sunset.”
We were both flying now. I had to give him credit. His horse was new, but Han Solo had some serious wheels. The wind whistled around us, and I looked over a few times to see him smiling as he leaned forward to keep the momentum.
This was my happy place.
Surrounded by nature, the crisp chill in the air, and the smell of the ocean mixed with the pine surrounding us.
