A car was traveling down the driveway and pulled out behind me as I passed. Behind the wheel of the sleek vehicle that could rival my own, there looked to be a large man. I kept glancing behind me as I followed the road toward the B&B and was surprised when the car pulled off when I did.
Curiosity got the best of me as I peered out my window when the car parked beside me in front of the double-porched farmhouse. I was surprised when I realized Andrew was the driver of the car. I’d only ever seen him driving a beat-up pickup truck.
“Hey, man,” I called out in greeting as I stepped free from my car. “Surprised to see you here.”
“Hey. Yeah, I needed to speak with Aspen, and Mom said she was here.”
“Oh. I didn’t know she was going to be here.” That was news to me. She mentioned this morning that she was working on the farm all day.
“Something about lunch. I figured you knew, since she’s your girlfriend and all.” Andrew seemed to still hold some skepticism, as did Alex, while Aspen’s other two sisters had come around. Our parents were over the moon with our relationship. If they ever found out it was fake, it would crush them.
None of it felt fake anymore though. At least not to me. Aspen still hinted at future dates she’d go on when I left, asking me for advice, but I shut her down and distracted her.
“I only knew she was working hard at the farm today,” I said sardonically. “Why aren’t you there working with everyone else? To be honest, why aren’t you the one learning the ropes so your dad can retire? Seems strange it’s all being left to your little sister.”
Andrew may have been older, but as I crossed my arms against my chest and stood to my full height, I had about two inches on him.
“I have my reasons. And besides, this is what Aspen’s always wanted.”
I huffed out a sarcastic laugh, then said, “Are you sure about that? Have any of you actually asked her what she wants?”
“Of course we have,” he replied, but his tone made him seem less convinced than before.
“Owen, you’re here. Oh, hi, Andrew,” my mom called out, breaking the tension between me and Aspen’s big brother. I didn’t really care what he thought of me and my relationship with his sister. What bothered me was that the Easterlys did not know what Aspen wanted to do with her life.
I knew she wanted to see the world and write books and blogs about traveling on a budget. She’d shown me the few things she’s written when she was in Nashville and Knoxville. The towns were close to her, but she wrote in a way that made it seem as if she was seeing them for the first time.
“Are you staying for lunch as well?” Mom asked Andrew. He shook his head as he told her he wasn’t, but greeted her warmly with a hug before heading inside.
My mom turned toward me and smiled, but I could see there was still a wariness there. The creases around her eyes didn’t divot the same way they did the first day I was home. That was before she threw me for a whirl I wasn’t quite ready for.
“I’ve made some brisket sandwiches with au jus for lunch.”
Leaning down, I kissed my mother’s cheek and thanked her. I knew she’d chosen my favorite meal as a peace offering. We’d been to a few more Sunday dinners at Sunny Brook Farms, but most of my time was spent with Aspen. Usually, I’d pick Mom up, we’d eat, and then we would leave, before I’d drive right back and stay with Aspen.
Though I liked Aspen’s house, it was a little cramped for the both of us. Since the night she spent with me, I’d been asking her if she wanted to stay there while I was still in Ashfield, but she hadn’t been throwing off the signals that she was interested in that step yet. I was hoping to convince her soon.
Mom and I strolled inside the house together. A few guests were lingering in the large living space with a local tour guide Autumn commissioned. From what I’d been told, they offered winery and brewery tours, as well as historic outings and hikes.
Farther back in the house, I followed my mom toward the kitchen area. The house boasted a regular-sized kitchen as well as a butler’s pantry, which was essentially a second kitchen where staff could eat. That’s where we found Andrew and Aspen. My girl looked antsy as she listened to her brother, and I wanted nothing more than to step in, but I knew it wasn’t my place. Instead, I followed Mom toward the side deck, where she’d set up the bistro table with our lunches.
I handed her the bag with the potato salad she requested from the store, and she scooped it onto our plates with a spoon she had ready at the table.
“This looks great, Mom. Thanks again.”
“You’re welcome. I feel like I see you here and there, but we don’t get a chance to chat.”
She was right, and the words stung. I just didn’t know what to talk about with her. The hands of my father bruised and battered our entire relationship. Somehow, our conversations always came back to that time in our lives.
“Well, I’ve been speaking with Coach Rudicell about holding a few camps. I’m not sure how long I’ll be here. Maybe until Thanksgiving. The weather should be nice until then.”
“That will be nice. The Easterlys are almost done collecting their corn, so you should have some time to spend with Aspen.”
That was news to me. I assumed it would take much longer to harvest, but I’d done some reading about combines and the attachments that pulled the corn kernels and removed the silks and stalks.
“That will be nice,” I repeated her words awkwardly. “Of course, I’m sure she’ll be busy with something else. If I remember, the farm is always going.”
“That’s true. I haven’t paid too close attention over the years.”
Silence filled the air as we ate. This time, it wasn’t awkward like it had been in the past. Instead, I listened to the birds chirping and wondered if I could fit in a hike before the leaves changed completely.
“So, have you and Aspen talked about what you’ll do when you go back to California? Are you going to try the long-distance thing?”
It’s the same question I’d been asking myself but kept having to remember we were only temporary. Apparently, we were just really good at fooling everyone.
“I’m not sure. We’re just having fun right now.”
“Ah, I see,” my mom said as she reached for her glass of water and sipped it with a saucy smile. I knew what she was most likely thinking, and Aspen and I had the furthest thing from that kind of relationship. Hell, I was just happy to be in the same room as the pixie.
“Whatever you’re thinking, it’s the opposite.”
“Sure,” she giggled just as Aspen walked onto the deck.
“I just wanted to pop over and say hello before I head back,” she said with an infectious smile, her sparkling eyes trained on me. I wasn’t sure if men got butterflies in their stomachs, but I had a ferocious nest of hornets buzzing in my abdomen when she grinned in my direction. She wore nothing fancier than a buttoned shirt tied at her waist and a pair of denim cutoffs. And with her trusty cowboy boots and signature hat, Aspen looked like the sexiest cowgirl I knew.
“Hey,” I said, reaching out, grabbing her wrist, and tugging her toward me. Aspen fell onto my lap with a grunt. “Have you eaten yet?”
“I was going to eat when I got back to the ranch,” she tried to explain as she wiggled on my lap. I tightened my hold around her waist and held her firmly against me.
