Page 117 of Rough and Rugged

I filled the coffeepot with water and scooped some grounds into the filter. As the rich scent of coffee filled the air, I waited for Sam to respond.

When he spoke, his voice was weary. “I’m sorry it’s been so hard, and I hate that your family doesn’t see you for the amazing woman you are. But if you sell the land, I think you’ll regret it. Whoever buys it will develop the property and overrun it with a bunch of rich assholes.”

“They might not be that bad. A retreat center could attract people who want to connect with nature. Maybe they’d appreciate their surroundings.” When his expression didn’t soften. I gave a sad little shrug. “Sorry, but I need to look after myself.”

As soon as the words were out, I regretted them. If I gave up this cabin, I’d be giving up Sam, too. Though we’d only known each other for three weeks, I already felt like he was my soulmate.

He turned away abruptly. “Then I’ll leave you to it.”

“Wait.Please.” I wanted to tell him how much I cared about him, but he was already headed for the door.

“Good luck with the sale,” he said.

Then he left, slamming the door behind him.

Chapter Six

AsmuchasIlonged to chase after Sam, I didn’t want to leave the cabin while Brayden and the photographer were still on the property. I grabbed a blueberry muffin and a mug of coffee, then went to sit on the porch. The pang of heartache was so strong that my eyes misted over. Which was ridiculous. What did it matter if I’d pissed off a guy I’d only known for three weeks?

But Sam wasn’t just any guy. He was sensitive and passionate, a talented artist, and a thoughtful lover. Losing him would hurt like hell.

Eden came to sit beside me, carrying a mug of coffee. She took a sip and spat it out. “What the fuck? This is so bitter.”

“There’s cream and sugar on the counter,” I said.

She set down the mug. “No thanks. Plain coffee sucks. As does this cabin. How can you stand living out here? It’s so boring.”

All around us were towering pine trees, giving off a heavenly aroma. A jackrabbit bounded toward the creek, and a feisty chipmunk skittered across the porch in search of muffin crumbs. The sky was clear and cloudless, a brilliant shade of blue. I loved it here.

“It’s not boring,” I said. “It’s just different from the city.”

“What do you do here? When you’re not fucking that hot mountain man?” She gave me a sly smile that almost made me laugh until I realized I wouldn’t be fucking him for the foreseeable future.

“I work on my art. When I need a break, I go hiking with Farley. The garden needs constant tending, and I’m also learning to knit. And every morning, I meditate and do outdoor yoga. It’s done wonders for my soul.”

Eden glanced around as if fully taking in our surroundings. “I’ll admit it’s gorgeous right now, but how would you survive in the winter? What if you got stranded in a snowstorm?”

“Being snowed in with Sam wouldn’t be so bad.” I could imagine us warming ourselves by the fire, playing cards, telling stories, and making love all night.

“But would it be worth giving up so much money?”

I let out a shaky breath. “I don’t know. I’m not sure what to do.”

Rather than come back with a smart-ass remark, Eden nodded in solidarity. “Fair. If I was banging a guy that hot, I’d be conflicted, too. Why couldn’t you take the money, move to the nearest town, and visit him on the weekends?”

“Because if I sell, he’ll think I’m a traitor.” If anything, I’d want to move as far from the mountains as I could, so I wouldn’t be reminded of what I’d given up.

By the time Brayden and Jean-Louis came back, my cousin was grinning like a kid with a full bucket of Halloween candy. “Got some dope shots. I’m gonna talk to the developer, and then I’ll let you know the final offer. Sound good?”

It didn’t. One minute, I was imagining a future with Sam in this wooded nirvana, and now I was about to give it up. “How about we discuss it over coffee first?”

“No time. I’ve gotta run, but I’ll call you later.” He snapped his fingers at Eden. “Let’s go, sis.”

As they drove off, I sat on the porch, my coffee gone cold. Farley came up to me, and I hugged him, even though he was dripping with creek water. But he couldn’t help me solve this dilemma.

It was up to me to figure out what I wanted.

Later that week, Brayden returned with the developer, who walked all over the property, joined by a woman taking notes on her iPad. Curious, I followed along, listening as they talked about all the facilities the retreat center would offer. Yoga classes, a meditation room, a spa, lectures on spirituality, a café serving organic meals, and an herb garden. The more I heard, the more appealing it sounded. Maybe Grandma would have liked the property being used this way.

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