Page 82 of Falling for Love

Because I thought about it every waking moment.

I was missing her.

Chapter Nineteen

Evie

Liam had somehow settled into my mind, making himself at home in the quiet moments I used to spend fretting over my never-ending to-do list.

It didn’t hurt that I had Honey Leaf Lodge on my calendar today, either. It made my job even more fun.

I finished my coffee, grabbed my tools, and packed them into the truck before coming back inside and calling out to Hayden.

He was busy building a towering structure with his LEGOs in the living room, while Lance watched like a foreman inspecting a job site. It was teacher-planning day, so I got our favorite sitter, Tami, down the street to watch him while I went to my clients’ appointments. Tami was poring over schoolbooks in the recliner and gave a quick wave.

“I’ll be back before you even miss me,” I said, kissing his head. “Remember, no carrots in your nose while I’m gone.”

He groaned, rolling his eyes. “Mom, that was one time!”

Chuckling, I headed out the door, the cool morning air waking me completely as I climbed into the truck.

As I drove to Honey Leaf Lodge, the frost clung to the trees, glittering in the sunlight like a scene straight out of a postcard. Buttercup Lake never failed to look its best in the winter, even though it was known most for its summer beaches.

When I pulled into the gravel driveway at Honey Leaf Lodge, I spotted Liam waiting near the barn. As if on cue, he walked toward me with two mugs of steaming coffee.

I hopped out of the truck and he slid a kiss on my cheek, which immediately warmed me from the outside in.

It didn’t hurt that his easy smile and that perfect flannel jacket were enough to make my heart do a little flip.

“Morning. Thought you might need this.”

I took the mug with a grateful smile. “You know, if you keep this up, I might start expecting this treatment everywhere I go.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” he said, his grin widening. “You’re just lucky you’re my favorite farrier.”

“Oh, don’t let the horses—or Barcode—hear that,” I teased, sipping the coffee. It was perfect—hot, rich, and just the right amount of cream.

“Although she prefers Macy,” I added under my breath.

“Macy?” Liam asked, his brow arching. “Oh, the zebra told you that, did she?”

“Yeah, in not so many words,” I said with a shrug. “I don’t know why you and Beck keep insisting on calling her Barcode.”

He cocked his head. “Do I really have to explain how clever that is?”

I chuckled. “You tell me.”

“And here I was, hoping to bribe you with breakfast, too. Cinnamon rolls,” he teased, gesturing toward the Lodge. “But it seems you’re already a little prickly.”

“No, I’m holding you to that.” I set the coffee on the tailgate. “But first, you’d better get out of my way so I can get to work.”

Liam laughed and held his hands up in mock surrender. “All right, all right. I’ll leave you to it.”

I watched him walk toward the Lodge, his confident stride making it clear he knew exactly the effect he had on people.

People beingme.

Shaking my head, I turned my attention to the first task of the morning: the Lodge’s resident zebra.

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