Page 12 of Finding Forever in Cedarwood

“Good idea.” He needed to buy time to think through the rest of his story. “I write non-fiction.” His life wasn’t total fiction, right?

“Do you write for magazines? Or a newspaper?”

Why does Stone have to ask so many questions? Jesus.“A blog.” Again, it wasn’t a total lie. He contributed to blogs from time to time.

“Well, if you need inspiration, Cedarwood is full of it.” Stone chuckled. “This is my place.”

Liam gasped. The farm remined him of pictures he’d seen in books. Flowers, pretty landscaping…the house looked like it belonged there and was farmhouse chic. “I’ll bet the upkeep is killer.”

“Not really. I use some of my inheritance to pay the kids from the vocational school to do the landscaping. The animal care is mostly me, but I use kids in the veterinary program with the vo-ed to help. They get experience with the grounds and critters and I get the lawn mowed.” He shrugged. “I like the communal feeling. We all have a stake in it, you know? They get a grade and a little cash and I don’t have to worry about having flowers and the shrubs cut back. You know?”

“I do.” He tended to be selfish. Everything was for him and screw anyone who got in the way. Not a great way to live. He could end up learning a lot from Stone.

Stone parked the truck and switched off the engine. “Want to grab a bag? I can use the help toting the dog food into the shed.”

“Sure.” He scooped one of the bags from the back and followed Stone around to the shed attached to the back of the house. The shed wasn’t a usual structure. The floor had been sealed at the edges and the place was cleaner than his apartment. He placed the bag next to the one Stone rested on the floor.

“I don’t mind the mice, but I don’t want them in the house or the animal feed.” Stone strode out of the structure.

His logic made sense. Liam kept up with Stone. He could see himself living in this house, even if he hadn’t seen inside it yet. He wished he’d found a farm to rent instead of the duplex. He mentally smacked himself in the forehead. Here he was falling for the town like he fell for his leading lady.Christ.He’d only been in town for three days and part of him wanted to stick around. God, he was losing it. He knew jack shit about farming and upkeep, but he wanted to stay at a damn farm.

“Are you in there?” Stone carried two bags. “I’ll do it myself if you’re getting overwhelmed.”

“Shit. Sorry.” He grabbed another bag. It was heavier than he expected. “You’re ripped if you can carry two of these.”

“Practice.” Stone passed him. “And I’m used to the bulk.”

He spotted a woman in the doorway. “Hi.”

“Hi.” She smiled. “I’m Kate. You must be Jeff.”

“No, I’m Liam.” He frowned. “I should help Stone.”Jeff… Must be someone helping Stone.

When he returned with another bag, Kate tipped her head. “I know you.”

“Maybe?” He’d never seen her before, but if she’d watched any of his movies, he was screwed.

“Did you date my mom?” she asked.

“No.” He knew he hadn’t. “I’m new to Cedarwood.”

“Oh. You look like a guy in a picture my mother has.” Kate shrugged. “She’s dated a lot of guys. Says there are lots of fish and she won’t settle.”

“I see.” He wasn’t sure what to think.

Stone joined him in the shed. “Katie, find Elmore. I want everyone fed at the same time.”

“You got it.” She waved and left.

“Elmore?” Liam asked. “Which dog is that?”

“Bloodhound. He has the run of the place, but he thinks he should eat on his schedule.” Stone shook his head. “If I let every dog and cat eat when they wanted to, I’d never get anything accomplished.”

“Makes sense.”

Stone blushed. “I’m sorry about Katie. She’s a senior this year and has been through a lot. Her mother really does date a lot of men. She’s made passes at me and I’m not straight. Katie’s harmless and she loves to talk.”

“She didn’t bother me.” He touched Stone’s arm and sparks shot through his fingertips to his heart. He wanted to pull away, but couldn’t. He liked touching Stone.

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