Page 26 of One Small Spark
Fran: So much delicious tension between these two
Isabel: Wouldn’t it be fun to see that play out in real life?
Nora: Who has an enemy in real life?
Fran: Who has a castle in real life?
Barb: Gary and I rented a castle when we went to Scotland five years ago
Barb: Haggis is much better than the rumors say
Fran: Cowboys are real
Nora: Do you know any?
Rosetta: I read once that the reason we read enemies to lovers is because we like the idea of someone seeing us at our worst and loving us anyway
Isabel: How romantic
Barb: I never caught on to the bagpipes, though
EIGHT
SHEPHERD
I don’t love goingto The Stumpjumper with Leo on my best nights. The bar is noisy, crowded, and smells like stale beer and old fries. But tonight? When my mind is full of the kiss I shared with Wren? My body still singing from the feel of her? When her taste is still on my lips? I should have skipped social hour.
I’ll be lucky if it’s only an hour.
“The interior designer brought in six pieces of white fabric for us to choose from for the tablecloths. I thought they were all exactly the same, but Charlie knew the right one to pick.”
Leo’s been monologuing about the work he’s doing at the lodge with my sister for a while now. It’s part of our dynamic—he talks, I listen. Tonight, I’m barely doing my share.
Mentally, I’m back in the alley with Wren in my arms. Wondering when we’ll have a moment like that again.Ifwe will.
That “if” kills me.
He takes a drink of his beer. “The changes she’s made at the lodge are unbelievable. She’s so impressive. She could make thisher whole career. Just travel around the country rehabbing resorts and making them upscale.”
“Mmm.” I can’t imagine my sister with this much ambition for anyone else’s property. She’s dedicated to ours because she wants to live up to our grandparents’ legacy. More than is healthy, in my opinion, but I can’t deny her vision for the place has made it a success.
The megawatt grin on his face turns up a notch. “It should be a TV show. ‘Changes with Charlie.’”
“Sounds like an After School Special about puberty.”
He grimaces. “We can workshop it.”
I can’t tell how serious Leo is. He has connections in the entertainment industry—pitching a reality show for my sister is extreme but not out of the realm of possibility for him.
He fiddles with the coaster beneath his beer glass. “On second thought, that might be a bad idea. She’s overworked as it is.”
“True.” Charlie’s been heading one project after another out there for the last few years. She’s overseen renovating the main lodge, building new guest cabins, and expanding their activity offerings. If she thought a TV show would help the lodge, she’d do it even if it ran her into the ground.
Leo looks me over. “You’re kind of off tonight.”
“More than my usual?” I am, I’m just trying to hold up my side of the conversation.
“You’re distracted.” A sneaky smile curls his mouth. “I’d almost guess you’re thinking about a woman.”
