Page 13 of Take This Heart
I meet her eyes. “If you’ll let me.”
“Don’t forget we don’t own the land yet,” Noah says.
“We will,” Everett says. “Anyone need dessert? I sure do. I’ve got Dutch apple pie with that hard sauce from the Pioneer Woman’s website. Except I did rum instead of whiskey.”
“Hanging out with the Pioneer Woman again, huh, Dad?” Camden teases.
“She was your mom’s favorite,” Everett says, smiling fondly. “Besides your fancy ass cooking, of course.” He winks. “She got a kick out of that woman’s humor.”
“Good for us…because she introduced a lot more butter into our diet,” Goldie says, rolling her eyes.
Everett pokes her in the side and she jumps, laughing and yelping. They go into the kitchen, chatting happily.
And I stand, once again watching her walk away, and wondering what the hell I’ve gotten myself into.
CHAPTER FIVE
MORNING STROLL
GOLDIE
Milo isn’t at breakfast the next morning and I tell myself I’m happy about it. Certainly more relaxed. Last night, his presence was like a rock in my shoe that I couldn’t shake loose.
“How ‘bout we go for a walk?” Dad asks.
Milo walks into the room and all the air is sucked out, at least for me.
“We were just talking about a walk,” Dad says. “But you’re probably hungry.”
“I got up earlier and had coffee and toast,” Milo says, smiling at Dad. “I’m up for a walk.”
I sigh and Tully shoots me a questioning look.
Everyone agrees to a walk, and we set off. The wind carries the scent of damp earth and pine as we walk the bluff trail that edges our family property, high above Lake Superior. The lake stretches out beneath us, cold and gray-blueunder the April sky, waves lapping against the shoreline like a heartbeat.
As we walk, I trail my fingers along a mossy birch tree, listening to the chatter between my brothers. Camden’s talking animatedly to Dylan and Noah about a celebrity couple that showed up at Whitman’s, his restaurant in Colorado. Noah grunts his approval as he scans the worn path, probably making mental notes about trail maintenance. Tully throws a pine cone at Camden and laughs when it smacks him in the back. I’m finding rocks with Grayson when Tully moves next to me. As Grayson runs ahead to pick up a rock I point out, Tully leans in.
“Hey, what’s your deal with Milo?” he asks.
I groan. “We didn’t get off to a very good start at the Walker gala the other night,” I whisper.
“He seems decent,” he says.
I frown as I look at Milo and shake my head. “He’s annoying.”
Tully laughs and gives my shoulder a little shake. “This is so not like you, little miss sunshine. You find something to like about everyone, even old Bosco, who no one can stand.”
I smile. “Aw, I haven’t seen Bosco in so long. I wonder if he’s still at Kitty-Corner Cafe all the time. Bosco’s sweet. You just have to get him talking about his cat Francine and then he’s not as prickly.”
Tully gives me a doubtful look.
Dad strides past us. When he reaches a clearing, he motions for us to come closer.
“Right there,” he says, pointing down at the sloping ridge below. “That’s where I want to put the new lodge. I’m thinking something along the lines of Rivendell, you know… where the elves lived inTheLord of the Rings? With those views? Just imagine—you kids could help make it happen.”
“Legolas…” I sigh.
Camden whistles. “It’ll be gorgeous. You’re right, Dad. But I’m not sure we’ve all got the time it’ll take to put into it.”
