Page 49 of Home in the Country
“Just remembering how Isla tore into Clementine Creek. She’s a trip, that one.”
His smile is affectionate and accompanied by a chuckle. “I’d like to take credit for her, but I can’t. Doin’ my best to make up for it though.”
Nodding, we both look out at the orchard. Since Cullen came to town, I’ve seen a spark in Isla that some would say borders on gentle. I wouldn’t say it because I don’t want to get hit—but some might.
Cullen’s heart attack a while ago was a catalyst for a lot of things, including Hank pulling his head out of his ass and getting back his girl. Isla might have forgiven my brother for shouldering years of bullshit on his own, but I didn’t, at least not at first.
“You ever think you’d end up with a son-in-law like my brother?”
Cullen’s chuckle is a deep rumble. The guy is a cowboy hat away from sounding like Sam Elliot.
“You know, I always thought she’d marry a suit in Chicago, but…she would have ended up like me and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone, especially her. Hank’s a good man, and he loves my daughter even when she makes him crazy.”
“I think he loves herespeciallywhen she drives him crazy.”
We share a knowing glance before getting down to business. As expected, their plans are elaborate and pricey, the latter of which Cullen waves off.
“You get me a proposal once you talk to Case and Gwen, and we’ll get the ball rolling.”
We shake hands.
“It’s going to give us the push we need to hire some extra guys. I think we’re gonna ask Isla if she wants to conduct interviews.”
Cullen’s eyebrows shoot up to his salt-and-pepper hairline before a belly laugh rumbles from his chest.
“Those poor candidates.”
A grin splits my cheeks. “Our thoughts exactly. Give us the ones with the most potential. Keep up with the awesomeness, you know?”
“Let me know when interviews are so I can get a lawn chair ready.” We chuckle before he sobers. “What you do isn’t easy, and from what I understand, you and your brother have built your business all on your own. You have a great reputation with increasing visibility.”
“Marlee has helped with our online presence, and Isla has looked over some of it too. The women in my life could run the world.”
He slaps me on the shoulder. “We’re just along for the ride.”
“Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
“How do you,”—I pause and rub my palm over my jaw—“how do you let go of the anger and the hurt to let someone in again?”
“Isla might be better at answering this than I am, but you have to choose to let it go. Hold it, own it, make peace with it, and let it go. The toxicity—learned that word from my daughter—of the relationship I had with my ex-wife almost prevented me from forming a new one with Isla. I can’t change the fact that I missed out on so much with her, but I can show up for her every day now.”
“I know it makes her happy havin’ you here.”
“I’m happy being here.” He pauses and then looks at me. “I don’t have all the answers to what you’re looking for, but what I can say is that you have to show up for the people in your life. Appreciate them with words and actions.”
“I get carried away with words sometimes.”
“Don’t be anyone but yourself.” Cullen looks out over the orchard. “You know what Gwen likes?”
“I dunno; do I wanna know?” My smirk is devilish, and he just shakes his head with a sigh.
“We were talking over dinner one night and she told me about how her favorite shade of lipstick had been discontinued.” He shrugs. “She didn’t make a big deal over it or anything, but she’s been wearing that color a long time and I could see that it was upsetting to her.”
“What did you do?” I say in a half teasing, half serious tone.
“I found a couple of tubes of it and ordered them.”
