Page 32 of Keep On Loving You
Andy reached across the blanket and danced the toy back toward the baby. “You’re going to be happy to have me back in town, are you?”
Again, Poppy squealed, clearly delighted by Andy.
He couldn’t help but think of Kat and whether she would be just as excited at the prospect of having him around more. Just as quickly, he pushed the thought from his mind because it didn’t matter. It couldn’t.
“Have you told Craig yet?”
Symon’s question pulled him from his thoughts, and a flash of guilt raced through him. Here he was thinking about Kat and how she’d feel to have him around more when he hadn’t even considered how his best friend would react to the news that he’d be moving back.
He really did need to get his priorities straight and get out from under the spell of the redhead. It was never going to happen.
“I haven’t had a chance.” He put the toy in front of Poppy and sat up on the blanket. “Now that he’s feeling better…maybe after the family meeting, if you don’t think it’ll be a bad time.”
Symon had way more experience with these Carlson family meetings because he’d been with Charli through most of them—including when it was her turn.
“Nah.” Symon replaced Poppy’s toy with a teething biscuit. “I’m sure it’ll be fine. Usually, it’s only kind of hard on the person who’s impacted, and that’ll be Kat.” He shrugged. “And from what I understand, Kat’s been pretty excited for her turn, so I’m sure everyone will just be relieved that it’s almost over.”
“I bet they will. It’s been a long process.”
“But not an entirely bad one.” Symon raised an eyebrow. “Maybe don’t tell them I said that.” He laughed. “But if you think about it, I don’t think any of the Carlsons would disagree. After all, they’ve all met the loves of their lives because of all of this.”
It was true. All four of Kat’s older siblings had found love during the process of carrying out their father’s wishes. He hadn’t thought of that before. “Do you think the same will happen for Kat?”
Just voicing the question out loud gave him pause. It was true that he could never be with Kat. Not more than a few hookups that should have never happened. But it was equally true that the idea of her being with anyone else did not sit well with him.
Symon finished his bottle of water and screwed the top back on before crushing it with his hand. “I mean, I don’t see why not. She’s a catch, and if history is anything to go by…time will tell.” He glanced at the clock on his phone. “They should be finished soon. I should probably get going. Why don’t you come back to the house with me, and you can tell Craig and the others about the job?”
“Isn’t this like a family-only kind of thing?”
“Andy. Youarefamily.” Symon shook his head with a chuckle. “Besides, the meeting will be over by the time we get there, and everyone will be happy to see you and hear the good news.”
“You look like you might throw up.”
Kat swallowed hard, not entirely sure she wouldn’t, andturned to look at her brother. “Shouldn’t I be saying that to you? Are you sure you’re even healthy enough to be here?”
“I could probably use some sleep.” Craig shrugged. “But I’m fine. Whatever it was that we had was only a twenty-four-hour bug or something. I’m just sorry I missed the ride yesterday.”
Kat held up her cast and lifted her eyebrows.
“Okay, maybe I’m not totally sorry I missed the ride. How’s it feel?”
“Like I cracked my wrist.” She laughed. “It’ll be fine. It wasn’t that bad, and the doctor said the cast should come off in a few weeks and then I can wear a brace. I might have to move a few clients around, but it won’t be too big a deal hopefully.”
“Assuming you’re still going to be working.” Asher sat down on the couch next to her and pulled her in for a side hug. “Don’t forget what happened to me. Dad pulled work right out from under me with my special instructions.”
Asher was the middle child, but the only one of them who still worked in the family business Carlson Corp, which was responsible for most of the major tourism efforts in Trickle Creek. Years earlier, when the mines shut down, Michael Carlson saw an opportunity to pivot the town’s main industry and revived the local ski hill with a stunning lodge, turning it into a vacation destination. Over time, he added a world-class golf course and multiple condominium developments, all of which had turned things around for the town and the people of Trickle Creek.
Asher had taken over the role of CEO and was doing anexcellent job of it, but at the last family meeting it was revealed that in order to keep their inheritance in the family, Asher would have to walk away from his job for six months and live in a log cabin in the woods.
“Right,” Craig teased. “And you hated it, too, didn’t you, Asher?”
They all laughed, including Chase and Charli, who’d also joined them in their father’s office for the next phase of the will reading.
“I think it worked out pretty well for you.” Charli squeezed Asher’s shoulder.
“You know I can’t argue with that,” Asher said. “I wouldn’t have Noa right now if it weren’t for all this.” He waved his hand to encompass the office, all of them, and the reason they were all there.
“And it’s your turn, little sis.” Chase winked at her. “Do you think you’ll get as lucky as the rest of us?”
