“I love the idea,” I admitted. “I’d be glad to help you develop the program, maybe find the right point person. But right now, my home is here at Hope Farms. We’re just getting started, and I couldn’t possibly leave.”
“It’s an opportunity to change so many lives,” Ms. Davenport said. “Give it some thought.”
“I’ll be in touch with meeting details.” Senator Kramer held up a hand in greeting to Garrett as the veteran slipped out of the barn and walked past us. “Don’t say no just yet, Ms. Sutton. We still have much to discuss.”
“We’ll see you soon.” Jerica Davenport took her confident smile and her senator friend and got back in the car. They drove away, leaving me standing next to the arena, alone with my thoughts.
I’d just started my work at Hope Farms. Our program’s veterans depended on me. I had my family here. And…maybe I had Miller.
For the first time in my adult life, maybe I was getting settled in the right place with the right people.
Why would I ever leave again?
Chapter Thirty-Seven
“So…the suits offered you a job.”
Ernie walked out of the barn as soon as the black sedan disappeared from sight.
I turned and regarded my frowning partner. “You ignore me all day long as if your ears don’t work, butthatyou heard with no problem?”
“You gonna take it?”
“I told them no. Didn’t you catch that part?”
“I did, but I wasn’t convinced you meant it.”
It was an amazing opportunity, tempting even, but it was out of the question. “We still have work to do right here. I’m not leaving.” I patted his shoulder playfully. “You’re not rid of me yet.”
“I’d make better use of that office of yours. Do some actual work there instead of storing Twix bars andPeoplemagazines.”
“I know you secretly love my Kardashian updates.”
“Who?”
I turned at the familiar squeak and jostle of an old truck. Miller parked his brother-in-law’s Ford, then ambled toward us. Against the backdrop of the descending sun, he looked like a cowboy ready to sweep a little filly off her feet. It was a wonder every blade of grass didn’t bow down to his handsome arrival. If clothing brands knew what Miller looked like in their jeans, they’d be calling his people to talk to their people about making him their next model. His smile reached his blue eyes and was powerful enough to light up the whole town. Who needed electric grids or solar energy? This farm and I had Miller.
Right now he was looking at me like he’d waited to see me all day—like I was his reward. Hopefully the news I had to share would make him even happier.
“Hello, Ernie.” Miller said.
“Boss.”
Miller’s gaze zoned back in on me. “Hattie, you seem to be in a better mood than when I saw you this morning.”
He’d brought me coffee with a triple shot of espresso, plus two bagels from Bugle Boy Bagels. They’d been delivered with strawberry cream cheese and a long, slow kiss. “I just got some good news.”
“Does it have anything to do with the government car I saw leaving here?”
“We got the grant renewal.” And then my brain shifted into neutral as my heart took over because I flung myself right into Miller’s arms. “We’ve got four more years of funding!”
He spun me around as I laughed, placing kisses on my cheeks, my forehead, and finally my mouth. “Congratulations, Hattie. You’ve worked hard for this.”
Reason horse-kicked me in the shins and my eyes went wide at the public display. “Yes. Thank you, Miller.” I squeezed out of his arms and put a respectable measure of space between us. “I appreciate your enthusiasm.” I gave a nearly imperceptible nod toward Ernie to remind Miller we were not alone. “Forgive me for my exuberance.”
Ernie crossed his arms over his chest and harrumphed. “Hattie patted me on the butt when she toldmethe news.”
I laughed. “That’s not accurate.”
