I rolled my eyes, trying to suppress a grin. “I don’t have time for that, Avery. I’m busy with the farm, the business…”
“Girl, please,” Avery scoffed. “Everyone has time for that. I’m surprised BOB still works, you must be giving him quite the workout.”
I groaned at the mention of my battery-operated boyfriend. But she wasn’t wrong, lately my vibrator wasn’t quite hitting the“spot”- if you know what I mean. And it’s not like it wasn’t a powerful little toy, it could lick, suck, and vibrate. It could suction to your nipples or insert it to feel like a vibrating tongue inside you! My god it was like the Rolls Royce of sex toys- for me anyways, it’s not like I was that experienced in them.
Just then, Marge wandered over. “Girls, what’s all this talk about ignoring urges?” she asked, her voice laced with playful curiosity. “Ember, honey, you look like you need to get laid. Who knows, maybe it’ll make that soldier of yours a little jealous.”
I felt my cheeks turning red. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Marge,” I said, my chin raised defensively. “I don’t have a soldier.”
Avery and Marge burst out laughing. “Oh, honey,” Marge said, patting my hand. “That’s a lie. Now, getting back to the juicy stuff, even I have needs. They keep Larry on his toes, if you know what I mean,” she said, wiggling her eyebrows.
My blush deepened, and Avery choked on her soda, sputtering with laughter. “Marge!” she gasped. “That’s… that’s too much information!”
Marge shrugged, her expression innocent. “What? I’m old, not dead. Kids these days,” she muttered, shaking her head as she wandered off to wait on a customer, who no doubt heard everything she said, leaving Avery and me in a fit of giggles.
After we’d calmed down, I remembered what Mom had said. “Hey, about Saturday,” I said, a hopeful tone in my voice. “My mom said she’d love to watch Lila overnight.”
Avery’s eyes lit up. “Seriously? That’s amazing! Are you sure though? I don’t want to put her out.”
“Are you kidding?” I said, waving a dismissive hand. “She jumped on the opportunity. She loves Lila. And honestly, I kinda think she misses having kids around.”
Avery grinned. “Alright, then,” her tone playful. “We are going to paint the town red. No, scratch that, we’re going to set the town on fire! We’re talking drinks, dancing, maybe even a little…eye candy.”
A wave of excitement washed over me, a feeling I hadn’t experienced in far too long. I needed this. I needed a night out. A night to cut loose and forget about Colton. Avery and I both did.
Chapter 13
Colton
After my conversation with Owen yesterday, the first thing I did was head home and discuss my plan with my dad. He thought it was a great idea, it’d get me out and keep me busy.
I found myself excited to be doing this as I drove towards the Habitat for Humanity office in the next town over. I needed to do something, anything, to prove I was serious about working on myself and trying to make amends. And Owen’s mention of Ember’s volunteer work seemed like a good place to start.
As I walk into the office, I’m greeted by a woman with kind eyes and a warm smile sitting behind a desk. “Hi there, how can I help you?” she asks.
“Yeah,” I reply, a little awkwardly. “My name’s Colton. I’m interested in volunteering.”
“That’s wonderful!” she says, her smile widening. “My name’sSusan. Let me grab Scott, he’s our director, he can give you all the information you’ll need.”
I watch as she gets up and disappears through a door marked “Director’s Office” and returns a moment later with a man in his late fifties. “Hi there. You must be Colton,” he said, extending a hand. “I’m Scott.”
We shook hands, and he led me to a small conference room, where he gave me a brief overview of Habitat’s mission, explaining how they built affordable housing for families in need, relying on volunteer labor and donated materials. He outlined the various ways I could help, from construction work to administrative tasks, and I immediately opted for construction. As we talked, he mentioned Ember’s involvement, which had me perking up and definitely paying attention.
“Ember’s a real asset to us,” he said. “She doesn’t just swing a hammer. She helps the families get settled in, donates food from her farm, and connects them with local charities and services they might need. She’s also great at organizing our supply donations from local businesses. We couldn’t do it without her.”
I listened, a strange mix of pride and guilt swirling within me. Pride in the woman she’d become, guilt for the years I’d missed, the years I hadn’t been there to see her grow.
After we finished discussing the volunteer opportunities, I filled out the necessary paperwork and shook Scott’s hand again.
“It was good to meet you, Colton,” he said, his smile genuine. “Good to have you home, and I look forward to working with you.”
I nodded, a lump forming in my throat. “Thanks,” I managed to say. “It’s good to be back.”
Getting back in my truck, I felt a flicker of something like hope forthe first time in a long time. Maybe, just maybe, I could find a way to make amends, not only with Ember, but with my past.
My next stop… the Carter farm.
As I pull my truck to a stop in front of the house, I make my way down to the barn. The familiar scent of leather, hay and horses filling the air. I wanted to talk to Richard and Garrett about an idea I had, a horseback riding program for kids in the area. Riding was something I always loved to do, and I loved kids, so it was a win-win. It’s also a way to give back to the community and it didn’t hurt that it’d give me a reason to be here… closer to Ember.
