The game continued, but my mind was reeling. Everything was finally fitting into place. Our future, the one I’d been too afraid to truly believe in, was taking shape. I excused myself a few minutes later, needing a moment to process the enormity of Richard’s offer. I left my phone on the table, not expecting any calls.
When I returned from the bathroom, Garrett was staring at my phone. “Your phone was going off, Colt. You missed a call.”
I checked the missed call, seeing Cade’s number there.
“Damn it,” I cursed under my breath, my thumb hovering over the call button.
Richard looked up, his brow furrowed. “Everything alright?”
“Yeah, just… I missed a call from Cade,” I said.
Richard sighed. “I talked to him about three weeks ago. He said he was doing good, but he sounded stressed.” He nodded his head. “He didn’t sound like himself. He was different. But before I could ask anything he had to go.”
My worry intensified. Cade was never one to stress out. He was the one who always had it together, the one who joked his way through everything. If Richard noticed it, then something was definitely off.Is he okay? And why didn’t he call me back sooner? Is he avoiding me? Did someone else tell him about…My thoughts spiraled, a familiar knot of anxiety tightening in my gut. I tried to push it down, to rationalize. He was probably just busy. He was in the military, things were intense. But the unease persisted.
“So, Colt,” Garrett’s voice cut through my thoughts, pulling me back to the conversation around the table. “Since you’re talking about that piece of land, does that mean you figured out how you’re putting a ring on Ember’s finger?” He grinned, a playful challenge in his eyes.
I ran a hand through my hair, suddenly feeling a little anxious. “I… I’m thinking about it,” I admitted. “I just… I’m scared she’ll say no.”
Garrett burst out laughing, while Richard chuckled, shaking his head.
“You’re scared she’ll say no?” Garrett repeated. “Colton, have youseenthe way my sister looks at you?”
Alejandro’s calm spoke up. “From everything Colton has told me about Ember, and I only met her that one time, but it was obvious how much she loves him. She’s been a constant source of strength and support for him. I don’t believe you have anything to worry about, Colton.”
Richard patted my shoulder, his gaze reassuring. “Son, my daughter has been head over heels for you since she was a young girl. You have nothing to worry about. Just make sure you do it right.” He winked. “She deserves a good proposal.”
Relief washed over me. They were right. Ember loved me. She was mine. And I was hers. And now, thanks to Richard, we had the perfect place to build our future. Just the thought of it, of building a home with Ember, a bunch of mini Ember’s running around filled me with hope and excitement.
Chapter 38
Colton
The first week of December had arrived, bringing with it a biting cold and a blanket of fresh, powdery snow that transformed Rose Valley into a winter wonderland. The air smelled of pine and the crisp, clean scent of winter. Main street was decorated with lights and decorations. Everywhere you looked felt like Christmas.
The farm was in full swing selling Christmas trees and buzzing with activity. Customers wandered through the fields, searching for the perfect tree to cut down, while others opted for the pre-cut pines that were drilled and ready to go on the stand. Inside the heated workshop, Ember and her mom were busy making wreaths and other holiday decor to sell.
Thanksgiving had been a whirlwind. Laura and Richard’s house had been bursting at the seams with everyone who was invited. Agnes, Marge, Larry, Avery, Lila, Lori, they were all there. Then there was Abi, the new waitress at the Bean and Brew, and her dad.
Apparently, Laura and Richard were good friends with her dad, and when they found out they’d be spending Thanksgiving just the two of them, they insisted they come.
Throughout the day I couldn’t help but notice the subtle tension between Owen and Abi. They seemed to avoid each other, or when they did interact, it was with a forced casualness that felt anything but. I’d wanted to pull Owen aside and ask him what was going on, but the evening was too busy, and I never got the chance.
Today, I was helping Garrett wrap some of the larger Christmas trees in netting, the scent of fresh pine filling the air. Since it was quiet in the barn, I decided to take the opportunity and ask Garrett about Owen.
“Hey Garrett, what’s the deal with Owen and that Abi girl from Thanksgiving?”
Garrett grunted, pulling the netting taut. “No idea. Why?”
“At Thanksgiving. I couldn’t help but notice the weird tension between them. Like there was something going on between them.”
He shrugged, stepping back from the now neatly wrapped tree. “Honestly, man, I don’t know. Owen’s never mentioned her before. But I think maybe they went to school together. I honestly don’t remember her coming around though.” He paused, picking up another tree. “Why? You think something happened?”
I sighed. “Just a vibe I got. I noticed Owen would look at Abi, then when she looked his way he’d look away and act like he wasn’t just watching her. Or vice versa. It was just weird.”
Garrett just shook his head. “Beats me. If something’s up, he’ll tell us when he’s ready. Or he won’t. That’s just Owen.”
I nodded, accepting his answer. It was true, Owen had always been the quietest of the Carter siblings, the one who kept his cards closest to his chest, but never missed a thing.
