Page 31 of Call It Love (Sterling Mill #5)

Anna

The sharp scent of motor oil, must, and old wood hit me the moment I stepped into the barn, making me sneeze as I made my way across the floor, tablet in hand.

Morning light filtered through the top windows and narrow cracks in some of the siding, catching dust motes—along with more bugs than I cared to count—in midair.

Cobwebs draped from the rafters like holiday tinsel, and a bird’s nest perched in one of the overhead beams. A mess of rakes and shovels leaned haphazardly along the walls.

It was going to take some old-fashioned elbow grease to clean it out and make it ready, but it would be beautiful once it was strung with lights and music, and laughter filled the air.

If I could pull it off, especially on a short timeline with essentially a budget of nothing.

Tapping my finger against my lips, I spun in a circle, mentally mapping out the layout. Food tables on the left. Bistro tables and chairs near the open doors. The band would be at the back, leaving an open space for dancing.

Speaking of, where in the world was I going to find a band that could play at such short notice and for very little pay, since the money for the tickets was earmarked for the fundraiser? No wonder Beverly Seymour wanted to stick to simpler things.

I started typing on my tablet the many things I needed to find: band, silent auction items, food, lights…

A rustle behind me made me turn.

Marcus.

I pasted on a polite smile. “Morning.”

He wore his usual jeans, work boots, and a Silver Creek ball cap pushed back on his head. But there was nothing casual about the way he strode in. His smile felt more slick than friendly.

“Morning,” he answered, his eyes drifting toward the swell of my chest before dragging them back to mine. “Heard you’re planning a barn dance here.”

“Trying to,” I said lightly, taking a step back. “Lots to figure out and get done.” I waved my tablet, hoping he’d take the hint.

Instead, he filled the space I tried to create between us. “You know if you need help with anything,” he said, his voice dropping a notch, “I’ve got a truck and a strong back.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I answered, retreating another step—right into the side of a tractor.

He leaned an arm against the hood, far too close for comfort. “You got someone takin’ you to the dance?”

I twisted my lips, trying to think of how to answer him. “Um, I think I’ll mostly be working that evening. It’s my job to make sure everything runs smoothly.”

His grin widened. “Pretty little thing like you has to have some fun, though. Am I right?” He reached out as if to brush my cheek, but I dodged him .

I crossed my arms, holding my tablet against my chest like a shield. “I’m sure I will. Now, if you’ll excuse me?—”

“Anna.”

Thank God for constant interruptions around here. Marcus shifted at the sound of the voice. I looked over his shoulder. Bristol was striding towards us, eyes narrowed and locked on the scene in front of her.

Great. Could this morning get any more complicated?

“Everything okay in here?” she asked.

Marcus took a step back. “Just being friendly.”

“Right,” she said dryly.

“I was just leaving,” he added, tossing me a smirk that made my stomach churn. “Good luck with your planning.”

He sauntered out, Bristol’s gaze tracking him until he disappeared. I breathed a little easier, at least until her attention swung back to me.

“You two seemed pretty close.”

“He came in while I was working.”

“Doesn’t change what it looked like.”

I lifted my chin. “If there’s something you want to ask me, Bristol, just say it. I know you’re not one to beat around the bush.”

It figured I’d make peace with one sister only to have a problem with the other.

She crossed her arms and gave me a hard stare. “I thought you were with my brother.”

“I am.”

“Chase doesn’t need a reason to doubt you.”

And neither do I. Her unsaid words hung in the air between us.

The words stung, even though I knew they came from a place of loyalty.

“I’m not playing around. I’d never do that to him. ”

Her brow raised. “I want to believe you. But…”

I held up a hand. “I know. I broke up with him. I left. I married someone else. I get it, Bristol. You don’t trust me.

But Chase and I were kids. I did nothing wrong other than to have so many self-doubts that I made the worst mistake of my life.

And trust me when I say breaking up with Chase wasn’t the only poor decision I made.

” I swallowed hard. “I paid for it, believe me. But we’ve been given another chance.

I’m not wasting it, and I’m certainly not walking away from it.

Marcus approached me, and I certainly did nothing to encourage it. Just the opposite, actually.”

Her posture relaxed slightly. “I’m sorry, Anna. For a lot of things, including jumping to the wrong conclusion. Actually, you did look uncomfortable with Marcus. Was he bothering you?”

“Nothing I couldn’t handle.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

“He made a pass. I shut it down. Even if I weren’t with Chase, and I am, I wouldn’t be interested in him. In fairness, Chase and I haven’t made our relationship public. Marcus probably doesn’t know.”

She nodded. “Well, again, I’m sorry. Can we blame it on the crazy pregnancy hormones?”

I allowed a small laugh. “Yeah. Let’s go with that.”

She looked around. “So this is going to be the scene of the next big Sterling Mill shindig, huh?”

“Yep. Assuming I can pull it together.”

“You can. And that’s why I’m here. I said I’d help. Well, that, and it’s my day off, and Reid was driving me crazy telling me I should rest. So, it’s either help you or fake a nap somewhere.”

I chuckled. “Whatever it takes to have the help, I’m grateful to have it. ”

“So, what’s the plan?”

I woke up my tablet and looked at the list I’d made.

“Other than the obvious need to clean this place out and stage a small miracle? I need help wrangling auction donations. After I get lunch for the guys, I thought I’d spend the afternoon making some calls.

And the hardest thing is, I need to find a good band at short notice who’s basically willing to work for food. ”

“Oof.” She winced. “I can help with the auction. I’ll start by offering a year of free oil changes.

That’ll guilt some of the other businesses into ponying up something decent.

But let me see what else I can do. I used to attend some fundraisers with my dad.

I’ll try to think of some other ideas.” She paused, then her face lit up. “You know what you should do.”

My brow wrinkled, wary of her idea when she got that look. “What?”

“Tomorrow’s our girls’ night. It’s me, Cam, Em, and some of our friends. Join us. It’s the perfect way to come out of hiding.”

“I’m not hiding.”

She arched an eyebrow.

“Okay, fine. It’s easier here.”

“I get it. But it’s time to grab the bull by the horns. In fact,” she winked, “Ferg’s has a riding bull. We could go there instead, and you could literally grab it.”

I shuddered at the idea. “I don’t think getting tossed on my butt in front of everyone will help any.”

“Sure, it would. But we’ll save that for another time. We’re meeting at Megan’s house.”

“Who?”

“Megan Bliss. She manages Bliss Confections. You’ll love her. ”

“Are you sure no one would mind if I showed up?”

She waved off my concern. “Please. They love a good comeback story. You’ll be golden.”

“If you’re sure…”

“I’m sure.” Her voice softened a touch. “It might be good for all of us. Help us find our way back to…you know. How it used to be.”

A small lump caught in my throat. “Okay. I’ll come.”

“Good. Now let’s see what else you’ve got there.”