Page 37 of Call It Love (Sterling Mill #5)

Anna

My cabin smelled like a field of flowers, but I loved it.

The last batch of goat’s milk and lavender soap finished curing yesterday.

Today, I was wrapping the small bars in purple mesh, tying them with a thin piece of twine, and sticking a small sprig of lavender under the knot.

My contribution was a simple thank you to the guests who bought tickets to attend the dance.

Maybe it was the lavender showing off its relaxation quality, but for the first time since I took on this role, I felt like I could breathe more easily.

Not completely stress-free, but close enough.

Once the barn dance was behind me, I thought I might sleep for a week.

I didn’t know how Chase was keeping up with everything.

He was keeping a close eye on Jordan, trying to support me with the fundraising project, and preparing for the Christmas tree committee to arrive late next week.

Jordan was healing and doing better. Thriving, even, under Chase’s roof.

He was still quiet, but he no longer hovered at the doorways like he needed permission to enter a room.

He laughed a little more easily and even started leaving his things lying around.

Ordinary things, but progress for a child who was slowly figuring out he was safe enough just to be.

The first night Jordan stayed in the main house, Jack seemed torn about where his loyalties should be—with me or with his new friend, who seemed to cling to him as I had once done.

I sent him to stay with Jordan, who needed the dog more than I did at this point.

Besides, I had Chase, especially considering I spent every night in his bed now anyway.

“My” cabin had become more of a command center than a home lately, stacked with donations and boxes of decorations I’d borrowed or found cheap.

The dance was only three days away. Somehow, everything had come together.

Sterling Construction had built a stage for the band, bar tables and chairs were being delivered later this afternoon, and over a dozen volunteers were scheduled to help set up and decorate.

Bristol’s connection, Slim Pickins , had already rolled into town, and Slim and his crew were quite the characters.

They were a lot of fun and would keep the crowd entertained for hours.

The last time I saw Slim, he was sharing a laugh with Hans Zimmerman.

I just hoped Slim wasn’t sampling too much of Hans’s moonshine.

I unwound the last of the material. Shoot.

There was no way it would be enough. I glanced at my watch.

If I didn’t waste time, I could get to town and back in time to make dinner.

I grabbed my purse, scooped up the list I’d been adding to all week—mostly of things I wanted to get Jordan—and climbed into my car.

I tapped the screen on my phone, putting in a call to Mallory on speaker before I pulled down the long driveway.

“Well, well. Look who remembered she has friends outside of Farmville. ”

I laughed. “It’s only been a week.”

“Meh. Unnecessary details. I’ll forgive the radio silence if you tell me you’ve been spending your free time in your farmer’s bed. Or out in the hayfield. I’m not picky.”

“It’s not that kind of farm,” I answered with a grin. “No hay in sight.”

She squealed. “You’re not denying the bed, though!”

My lips twitched as I let the silence stretch.

“Oh, my god! How badly are you blushing right now? Looks like I’m going to have to make a trip to the mountains to meet this farmer of yours.”

“I’d love that,” I said as I merged onto the main road. “Just be sure to leave your high-heeled boots and designer shoes at home. You’ll sink right into the dirt here.”

“It’s the perfect excuse to buy new shoes.”

Laughing, I shook my head because I knew she was serious.

“What are you up to now since I’m assuming your sexy farmer let you out of bed to go do…whatever a farmer does?”

“I’m headed into town. I ran out of the material I’m using to wrap my soap. Plus, I want to pick up some clothes for Jordan. He’s outgrown most of what he has.”

“Look at you. Quite the homemaker.”

“Trying. Especially with him.”

Her voice sobered. “How is he, anyway?”

“Doing better. Chase is working with the social worker to explore what he needs to do next to extend his temporary guardianship. If things go the way we hope, he’ll be able to file for permanent custody soon.”

“What about those monsters? The aunt and uncle? Those bastards deserve to burn in hell.”

“Agree,” I said, tightening my fingers on the steering wheel.

“Needless to say, CPS found enough during the investigation to substantiate the abuse, both physical and emotional. There’s talk of criminal charges, but nothing official yet, but we all believe it will happen.

Reid is building the case. For now, there’s a no-contact order.

They’re out of the picture. Total pariahs in town, and Jordan is safe. That’s what matters.”

“I’m glad.”

We were both quiet for a few seconds. Then Mal added, “You know what’s wild? You and Jordan. You aren’t that different.”

“What do you mean?”

“You both came out of situations where you were hurt. In different ways, but pain all the same. And now you’re both living under the same roof and both learning what it’s like not to live in fear.”

My throat tightened. Her words were so achingly true.

She went on. “Your Farmer Chase is the common thread. He’s a miracle worker, I think. He’s given you both space to breathe. To be yourselves. To be loved like you always should have been.”

I swallowed past the lump in my throat. My heart warmed to hear someone recognize how much I’d changed. It wasn’t in my head. It was real. And it felt amazing. “I love him, Mal.”

She didn’t hesitate. “I know you do. You always have.”

I smiled to myself, my heart full in a way I hadn’t expected when I first picked up the phone. “I’ll call you later, okay?”

“Can’t wait. And send me a sample of your soap. I need proof of your transformation into a domestic goddess.”

I grinned and glanced at the package in the passenger seat, which I had already put together with her name on it. “Deal. ”

The call ended, and the truck cab filled with quiet again. Outside, the mountains rose steadily in the distance, the summer haze softening their edges. I rolled down the window a few inches, letting in a breeze that smelled faintly of cut grass and honeysuckle.

I turned on Market Street and parked in the first space I could find. For a small town, Sterling Mill was always busy. But unlike where I previously lived, it didn’t matter where I parked. Everything was within walking distance.

As I got out of my car, the door to the general store across the street swung open. My mom stepped out, a brown paper bag tucked into the crook of her arm. She paused, adjusting her grip, her eyes scanning the sidewalk before she started toward the old pickup truck parked further down the curb.

I hadn’t seen her in weeks. Not since Chase and I had our first “date.” She looked the same as always—neat, composed, and with an all-too-familiar tension in her shoulders. She nervously smiled as people offered her a friendly greeting as they passed.

I crossed the street quickly. “Mom?”

She startled, then smiled faintly when she saw me. “Anna. Hello. What a lovely surprise once again.”

“Hi.” I glanced at the bag in her arms. “It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?”

“It is. Your father had to come into town for something at the hardware store,” she said, smoothing a hand over her purse strap. “I thought I’d pick up a few things while he was inside. Some more material and a couple of books to read.”

I studied her more closely. She looked tired in a way that went beyond merely being busy. It stirred something protective in me. Apparently, part of Chase’s personality had rubbed off on me.

I gave a small nod, then stepped closer. “You know, you don’t have to wait until he brings you to town. You can come whenever you want. You have a license. A car. You don’t need a reason or a chaperone. You can even come visit me.”

Her mouth tightened just slightly. “It’s just easier when we plan things together.”

I searched her face, wanting to say more but not knowing how to without making her pull away. “I just… I’d love to see you more. You don’t have to stay tucked away on that ridge all the time.”

Her eyes flicked down, then back up. “He just worries.”

“I know he does,” I said, trying to be firm but also encouraging. “But worrying doesn’t mean he gets to decide everything for you.”

There was a pause. Not long. But something in her expression shifted—just barely.

“I read about the barn dance,” she said, glancing down the street as if she were afraid my dad would come out and scold her for wasting time talking, even to me. “There are flyers everywhere. I saw your name as a contact person. You’re organizing it?”

I felt my posture straighten without meaning to. “I am. It’s a fundraiser for the town. Something fun, yet meaningful.”

Her eyes brightened. “That’s wonderful, Anna. Really. I’m proud of you.” Her eyes lingered on me, softening. “You seem…settled. Happy. Like you’ve found what you’ve always been searching for.”

I was pleasantly surprised by her insight. I hoped it stirred something inside her, too. “I have.”

She nodded once, her fingers tightening around the bag. “Well. I should get back to the truck. Your father doesn’t like to wait too long. ”

I smiled, though something in my chest ached. “Okay. But if you ever want to come out to Silver Creek, you’d be welcome. Anytime.” I knew I’d made the offer before, but maybe if I repeated it enough, it would stick.

She looked like she might say something else. But in the end, all she offered was a quiet, “I’ll think about it.”

It wasn’t much. But it was more than nothing.

I smiled. “Okay.”

She nodded, then turned back toward the truck she and Dad had driven in, her bag crinkling quietly under her arm.

I watched her go, that ache in my chest twisting a little tighter. I wasn’t trying to pull her away from him. I just wanted her to see there was more; that she could still choose something for herself.

I knew you couldn’t wake up one morning and suddenly live differently.

Usually, it took a catalyst. Little or big—a thought you have.

An opportunity. A hope you stretch for. A situation that changes or becomes too much.

It could be scary. But having someone reach out a hand to steady you could make the difference. I wanted to be that for her.

I knew from experience that beginnings could be fragile. They could break. They didn’t always guarantee happy endings.

But sometimes, they were enough to change everything in the most perfect and beautiful way.