Page 8 of Pick Yourself Up (Heroes to the Core #3)

Checkup

A mber was overwhelmed after the tour of the farm. Four hundred acres was so much more than she’d expected.

The orchard was amazing. The scent of ripening apples filled the air, and it was wonderful to wander through the space.

She loved the ducks and Jolie’s pond. Ford had even created a fire pit area where they could sit in the evenings. Amber knew Ford and Jolie had spent the night near the fire more than once.

It sounded wonderful, but she knew she wasn’t brave enough for that. It was challenging enough to get sleep when she was behind locked doors with Boomer at her side.

Sleeping outdoors would be terrifying.

She shook off the shivers and focused on the present. The farm was better than advertised. Not only was it beautiful and diverse, it felt happy. Safe.

She wondered how much of that had been because of the man touring the farm with them.

Dark Eyes.

Gray Santoro. Also known as Santa or Claus.

He was as strong, sexy, and protective as she remembered. Back in Chicago, she’d immediately trusted him to get help and resolve the situation.

In the moment, she hadn’t realized how much he’d done. Later, she’d learned he’d incapacitated both men trying to get through the security and to the elevator.

He’d done it without firing his weapon and alerting the third man.

He’d tied them up, then shouted to the third man to stop him from hurting Amber further. All in moments that had seemed like hours.

Then he sat with her and made her feel safe. Told her she was brave. Made her feel that she wasn’t a complete coward. His calm presence had intrigued her then. And now.

He was a fascinating man.

Not that she knew much yet. Jolie had done most of the talking during the tour, showcasing the farm and the progress they’d made, along with their hopes for the future.

Her sister practically glowed with the joy of the potential surrounding her. And from the love that was obvious between her and Ford.

Amber wanted that. Wanted that soul-deep conviction that she was in the right place with the right people. Doing a job that mattered with a team that believed in the same principles. Doing it all with a man who adored her.

Jolie was living her fairy tale ending.

Amber couldn’t be happier for her even as she wondered if she would ever feel that level of contentment for herself.

Could she get it here?

Was the other farmhouse her place? The potential and peace she craved?

After the tour, she’d retreated to her bedroom to regroup. Her emotions had been running at full tilt and she’d needed some space.

She sat on her bed and patted the mattress for Boomer to jump up. He did, snuggling beside her with his eyes facing the door. “Thanks, Boomer. You’re a good friend.”

From her window, she could see the apple leaves turning from green to yellow to gold. Each tree appeared to have its own opinion of when it should shift to a new shade.

Fox would have loved it here. He’d always taken them for drives and walks when autumn was in her most gorgeous phases. They’d raked up piles of the gorgeous leaves and jumped into them with cheers and laughter.

He’d helped Amber press her favorite leaves so they’d dry and she could use them in art. They’d even made frames together, so the artwork was all theirs.

So many good memories. She wasn’t sure if it was the place triggering them all or if it was being with her brother and sister.

Or if the way Gray exuded safety had her brain relaxing enough to let the memories surface.

Whatever it was, it was wonderful and powerful. For so long, she’d only looked to the next task, the next shift. Not having a schedule was weird. Not having a boss was weirder. Even as the manager of the hotel, Amber had worked for others.

She’d never worked for herself, never set her own schedule. While she’d given every job her very best, she wondered if she’d work even harder for herself.

Could she do it? Could she be the one to make the decisions? Hold all the responsibilities?

If she did, she would be the one to enjoy the rewards of her efforts. That was a powerful lure.

The breather in her room had done its job. Now, Amber’s curiosity was simmering. “What do you think, Boomer? Want to check out the other farmhouse with me?”

She didn’t have to worry about clocks and alarms. There was no uniform to put on. Her jeans, t-shirts and sweatshirts would do. In fact, she might need to order more. Her personal wardrobe was embarrassingly small.

It hadn’t mattered before. Here, she was going to make different choices. Follow her questionable fashion sense and expand her boundaries. Maybe order a few shirts that weren’t navy or black.

She laughed at herself and stood. “Okay, Boomer, let’s go explore.”

She’d have to check out the farmhouse where everyone in the group lived soon. Boomer needed to know all the nooks and crannies and the potential threats and exits.

Not now, though. She wanted a peek at the farmhouse Knox had been teasing her with since the day he’d arrived at the farm in the spring.

She hadn’t seen the farmhouse during the first few calls because she’d blocked the video on her phone. She didn’t lie often, but she’d lied to her family then. Bruises had covered her swollen face for a long time after the attack, and she hadn’t wanted them to worry.

Now, she was here and would see the building for herself. Knox had loved the farm from that first moment. Maybe from the moment he’d read the lawyer’s letter informing them of the inheritance.

Her mind turned to Jay Malssum. Fox’s brother. It was so weird that Fox had never mentioned Jay, not to any of them. Fox had been all about the strength and importance of family. What could have ruined that brotherly bond?

She couldn’t imagine not having her siblings. While she hadn’t lived in the same state with any of them for years, they all kept in touch. Knox was often the impetus, but if she’d been too quiet, Lawson and Burke would check in on her. She and Jolie rarely went a week without talking.

They were all close. Knox wanted them closer still. Physically closer, as in sharing their lives on this farm.

But Amber needed a way to contribute. A way that made her heart happy. She’d enjoyed working in hotels over the years. Was Knox right? Could she really turn the other farmhouse into a B&B?

The idea sent a shiver of excitement through her, and she was smiling as she and Boomer walked up the road. She told Boomer he was Free, knowing the dog would stay close and that he’d return to her side with a single word. Or if her nerves soared.

Boomer was intuitive and knew she wasn’t comfortable if he was out of sight.

She rubbed his head as they walked up the road. “You’re a good friend, Boomer.”

It didn’t take more than a couple of minutes to reach the other farmhouse. The buildings weren’t side by side and there were plenty of apple trees to fill the space between, along with bushes and overgrown gardens.

Gray would soon attack that area. She wondered what he would create there. Whatever it was, it would be beautiful.

How had someone who loved the peace of gardening coped with his jobs in the army and then as a bodyguard? To her, they were jobs requiring very different skill sets. Not that she knew much about any of them.

She understood the power of flowers and plants in making an indoor space welcoming, but she knew nothing about growing them.

It surprised her she wanted to know more.

And that wasn’t only because she was so attracted to Gray. With a grin, she admitted it was a large contributing factor. Dark Eyes was a hell of a lure.

The farmhouse came into view in a rush. The large bushes and trees had blocked her view from the road. Now, she stood and looked her fill.

Boomer roamed the small area around her, checking out the scents and the sights for threats, leaving her free to study the structure.

The front of the farmhouse faced her, leaving it sideways on the property. What had once been happy yellow siding had faded to a tired beige. Worn and peeling trim edged the windows and doors.

The front porch was wide enough for small groupings of tables and chairs. The side porch facing the gardens was better yet. She could picture rockers and swings. It could handle several intimate conversational settings.

From what she could tell, the porch wrapped around the back of the farmhouse. What would that view be like?

Probably overgrown like the rest of this part of the land. Maybe Gray could help her improve that as well.

The house reached three full stories. The attic appeared to have been expanded at one point. The footprint of this house was larger than the one they were using. And that one had eight bedrooms on the second floor.

If this one had had that many, that meant sixteen rooms. That was more than a typical B&B. An inn? Making it an inn meant she wouldn’t need to cook breakfast every day, which was a bonus.

Could she use one room on each floor for a sitting room? Small library. Music room with a piano for guests. A place for visitors to play board games when the weather wasn’t cooperating.

She’d have to do more research on this part of Vermont. Was there a way to incorporate the area’s history into the rooms and shared spaces?

From the farm road, Amber counted five chimneys. Five. It had probably been decades since someone had cleaned them, but fireplaces would add charm to the spaces. Even if they needed to be converted to gas, they would be positive additions.

In a house this old, the kitchen and bathrooms would need to be upgraded before she could even think about making it an inn.

Over the years, she’d learned a lot about actual renovations. Getting involved with that part was fun. She enjoyed demo, but putting up drywall and installing floors was more her speed. That way, she could see the potential building and imagine the people who would be happy in the new space.

“What do you think, Boomer? Do you think we could be happy here?”

Boomer woofed and wagged his tail in agreement.