Page 21 of Waiting for You (Balsam Cliffs #3)

Peach: No way! Do you know how many people are staying at the inn?!

Me: I know all the good spots. We still have the barn.

Peach: I like the nostalgia…

Me: I’ll persuade you.

Peach: We’ll see winking emoji

Me: Photo of polaroid I’ve been looking at these all day. The temptation is strong.

Peach: Mmm. That was fun. But I really just liked getting to be with you, like old times.

Me: Waking up with you in my arms and not worrying if I had to rush out was the best moment of my life so far.

Peach: So far?

Me: I’m hoping I get a lot more moments with you. heart emoji

I wait for a response but I don’t get one so I settle in on the couch. I’m just going to watch a little of the football game before I have to leave for the inn. I’m in charge of grilling so I need to get there a little earlier.

I’m just going to set my alarm, just in case my eyes get any heavier…

The alarm from my phone blares through my space. Jolting me awake.

Shit. I didn’t mean to actually fall asleep.

I’m glad I set that alarm. Scrubbing my face to wake myself up, I walk to the bedroom to get ready for tonight.

I choose the Henley in forest green. Evelyn’s favorite color on me.

And my favorite pair of worn jeans. It’ll be chilly tonight, so I grab a hoodie knowing Eve will get cold.

I strip out of the sweatpants I have on and step under the spray of the shower. I need to get in and get out quick, barely giving the steam time to fill the bathroom.

Digging out my cologne I spritz some on my chest and walk out to my bed to spritz a bit on the tee and hoodie. Eve bought the scent for me one Christmas and I’ve never switched. It makes me think of her every time and when I only had the memories, I couldn’t bring myself to wear anything else.

Tossing on the clothes I took out and brushing my teeth, I’m ready to go.

I hope Wyatt gets there early with Eve. If not, my brothers are going to be grilling me about our date. I’m sure that Violet and Emma already told them everything if Coop was bringing pastries over this morning.

Me: I’m on my way over to the inn.

Peach: Wyatt said we’re leaving in about half an hour.

Me: I can’t wait to see you. Sure you don’t want me to come grab you?

Peach: Yes. I’ll be fine. I’m still getting ready anyway.

Me: You look beautiful no matter what. I have a hoodie in case you get cold.

Peach: Thanks smiling emoji

Getting to the inn, I park on the other side so I don’t get blocked in at the parking lot.

Rebels will be here with a beer truck and Liam invited the whole town in addition to the guests.

The driveway and parking area will be totally filled along with the street later tonight.

We decided we wanted to start hosting monthly dinners like this to help boost sales and give the people of Balsam Cliffs a chance to enjoy the property.

And what better month to start than when we have the Harvest Festival festivities?

“Hey, man!” Porter, one of Willow’s brother-in-laws, yells out to me from the front porch.

“Hey, you all made it.” I shake his hand, and hug his wife Adelaide.

“The whooooooole crew. Are you guys sure you’re ready for us?” She chuckles.

“I’m sure that Liam found work for each and every one of you. Especially Scarlett. I heard rumors they were setting up a meeting with her before you all leave.”

“The rumor is true.” Scarlett comes out on the front porch with us.

“Don’t worry every time I come over Liam finds something else that needs to be fixed or added. I’ve got five ongoing projects at any given time here. But he has to wait until winter for any of them to get going.” I shrug.

“Why do you have to talk shit about me? We’re brothers.” Now Liam walks up the front steps with Violet, Willow, and Gunnar.

“It’s not shit if it’s the truth, brother.” I take a seat in one of the adirondack chairs on the porch.

“Don’t you have a grill to man? Rome is waiting for you.” He scowls in my direction.

Looking at Scarlett, we both laugh. “See. Always a job.”

I leave the crew behind to head out toward the cliffs where Liam and Rome set everything up by the fire pits.

Over the summer we built a few more pits, spread out around the area where the one larger pit is.

With more guests, we saw a need for more spaces.

I’m really proud of Liam and Emma for all the work they put into growing the inn again and getting it back to the destination that it was when we were kids.

I fill the grill with meat that Emma brought out. I throw the large steaks on first, letting those cook low and slow until people get here and are ready for the smaller items.

“Hey, you.” Small hands wrap around my waist.

I spin around to find Eve. Claiming me in front of everyone. “Hey, Peach.” I lean down and take her mouth with mine, pulling her close.

“About fucking time!” Emma yells from the beer truck.

“I knew my picnic basket would do the trick!” Violet yells with Emma.

I whisper into Evelyn’s ear, my lips brushing the shell. “It was the caramel wasn’t it?”

She giggles and pulls away from me. “That definitely didn’t hurt your chances. Need any help?”

“I think I’m good, but I’ll pretend I do if it means I get your attention.” I lace my fingers with hers and tug her back to my side.

Flipping one of the steaks I hold her to me, grateful she’s willing to stand there. Her phone vibrates in her back pocket, followed by a sigh from her.

“Everything okay?”

“It’s just Neil and Daddy. Daddy finally got around to figuring out that I quit and moved home. Neil just figured it out because Daddy is blowing his phone up and taking time away from his clients. So he wants me to cut my little temper tantrum short and come home.”

“Your temper tantrum?” I clench my fist. I have a feeling I’m about to be very angry.

“Yeah. He doesn’t believe we’re broken up, remember?

When I told him I was leaving him and moving back here, he told me that I would be back in a couple months and that I just needed to get you out of my system.

That I was throwing a tantrum to get attention from him.

” She shrugs like this was just another day.

“I assume you often had to beg him for the bare minimum of attention?”

“I only get attention from him and Daddy when they need me to play the faithful daughter and girlfriend to make them look better in front of cameras, politicians, or clients.”

“He sounds like the fucking douche I thought he was.” I say through grit teeth. “You don’t have to deal with them though. You can block their numbers. You don’t have to delete letters one at a time.”

“Oh, I will. As soon as I get confirmation that I’m off the lease at the apartment.

I’ve sent an email to the management company.

I just want to make sure first. Then I’m blocking him.

Daddy, I’m just ignoring. He’ll get over it.

” She shoves her phone back in her pocket.

“I’m not going to let them ruin my good mood. ”

“Good.” I place a kiss on the top of her head.

“Want a beer? I’m going to grab one and talk to the girls.”

“Sure. Want me to get one of the fires going for you?”

“Ooh, yes please!” She yells over her shoulder.

Laughing, I turn the grill down and grab an armful of wood for the pit closest to me.