Page 31 of Waiting for You (Balsam Cliffs #3)

Listening to the way that asshole spoke to Eve has me seeing red. I sent her back into the kitchen and went to find Roman. He needs to be a part of this conversation. More so, he probably needs to be the one to talk to him. His dad would never listen to me.

“Roman, can I speak to you?” I take in all those nosey men watching football. “Outside, please.”

“Shit. Full name and an outside conversation?” He laughs getting up off the couch and following me to the porch. “What’s going on, Hunt? Something with Eve?”

“Yeah, actually. Neil just called her and he is a total asshole. You should have heard the way he was talking to her. Apparently your father invited the mayor over for dinner with some other important assholes, and Eve’s presence is required, not requested.

He even had the nerve to threaten her, she shows up or else. ” I snort a laugh.

I fucking dare him to try and get to Eve.

“Are you shitting me? I knew my dad was getting worse with all this election stuff, but honestly, I thought he’d give up on it by now.”

“Yeah well, sounds like Neil is riding his coattails and keeping that train moving. And Eve is the key to his connection that he doesn’t want to lose.

Did you know that when she broke up with him he told her she could slum it with me as long as she showed up for her duties when needed?

He doesn’t even give a shit about her. Only what she can do for him. ”

Rome’s hands fist at his side. “I’m going to fucking kill him.”

“Get in line.” I scoff. “We need to call your dad. And you have to be the one to do it. He won’t give a shit what I say.”

He pulls his phone out and in just a few clicks the phone is ringing.

“Roman.” Not even a loving greeting.

“You need to leave Evelyn alone.”

“I haven’t spoken to your sister in weeks. She’s ignoring my calls.” I roll my eyes at his response.

“No shit. That’s why you’re siccing Neil on her. Leave her alone. She’s happy in Balsam Cliffs. She’s happy with Hunter. She’s happy with her new agency. Just let her be happy for once.”

“Stop being so dramatic, Roman. Your sister is needed here this evening. That is all. Nothing more, nothing less. It’s dinner.”

This was a bad idea. All this does is piss me off more.

“Dad, she’s not coming. And if you make her, just know that me, Hunter, and Emma will also be showing up. So make your choice. It’s all of us or none of us.” Roman sucks in a deep breath, holding it while he waits for his father’s answer.

“If you must be so difficult about it all, I will find an excuse for your sister. But she can’t avoid her responsibilities for long.”

Roman hangs up instead of responding. Probably for the best considering how angry we both are.

“I won’t let her go there, Rome. And I sure as shit won’t let her see them alone. She doesn’t deserve to be treated like a commodity.” The urge to turn and punch this pillar on the wrap-around porch is strong. Except I built it, so I know it’s solid wood surrounding a cement and steel pole.

“Nope. I’ve got him handled from here. She can block them and I’ll handle him. I’ll keep you posted.” He shoves his phone back in his pocket and storms back into the house.

Taking a minute, I sit on the front steps to calm myself down. Only I hear quiet footsteps coming out of the door and over to me.

“Everything okay?” Cooper sits down next to me.

“It will be. Mr. Thomas is just being himself.”

“He always was a jackass.”

I chuckle, “Nothing has changed apparently.” A quiet silence settles between us as we watch the flurries swirl around the front porch and front yard. “Everything okay with you?”

“I don’t know. I’m feeling unsettled. I’m so used to traveling everywhere, all the time, and now I’m here every day. I love helping Liam and Emma when I’m not getting the blog up and going, but I miss the feel of my camera in my hands.” He shuffles his feet on the step.

“I get that. You’re almost coming back to civilian life. It’s hard as fuck. And I know you saw some shit on that last assignment. The worst part of it was you didn’t sign up for it. At least G and I did.”

“Yeah. That last one was rough. I should have known my boss would do some shit to get what he wanted. I don’t know. I just want to regain control of my life again.”

“So go somewhere. Somewhere only for you, man. Bring your camera and write whatever the fuck you want. It’s your blog now.

Besides, last I checked your socials were over a million.

So I think you’ll be alright without that douche boss.

He has less than a thousand followers. He’s the one struggling.

” I slap Coop on the shoulder when he sighs exasperated like I’m not telling him something he doesn’t already know.

“I have a trip booked for the spring. I’m going to go to Napa Valley after I finish the apple blossom photography for Thomas and Aggie. They’re posting the sessions on their website in January. They’ve teased it a few times and there’s been a positive response.”

“That’s great. Hey, did you hear about their nephew? We’ve got to ask Violet to set up a meal train or something for when they get back.”

His head snaps to me. “Jack? Isn’t he in Montana now? Married with a kid?”

“Shit, you didn’t hear. Yes to Jack, but he died in an accident last week. His daughter was only three. Tommy and Aggie are devastated. They were essentially his parents. They raised him, put him through college.”

“I didn’t know. Damn it. I just left them a voicemail yesterday about some Christmas Photo Shoots. Shit. Now I feel like an ass.”

“I’m sure they won’t think so, but we need to get with Vi on meals Monday and maybe a donation? I think there was an account set up for the daughter, Lily. They wanted donations for her in lieu of flowers.” I try to pull up the obituary on my phone. When I find it, I turn my phone to show him.

“Damn. That’s so fucking sad. We should do something for his wife too.”

“That’s a good idea. Let’s get the girls on it Monday.” I pocket my phone before the silence settles back in between us.

“Makes me feel like everything I was just worried about is insignificant.” He blows out a breath, the hot air steaming in front of us in the cold weather.

“Nah. You just have to figure out how to return to real life. And I’m always here if you need help with it. But the best advice I ever got was to not be too hard on myself. Just take it minute by minute and find what makes you happy.”

He gives me a weak smile before standing and going back in to leave me alone here on the porch.

I should have noticed Coop was struggling. He hasn’t told us anything about his last assignment but we all knew it was bad. It was the catalyst for him quitting his job. I make a mental note to check in on him more, maybe have a guys’ night.

“Hunter, dinner is ready.” Pop’s voice breaks my train of thought.

Standing, I rub my hands down my jeans. Something to give myself a moment to clear the negative thoughts before heading back in.

I follow Pops in, taking my seat next to Evelyn. Leaning over I place a kiss on her cheek and she puts her hand on my thigh.

“What was that for?” she asks.

“Just thankful for you is all.” I grin at her and lace my fingers with hers on my thigh.

I begin serving both of us with the dishes that are close by until the rest start making their way around the table.

“I’m beyond thankful for you too, Hunt.” This time she kisses my cheek.

“So, Roman, are you ready for the brew-off?” Margaret asks.

He groans in response, making Ems giggle. “He’s worried that his customers are going to pick the competition.”

“It’s a valid concern! I don’t want them to leave me and go to him!” Rome whines.

“They wouldn’t leave you, sweetheart. Balsam Cliffs loves your beer. I know they’ll make the right choice.” Mom assures him.

“Yeah, big bro. I guarantee we’ll all know which one is yours.” Eve smiles.

But he shoots her a death glare. “This is your fault! We were happy with knowing our own strengths. You couldn’t do this in the fall when I know my pumpkin spice wins!”

“It’s good to push yourself to be better.” She shrugs and pops a bite of turkey in her mouth.

Rome looks at me. “Remember when she was gone? I miss that.”

A roll comes flying across the table from beside me and hits its intended target, Rome’s head.

The table erupts into laughter when the front door opens.

“What did I miss?” Willow comes running into the dining room. She isn’t one to miss out on anything.

“Just giving my husband shit.” Em laughs and hugs her when she sits down.

“Ugh. I did miss something.” Willow pouts.

The table erupts into laughter and the shit-giving and meal continues. Eve reaches under the table to grab my thigh as she finishes eating, an easy smile rests on her face.

Getting to be there for her this morning with her father was a source of pride. It’s about time I was able to be there for her. To protect her.

The back of my truck is loaded down with inflatables and Christmas lights.

So is Wyatt’s truck, and Coop has the inn’s truck.

Liam wasn’t kidding when he said he wanted to meet with Tommy to get Christmas to be a big deal.

They’ve designed a small (according to them) path between the inn and the farm that skirts the haunted house trail to be decorated.

They’re using the haunted house pattern and making different worlds for the trail using the classic Christmas movies.

I’ve got Frosty in my truck. Liam is already there setting up Rudolph which will lead to Santa.

Pops is going to dress up for the kids and we’re hoping to open the week before Christmas during the festival.

Aggie is beside herself excited. Her and Mom are going to bake cookies and package them individually for the kids to get from Santa.

But I’m worried about everything getting done, and whether or not they’ll be back from Montana yet.

Or if they’ll be up for it. I guess we’ll wait and see.