Chapter 12
twelve
. . .
Reese
Finn helped me bring a bunch of things over to the new office this morning, as I’d spent the last week moving stuff over here and getting set up.
My parents had surprised me with a desk that had just been delivered.
Tonight, we were going to the Bumpkin Pumpkin Fall Festival downtown.
It was one of my favorite events in Cottonwood Cove, and Finn and I had been going to it since before we could even walk.
This year it was falling on the day before Halloween, which would make it even more fun because the kids would all come in costume and take advantage of the opportunity to dress up two days in a row.
Everyone in town would be there, and the weather was getting chilly, so we’d need to bundle up. Tomorrow was the interview with The Hollywood Moment, and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to being a little nervous now that it was so close. I didn’t want to do anything to mess things up for Finn.
“I’ve got macaroni and cheese and cornbread,” my dad said as he and Finn walked back inside.
I’d chosen a name, and it was Sunset Cove Design.
I like what it represented.
Three of my favorite things. The water and the sunset and design.
To me, this represented beauty.
I’d minored in graphic design in college, so I’d been working on my logo for a long time—long before I even knew this pipe dream of mine could actually become a reality.
My friend, Maggie, was coming by to paint the logo on the large front window this weekend. She’d done a few of the shop windows in town, and I was thrilled that things were really coming together.
“Oh, good, I’m starving,” my mom said. “I just got those pictures hung in your bathroom for you.”
“Thanks, Mama. You guys are the best. I don’t really have any clients, so it’s not like there’s any urgency.”
“Hey. I take offense to that. I’m your client.” Finn set down a large bag of food on the card table my parents had brought over for an extra place to sit for now.
“I know that. But I live with you. So, it’s not like you meet me at the office.”
“I’m here, aren’t I?” He smirked before helping my dad carry the folding chairs and placing them around the table.
I had bins of fabric samples I’d been collecting, along with endless design notebooks and magazines that were stacked on the built-in shelving that had come in handy.
It was a start.
“You just got the keys a week ago, so I think you’re doing really well,” my father said.
“Thanks. I appreciate you all helping me get set up.”
“Always,” they all said at the same time before my mom started grilling us about the interview.
“Are you nervous? It’s a big magazine. Will they be taking photos of you guys?” she asked.
I glanced at Finn. We hadn’t discussed me being in the photos, but he knew I’d do whatever he needed. He’d literally pushed me to get my business going, believed in me probably more than anyone in my life ever had, and was putting his life on hold to help me get mine back.
To help me get Carl back.
“Well, I’m guessing once they meet Reese, they’re going to want to take a bunch of photos. I’ll leave it up to her.”
“You know that I’ll do whatever you need me to do,” I said, moaning when I took a sip of the best hot chocolate from Cottonwood Café.
Finn’s eyes snapped to mine, and I cleared my throat.
I’d caught him looking at me differently ever since that night in his bathroom.
He’d play it off and look away or wink and make a joke of it.
But I saw the desire there. Maybe I recognized it because I felt it, too.
But feeling it and acting on it were two completely different things.
I was fairly certain that we were both just lonely right now. It didn’t help that we were constantly together, so of course we were feeling things that we didn’t normally feel.
But we hadn’t acted on anything since that night, and we wouldn’t.
My phone buzzed as my dad asked Finn endless questions about filming the new season.
Big Sky Ranch would be filming season two in Scott’s Ranch again, which was located between here and the city.
So, he’d be leaving once he got back from Tokyo, and we’d stage our breakup right before he left the country.
He wasn’t telling anyone about the movie just yet, as he wanted to wait until they announced it and everything was finalized.
I glanced down to see a new text.
Carl
Hey. I heard you found an office space. Mrs. Runither filled me in. So, you’re really doing it. Proud of you, Reese. Sorry, it took me so long to say it.
I sucked in a breath, my heart racing a bit at his words.
Thank you. I’m excited to get started.
Carl
I’d like to hire you. I can be your first official client. I’d like to get my office done.
Well, Finn has beat you to the punch, but of course, I’ve got room on my calendar. I’d be happy to design your office. You just let me know when you’d like to get started.
Carl
Sooner rather than later. I’m off on Monday next week. How about you come over and we take a look?
Sure. Does 9:00 a.m. work?
Carl
That sounds perfect. Will you and Finn be at the festival tonight?
Of course. You know I love it. Are you going this year?
He’d never gone with me in the past. It wasn’t his thing, and I’d never pushed it because it had always been something that I did with Finn and our families.
Carl
Yeah, a group of us are going from the hospital. I’m off tonight. I’ll see you there.
Sounds good.
“Everything all right?” my mom asked.
I dropped my phone into my purse and reached for my fork. “Yeah. That was Carl. He just hired me to design his office.”
Finn smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “That’s great, Miney. Sounds like he’s starting to grovel. This interview will probably push him over the edge.”
I nodded. “Yeah. I hope so.”
I should feel happy. But so much was happening right now that I wasn’t solely focused on Carl at the moment. I was excited about launching my new company.
And I was enjoying being back home and riding Millie every morning with Finn and Han Solo, spending time with family, and seeing some of my friends who still lived here.
“Well, you know I want you to be happy,” my father said as he set his cornbread down on his napkin and brushed his fingers back and forth to get rid of the crumbs. “I’ve always liked Carl, but I’m enjoying this side of you, sweetie.”
“And what side is that?”
“Seeing that passion and excitement for something that you’re building. And if you want to get back together with him and he appreciates it, then I’ll support it. But don’t dim your light for anyone, okay?”
“I won’t, but Carl has been more supportive of this new venture of mine. Thanks for coming out today and helping me get set up.”
“Wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, darlin’.” My mother beamed at me before she started asking Finn for some inside on-set gossip.
We laughed and chatted until my parents left to go home, and Finn and I did the same.
“Wow. We stayed later than I planned. Do you think we still have time to take the horses out for a quick ride” I asked as we pulled down his long driveway.
The leaves were changing colors, and Finn’s lot was really something. The tall trees were covered in reds and yellows and oranges, and the branches created a canopy over his driveway.
“Of course. It’s always been our favorite time to ride. We can make it to the water before sunset.”
I chuckled. He hadn’t said that in a while. When we were kids, we were allowed to stay out until the sun went down. We lived three houses away from one another our entire lives, and we’d spend every last second outside.
“Remember that treehouse my dad built, and we’d both have to go home for dinner and then we’d meet back out there?” I chuckled at the memory. “We’d sit in there, goofing around before the sun went down and it was time to go home.”
“Uh, yeah, I remember,” he said, getting out of the truck as we both headed straight for the stables. “You decorated the treehouse like you were moving into it permanently.”
I laughed as we made our way to the stalls and saddled up. “I think I would have lived out there with you back then. I hated when it was time to go home.”
“Yeah, me, too. We had a damn good childhood, didn’t we?” He smirked as he effortlessly slipped onto Han Solo. I dropped my purse in the stall and did the same as I followed him outside.
I waved at Silas as we trotted out of the barn.
The sky looked more like a watercolor painting. The yellows and oranges swirled together with a hint of gold.
“Yep. It was the best. That’s why I’ve always wanted to raise my kids here someday. Give them what I had. It doesn’t get any better than Cottonwood Cove.”
He glanced over his shoulder and smiled at me, and my stomach did some sort of weird flip. Maybe it was the fact that he’d become a big movie star in the time since I’d been gone, but Finn’s sex appeal was on par. Even more so than it normally was.
I was seeing Finn differently these days.
Maybe because I was trying to figure out my future with Carl.
Either way, Finn’s good nature, kindness, caring for me, and making me feel special were all things I wanted in a relationship, and sadly, I didn’t remember having those things with Carl. Things with Carl were never this easy.
“You want to race?”
“You sure you’re up for the challenge, Mr. Hollywood? I always was able to beat you, and Han Solo doesn’t know you the way Millie knows me.” I shifted and grabbed the reins.
“Don’t you worry about me, Miney!” he shouted as he took off. “Race you to the sunset.”
We were both flying now. I had to give him credit. His horse was new, but Han Solo had some serious wheels. The wind whistled around us, and I looked over a few times to see him smiling as he leaned forward to keep the momentum.
This was my happy place.
Surrounded by nature, the crisp chill in the air, and the smell of the ocean mixed with the pine surrounding us.
And my best friend riding beside me.
Trying to race the sun before it tucked behind the clouds, just like we’d done our whole lives.
My hair whipped around me, and we stayed right beside one another.
Stride for stride.
And we made it to the water… just before the sunset.
Gracie had her little hand in mine, and Finn was holding her hot chocolate as we walked through the maze of pumpkins.
Cage had stepped away to take a work call, and we were going to meet up with Olivia, Georgia, Maddox, Hugh, and Lila to go for a hayride in a little bit.
Brinkley and Lincoln were traveling for a game and in Chicago right now.
“Can you come to my tea party in two weeks, Ree Ree?”
“I would love to come. I’m guessing it’s at The Tipsy Tea?”
“Yep. Bossman got it for me, but I wanted to wait until you got back from the faraway place you went to so I could have my tea party with you, too.”
My heart squeezed. I adored little Gracie Reynolds. She was dressed as a bumble bee, and there was no cuter human on the planet. All the kids were wearing costumes, and they’d go trick-or-treating tomorrow night, as well.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Who all is coming?”
“My Bossman and Aunt Georgie are coming, and my Bossman called Miss Matilda and made it so I can have all of my peoples at the tea party. So, Daddy and Grammie and Pops. You and Uncle Finny.” She paused as she counted on her fingers.
“Aunt Lila and Uncle Hughey, and Auntie Brinks and Links are going to fly home just for my tea party. We’re going to have tea and pumpkin spice cupcakes.
” Her long brown curls bounced on her shoulders, surrounding her little cherub cheeks.
She really was the most adorable thing I’d ever seen.
“I can’t wait. I’ll have to find a special dress to wear that day.”
She covered her mouth with her hands and squealed. “Yes. I’ve got a special wedding dress that Links got me, and Daddy said I can wear it to the party.”
“I can’t wait to see it.”
“Yeah, she’s been talking about this tea party for months, but she didn’t want to have it until Ree Ree got home,” Finn said with a laugh, bending down to give her a sip of her cocoa.
“Hey, Reese,” a deep voice said from behind me, and I turned around to see Carl waving at me. I glanced at Finn, and he gave me the slightest nod, letting me know they’d be fine if I stepped away.
“I’ll be right back, okay?” I said, and Gracie smiled with a chocolate mustache above her top lip, which made me laugh.
“Carl, hey,” I said, walking toward him.
His girlfriend stood a few feet away, but her eyes were on me.
“Hi, I thought that was you. Is that Gracie Reynolds? She’s getting so big,” he said, waving at her. I looked over to see Finn and Gracie both frowning at Carl and a loud laugh escaped.
“Yeah, she’s in kindergarten now.”
“And she’s definitely not a fan of mine. I guess she likes you with her uncle, huh?”
“I think she does, yeah,” I said, and my gaze kept moving over to Finn and Gracie. They were laughing now, and Finn dropped her hot chocolate cup into the trash can and scooped her up, settling her on his hip. I’d always loved how much he loved his family.
“She knows a good thing when she sees it,” Carl said, pulling my attention back to him. It was a sweet thing to say. But my gaze kept wandering back to Finn and Gracie, watching her head fall back in laughter as he tickled her cheek with his scruff.
“Thank you,” I said. “So, we’re good for Monday?”
“Yeah, I’m looking forward to getting started. I can’t wait to see your new office space, too. That’s exciting.”
“It is,” I said. “I just ran into my old neighbors, the Johnsons, and they said they are looking to do a remodel on their home, so I may have just landed another client.”
“Wow. Look at you go. I’m proud of you.”
It was all I’d wanted to hear for the longest time, but I was too distracted to get lost in the moment because Gracie was shouting something to me, and Finn was trying to get her to stop yelling for me.
“Listen, we’re going on a hayride, and I don’t want to make her wait any longer. I need to get going,” I said.
“Yeah, of course. I’ll see you on Monday.” He reached for my hand and squeezed it. He was trying.
This was what I’d wanted.
But I couldn’t get back to Finn and Gracie quickly enough.
I gently pulled my hand away and smiled. “I’ll see you then.”
I was tempted to look back to see if he was watching me, but for whatever reason, my gaze was locked on Finn and Gracie, who were waving at me and laughing.
I had no desire to look back.
And that was unexpected.