Chapter Eleven
Evie
“So, do you want to see it?” Liam asked.
He looked like a kid in the candy store.
I tilted my head and nodded. “The building?”
He nodded, and his grin grew wider.
“Yes, the place where dreams are made,” he teased.
Liam’s enthusiasm was infectious, and no matter how much I tried to keep my guard up, it was slipping. And once it was gone, I wasn’t sure I could build it back up again.
And that scared me.
“When you put it like that, how can I say no?”
Liam leaned back in his chair and let out a sigh. His shoulders relaxed like I’d just made his day, and I wondered if he knew how many times he’d made mine.
He nodded. “That’s the spirit. I promise that you’ll love it.”
“I’m not sure if it’s the building I’ll love or your sales pitch,” I teased, sipping my coffee and trying not to let the warmth in my chest spill over into something too obvious.
“Why not both?”
“Alright. Lead the way to your palace of cider dreams.”
“Palace,” he said, standing and grabbing his jacket. “I like the sound of that. Very on-brand.”
“You’re so full of it.”
“And yet, you keep agreeing to spend time with me,” he shot back, holding the door open as we stepped out into the crisp Buttercup Lake air.
Liam fell into step beside me, and I couldn’t help but notice how much I loved being next to him.
“So,” I said, glancing at him. “Are you going to give me a grand tour, or do I just have to guess what makes this building so special?”
“Oh, you’re getting the full tour. My realtor gave me the lock code, so time is no issue,” he assured me, his tone playful. “Prepare to be dazzled.”
“Dazzled. That’s a bold promise.”
“I’m a bold guy.” He winked, and I found myself laughing again.
We reached his truck, and he opened the passenger door for me. “Your chariot awaits.”
I climbed in and looked over at him. “You really lean into the whole charming thing, don’t you?”
“Hey, if it works…” he said, grinning as he closed the door and walked around to the driver’s side. “You haven’t canceled on me recently, so…”
Liam climbed into the driver’s side and turned on his truck. His excitement was contagious, and I found myself swept up in it, picturing it all right along with him.
There was something so refreshing about the way Liam saw the world, like every obstacle was just another challenge to conquer, every dream within reach if you worked hard enough.
It reminded me of Hayden.
We’d been driving for only about five minutes when he pointed over the steering wheel.
“Alright,” he said as he parked in the gravel lot in front of the building. “Brace yourself.”
I stepped out of the truck and looked up at the structure in front of me. It was a little rough around the edges, with faded paint and a sagging porch, but it had charm. The kind of charm that could only come from years of stories and memories etched into its walls.
And I happened to be standing next to the one guy who could make it spectacular.
“What do you think?” Liam asked, his voice tinged with both excitement and a hint of nervousness.
I turned to him, a smile tugging at my lips. “I think you’ll make this place a destination.”
“What do you think about the location? The building?”
“It’s got character. And you’re already picturing what it’ll look like when it’s done, aren’t you?” I asked.
“Every detail,” he admitted, his grin returning. “Come on, I’ll show you.”
He led me inside and pointed out the layout while he explained his plans.
The kitchen.
The bar.
The seating area.
I couldn’t help but get caught up in his vision. The way he talked about transforming the space, creating something that would bring people together, it was… inspiring.
“Over here,” he said, gesturing to a large open area, “is where I’m thinking of putting the tasting room. Picture rustic tables, string lights, maybe a big fireplace in the corner.”
“That sounds incredible,” I said, imagining it all in my mind. “Very cozy.”
“Exactly. They’ll never want to leave,” he said, his excitement building. “And out back, there’s a little patio area. It’ll need some work, but I’m thinking it could be perfect for live music or just relaxing with a drink.”
I followed him through the space, listening as he shared more of his ideas, and with every word, I found myself falling a little more under his spell.
It wasn’t just the building—it was Liam. Seeing how he threw himself into his dreams with everything he had was energizing.
“So?” he asked as we stepped back outside. “What’s the verdict?”
I crossed my arms, pretending to consider. “I think it’s… pretty amazing.”
His grin widened, and he looked at the building like it was already finished, already a part of the town he loved so much.
“I knew you’d get it.”
“It’s hard not to,” I said softly, watching him. “You make it impossible not to believe in it.”
He turned to me then, his expression shifting into something more serious.
“That’s what I want, you know. For people to believe in it. To feel like they’re part of something special. A real community.”
“This place is going to be incredible.”
His gaze held mine for a moment, and I felt the air between us shift, charged with something unspoken.
“Thanks, Evie. That means more than you know.”
I smiled, my heart thudding in my chest as we stood there, the building behind us and the possibilities stretching out in front of him.
For a moment, I let myself wonder what it would mean to be part of those possibilities, to be part of his life.
But before the thought could take root, Liam broke the silence with a playful grin.
“Alright, enough serious stuff. What do you say we grab lunch? I know a place with the best pie in town.”
“Lunch and pie?” I said, laughing. “You know how to dangle that carrot.”
“Hey, it’s my specialty. So what do you think?”
“You’re not tired of me from coffee and this little adventure?”
“Evie, I could never get tired of you.” He bit his bottom lip briefly as his gaze stayed on mine. “It’s what scares me a little.”
He took a small step closer, and I caught the faintest scent of pine and coffee as the space between us shrank. The energy around us shifted, and a quiet buzz zipping through me made my breath hitch.
“Scares you?” I whispered. I’d meant to sound sure of myself, but a breathless voice was all that croaked out.
Emotions were swirling inside me at an unstoppable rate. Thoughts I’d never let myself dream about started intruding in my practical mom brain.
But I knew I could never afford to let myself dream of…
A boyfriend?
A husband?
“I’m just gonna lay it all out, Evie.” He pushed his fingers through his hair. “The first time you came to our property to work on our animals, I…”
I let out a slow breath. “You what?”
“I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I know it sounds crazy. We’d barely spoken, but the way you worked on the farm and the smile you saved for only the animals…”
His words touched me. These were little things he noticed. The only one who ever cared enough to truly see me was my young son.
“The way you’d whisper to the horses to calm them or refuse my help playfully so you didn’t wound my ego.” He smirked. “Not that I could actually do much to help you. You’re more than capable. But I feel like the luckiest guy when you come around.”
I nodded and looked toward the road back to town. “I wish it were that easy.”
Liam followed my gaze before bringing his eyes back to mine.
“Just being around you makes me happy.” He stepped closer to me, and I felt like my knees were about to give out. “Do I make you happy?”
I nodded, unable to lie.
The truth was that the first time he’d asked me out, I froze and randomly said I’d only go out with him if he could bring one of his sisters.
And the guy did it.
The night was incredible, and I got to spend even more time with Liam because his sister snuck off to a different booth at the supper club, so it was just Liam and me laughing and spending time together.
It felt so easy…and right.
It always had.
But that was the problem.
I didn’t want to drag him into any of the drama from my past.
Especially if he has dreams to build.
“You know, I’ve become the family joke.”
My gaze whipped back to his. “How so?”
“They always know when you’re about to stop by.”
I folded my arms and smiled. “Really?”
“They say I look dopy and lovesick,” he offered.
“And you’re willing to say that aloud?”
“Sure.” He nodded as his smile grew. “Because it’s true.”
His words froze me in place.
“I’m not claiming that we’ve dated enough to know what our future holds, but these dates we’ve had off and on have made me dream a little different. They’ve made me wonder about things I never thought much about. Things have been wonderful.”
I nodded, swallowing down everything I wanted to say.
Instead, I kept it simple. I couldn’t afford to get lost in emotions that would only lead to heartache or a dead end. “They have.”
“So, you feel it too?” His eyes steadied on mine. Heat charged through them, and I pulled my gaze away.
“Yeah, but it’s not that easy, Liam. I wish it were.” I pulled my scarf tighter. “I’m a mom. I can’t pretend that my life is purely about me. It’s not. It’s about us, me and my boy. He’s my number one focus.”
“I wouldn’t expect it to be any other way.” He rocked on his boots and cleared his throat. “I find it sexy.”
My jaw dropped. “Being a mom?”
“Absolutely.”
My chest felt heavier than it should.
I knew what was happening. The tension in the air. The way he looked at me like I was someone worth chasing. What was happening between us was undeniable.
But I couldn’t let myself get swept up in it.
“Liam,” I said softly, crossing my arms over my chest, more for protection than warmth. “I need to say something.”
He tilted his head, and the spark in his eyes stayed. “I’m listening.”
“I can’t—” I paused, pressing my lips together. “I can’t afford to get caught up in… this.”
“This?” he asked, his tone light, but there was a flicker of something deeper beneath the surface. “You mean the charm of a ruggedly handsome man with a cider empire in the making?”
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t stop the laugh that bubbled up. “No. I mean relationships. Dating. Falling for someone who might not be… permanent.”
His smile faded, replaced by an understanding that only made it harder for me to keep talking.
“My son comes first, Liam. Always,” I continued, my voice firmer now. “He’s my whole world, and I can’t risk bringing someone into his life who might not stay. He’s been through enough. I’ve been through enough. I won’t bring random guys into our life. Right now, you visit as a friend. I can’t promise anything beyond that. I just can’t do random.”
He didn’t say anything right away, and for a second, I thought I’d scared him off.
But then he smiled again, that same easy, infuriatingly confident smile that made my knees weaken and my pulse race.
“But I’m not random. You know me, Evie. I’m here. And I’m not going anywhere.”
I let out a soft laugh, shaking my head. “You make it sound so simple.”
“Maybe it is,” he said, his gaze locking onto mine. “I get that Hayden comes first. He should. But if you’re asking me to prove I’m not random, I will. Just give me the chance.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came. He wasn’t rushing me or demanding anything—just quietly, patiently waiting for me to believe him.
And that scared me more than anything else.