Chapter 3 #2
"I'll go say hi." My brothers were always grouped together, and I couldn't fit in. I was an outlier.
Mom's eyes brightened when she saw me come into the room. "Clara, you're here."
I hugged her. "I came as soon as the store closed."
When I pulled away, Callum hooked his arm around my neck. "How's my favorite sister?"
"I'm your only sister," I said as he ushered me toward Malcolm.
I greeted each one of my brothers. I loved them, and I was glad that they'd found positions within the family business.
Malcolm and Callum were in charge of the newest endeavor, the restaurant.
Rowan had been dabbling in creating various brews for the restaurant, but recently, he'd mentioned opening a brewery.
I dropped to my knees in front of my nephew, Malcolm's five-year old son, McCoy. "How are you?"
He pretended to think. "I'm starving."
"You're always hungry." I hugged him tightly. "Can I get you a snack?"
Malcolm touched McCoy's shoulder. "He's eaten enough snacks. He can wait until dinner."
McCoy pouted, and I laughed as I stood.
He could always get me to give him whatever he wanted. We'd all rallied around Malcolm when he became a father. McCoy's mother, Lisa, was around, but they weren't together. They never even tried to make a go of it. They knew they weren't right for each other from the start.
Boone loved woodworking and had a workshop on the property. Hunter acted as the inn's activities coordinator, although he preferred the title of tour guide. He mainly led hiking tours on the property and recommended the perfect trails for every range of hiker.
"Let's get the food on the table before McCoy passes out from hunger," Mom prompted us, and we all sprang into action, grabbing bowls of salad and pasta, platters of barbecue chicken and corn on the cob.
It was winter, but this was one of our favorite meals. It reminded me of growing up in this house, running the grounds during the day, then coming home hungry. Mom would put dinner on the table, and we'd calm down long enough to eat.
When the table was set and the food was on the table, we all sat down at the long farm table that Boone had made for Mom. It was one of the first tables he attempted, and it was solid work.
"How's business at the shop?" Dad asked while we were passing food around the table.
"The holiday season is here, so it's picked up.
" This was the time of the year that I always felt very single.
Families and couples came into my shop to decorate their trees, and I couldn't help but think that I'd almost had that.
But lately, I was feeling more disgruntled by the possibility of meeting someone.
I wasn't even sure what I wanted: a long-term relationship or something short and sweet.
What I needed was a good distraction, an adventure. Maybe even a vacation. It was too bad I couldn't leave the store with anyone yet. I needed to find a steady manager before I could even think about taking off.
"Got any plans to expand?" Malcolm was always looking for ways to expand our businesses. He wanted to build something that would sustain our family for generations. And with six kids, there would be a lot of us to support. Especially once everyone started getting married and having their own kids.
"I sell ornaments. How would I expand?" I asked.
"You can host classes to paint ornaments." Mom was always looking for fun new classes in town to try since we were all grown up. She watched McCoy from time to time but otherwise was in full retirement mode. She wanted to enjoy her life and travel.
I wrinkled my nose. "I'm not an artist."
Callum smiled reassuringly, always the peacekeeper. "I'm sure you'll come up with something."
"I'm not really looking to expand. But I'd like to get a manager in there that I can trust."
Malcolm frowned. "Why would you need someone outside the family to run the store?"
My family believed strongly in keeping everything in the family. "So I can get away sometimes."
"I can watch the store so you can take a few days," Mom offered.
"I want more than a few days." I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. But it was something outside of a shop that sold Christmas items year-round.
Mom frowned. "I'd have to check my schedule, but I could probably swing a week."
I shook my head. "I'm not saying that so you'll cover the shop. I just want the freedom to come and go as I please."
Everyone got quiet.
Malcolm cleared his throat. "I thought we agreed that only family would run our businesses."
My chest tightened at his familiar argument. The property was our father's inheritance, whereas the store came from Mom's side. "I inherited the store from Gran. Her store isn't part of the inn and restaurant."
"I know that, but I thought we were going to do the same thing with all the businesses."
"I inherited the shop." It wasn't part of the Hart businesses and never would be.
"I think we were all hoping that we'd keep it in the family though."
"I'm not thinking of selling it." That was out of the question. "But it would be nice to have more freedom. When you own a brick-and-mortar store, you are kind of stuck to the usual main street business hours."
"We can help if you need a break. Just like we do with the restaurant," Dad said reasonably.
I wouldn't win this argument with them today.
Not that I had to. Technically, it was my business, and I could sell it if I wanted to.
There was no getting around the fact that I usually did whatever my family wanted me to do.
But I was starting to feel restless about my current situation. I wanted a change.
The doorbell rang, and we all stilled. No one used the doorbell.
"Who could that be?" Mom asked incredulously.
Malcolm stood and moved toward the front door. "I forgot to mention that a friend is in town. I invited him to dinner, but I wasn't sure that he'd accept."
I heard the murmurings of male voices, and a few seconds later, they entered the room. My heart skipped a beat as soon as I turned to find the man from last night standing next to Malcolm.