Picturing The Future
Esme and Amber sat in the living section of the suite she and Gray had created on the third floor of the inn. Esme had wanted to save her friend the steps, so she’d offered to come to her to discuss social media ideas.
The recently renovated space was warm and friendly.
Cozy chairs, couches, and soft ottomans that would serve as toy storage, a large bed for Boomer, and decor that matched the rest of the building.
Family photos mixed with pictures taken a century earlier, along with bits and pieces of life on the apple farm.
Gray filled mugs of tea and left a plate of his cooking and Mara’s fritters. He kissed his wife and smiled. “I’ll be in the garden. Call me if you need anything.”
She smiled. “I will. We’ll be fine.”
He nodded at her, then turned to Esme. “Text me when you’re leaving.”
Esme agreed with a smile. The man was extremely protective of his wife. Once the door closed, Esme grinned at her friend. “He’s a sweetie.”
Amber laughed. “He is. The best man I know.”
Esme’s heart yearned for that in her future. A man she loved who loved her in return. No hidden agendas, no pretence.
As if reading her thoughts, Amber smiled. “I think you’ve got a very good man looking out for you.”
Esme’s cheeks heated. “We’re just getting to know each other.”
“My brothers and Gray all worked with Wyatt when they were in the military. He left when his father died unexpectedly. Instead of re-upping after his tour was over, he left to help his mom. They all speak highly of him. In fact, they wouldn’t have invited him here if he weren’t a terrific person.
They’re very selective about who is invited to the farm. ”
Which didn’t surprise her. Other than his weird reaction upon discovering Esme had been a model, Wyatt was proving to be one of the best. Exploring the farm with him was fun.
Amber picked up her mug and sipped at the chai. “I’m so glad the queasiness is gone. I’ve missed my chai fix.”
Esme lifted her own. “It’s one of my favorites, too.”
Amber smiled. “Speaking of inviting people to stay on the farm, we’re serious about having you stay on. I know you’ve only got a few more days booked, and the inn is full for the weekend.”
Esme’s heart pounded. “I’ve been avoiding thinking about having to leave.” Maybe the B I should be paying for it.”
Gray laughed. “I tried that argument when we were changing the weed field into a garden.”
Lawson nodded. “And when I was ordering stock for the garage area of the barn.”
Ford reached over his shoulder and pressed the button, purchasing the entire cart. “There. Done. It’s late in the season, but we should be able to get the foundation prepped and ready for the polycarbonate panels. If there aren’t delivery issues, you’ll be ready to go before the snow flies.”
Wyatt exaggerated his shudder. “It’s not even Halloween yet. I thought snow didn’t arrive until December.”
Knox laughed. “When we were kids, we always made our Halloween costumes big enough to fit over snowsuits.”
“Seriously?”
Lawson flexed his arms. “It was easy to look like a superhero when the snowsuit had to be shoved into the costume. We shoved up the sleeves to look like huge biceps.”
Wyatt laughed. It was tough to imagine his beefy friends as little guys in superhero costumes. “I’d love to see photos of that.”
Knox grinned. “I bet we can dig some up somewhere. Amber was the photo bug, so she might have a few.”
Ford pulled out his measuring tape. “Okay, let’s move. We’ve got enough materials and muscle power to get started.”
Sean Falcone, another military friend and owner of Falcon Construction in Phail, had brought the materials and was helping with his ideas and muscle as well. He’d brought along his enormous dog, Jabba.
Several friends from the area were helping today. Others would give their time as they could. Most of them had brought their dogs.
Sam Young had brought Jetson, and Graham Buchanan had Spike.
Garrett, co-owner of an equine and canine therapy center and petting farm, had brought along four dogs.
Olaf, Astro, and Star were pit bulls that Garrett and his wife, Kimi, had rescued from a dog-fighting ring.
The other was a medium-sized mixed breed who was comfortable with Garrett but nervous around most of the other men.
His black fur spiked out in all directions, and his eyes were wary.