Chapter 6
“So, what I’m hearing is that I was right and you’re quite grateful I know you as well as I do?” Ryan’s voice sounds through the speakers of my laptop sitting on the coffee table.
“See, I never claimed I wasn’t grateful to have you in my life, but at this precise moment…” I let my words trail off, a smirk stretched across my lips as I collapse onto the armchair in the living room of Millie’s Cottage, Ryan’s smiling face greeting me.
If driving into Stonebridge Hollow yesterday was love at first sight—something I never believed in and can’t believe I’m thinking about in regards to a place—I don’t know what to call driving up to the little cottage I’ll be staying in for the next three months.
The place felt like home the moment I saw it, and when I walked through the door everything weighing down on me washed away.
The cottage is objectively small, but it’s also perfect. The definition of a home away from home. I needed no time at all to feel comfortable and settled in almost instantly.
The only downside is how quickly Madison rushed away once I headed for the porch stairs after she made sure I didn’t need any help. Not that I expected her to hang around. We’re strangers and I’m a paying guest at her family’s inn, there’s no reason for her to stay.
And if I’m being honest with myself, she looked exhausted. It was selfish of me to be disappointed when she offered me a small smile and turned away to head home. A house that’s just yards from my own front door.
Three months living next door to a woman I can’t stop thinking about—what could possibly go wrong?
“Oh, who are you kidding? You wouldn’t survive without me.” Ryan laughs, lifting a cup of coffee to his lips.
“As long as you admit the same about me.” I wink, reaching for my guitar.
I haven’t touched an instrument in months, but last night after getting unpacked, there was nothing I wanted more than to strum at the strings. I wasn’t making music, but I’d take simply being excited to hold the instrument in my hands again.
“That seems like a big deal.” There are certain topics Ryan will always avoid mentioning—the things he knows I’ll only talk about on my terms—but in every other aspect of life, Ryan is never one to beat around the bush.
“I don’t want to boost your ego any more than it already is, but I’m not going to lie to you either. There’s something about this town that feels right. I swear I felt the weight leave my shoulders when I walked through the doors of this place.”
“I can’t take credit for that,” Ryan says seriously. “I was hoping you’d find a little peace, and maybe get your mojo back, but I thought it’d take at least a month.”
“Hmm,” I hum, plucking mindlessly at the strings. “So, were you just calling to check in, or is there something else going on? It’s pretty early for you to be up. Wait, are you even home?” I ask, finally looking at the space around him.
“No.” He sighs. “I’m in Harborview. I don’t really know what’s going on, but Melissa called and I just…” His words trail off, and now that he lets it show, I hear the worry etched in his voice.
“Is everyone okay?” I ask gently.
Ryan and I grew up similar, in a household with loving parents who only wanted the best for us and did whatever they could to help us achieve our goals. The only difference is that he had a sibling where I didn’t. But of course, nothing stays the same.
Something changed when Ryan and his sister, Melissa, graduated college and moved out of our small town.
He’s never told me, and I honestly have no idea if he’s ever figured it out, but the relationship with their parents isn’t as strong as it used to be.
See the fact that I spent Thanksgiving with Ryan and Melissa in New York as a prime example.
None of that negates the fact that they both love their parents and are always trying to find a way back to the way things were when they were growing up.
“Physically, everyone’s fine.” The smile that crosses his lips is fake, but I know he’s doing it so I don’t worry and think I need to fly out to the place I avoid more than anything to support him.
“You know I’m here for whatever you need, even if it’s just a sounding board.”
“I know, man.” He lifts a hand, continuing before I can say anything. “I see the look on your face, but I’m good. I’m just spent. I’ve been traveling nonstop for what feels like months now.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be done traveling? Baseball season’s over.”
The laugh that falls from his mouth is more mocking than anything else. I imagine there would have been a classic spit take had he gotten the sip of coffee he was aiming for.
“Now, Beckett, you know it’s rare for anyone in the limelight to get any kind of break. The only way you’ve been able to manage it is by disappearing and telling no one where you went.”
I should push back and make Ryan talk about what’s going on with him, but I know he’ll talk when he’s ready. Just like he’s not one to beat around the bush with people in his life, he’s not one to hold it all in if he needs help—at least not with me. That’s never been who we are.
Rolling with the subject change, I give him the out he’s looking for. “Well, Ian wouldn’t let me tell anyone where I was going and I’ve already gotten a call from Aaron, so I’m not really free of all of it.”
“What did Aaron want?” Ryan’s grumbles.
Ryan’s never been Aaron’s biggest fan, and I can understand why—he definitely comes off as conceited and doesn’t always look at the bigger picture—but I see the other side of it.
Aaron’s been my manager since the beginning, when I didn’t have any experience and no one was willing to take a chance on me.
I wouldn’t be where I am if it weren’t for him.
That way of thinking probably makes me blind to his flaws, something I know he has, but it’s hard to change it.
“He just wanted to know where I am. You know Aaron, he’s a micromanager to the highest, and can’t stand not knowing exactly where I am every minute of the day.”
“A more truthful statement has never been made.” I’m not sure if Ryan meant for me to hear those words, but I don’t comment on them. This is one of those areas where we have to agree to disagree. “Did you crack and tell him where you are?”
“Not a single part of me was even tempted. Maybe if I hadn’t fallen in love with Stonebridge Hollow, but I don’t want anything to ruin what I’ve already found here.”
“Sounds like I’m gonna have to come see the place for myself.”
“You haven’t been here before?” I ask in disbelief. “Why would you recommend a place you’ve never been?”
“Tell me when I would’ve had time to visit a little town like Stonebridge Hollow?
” he scoffs. “Wyatt barely makes it back there for family events and holidays. I’ve just heard him talk about the place and how his family still lives there.
They’ve got some serious roots in that town.
A whole history they all take pride in.”
“I can understand why. The land their family owns is absolutely breathtaking. I’m excited to get the chance to explore it.
They’ve got walking trails all over the place, and I saw a barn when I pulled up to my cottage.
” I fiddle with the guitar in my lap, not really focusing on the notes I’m playing, but more the feel of the strings between my fingers and the wood against my arm.
“So, even with the reservation mishap, it sounds like it was a great first day. I mean, just the fact you’re holding a guitar in your hands proves it was a good day.”
“Yeah,” I breathe. “It was a good day.”
My eyes wander to the window giving me a clear shot to the house across the way.
I’ve been awake for a little over an hour and have found my gaze moving to that window at least three times.
I’d like to say I’m not searching for the woman who’s been running through my mind on repeat since I met her, but that would be a lie.
“What keeps grabbing your attention?”
“Nothing.” If only I paused before the word rushed out of my mouth…
“Yeah, I don’t believe that for a second.” Ryan scoffs. “Go on, show me what you keep looking at.”
“Ryan, I swear, there’s nothing there.” Forcing my eyes to stay on him, I pluck at the strings of the guitar still in my lap. It’s not mindless this time, and I’m confident he knows it. “It’s just a window.” I try for nonchalance, but know I fail.
“All right, but what’s out that window?”
I’ve never been good at lying, but in moments like these, I truly wish I was. “It’s just…” And my words trail off, not a single word comes to mind to finish that sentence. “It’s Wyatt’s sister’s house.” I sigh, setting my guitar to the side. “I told you about the reservation mishap.”
“Yeah. I guess you just left out all the details on exactly how they resolved the issue.”
I grip the back of my neck, letting my head fall forward before lifting my eyes to meet Ryan’s through the screen.
“My options were a room in the inn or a cottage on the other side of the property that Madison recently finished renovating. Madison and Wyatt both agreed that it made more sense for me to stay out here than in a room since I’ll be in town for an extended period of time. ”
“And the cottage you’re staying in happens to be right next door to Madison?”
“You’ve met Madison?” The words are soft and the burning in my stomach is unexpected. I’ve known her less than twenty-four hours. I have no right to feel jealous of my friend knowing her.
“Not technically.” Ryan chuckles. “Like I said, I’ve never been to Stonebridge Hollow, and Madison very rarely leaves her corner of the world. That land is her life. Taking care of it. Bringing the history back to life. She lives for that.”
“Oh.” My brows crease and I can’t quite figure out why.
There’s nothing wrong with taking pride in your work. I mean, I’ve been dedicated to mine for almost twenty years. I understand wanting to put your all into the thing you love most, but at some point we all have to recognize life is worth more than one thing.
It’s a cheesy saying, and I’m sure it started from something much smaller, but we can’t put all our eggs in one basket. What happens when you run out of space or lose the basket? Do you just stop living?
“I’ve met her virtually, though.” Ryan’s voice pulls my attention back to him, and the tightening in my stomach returns.
“The Hawthorne siblings are as close as they can be, living all over the US.” There’s a twinkle in Ryan’s eye and I know the next words out of his mouth are coming with the intention of getting a reaction out of me. “She’s awfully pretty.”
It takes everything in me not to give him the reaction he’s looking for. But Ryan knows me better than anyone. Even through the screen I know he doesn’t miss the steel in my eyes. “You’d be a fool to miss how pretty Madison is.”
I thought she was gorgeous when I walked into The Lantern Inn yesterday morning, and nothing about that changed when I saw her again last night.
Even with the dark circles under her eyes, I couldn’t take my eyes off her.
There was a confidence in how she held herself, a pride in everything around her.
It wasn’t conceited, just something she knew to be true, and I couldn’t fault her in that thinking at all.
There was plenty for her to be proud of, even if I don’t know what the place looked like before she got her hands on it.
“Someone has a crush,” Ryan teases.
“Shut up.” What a pathetic comeback.
“When was the last time you had a crush on somebody?” Ryan asks, ignoring me entirely. “Back in high school?”
“I definitely feel like I’m in high school,” I mutter.
“I mean, I don’t think you’ve ever had to work for the attention of a woman you’ve wanted, but you might actually have to put some effort in with Madison. I don’t get the feeling she’s easy to impress.”
“I’m not putting any effort in because nothing is going to happen.” I move to stand but realize I can’t. Ryan isn’t actually in front of me, he’s back in Harborview and looking at me through a screen. I could move away, but that wouldn’t be fair.
“Why not? Madison’s great.” Ryan rears back, and if I weren’t so agitated at what we’re discussing, I might laugh at the brotherly reaction.
“I mean, I haven’t actually met her, but based on how her brothers talk about her and the conversations I’ve had with her, she’s one that’s worth whatever effort it would take. ”
“Come on, man. Why start something that can’t go anywhere? I can’t stay here and she’s not leaving. What’s the point?”
“Whoa, who said anything about it being that serious?”
“You do realize you’re a walking contradiction, right?” I sigh, sinking back into the chair.
In contrast, Ryan leans forward in his seat, bringing himself closer to the screen. “What do you mean?”
“One minute you’re talking about her like she’s your sister and the next you’re encouraging me to treat her like a fling. It can’t be both.”
Now it’s Ryan’s turn to sigh and collapse back into his own seat. “You’re right.”
We’re silent, both of us lost in thought.
Is it crazy that I’m thinking this seriously about this situation?
I literally just got to town and met this woman.
The whole point of being here is to reconnect with the thing I’ve always found the most joy in.
It’s not to jump into bed or a relationship with someone.
That should be the last thing on my mind, not the first.
Before I can say anything, movement from the screen grabs my attention and I find Ryan leaning toward me again, the crease between his brows prominent.
“Look. You left the city to get a break from everything weighing on you. That’s what you need to focus on, not what the future holds or what it looks like.
If—and that’s a big if—something happens with Madison, just let it happen.
No one can tell the future, and you have no idea how amazing it could be if you just let life show you the way. ”
I lean forward, mirroring his position. “Ryan—”
“No,” he interrupts. “Don’t think. Just feel. Let your heart and your gut guide you this time. Give your mind a break.”
The hazards of knowing someone the way Ryan and I know each other—they know exactly what to say to get you to listen.
“All right. No more thinking.”
Silence takes over, but this time it’s one of comfort, not contemplation.
Ryan breaks the quiet moment, gearing up to end the conversation. “And I’m going to find time to come out and visit you before you head back to the city. Stonebridge Hollow sounds like it might be the answer to all of our problems.”
“I don’t know about that, but you know you’re always welcome with me.”
“I’ll talk to you later. Have some fun today.”
“I had fun yesterday,” I defend, a small smile forming.
“Well, go have more fun.”
“I will. And reach out if you need to. I might be on a break from most things, but supporting you isn’t one of them.”
“I know.”
“Okay. Talk later.”
It’s only minutes later I’m forced to put Ryan’s advice to the test. Following my heart and my gut instead of my mind.