43. Chapter 43
Chapter 43
Brynn
H oly shit. Three little letters, one simple word. Colt's response to me asking if he would be happy if I came back to Cedar Creek had me squealing and kicking my feet like a teenager who talked to her crush. Our connection is something I have never felt before. It is like there is an invisible string pulling me taut to him.
Yes, it has only been a few days, but my feelings are strong. They are not love exactly, but something in its vicinity. I have never felt this way about another human before. I love my brothers and Whitney, but Colt is different. I can't explain it exactly. Colt makes me feel like I am floating but grounded too.
I lay down in the swanky hotel bed and wish he was here with me. I wish I still smelled like his fresh, spicy scent. I curl onto my side and close my eyes, hoping a good night's rest will have me refreshed and ready to make some big decisions about my future .
I wake up to the sound of my alarm blaring, and insistent knocking at my door. I turn the alarm off on my phone and walk bleary-eyed to the door. Checking the peephole, I see Gwen standing on the other side. "What are you doing here?"
"Look, I have been thinking. Don't stay here on account of me. I can find another job anywhere." She makes her way into the hotel room and drops her purse on the table by the door. "I just don't want you to stay in New York because of me."
"Who said I was moving?"
"I know you. I can read you like a book. I can see the wheels spinning in that beautiful, creative mind of yours."
Damn her for knowing me so well .
"I don't know what to do." I groan as I free-fall onto the bed. "Can I be happy in Cedar Creek?"
"Can you be happy without Colt?"
Welp. Fuck.
"I honestly don't know. I thought being back was going to be extremely difficult. It was at times, but not as bad as I thought it would be. I think that the visit had so much going on, that I was able to not focus on being there. Ya know?"
"I get that. Everything with your dad, the unexpected funeral and finally telling your brothers everything that happened kept your mind focused on those things."
"Seeing Steven again, I don't think it would faze me now. I think sharing my experience has made it easier to acknowledge that it is in the past, and it is something that won't happen again. Colt would tell me all the time that I was safe. He knew I needed that reminder. Even though he didn't know my story at first. He could just tell that it was the reassurance I needed from him."
"Do you feel safe in Cedar Creek now?"
"Yes," I say without even pondering over my response. "Colt makes me feel safe. I can let my guard down."
"I think you might have already decided what you are going to do," Gwen says as she sits beside me on the bed. "I am so proud of you for sharing with your brothers. I am so proud of you for prioritizing your mental health and seeking therapy. But most of all, I am proud that you are going to take a chance and do something that makes you happy."
"I am happy with my business here." The happy feeling isn't as strong as it is when I think about how happy I will be in Cedar Creek with Colt and my brothers.
"I know, but it is time you feel happy in all aspects of your life. You are one bad-ass woman. You can do this job anywhere if you choose. I have a feeling you are going to wrangle those men in your life into doing something amazing in Cedar Creek."
I give Gwen a hug. "Let's go get some breakfast and go see my insurance adjuster."
"Yes ma'am. "
I hurry to get dressed and we are out the door in fifteen minutes, and on our way to our favorite cafe down the block.
After we have stuffed our faces with fancy overpriced avocado toast and coffee, we make our way to my insurance company.
"Miss Rutherford, how may I help you?" The woman behind the front desk asks as Gwen takes a seat in the waiting area.
"I need to see about filing a claim for my condo. There was a fire, and everything has been deemed a total loss by first responders."
"I am so sorry to hear that. I think James has all the paperwork ready for you. The property management company forwarded all the information they had to him. Right this way." She leads me down a large hallway with offices along both sides. When she stops in front of a closed door, she knocks gently.
"Come in," A deep male voice says. I follow her inside and she introduces me.
"Nice to see you, sorry it is under these circumstances. Please, have a seat," James says as he sits down and types something on his computer. "Now, we have been informed of the situation, and I have been looking into options. You can file the claim and use the money to renovate your condo, or you can take the payout and sell your condo as is. "
"I think I want to take the payout. I don't think I will be staying in New York much longer. I have had some unexpected family issues arise, and I need to be back home."
Referring to Cedar Creek as home just feels right.
"I can get the claim started. I will just need you to sign off on everything. Can I call you this afternoon when I have everything in order?"
"Yes, that would be wonderful," I say as I stand and shake his hand. "Thank you."
I walk back out to the waiting area where Gwen is waiting. "He is going to call me when I need to come sign the paperwork this afternoon. Let's get to the office. We have a lot of work to do."