Instead I was mesmerized by her sad eyes and her bravery. In coming here and asking me.
“I’m glad you asked me,” I said softly. “I can help.”
Her shoulders dropped an inch. It was a small change, but it was real.
“I’ve been outside all day, and I’m cold,” I said. “Wanna work on this plan over a cup of coffee?”
With the smallest of smiles, she nodded, so Wayne and I led her from the barn to my house.
The moment she stepped inside, she gasped.
I followed her in and smiled, toeing off my boots. I’d forgotten that she’d never been inside my home before.
“This isn’t fair,” she said, turning to me, all the traces of fear gone from her face.
Wayne cozied up next to her, and she immediately scratched his ears, taking in the space. I was proud of my home. I’d updated and modernized my parents’ old farmhouse, but I’d kept some of the rustic qualities.
I’d opened up some walls, adding a breakfast nook and mudroom and creating a massive living dining area with large wooden beams. The five-bedroom house was too big for just me, but I’d grown up here, and my mom had always dreamed of one of us living here and taking over the farm. So when she passed, I moved in. Jasper had lived with me for years, sleeping in his childhood bedroom, which he had not allowed me to touch. But these days it was just Wayne and me.
She walked through the open-plan living room, running her hand along the honey brown leather couch. “Look at those light fixtures.”
As she examined every detail, pride filledme. People were often complimentary about my house, and I always appreciated the remarks, but seeing it through Celine’s eyes felt special.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”
She stood in the entryway of the kitchen, hands on her hips. “Quartz? An AGA? That farmhouse sink is the size of a bathtub.” Spinning, she tapped her chin. “No wife… oh.” She nodded, a smile playing at her lips. “You’re gay. That must be it.”
Head back, I laughed. “I am absolutely not gay.” Though I was amused by her theories. “Also, that’s a bit of a tired stereotype.”
She hung her head. “Fair. Sorry. I’m just confused. How do you have this house? Andwhy?”
“I grew up here. When I moved in, it was very much stuck in the seventies. So I renovated it to suit my taste but also to keep it true to its farmhouse roots.”
Teeth pressed to her bottom lip, she scanned the cabinets. “You did an incredible job.”
I puffed up a bit with her praise. “Thank you.”
“And here I thought our cottage was amazing. Josh, you’re wasted as a maple farmer. You should be a designer.”
Heat crawled up my neck. “Nah, it’s just a hobby. I like projects.”
She shot me an incredulous look.
But before she could snap back, I strode to the coffeepot. “So you’ve got that map?”
We spread the town map out on top of the island and walked around it, noting hayride routes that would ensure maximum safety and, in her words, “autumnal charm.”
“The routes haven’t included the Falls in years.” I tappedthe spot on the map. “But it’s been pretty dry lately, so the logging road should be in good condition. We could loop around the town center and head down Maple Street toward the falls. Then we could swing by the brewery on the way back. Nate and Reed would probably love to decorate the place.”
Nodding, she scribbled notes in her pad. “This is ambitious.”
“Nobody wants to waste time on a lame hayride. Let’s make it a true event. An experience. I’ll see if Jenn and Mel will set up a little stop for hot cider at the midpoint. Or maybe we could do music inspired by the different spots on the tour.”
Her face lit up and she wrote faster, and when she bit the end of her pen when she was thinking, it was actually pretty cute.
“How many rides can we run at once?”
I took off my hat and stretched, relishing the ache in my muscles. “Two. I can drive and so can Jasper. We’ve got to confirm he’s not on duty, though. I’ll check in with Uncle Ed. He and my aunt live in Florida now, but they visit often. If he’s in town, he’d probably help. And we’ll need volunteers at various spots and to manage the line.”