by Blythe Reid
“I don’t know why she’d get on me if she was. But I’m going to get to the bottom of it.” His phone rang, and he looked down with a puzzled look. “That’s my lawyer.” He answered it and turned to take my hand.
“Hey, Gordon, did you need something else?” He paused, and his eyes looked so intense. Then he smiled. “Really? That’s great news. No, I’ll tell her, thanks.”
He let loose a breath and then met my eyes. “Your Gramps already put you on the deed, so you’re not going to have to worry about your mother. He had her disinherited when you came to live with him. Looks like old Gramps was looking out for you the best he could.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. “You would have liked my Gramps. He was a good man.”
“So, now all we have to do is get the information from the banker and I’ll see what needs to be done to get the title cleared.” He pulled me into his arms.
“I can’t believe it’s going to happen. And I can’t believe you’re leaving. I’m going to miss you like crazy.” I brought my arms around his shoulders as I rose up to kiss him. “Promise you’ll come back in a hurry?”
“I promise I’ll try.” He lifted me up until my bottom hit the counter, and then he stepped into my arms and nuzzled against my breasts. “I wish I had time to make love to you before I go. Will you drive me down to the auto shop?”
“Yes, but only under protest.” I tried not to pout; he needed to get back to his sister, and I didn’t want her holding any grudges against me for keeping him.
We gathered his few things, and I drove him down to the auto shop where we said our goodbyes. I couldn’t stay gone long from the farm, so after a long kiss, and wiping my tears, I headed home alone. Driving away was the hardest thing I had to do, but I held onto the hope that I’d see him again soon, and he promised we’d talk, text, and share video chats.
I got home just in time to find the realtor lady standing out front with Mr. Cobble. I parked and jumped out of the car as they stood looking up at the house.
“Can I help you with something, Mr. Cobble?”
“Actually, I was just talking to Mrs. Smithers about the place. She was telling me the two of you discussed ideas that might be of interest to us all.”
“I don’t think that’s accurate,” I said. “After you sent her here, she mentioned something about a bed and breakfast, but I’m already in talks with an investor, and as a matter of fact, since you gave me until the end of the year, I have the money to catch me up.”
He looked surprised, and Mrs. Smithers scowled.
“What do you mean an investor?” he asked.
“I’m keeping my place, Mr. Cobble.” I waved him into the office where he and the woman crowded in front of my desk with the chairs they refused to sit in.
“I’m not sure if you’re thinking clearly, Ms. Simon,” he said. “There are all kinds of people who would try to talk you into poor investments.”
I took out the checkbook from my desk drawer. “Like you? Like Mrs. Sonny Smithers, realtor extraordinaire? I’m very aware. I’m also aware of my rights and here’s the check. I’m all caught up now. I appreciate you coming by, but I’ve already made an arrangement with someone else, and so I’m going to have to ask you to leave.” His phone rang, and he glanced down. “Maybe you should answer that. It just might be my lawyer.”
I got up and showed the two out before either could wrap their heads around what had happened. It felt good to show them the door and know that this farm was mine, and they’d never take it from me.
More than that, I couldn’t wait to tell Tyler all about it.
Chapter 19
Tyler
I got off the phone with the lawyer, who called to tell me that he’d not been able to get the banker to answer the phone. After asking him to call again, I went inside and found an older man behind the counter.
“I’m here for my car,” I said. “The Porsche. How much do I owe you?” I took out my wallet.
He got a strange look on his face. “There’s no charge.”
“I’m confused,” I said. “You were supposed to have ordered a part for it. Could you check on that, please? I’m sure I owe you for parts and labor.” I hoped there wasn’t some confusion, and my car was really ready to go.
The old man looked at me like I’d lost my mind. “There was never any part ordered.”
“Are you sure? Could you ask Clara? She’s the one who said she’d ordered it.”
“You just had a loose battery cable.” He turned his head and hollered, “Clara!”
Clara walked out of the back, and her eyes widened. “Oh hey, Daddy. Did you need something?”
“This man says you ordered a part for him?” He gave her a hard stare. “Did you forget to write up his order?”
I didn’t know Clara well, but I could tell she had a guilty look on her face. “No, it turns out it was just a loose battery cable. I thought Hunter told you.”
“Wait, what?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, and before I could say anything else, the old man got called to the back.
“Take care of this, Clara.” He gave her a glare and then stormed off to the back.
“What’s going on? Hunter would have known right away if that cable was loose.” I suddenly felt like I’d been swindled, and if I hadn’t seen my car parked out front, I would have really been worried.
“Don’t be mad at Hunter. I’m the one who planted the idea in his head. It’s just that Mattie doesn’t ever get to meet any nice, handsome, young men, and well, when Hunter told me you’d been staring at her, I said it was a shame that you couldn’t have a little car trouble.”
“So, you and Hunter stranded me here on purpose?”
“Yeah, I guess we did. I’m not going to say I’m sorry. You and Mattie are made for each other. And well, I just want her to be happy.”
I’d never heard of anything so crazy and yet so sweet, all at once, but that was what it was.
“Thank you.” I knew I should be angry, but I just didn’t have it in me.
“You mean you’re not mad?”
“Well, it was a totally shitty thing to do, but I’m not sorry, either. I’m falling for her.” I knew I’d never be able to tell my sister about this, maybe years later, but it was all worth it.
A moment later, I said my goodbyes to Clara and headed to my car. I’d just turned on the car when my phone rang. Bex had finally gotten my message.
“Hey, Ty, are you on your way home?”
“Almost. I just picked up my car. Do you want to tell me why some guy answered your personal phone this morning?”
She let out a long breath. “That’s Darin.”
“Darin Howard?” He was one of our new designers, and I was surprised I hadn’t recognized his voice.
“Yes. Look, I don’t want you to get mad, but I’ve been seeing him. I know you don’t like secrets, but I thought if you knew, you’d cause a stink. Dad never wanted us dating the staff, remember?”
“I’m not Dad, Bex. You don’t have to hide things from me.” Our father had a lot of rules I didn’t agree with.
“You’re not disappointed in me?” she asked.
“Of course not. I’m disappointed in myself for letting you down. You shouldn’t feel that way. You should be able to live your life how you want, and so should I. I think it’s time we both start doing that.”
“I guess you’re right. I’m sorry, too. I know you can’t help what happened, and I know your car means a lot to you.”
“I’m seeing someone too, Bex. I didn’t plan for it to happen, but it just did. I’ve also decided it’s time I follow my own dreams. You’re happy with the Palace, Bex. But you know it’s not my thing. You don’t need me. You want me there to feel secure. Darin can help you more than I can.”
“What are you going to do? Travel?”
“No, I’ve found where I want to be,” I said. “I’ve found a place where I can really make a difference and have the things I’ve dreamed of, an
d I’m going for it.”
“Are you coming home?”
“Do you really need me to?” I asked.
“Well, Darin’s been staying over. And the place looks great. He added some height to the tree with a tall topper and a bigger base. The shape is gorgeous. It really was the right tree after all. And Mrs. Dobson is coming in today, and I know she’ll be pleased. I’m not really worried about it anymore, and I’m sorry I bit your head off.”
“Good for you. I think since you’ve got things under control, I’m going to stay here for another week. I’ve got some plans I’m in the middle of, and I was only coming back to please you.”
“Is she wonderful, Ty?”
“She’s amazing. You’re going to love her.”
“Do you?” she asked.
“It’s a little soon to say it, but I feel it in my bones. It’s like I was meant to be here in this place, Bex. Like it’s just been sitting here, waiting for me to come along.”
“Maybe it has been,” she said. “Good luck, and I’ll miss you until you get back. You better keep in touch.”
“I will. You better make sure Darin is behaving himself.”
“Okay, brother. I love you.”
“I love you, too.” I hung up on her, knowing that I couldn’t wait to get back to Mattie. I took off out of the parking lot and headed back to Winter Land Tree Farm.
Mattie was not waiting in the office like I hoped she’d be, and even though I searched the house, she wasn’t there. I ran out to the trees and saw the cart parked out near her Gramps’s tree.
I kept walking until I spotted her on the other side, sitting and staring up at it as if lost in a daydream. “Mattie?”
Her head turned, and she blinked like she wasn’t sure if I was real. Then a second later, she jumped up and ran into my arms.
“What are you doing back? I thought you were long gone by now?” She kissed me before I could answer, but I didn’t mind, I let the kiss last, slow and languid.
“I had an interesting chat with Clara and then a long talk with my sister, and here I am. I hope it’s okay if I stay at least another week or two.”
“But what about Rebecca? I thought she needed you?”
“You need me, and that’s what matters. Besides, Bex knows that I’m not interested in the family business. I want to carve my own path, and I know now that I’m right where I need and want to be.”
She teared up, and as the first tear splashed her cheek, I kissed it away. “No tears, baby.”
“They are happy tears. I was just sitting here, wishing you’d come back to me. Wishing that I’d look up and see you like I had this tree, and then all of a sudden, there you were.”
“I’m not going anywhere. And I’ve decided that when I do go home, you’re going with me. And only for a quick visit. I’d like you to meet my sister, and I’m going to have to get my things. Well, assuming you want me to stay here with you.”
“Yes!” She fell against me and smothered my face with kisses until we were both giggling.
“We should go inside. We have a lot to talk about.” I took her hand and climbed up on the buggy with her. “Hey, did you know that your knuckle-headed friends stranded me here?”
“About that,” she said. “I just found out, and I was hoping to tell you when you were too tired to kill them. Like after a heavy meal or a long day, just before bed.” She gave me an apologetic smile. “I didn’t know, I swear.”
“I know. Remind me to thank Hunter.” With that, we returned to the house, and I knew I’d never be without her again.
Epilogue
Mattie
Christmas Eve had been amazing so far, and I knew the best would come later when Tyler and I were finally alone. Not only had his sister come down for a visit, but she’d brought him some of his things, and we wouldn’t have to make the trip to New York City until after New Year’s.
Bex and Clara hit it off, and the two of them were busy discussing their dream weddings on the couch while Hunter took a nap, and Tyler and I cleaned up in the kitchen.
The house seemed alive with Christmas cheer, and we’d had a wonderful dinner thanks to Clara and her mother, who had cooked all morning. Now the moon was full in the sky, and we’d thrown another log on the fire for the night.
“It’s supposed to snow, so I brought in extra wood earlier.” Tyler had already adapted to living in my big house with me and loved tending the fire.
We’d also loved to bake cookies and had become junkies on premade dough. He slipped another pinch of cookie dough into his mouth.
“Stop eating it raw; we’ll never have enough for everybody.” I said before I picked a tiny pinch and popped it in my mouth.
He chuckled. “You’re just as bad. There won’t be any for Santa.”
“I had to even it out.” I lifted my shoulder and winked before putting the sheet of cookies into the oven.
“How are we going to spend the next ten minutes?” he asked.
“The package said eleven.” I frowned. “But I have a few ideas.”
He pulled me into his arms and kissed me full on the lips. I could spend an eternity kissing him, so eleven minutes was going to be a piece of cake. The hard part was keeping our clothes on in the process.
Somehow, we managed, and when the oven timer went off, he pulled away and grabbed the oven mitts. He took the cookies out and then put the baking sheet on the counter to cool.
“Those smell delicious, brother.” I looked up and saw Bex walking over. Clara was waking Hunter up behind her. He rose from the chair and stretched.
“Want one? They’re piping hot.” Tyler used the spatula to take one from the sheet.
“No, thanks. I’m headed up to my room. I’m sleepy and have a big day tomorrow. Besides, I know that fire in there is awfully romantic.”
“Then maybe Clara and I should use it, and you three can beat it.” Hunter’s voice was raspy from sleep.
“No, we’ve got a loft apartment waiting out in the barn.” Clara grabbed a cookie and held it carefully. “Take me home, lover boy.”
Hunter turned and was practically dragged along with Clara. Bex waited until they were nearly to the front door. Then she turned to me. “Those two are adorable.”
“They have been that way their whole lives. Imagine that between ten-year-old Hunter and Clara. That was cute.” I watched as they left and closed the door behind them.
“I’ve had a wonderful time, and I’m enjoying the place,” Bex said. “I think you’ve got something here, Mattie. You two will make it even better when you’re done. I’m really proud of your vision and can’t wait to see it all come together.” With that, she kissed Tyler on the cheek and gave me a hug. “I’m off to bed. You two have fun.” Rebecca left us alone and went upstairs.
Tyler grabbed my hand and led me back into the living room where he pulled me close and kissed me. Then he looked up, and I looked up to see the mistletoe he’d hung from the light fixture above our heads.
“You don’t need some parasitic plant to tell you when you can kiss me.” I giggled.
“No, but I thought it might be fun.”
“It is, but I think you should do it again.” I smiled as he moved toward me slowly and kissed me even deeper than before.
I melted against him. He walked me over to the rug in front of the fire and kneeled down with me. Soon, we were stretched out on the rug, and he’d grabbed an old quilt from the couch and wrapped it around his shoulders. He closed me in with him, and his mouth found my lips again and then he worked his way down. I moaned softly as he slipped his hand into my pants and rubbed my throbbing clit. I had been so worked up since the kitchen, and it wouldn’t take long before he had me over the edge.
He tugged down my jeans, and when I went to slip off my panties, he stopped me. “No, leave those. You look so sexy in them.” I smiled and reached for his pants to undo them, finding he’d already done so.
His cock was straining against his shorts, and I tugged t
he waistband, pulling them down as he slipped off his shirt, revealing his muscular chest and arms. I loved being wrapped in his arms and feeling how powerful he seemed next to me.
“Since I’m the only one still dressed, I guess I should take advantage of you.” I gripped his cock and stroked it with my long fingers. He moaned and then shook his head.
“No, you know I like to make you come for me first. And if you think those little silk panties are going to stop me, you’re wrong.” He rose up over me, and I lay back as he moved down my body until he planted a soft kiss on the thin fabric of my panties.
His fingertips were warm against my cool skin, and he slipped them beneath the elastic and tugged it aside as his mouth closed on me. My breath hitched, and I arched my back up off the floor as my release wasted no time.
The urge to be filled deeply with him had me tugging at his shoulders, and he let loose a chuckle as he rose up and met my eyes. “You’re already soaked for me.”
“I want you in me.” I brought my arm around his neck and leaned forward to meet his lips. He laid me back as he shifted between my legs, and I grabbed his cock and centered him at my pussy. I needed to feel him sliding in, burying deeply and his hips rutting against me. I closed my legs around his hips, and he pushed forward, letting his thick cock spread me wide as he entered my tight pussy.
“I love being with you, baby. This is the best Christmas ever.” He spoke the words softly in my ear.
“I feel the same.” I felt more, though. Way more. I knew I loved him, and even though we were taking it slowly, I knew I wanted to tell him for Christmas. But first, I’d show him.
I rolled us over, and I straddled his hips, my knees digging into the floor to find purchase so I could ride him nice and slow.
He lay there, his eyes rolling back in his head as he moaned and fondled my breasts, and I milked his cock with my pussy.
“That feels amazing. You’re going to make me come so good, baby. My beautiful girl.” He looked up into my eyes and pulled me down to his lips. Then he rolled me over and mounted me, pulling my hips up closer and resting my legs on his shoulders. Then he pounded into me hard and deep, and I cried out as my orgasm erupted. He held off until he saw me through it, and then he pulled free, and his cock shot his load all over my breasts and stomach.
