“Was that a fish?”
“Yes,” she said, still laughing from their flirting. “Daddy stocked the pond when I was a little girl, and evidently the fish have only increased. Abi and I have heard them jumping every time we’re out here.”
“I wonder if our pond has that many fish. I know it did when we were little, but we were too busy as teens to spend a lot of time fishing. And I know John and Casey have probably been too busy as well.”
“I asked Abi about going fishing the other day, but she wasn’t overly thrilled about baiting her hook or touching a fish,” she said with a grin. “I think it’d be great though if she could enjoy—” Georgie’s mouth dropped open and she clapped her hands together. “That’s it! That’s what you and John need to do!”
“What?”
“Didn’t your property have fishing cabins on it? Over by the pond?”
“We actually call them fishing shacks, but yeah, they’re still there. John mentioned that he’d started to fix them up to rent them out but he didn’t get finished. Why?”
“How close is he to having them ready?” Her excitement was palpable.
“I have no idea. Ready for what?”
“Think about it. If your pond is stocked like this one, or even if it isn’t, you could stock it by the spring, and that’s when your business would need to open, right? Isn’t that what Andy Cothran said? He just needs to see a business plan and proof that you’re making an effort to get the business up and running. You wouldn’t have to have everything in working order until the spring.” She nodded and smiled. “That’s plenty of time to get a fishing camp together.” Before Landon could say anything, she continued, “It’d be really good if you could have a grand opening around spring break, when all the kids are out of school. Think how much fun that would be!”
“A fishing camp?” The only kind of fishing camps Landon knew of were the dilapidated shacks in the more swampy areas of the state, and they were typically only used by old men who wanted a weekend away from their wives and kids.
Georgiana must have followed his train of thought because she shook her head. “Not the kind of fishing camp you’re used to,” she said, “but a camp for kids. You wouldn’t want it to be a summer camp, because that limits what you can do the rest of the year. I think it should be a weekend camp, where parents and their children could come rent a cabin for a weekend and have some quality time together, away from the hustle and bustle of computers and cell phones and the world and just relax...and fish.”
The more excited she got, the faster she talked, just like the Georgie he knew before, and he loved not only seeing her so excited but also the entire idea she presented. “A fishing camp,” he repeated.
She nodded. “Yes, and you need to get John working on that business plan right now, and probably should check out those cabins to see if he’s done enough work on them to impress Andy at the bank, or if we need to do more.”
Landon’s heart beat a little faster at her mention of we. She was already including herself in his world, and he couldn’t be more pleased. “Well, why don’t we ride over and check them out now? John’s probably at the house. We can stop and see if he wants to ride out to the shacks too.”
“Cabins,” she corrected.
Landon laughed. “Right. Cabins.”
Within minutes, they were back in the saddles and riding to Landon’s farm. But this time, they didn’t walk; they galloped. And Georgiana looked as comfortable in the saddle as she had when she was a teen, when she could see. Her long hair bounced against her back and her laugh echoed through the air as they crossed the fields. The horses slowed when they reached the wooded trails, but Georgiana’s occasional giddy laugh continued until they reached Landon’s property and found John standing outside the barn texting on his phone.
“Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?” John said to Georgiana. “Can’t remember the last time I saw you on Fallon.”
“Landon helped me start riding again,” Georgiana said.
“I know. He told me, and it sure didn’t take you long to get comfortable, huh?”
“No, it didn’t, but I had a good teacher.”
John’s phone beeped, and he started texting again. “I’m talking to the lady from Chicago.” He tapped a few keys, then hit the send button. “I know we can’t present the dude ranch idea as our business plan, but I still think it’d work. Just doing a little more research. I’ve had a couple of ideas about other businesses we could give to Andy by the end of the month, but nothing that I think will really fly.”
“Well, it just so happens that’s why we’re here. Georgie had an idea that just might work, depending on where you stand on fixing up the fishing shacks.”
“Fishing cabins,” she said again, smiling.
“I’ve got to get used to that,” Landon said. “Tell him, Georgie.”
He listened as she described her idea to John and could tell his brother also thought it was a good one.
“And fishing is something that Andy would have to be on board with,” John said after he heard Georgiana’s plan. “I mean, we’ve got the Bowers fishing hole, and it stays packed, but it’s more of a single-day fishing thing, nothing like this, where people from out of town could come and stay in one of the cabins and really enjoy some privacy on our farm.” He grinned. “I like it! And I can already think of how I’d present it in a business plan. It just so happens we’re already discussing business plans in my Intro to Business Research class. Might as well put what I’m learning into action.” His phone beeped again, and he tapped another series of keys. “I’ll get Dana’s opinion on the fishing camp idea too. Maybe she’ll know something to include in the business plan that’ll really make it shine.”
“Dana?” Landon questioned.
“The business lady from Chicago.”
Landon smirked. It didn’t take John long to get on a first-name basis with the woman he’d never met. John caught the look and shook his head. “She’s really helpful,” he said.
“Obviously,” Landon said, while Georgiana smothered a laugh.
“So, are the cabins habitable?” she asked.
“I wouldn’t say that,” John said. “I’ve swept them out and started cleaning them up, but I’d imagine we’d want to fix them up nice if we planned on bringing in tourists. Reckon we could fix one up rather quick so we could show Andy what we have in mind?”
“We’ve got a lot of things in storage in our attic,” Georgiana said. “I brought back furniture from Tampa that I don’t need anymore. You can use anything you want. I know there’s a bed and a dresser. Maybe a small kitchen table and chairs.”
“Well, everything about the shacks—cabins—is small, so we wouldn’t need much,” Landon said. “Plus, if we go for the rustic appeal, maybe provide a wood-burning stove and lanterns instead of trying to get electricity out there, that’d help speed the time we need for fixing everything up.”
“That’s a good idea,” John said.
“And I think keeping it as natural and outdoorsy as possible is the way to go,” Georgiana said. “I think Abi would love it. Any child would.”
“I agree. So, you want to ride out to the cabins with us and pick the one that we want to tackle first?” Landon waited for John to send yet another text.
“Yeah, I do.” John moved to saddle up his horse, and his phone beeped in the interim. He glanced at the display. “Dana thinks the fishing camp is a good idea too.”
“Well then, by all means, we have to do it,” Landon said with a grin.
John ignored his sarcasm, mounted Red and headed into the field. “Come on!”
“You with us?” Landon asked Georgiana.
“I’m ready,” she said, smiling broadly and warming his heart with her enthusiasm. How could she think her blindness limited her in the world, limi
ted her usefulness to others—her usefulness to him? She’d probably just put them on a path to save their farm. And won a little more of his heart in the process.
Chapter Fourteen
In late August and early September, Alabama often received a few unseasonal days of windy, cool weather due to the tropical storms prevalent in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic. This year was no different, and the day of Abi’s piano recital was particularly breezy and cool. Rain had been predicted, but as of yet hadn’t made an appearance. Consequently, the weather was perfect for the event, as if God was encouraging Georgiana to take this step, leave the house, support her daughter and start living again.
She’d spent the past two weeks busier than she’d been in years, doing her transcriptions during the day and spending the afternoons with Abi and Landon. Abi had jumped on board with the fishing-cabin decorating project, particularly when she realized the ride on the horses to get to Landon’s cabins was farther than her trips to the pond. And Georgiana had become so accustomed to riding again that she and Abi rode over on their own one day when Landon had to work late at the feed store. John, of course, watched for their arrival, but still...Georgiana had done it, ridden the trails on her own with her little girl without any mishaps. Her confidence soared like it hadn’t in years.
She stepped into the red dress, slipped on the “cute” shoes Mandy had helped them pick out that night at the square and wondered if she looked half as pretty as she felt. Because Landon made her feel pretty, beautiful even. Their alone time together over the past two weeks had been special and sensual and right. Georgiana felt feminine around him, desirable around him, loved around him, even if he hadn’t yet said the L word.
Naturally, the realization of how Landon made her feel brought to mind the contrast in Landon and Pete, along with the reminder that Pete was on his way to Claremont for Abi’s recital. Tonight would be her first time to be around him since the divorce, and Georgiana prayed that she didn’t let him bring her down again.
God, be with me tonight. Stay with me. Give me the courage to face him and not let him beat me down.
She thought about what else she wanted to find the courage to do tonight. And please, Lord, let me finally tell Landon everything about my blindness. If it be Your will, let him understand why I didn’t tell him before, and please—please—don’t let him blame himself. Their relationship was growing stronger at a rapid pace, but her secret was an obstacle that couldn’t remain if they were going to have anything long-term. Secrets had no place in a marriage, and she wished with all her heart that she’d simply told him the truth in the beginning. But she hadn’t. And now she had to pray that he’d forgive her for never opening up.
From now on, I’ll tell him everything, Lord. But let him forgive me this time, please.
“Georgiana, we’re ready to go,” Eden called.
“Momma, are you coming? We can’t be late!”
“I’m coming,” she said, gathering her courage for whatever awaited her tonight and then heading downstairs to meet her mom and daughter.
“Wow, you look like a real princess!” Abi’s sweet words gave her a boost of confidence.
“Thanks, sweetie. I’m sure you do too.”
“I do! Grandma said so.”
Georgiana laughed, and Eden did as well.
“Okay, we need to head on to the square. Landon’s meeting us there, right?” Eden asked.
“Yes. He’s done at the feed store but he still needed to shower. He said he should get there not long after we arrive.” Georgiana hoped Pete wasn’t at the gallery already. Abi had to get there early to get in her position for performing, but the actual recital wouldn’t start for another hour. An hour with Pete wasn’t something Georgiana wanted.
They drove to the gallery with Abi chattering nonstop about everything from the piece she’d be playing to the type of punch Mrs. Camp said they’d have to the way her shoes made her feet feel “glittery.” Finally, they arrived at the gallery, parked the car, and then Abi’s final statement left no room for doubt that Pete had already arrived.
“Daddy’s here!” she said, bounding from the car as soon as it stopped and before Eden or Georgiana could tell her to slow down.
“Is he alone?” Georgiana whispered.
“No, dear. He’s definitely not alone.” Eden’s tone told Georgiana plenty. Not only had Pete brought his fiancée, Tanya, but evidently the woman drew attention.
“Pretty?” Georgiana asked, and then wished she didn’t care.
“Well now, you know Pete,” her mother said. “But I can tell you right now, she doesn’t hold a candle to you.” She patted a hand on Georgiana’s knee.
“Thanks, Mom.” Any mother would have told her daughter the same thing, regardless of how the other woman looked. Even so, her words did make Georgiana feel better. A little. But what would really make her feel better was if she wasn’t alone. If only...
“Hey.”
“Landon!” As if he’d materialized from her very thoughts, he’d opened her car door and placed her hand in his.
“Sorry I ran late. At least I made it in time.”
“Perfect timing, I’d say,” Eden said.
“Me too.” Georgiana climbed out of the car and let him lead her toward the gallery. With Landon by her side she could handle Pete. She could handle meeting Tanya, if she had to. In fact, she could handle anything. “Thanks.”
He didn’t ask what for. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.” He wrapped an arm around her and whispered, “He’s standing at the door, and he’s got a brunette beside him. Are you ready?”
“I am now.” And it made her feel amazing that her words were true.
“Three shallow brick steps to the top,” Landon whispered as they apparently neared the entrance to Gina Brown’s Art Gallery.
Georgiana appreciated the fact that he subtly helped her blend in public. They’d been together so much over the past few weeks that he’d learned when she needed help as well as when she didn’t, and he helped her lovingly. Unlike the man who apparently stood at the top of these steps.
“Georgiana.” Pete’s tone held the contempt she’d heard throughout the majority of their marriage.
“Hello, Pete.”
“Hi! I’m Tanya! I’m pleased to meet you! We’re looking forward to having Abi in our wedding!” She yelled every syllable, and Georgiana fought the impulse to tell the girl that she was blind, not deaf.
“Tanya, there’s no reason to yell,” Pete said sternly, and Georgiana realized that this poor girl was already getting a dose of the “real” Pete Watson.
Run. Now.
“Cutter. What are you doing here?” Pete’s voice dripped venom.
“In the States? Or here? I’m in the States because I finished my tour of duty. I’m here because I want to hear Abi’s performance...with Georgiana.”
“Unbelievable,” Pete said.
“What’s that?” Landon asked.
Georgiana had no idea what Pete might say and she certainly didn’t want to draw a scene in public. Her whole goal for the evening was to blend and not embarrass Abi. If Pete caused a scene, then that would embarrass their little girl, and she wasn’t about to let that happen. “Let’s go sit down, Landon.”
“Come on, Tanya, we’ll go get a good seat too...so we can see.”
Georgiana was certain she didn’t imagine his emphasis on the last word, and from the low snarl she heard from Landon, he’d detected it as well.
“What you ever saw in him...” Landon started.
“I have no idea,” she finished, and was rewarded with a low chuckle.
“Well, he’s sitting on the opposite side of the room, so for now, we’re home free. And by the way, if you wanted to blend with your surroundings tonight, you missed the mark.” He led her to a row
of chairs and they sat down.
“I did?”
Before she had a chance to panic too long wondering why, he added, “Yes, because there’s no way you can blend looking like that, in that dress and with your hair all curled and tumbling like a red waterfall down your back. You’re stunning, Georgiana, and you definitely stand out.”
She could feel her blush flame her cheeks. “Landon.”
“Only telling the truth,” he said. “And I’m fairly certain I’m the envy of every man in here...including the one who lost you.”
“Oh, Landon, I—” she paused her words before she blurted out the rest for whoever was sitting around to hear. They hadn’t confessed their love, but she knew in her heart that she loved him, really loved him, and the natural urge to tell him was nearly overpowering. But she needed to tell him her secret first, about the cause of her blindness, get everything out in the open so they could start fresh, start new, and build something that would last a lifetime. Because that’s what she knew for certain that she wanted, a lifetime with Landon.
“You...what, Georgie?” His voice was a breathy whisper against her ear. He knew. She had no doubt he knew what she’d been about to say, and he was teasing her now.
She swallowed. “I’ll—tell you later.”
He leaned closer, softly kissed the shell of her ear. “I hope you do.”
“Okay if I sit by y’all?” Her mother had already taken Abi backstage.
Georgiana prayed the lights were low enough that Eden didn’t see her flaming cheeks. “Sure.”
“This place is amazing,” she exclaimed, and Georgiana was glad that her mother was undoubtedly so taken with the surroundings that she hadn’t noticed the exchange between either Landon and Pete...or Landon and Georgiana.
“Mrs. Camp always picks the nicest places for her recitals,” Eden continued.
Georgiana nodded. “Yes, she does.” Mrs. Camp did attempt to make the children feel extra special on recital day, and she had definitely managed that feat with Abi. Georgiana’s little girl hadn’t stopped talking about how she and her friends would play their music on a stage with paintings all around them. “Even the painters will be there listening to us!” Abi had said.
Love Reunited Page 17
