Chapter 3

3

SUTTON

H ow had my life come to this? My mom was texting the names of eligible bachelors, complete with pictures and short bios, when all I wanted to do was forget about it. I wanted to spend the day with the Calloways and my favorite person, Wes.

I put on Wes’s sister’s clothes that I found in the drawers. They consisted of sweats and hoodies with their high school logo, but I appreciated not having to put on the cashmere sweater and designer jeans I wore to dinner last night.

When I opened the bathroom door, Wes sat on the bed, looking at his phone. He looked up, his mouth dropping open slightly. “I thought you’d wear your clothes.”

I laughed. “You think heels are good for walking the farm?”

“No, but that’s what you always wear.”

I wondered if that’s what he thought of me, a high maintenance girl who couldn’t let loose. “I’m capable of dressing casually.”

Wes raised his eyebrows.

“I just want to relax today. My neck and head hurt. ”

Wes was up in a second, moving closer to me. His hands softly massaged my neck and shoulders. “Even with the pain meds?”

“It’s muted, but my neck is stiff.” I moaned when Wes massaged a little harder. “That feels amazing.”

“Will you be okay to hike in the fields?” His voice was low, settling deep into my chest.

“I will be.” His hands were magic on my sore muscles.

He moved to my scalp, sending tingles down my spine. “Does that feel better?”

His voice coasted over the shell of my ear. “So good.”

It was on the tip of my tongue to invite him back to bed and to help me forget everything about my messed-up life. The only problem was you couldn’t have a meaningless hookup with the guy you’d been friends with forever.

There was no coming back from that, no matter how much I wanted it.

Wes’s phone buzzed. He kept one hand on my shoulder while he pulled it out of his pocket. “Sounds like everyone’s ready to go.”

He stepped back, typing a message. “I’ll tell them we’ll drive separately in case you don’t feel well.”

“That sounds good.” As much as I loved his family, I just wanted to be with Wes. I didn’t want to hash out the details of last night with anyone else.

We headed downstairs, and Wes found an extra pair of women’s boots for me to wear. Then we climbed into his truck. He handed me a blanket he kept in the back before he turned on the engine and turned the heat up.

“Did you tell anyone about what I said?” I asked him as he backed out.

Wes glanced over at me. “About your grandmother’s demands? ”

“Yeah.”

“I told my dad. Was that okay? He won’t talk about it with my siblings unless you say something.”

“I’m not ready to hear everyone’s opinions on it.” I felt strangely vulnerable.

With one hand resting on the top of the wheel, he said, “We can keep it to ourselves.”

“Good.” I rested my head on the chair as he ambled over the rocky lane. The sun had come out and the ice had melted, but it was still cold.

Wes reached over and covered my hand with his. “We’re going to get through this.”

I laughed without any humor. “ I’ll get through it. I always do.”

“You’ve got me and my family. We’ve got your back.”

“Thanks,” I said automatically even though his promise didn’t resonate with me.

I always handled my family. I wouldn’t involve Wes or anyone else. The Calloways were too good to get tied up with the Rosesmiths.

My mom looked down on him because he was raised on a farm, and in her eyes, he was just a police officer, but I respected him even more because his family was good and kind. They weren’t tainted or influenced by money, status, and wealth. That’s what I loved about them.

“So, what kind of tree should I get?” Wes asked lightly, and I sat up straighter in the seat.

“You have that huge great room. I think you could put a tall one in that space.”

He gave me a look. “I’m not sure I want to carry a tall one home.”

I clasped my hands together. “I’d love to see that space filled with a tree. ”

“I trust you to pick a nice tree.”

I raised my fist in the air. “Now we’re getting somewhere.”

“You know I don’t spend much time at my house, right?”

I smiled over at him. “When I come over, I’ll enjoy the decor.”

“Soon, you’ll be married, and your new husband won’t want you coming over to my house.”

I frowned. “Why not?”

“Trust me. No guy wants their girl to be hanging out with another man. I certainly wouldn’t. It’s not possible for men to be friends with women.”

“But we’ve been friends since we were kids, and nothing has ever happened.” That wasn’t exactly the truth. For the most part, I kept my thoughts, feelings, and hands to myself.

He gestured between us. “We’re the exception.”

“Are you upset that I’m getting married?” Then I shook my head. “That’s so weird to say when I’m not even dating anyone.”

“I don’t want to see you being taken advantage of, and that’s where I see this going.”

“I’m in control. I can handle it.”

“I know you can. But I don’t like it.” Wes parked behind his brothers’ blue Pine Valley Farm trucks, and we got out.

The other couples must have already gotten out of their vehicles and gone in search of the perfect tree, because no one was within sight.

Wes led the way down one row. “The taller ones are in this direction. I don’t think the others will go this way because no one else has the raised ceiling that I have in my house.”

That was good because I wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone else today. I didn’t have my game face on, and I certainly wasn’t dressed the part of Sutton Rosesmith.

When I stumbled, Wes paused. “Are you okay?”

“Just clumsy.”

Wes grabbed my hand, and we resumed walking. I appreciated that he wanted to make sure I was okay. He cared about me in a way no one else in my life did. That’s why I wasn’t keen on doing anything to upset our relationship.

If what he said was true, that my new husband wouldn’t want me to talk to him anymore, I wasn’t sure how I’d survive. My chest tightened, and it became difficult to draw in a deep breath.

Wes paused to face me, his gaze scanning mine for any sign of distress. “You want to go back? Are you hurting?”

“I was just thinking about what you said. I don’t want to lose you. My grandmother’s ultimatum doesn’t have to mean anything. I’ll marry someone suitable, we’ll stay together for a few months, and then we’ll get a divorce. This doesn’t have to be the end of our friendship.”

Wes’s jaw tightened. “I don’t want to lose our friendship either.”

But he didn’t promise it wouldn’t happen. Just that he didn’t want it to any more than I did.

He tugged at my hand. “No more talk of wills and ultimatums. We have a tree to cut down.”

“And decorate,” I couldn’t help but point out.

Wes let go of my hand and wrapped an arm around me, pressing me into his side. We walked side by side like that until the trees got taller.

“What about this one?” I asked as I moved away from Wes and walked around it. The branches were full. “There aren’t any holes. ”

Wes nodded. “It’s a beauty.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to save this for your paying customers?”

“This is the family field, and I’ve never cut a tree for myself before.”

“Ah. You’re a tree virgin,” I teased him.

He rolled his eyes good-naturedly. “Is this the one?”

I smiled and nodded. “It will look gorgeous in your house.”

Wes’s eyes heated, and I wondered what he was thinking. Then he knelt next to the tree, taking the saw he’d grabbed from the truck, and lined it up with the base.

I moved to hold the tree so it wouldn’t fall when he cut through it. As soon as the tree shifted, Wes shot up and grabbed the tree.

I walked next to him as he dragged it back to the car. Everyone else was back, busy securing their trees.

“We’re going back to the house to eat leftovers. You want to join us? We’ll need to open the farm soon.”

Wes shot me an apologetic look. “I’ll need to help on the farm for a little. Then we can take the tree back to my place.”

“We’re going to Wes’s house to get this set up before he changes his mind.” I didn’t want to spend time with anyone else. I wanted to forget the rest of the world existed and that anyone wanted anything from me.

“I don’t blame you. I don’t think he’s ever decorated for the holidays,” Al said as he continued to his truck.

I got in the cab while Wes secured the tree in the bed. Then he drove down the lane to the main house.

“I called Harbor Garage to tow your car.”

“Thanks for doing that.” I couldn’t believe I’d forgotten that my car was stranded on the side of the road .

We ate leftovers with his family. Then I took a nap while Wes helped his family open the farm for business.

When he texted he was done, I gathered my clothes and met him outside at his truck.

Ever the gentleman, Wes asked, “You want to go home and grab a change of clothes first?”

The thought of going home to the house on my grandmother’s property made my stomach turn. “I don’t want to chance running into anyone. As soon as I get home, Mom’s going to bombard me with options and pressure me to decide. I’m not ready for any of it.”

“I can understand that.”

I just needed one more day, and I was excited to decorate Wes’s house for the first time. He pulled down his drive. He’d purchased a home outside of a neighborhood with a long lane, and the house itself was behind a layer of trees. It was private.

Wes turned off the engine. “We’ll have a relaxing day. I’ll start a fire and make some hot chocolate.”

“That sounds absolutely divine after the evening I had yesterday.” I saw the stubborn set to Wes’s face. “I know what you think about my family, and last night’s shenanigans didn’t change that.”

“I hate what you’re going through. No one should be forced to get married before they’re ready, especially not to the first willing guy that only wants you for your money.”

I shrugged, trying not to let the pain of that statement penetrate. “I’ll have to offer him something. He’s marrying me out of convenience.”

Wes made a noncommittal noise deep in his throat. It was sexy.

Wes’s house resembled a modern-day farmhouse, complete with a huge wraparound porch, an unattached garage, and beautiful detailing on the siding.

We got out and met on the porch.

My stomach rumbled. “Maybe we should have stuck around for dinner with your family.”

“Nah. I’d rather do our own thing. Besides, Otto probably misses me. The neighbor came over and took him out a few times, but it’s not the same.”

“He loves his daddy.”

Wes unlocked the door and pushed it open. Otto wagged his tail, his chocolate brown shaggy hair flying in the air as he waited for us. “Your house is mine for the day.”

I patted Otto’s head as I stepped inside, admiring the wooden beams and cozy interior. The idea of hiding out from my family was more and more appealing. I lived on the estate because it was easier to manage the day-to-day operations.

I also led tours of the common areas and the gardens, detailing our family’s history. I enjoyed it, but it meant that my life wasn’t private. Especially since I’d started filming the tours and posting them on social media.

At any time, I could be summoned to the big house for dinner or a conversation I didn’t want to have. Then there were nights when ultimatums were issued, and no one doubted that I’d fall in line. My parents wanted cash, but I wanted the house and grounds. I wanted to preserve our family’s legacy.

The house itself was gorgeous and opulent, but I didn’t want to live in it anymore. I didn’t have a lot of good memories even though it had felt like an adventure at times. As I grew older, I realized how alone I was. There were no siblings or other children to play with.

Someone always wanted something from me, whether that was to be quiet or to present as the perfect daughter or granddaughter. I was something to be hidden or shown off.

“I’ll let Otto out and get the fire started. Then I’ll bring in the tree and the stand. I grabbed one from the house before we left. Perk of living on a Christmas tree farm.”

“Did you happen to grab decorations?”

“Dad gave each of us some from our childhood and new ones when we moved into our new homes.”

Wes’s father was the best, even when he was deep in grief after his wife’s death. He was nothing like mine. “That’s sweet. Point me in their direction, and I’ll grab them.”

“They’re in the back of the coat closet.” I retraced my steps to the foyer and rifled through the closet to find the neatly stacked boxes labeled Christmas. I carried them into the living room and placed them on the floor.

The tree stand was already in the space in front of the window, and Wes returned with the tree. I helped him set it up. Then we pulled out the lights. Once the lights were hung nicely and we’d turned them on, we paused to take it in. “It looks amazing in front of those windows. It’s a shame no one else gets to see them but you.”

“I like my privacy, and I don’t need a lot of visitors. If I want to see my family, I go to Dad’s.”

“Your home is beautiful.”

“I always thought it would be the house I shared with my future wife. It’s big enough to expand and to have children. The bonus is that it’s in the middle of the woods, and there’s several hiking trails that link up to the ones in the park nearby.”

“You never met anyone you’d want to propose to?” I pulled out the ornaments and placed them carefully on the coffee table. A few of them seemed handmade. I could imagine a young Wes making these in preschool .

“There hasn’t been anyone serious.”

“For me either.” I’d never met someone I could see a future with. Now, I couldn’t believe I had to go home and choose a potential husband. Even if it was fake and temporary, it seemed big and scary.

“I’m going to make that hot chocolate, and Daphne gave me some pies the other day so we can have those too.”

“The perfect dessert.”

“Right?” Wes said with a wink as he stood, then held his hand out to me. When my hand closed around his, the tingles traveled through my fingers and up my arm.

This was why I avoided touching my friend. You weren’t supposed to feel anything when you touched a friend.

I stood in the kitchen and watched while he heated the milk then poured it over the cocoa mix. I helped him add marshmallows.

“Have you seen my new fire pit since it was finished?”

“I haven’t.” I blew on the hot liquid.

“Grab your jacket and shoes.”

I met him by the slider where Otto raced out ahead of us onto the deck, then down the steps, and into the woods.

“He’ll be back.” At the bottom of the stairs, Wes showed me the new outdoor area. It had a kitchen counter, grill, and fridge, in addition to a huge fireplace. “This isn’t a fire pit.”

Wes grinned as he set the pies on the table. “It’s the dream kitchen I’ve always talked about.”

“I love it.” There was all new furniture with soft cushions facing the fireplace, and there was even a TV hanging under the deck. “You have the perfect bachelor pad now.”

Wes turned on the gas fireplace. “I’m glad I went ahead and built the house and this outdoor area. Why wait when you can enjoy it now?”

What did I have that was mine? I lived on my grandmother’s property that she wanted to take away from me. I hadn’t built anything. Grandma still held the strings of my life.

Wes turned to catch the look on my face. “Uh-uh. None of that. We’re from different families and life circumstances. You can’t compare your life to mine.”

“I can’t?” I asked as he turned on the two heaters closest to the sectional, grabbed a few blankets from a nearby bin, and gestured for me to sit next to him.

I folded my legs underneath me and allowed him to throw a blanket over my lap. “We’re supposed to be decorating the tree.”

“I think we can take a break and watch a holiday movie to get us in the mood. We can eat the pies.”

“You convinced me. Hot chocolate, pie, and an outdoor fireplace.”

He turned on one of our favorite holiday comedies that we knew the lines by heart and settled in to watch it. A few minutes in, I said, “We should hang lights underneath the deck. It would add to the ambiance.”

“Why do I need ambiance? It’s just me here most of the time. Although I supposed my brothers might show up now that I have this.”

“If you ever bring your nieces by or a woman.”

“You’re the only woman I want,” Wes teased, and I shoved at his shoulder because he wasn’t being serious. We continually told our friends and family that we enjoyed each other’s company, but we’d never crossed the line of friendship, and there was no reason to believe that anything had changed.