Chapter 7

Iwas surprised when Fiona sent me the picture of Izzy's new room. Then I didn't hear from her after I asked her to take video of the big reveal. Maybe Fiona realized her mistake in reaching out to me. I wasn't sure why she felt the need to send me the picture, but I took it as a good sign.

Fiona was starting to remember what it was like when we were together. We were friends as well as lovers. We shared our hopes and dreams. I tried not to weigh her down with the extent of my parents' toxicity, but she always knew when it was bad. She had this way of coaxing it out of me.

I'd kept myself busy over the years, so I wouldn't think of Fiona and the moment I broke her heart. But now that I was home and she was too, I couldn't help but wonder if this was our time. I hadn't found anyone else that I loved as much as her.

I wasn't sure she felt the same way, especially after I hurt her. She'd proposed, and I'd callously turned her down. The truth was, I'd panicked. The last thing I wanted was for her to quit school and follow me around the world. I didn't want to get in the way of her living her dreams.

Unfortunately, she didn't see what I was doing. She shut me out, and I wasn't sure I'd ever get close to her again.

There were a lot of trucks in the driveway when I arrived. Mostly red ones with Monroe Christmas Tree Farm logos on the doors, but there was one Calloway truck. I hoped everyone was able to keep things civil tonight.

I was grateful I wasn't part of that drama.

I knocked on the door, and Fiona answered. She immediately joined me on the porch, closing the door behind her. Then she pulled me to the side of the porch where a swing hung. "I've been wanting to show you the video."

I sat next to her. "I wasn't sure if you'd gotten it since I didn't hear back from you."

"The video was too long to go through over text." She kept her attention on her phone.

"Let's see it," I said to cover the tightness in my throat.

She moved closer, her head almost touching mine while she hit Play. It started the moment Izzy ran into the room and turned in a circle in the middle of the room. "There're lights."

Fiona touched my thigh and squeezed. "She loved the lights."

I sucked in a breath. The warmth of her palm seeped through my jeans, and electricity shot through me. I shifted on the seat, wondering if she noticed what she was doing. If she moved her hand any further, she'd be dangerously close to my dick.

Fiona glanced up at me. "Did you see that? It's so cute how kids believe in magic."

I forced myself to focus on the video and not her hand that rested on my thigh. "Have you thought about having kids?"

Her face screwed up. "I don't have time for kids with my job. I'll be the best auntie. I know I haven't been in the past, and I rarely see Ryder's daughter—"

"We can always make changes to our lives. You should do what makes you happy."

Her gaze met mine. "I am happy."

I grunted instead of saying what I was really thinking. From what I'd gleaned the last few days, she worked long hours and didn't have time for relationships. That didn't sound great to me. "I retired from the military because I wanted more."

Fiona frowned. "I thought you felt guilty over leaving Marley, and then your grandmother died."

"That was part of it. But I was starting to feel like I was missing out on something. I wanted something I could get excited about."

Fiona kept her gaze on my face. "And the military wasn't doing that for you anymore?"

"I enlisted so that they'd turn me into a man."

Her hand moved up my thigh, and I tensed. "Surely, you must know that your job doesn't make you worthy. It's who you are."

Her words wrapped around my heart.

Then she squeezed my thigh one more time before releasing it. "We should get inside. The others are going to wonder where we are."

I wanted to stay on the porch all night talking to her about our dreams, wants, and desires. But she was retreating. I didn't want to let her go. She was supposed to be home for a few more weeks. I just hoped I wouldn't waste the time I had.

Inside, it was loud. Most of the guests were part of the Monroe family, but Fiona's father was here too. I'd never officially met him, but I'd seen him around the Calloway farm when I snuck around to visit Fiona.

"Do you want me to introduce you to my father?" Fiona asked.

"You probably should." I was done sneaking around. If her father asked about our relationship, I'd be honest with him.

Fiona raised a brow. "Are you sure? I promise he doesn't know anything about us. My brothers do, but we keep that kind of thing from him."

We approached him where he was talking to Lori. "Dad, this is Aiden Matthews, he co-owns the inn with his sister, Marley."

"You can call me Al. Thank you for your service."

"Nice to meet you, sir." I was surprised he knew anything about me, much less that I was retired from the military. But then again, it was a small town.

"I'm not going to bother telling you not to address me as sir. It would be wasting my breath." Al chuckled before he asked Fiona, "How are things at the inn? He treating you right?"

Fiona stiffened. "He's been a good host. He showed me the gardens and even some rooms in the basement he's thinking of having renovated."

Al turned his attention to me. "I remember there was a movie theater on site years ago."

"What do you remember about the inn when it was fully functional?" I asked him, genuinely curious.

"I heard there was a theater, and maybe even a bowling alley. I can't say I was ever a guest," Al said thoughtfully.

I nodded. "There's also a game room, but it's mainly billiards, and a bar. It's quite the set up."

"You going to restore her to her former glory?" Al asked me.

I tipped my head toward his daughter. "Fiona seems determined that we do."

Al touched Fiona's shoulder. "She's good at what she does. Her bosses don't listen to her ideas though. Make sure you do."

Fiona flushed with pleasure. "How do you know what my bosses listen to?"

"Daphne tells me what you two talk about. At least when it comes to work."

Fiona chewed her lip. "I didn't realize she shared."

"I want to hear how you're doing," her father said.

He struck me as someone who loved his children and just wanted to be part of their lives.

Fiona smiled softly. "I'll be better about keeping in touch."

"I know you're busy," her father said gruffly.

Lori pulled him away to get a drink, and Fiona leaned in close. "That wasn't so bad, was it?"

I lowered my voice. "I mean, if he knew I'd taken his daughter's virginity when she was eighteen, it would have gone differently—"

Fiona clapped a hand over my mouth. "Shh. That's the last thing I need my father knowing. He seems to like you. Let's keep it that way."

When she slowly removed her hand, I asked, "You think he'd care after all these years?"

Fiona nodded. "I think he'd feel guilty that he didn't know what was going on. That he wasn't more involved in my life. But he had seven kids. He was doing the best he could."

If anything happened between us, I needed to have that conversation with her dad. I didn't want there to be any secrets. I wouldn't go into details, but he should know we dated and that we were in love.

Heath and Marley appeared at our side. I was so engrossed in talking to Fiona, I hadn't even thought to greet them.

"How are you doing?" Heath asked me.

"Good. Marley talk to you about the inn?"

"She said you wanted to do some renovations. I can probably look at it tomorrow. We didn't check it out before we did the first round."

"The priority was getting the inn functional again. Now we're looking to increase our services, and that basement is set up perfectly for it. I wouldn't have even thought about doing it now if Fiona hadn't mentioned it," Marley said.

Heath nodded. "I'll take a look and let you know if it's feasible."

"Hopefully, Fiona is going to help us. She has amazing ideas," Marley gushed.

Fiona's face flushed from the praise.

"You in town for a while?" Heath asked Fiona.

Fiona nodded. "A few weeks. I'm due to head back after the New Year."

"That's not long if we're going to do a renovation together," Heath said to her, and I knew he was trying to figure out what was going on and if he needed to protect me from Fiona. Which he didn't.

Fiona's expression turned thoughtful. "I have a lot to think about. I could extend my vacation, but I don't think my boss would like that."

"Why don't you meet me in the theater tomorrow before I head to work? You can tell me what you were thinking," Heath offered.

"That would be great. Thank you."

Then talk turned to the upcoming holiday.

Shortly after, Daphne urged everyone to sit at the dining-room table. "We want to thank everyone for coming tonight, and Emmett for constructing this gorgeous table where all our family can eat together."

"Where are the rest of the Calloways?" Emmett asked.

Daphne's uneasy gaze met Cole's.

Cole stood next to Daphne. "The Calloways needed to be at the farm, and I wasn't sure if I was ready to have everyone in the same room."

"They'll come around. Just give them time," Al said.

Fiona leaned closer and said, "I thought it was too much to have all the Calloways and the Monroes in one place."

Before I could respond, Cole continued, "One day, both of our families will be together in one place. I just hope it's before our wedding."

"I'll drink to that," Al said, and we raised our glasses. "To the Monroes and the Calloways."

Fiona's hand rested on my thigh as she leaned close, her hair brushing the scruff on my chin. "Can you imagine all that testosterone in one room? There would definitely be an explosion."

"Yeah, maybe," I said because her proximity never failed to get to me. It was difficult to breathe in deeply, and her father raised his brow from across the table.

"Your dad is watching," I said quietly.

Fiona returned to her seat but flashed me a smile. "Everyone knows we're working together. It makes sense that we're friends."

"Sure," I said, but I wasn't ready to talk to her father yet. Not until I knew if there was anything between me and Fiona.

Fiona was familiar with me. It made sense because we dated previously, but I wondered if she noticed how her touch affected me. Was she doing it on purpose or was she oblivious? It was hard to imagine that she was unaware.

For the rest of dinner, I fielded questions about the inn and the proposed renovations, but no one talked about Christmas tree farms. Both families were in the middle of their busiest season, and since the businesses were the source of tension it was best to avoid talk of it.

After dinner, everyone helped clean up. Then the male Monroes congregated on the back patio. Apparently, it was a Monroe tradition.

Somehow, I was herded out along with them.

"I never thought we'd be here, celebrating Cole moving in with a Calloway," Emmett said.

"Don't cause any trouble," Cole said tightly.

Knox nodded. "Daphne won't be a Calloway much longer. They're getting married."

Cole looked around the crowd. "I'd be honored if you'd stand up for me. I'd like all my cousins by my side."

"I'd be honored too," Knox said.

Heath clasped his shoulder. "Happy to."

Sebastian nodded. "Wouldn't have it any other way."

"We'll be there," Talon said.

Then everyone's gaze moved to Emmett. "I can do that."

"I don't want any issues at our wedding. You'll need to get along with Daphne's brothers," Cole said.

I had a feeling I'd need to keep an eye on things, make sure there weren't any arguments.

"We're not Neanderthals. We can behave for a few hours at a wedding," Knox teased.

"You're not the one I'm worried about," Cole said.

"I know you're all worried about me, and how I'll react. But don't you think you should be worried about the Calloways? They aren't here tonight."

Cole cradled his beer. "The Calloways run the farm themselves. They don't have any help. I assure you; that's the main reason they're not able to be here tonight."

"That's no way to run a business. You need to hire people," Emmett said.

"You were the same way. You were reluctant to hire anyone who wasn't family," Cole admonished him. "We're not here to criticize how the Calloways run their business. Their main jobs come first."

"That just means their business suffers because of their practices, not anything we're doing on our farm," Emmett continued.

Cole held up his hand. "No talk about Christmas tree farms or business. Not when we're together. Surely, we can talk about something besides that."

Knox wrapped an arm around Cole's neck. "We can talk about my favorite cousin finally getting married."

Cole easily flipped out of his hold. "Don't let Charlotte hear you say that. We're also not going to resort to being fifteen again. No wrestling."

Knox frowned. "You're no fun now that you're tied down."

"Everyone's tied down," Talon said.

"Except Charlotte," Emmett pointed out.

Cole scowled. "She's in no place for a relationship. She's trying to get back on her feet."

"Have you talked to her about working at the inn? If we're going to renovate the theater, I'll need more help," I asked Cole.

"I'm sure she'd love to do that. She's good with people."

"It'll take a lot off my list. I want to be able to focus solely on the theater," I said.

"When you get it up and running, you should have a private family showing," Sebastian said.

I swirled the beer in my bottle while I considered it. "That's not a bad idea. We can do a test run of sorts to see if everything operates smoothly."

The slider opened, and Marley walked out, followed by the rest of the women.

"We haven't even looked to see if renovating that old theater is feasible yet," Heath said.

Marley slipped her arm through his. "We all want a movie theater. You need to make it happen."

Heath looked down at her with so much love on his face. It reminded me of how I used to feel when I was dating Fiona. We had to keep things a secret, but when we were together, we never held back. We loved freely and easily. I wished things were that uncomplicated now. I wasn't sure I'd ever be able to unravel the hurt I'd caused.

"We decided to crash your party," Fiona said to me.

"I don't think the Monroes will be able to carry on the tradition of the men hanging out after dinner for much longer. They're outnumbered," Marley said.

Fiona curled her hand around my arm. "You got that right."

Someone mentioned starting a fire, so everyone moved to the firepit in the yard. Chairs were brought out. There weren't enough, so people were sitting on the ground, in camping chairs, and even a few kitchen chairs.

For once, I was content to just be. Fiona sat next to me, her arms resting over her bent knees. "You're not worried that someone will think something's going on between us?"

She flashed me a smile. "Nope."

I wanted to be so much more. I wanted to go back to the moment I broke her heart, and I wanted to handle it differently. The only thing was, if I'd let her move with me, would we still be together? Would getting married young have ruined us or made us a stronger couple?

There was no way of knowing.

Izzy crawled into Cole's lap, her head resting on his shoulder. What would it be like to have a little girl with Fiona's dirty blond hair and brown eyes? Would she be just as strong as her mother?

"Aren't they sweet together? I can't get over how Cole interacts with Izzy. It's like they were always meant to be together."

"It's something, all right." Were Fiona and I meant to be together? Was this reunion supposed to happen? If so, I should relax and trust the journey. But it was impossible.