Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

CHARLOTTE

I bit my lip, admiring the round globes of his ass in those gray sweatpants as he sauntered to his cruiser, opened the door, and shot me a disgruntled look over his shoulder. I waved, unable to stop the smile that spread over my face.

Teddy merely shook his head and got into his cruiser, putting on aviator sunglasses that only enhanced his inherent sex appeal.

I’d only ever seen him in uniform or a flannel and jeans. But this morning, I must have surprised him because he wore gray sweats that left nothing to my overactive imagination and a black department issued T that stretched taut over his well-defined muscles.

If he wasn’t such a grump, and my ex wasn’t such an asshole, I’d be thinking about all the ways I could get Officer Calloway to loosen up. I wasn’t in any position to partake in his deliciousness, but I could at least enjoy the view.

When the tail end of Teddy’s cruiser disappeared from view, I let out the breath I’d been holding. I half expected Teddy to throw his weight around as a police officer, insisting I was trespassing .

I’d panicked, knowing my old room at the inn had already been booked, and I had nowhere else to live. Unless I wanted to shack up with Cole and Daphne. They were a family of four now. There was no room for me.

I needed to handle this new phase of my life on my own, even if it scared me.

I would have offered to whip something up for lunch, but I hadn’t been grocery shopping yet, and I wasn’t sure if I could get pizza delivered to the cottage.

Teddy Calloway was uptight on a good day, and I knew he wouldn’t like that I was living on the farm. He’d fought his father on the issue as soon as he learned of it.

I’d had to tell Al about the situation with my ex so that he’d let me move in. When Rick hit me the first time, I quit the job where I worked with him, moved out of our shared apartment, and went to live with my brother, Cole.

I was able to get a job working the front counter at Matthews Inn which came with a room. Rick showed up one night, demanding I come home, and manhandled me when I refused. Thankfully, Aiden had been watching the video feed of the altercation in his office, and he’d removed him from the premises.

Rick wasn’t allowed at the inn, but I didn’t feel safe there anymore. It was only a matter of time before he returned.

That’s when I went to Al and asked if I could move as soon as possible. He’d readily agreed when I explained my situation. I didn’t want Teddy to find out my reasons for living here because he’d accuse me of putting his father in danger and insist I leave. Teddy protected his family.

I didn’t think Rick was a threat to Al. He was my issue. But Teddy wouldn’t see it that way.

I just hoped Rick wouldn’t find me on the Calloway property. Staying here was my only option. If I rented in town, Rick would find me easily .

I was safe here.

I went inside, closing the door to the cottage. It was mine even if it was only temporary. I felt at peace.

If Rick showed up, hopefully he’d see Teddy’s cruiser and be deterred.

The only problem was that Teddy would move home when the renovations were completed.

I looked around at the quaint cottage. I wasn’t living in a hotel with dozens of other people. It was quiet, and I had my own kitchen.

As much as I loved being around people, I needed some time to myself, to grieve and regroup.

I’d foolishly hoped Rick had forgotten about me. That he’d moved on to someone else, as awful as that was. But this was so much worse because he hadn’t gotten over me. He was still in the delusion that we belonged together, that he’d only hit me once, and that he wouldn’t do it again. That I still could love him, even though he’d struck me.

I’d watched my mom stay with my alcoholic dad. He didn’t physically abuse us, but he abandoned us emotionally. He wasn’t there for us. I thought there was good in everyone, but I wouldn’t stay in a relationship with someone who’d hit me once and manhandled me a second time.

That situation wasn’t going to improve over time. But thinking about him gave me an uneasy feeling in my stomach.

I unpacked my sheets and wrapped them around the mattress in the bedroom. Then I unpacked my books, framed photos of my friends and family, and trinkets. Once I had all of my stuff around me, I felt a little better.

Moving here was a good idea. As long as Rick didn’t find me.

I cleaned the bathroom and kitchen next, feeling good to be cleaning my own space and not a room at the inn.

I wiped the sweat from my brow, wondering if I was working so hard because I liked things to be clean or to work off the sexual frustration of having Teddy Calloway in my personal space. I could still smell his masculine scent in the kitchen.

I felt his disapproval like tightening in my chest. Yet it didn’t upset me. If anything, it amped me up. There was a reason why people watched the way we interacted. Sparks seemed to fly between us, but it wasn’t attraction. It was irritation.

My phone buzzed.

I smiled when I saw it was Fiona. “I miss you already.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to move back to the inn?” Fiona cried into the receiver.

I laughed. “My room is booked.”

“But I miss you.”

“Same, girl. It won’t be the same with me living here.” I couldn’t just go downstairs and talk to my friend.

“If you don’t like it, or Teddy’s a jerk to you, we’ll find you a room.”

“He was fine.”

“You’ve already seen him?”

“He followed me down the lane to see what I was doing. I guess your dad didn’t tell him I was moving in today.”

Fiona laughed. “That’s hysterical. I can imagine how that went.”

“I expected him to give me a citation for trespassing, but then your dad showed up to help me move in, and Teddy offered to help. He didn’t want your dad hurting himself.” I wouldn’t admit it to anyone, but that one move had endeared him to me. I hadn’t seen any sign that he was a human being with emotions. He was robotic about his routines and stubborn about not needing me here.

“What will you do while you’re staying there?” Fiona asked, bringing my attention back to the conversation.

“I want to familiarize myself with the farm and its operations. That means working and doing what the other employees are doing. It’s a great way to get to know the customers.”

“Will grumpy Teddy be around a lot?”

“He’s supposed to be working with me. But it’s not like he wants to” I had a feeling he’d do anything to please his father even if he’d been fighting him on me for the last year.

“I’m sorry you have to deal with Teddy. But my family is going to love what you do for us. You were amazing at the inn. The customers adored you. You’re welcome back any time if the marketing thing doesn’t work out.”

I’d been working at the inn, tinkering with the idea of starting a marketing company. First, I helped Aiden with the inn, then Violet with her ice cream shop. But Calloways’ Pine Valley Farm was the first big account I’d landed. I wasn’t getting paid a lot since the cottage was part of my salary, but it was a chance to prove myself. To show what I could do for other small businesses in the area.

“Aiden’s home. I’ll let you go.” Fiona sighed, and I figured Aiden was trying to distract her. I’d had a front-and-center view of their relationship over the last year. I wondered if I’d ever find the same thing.

I had a feeling I wouldn’t with Rick hovering on the edge of my life, waiting for a chance to get in. I just didn’t know how to break free from him. I’d never dealt with someone who refused to be broken up with. He didn’t take no for an answer, which scared me.

I wanted to move on with my life. I’d quit my job, lost my apartment, and hid for almost a year before he found me at the inn. Now, I was starting over again with a new job and home.

What would happen when he found me?

C ole invited me to an early dinner at their house. I admired his relationship with Daphne. When they met, the Monroe and Calloway families disliked each other. Our families owned competing Christmas tree farms.

They dated in secret, and when everyone found out, they were understandably upset. But Cole realized he loved Daphne enough to fight for her. Now, they were married, he’d adopted her daughter, Izzy, and they had a son together, Colson.

I drove past the garage, noting Teddy’s cruiser in the driveway. He must be off for the day. I both hoped and dreaded running into him again. He was intense.

I was curious to see what he’d be like in bed, but at the same time, didn’t want to get too close to the fire. I had a feeling I’d burn to a crisp.

Teddy Calloway was the definition of emotionally unavailable. He was closed off to everything outside his family. Lusting after him was futile. He’d never be interested in someone like me. My life was a mess. I was running from an abusive ex, living in a temporary home, and trying to start a business.

I wasn’t a good bet for anyone. Not that he was interested. His standards were either impossibly high, or he didn’t date.

I pulled out of the Calloways property and onto the main road. My heart rate kicked up. I’d felt safe on the property. It was like being hidden away. But now I was chancing the fact that Rick could find me.

I hoped he wasn’t watching Cole’s house. I hadn’t talked about my brother or family much when we were dating, but I was positive it would be easy to discover information about my family online.

Cole lived on a small farm. They’d updated the main house, and Cole constructed a separate building that Daphne used for her pie business. It had a commercial kitchen where she could bake and store pies. And even a small space for customers to eat .

It was a great setup, and I knew Daphne was happy building a life with him and expanding their family.

I knocked on the front door, and Cole answered with Colson on his hip. “All settled in at the cottage?”

I hugged him and squeezed Colson’s chubby leg.

“The kitchen’s unpacked, and the bed’s made. It’s perfect for me.”

Daphne enveloped me in a tight hug. “I told you it would be.”

It was exactly what I needed to hide from Rick. Not that I would tell Cole or Daphne that. I didn’t want to put them in danger too.

Daphne pulled back with a smile. “Dinner’s ready.”

At the smell of roasted chicken and rosemary potatoes, my stomach rumbled. “I’m starved.”

Daphne smiled. “I figured you would be after moving.”

Izzy was setting the table, so I jumped in to help. “How’s my favorite niece doing?”

“I’m your only niece,” Izzy said dryly, used to our exchange.

“You’d still be my favorite.” I adored Izzy, and thought it was great that Cole adopted her.

When we were finished, Cole handed Colson to me so he could help Daphne set the food on the table.

Colson immediately snagged a strand of my hair in his tight little fist and tugged.

I winced. “Ouch. That hurts, buddy.”

“He loves hair,” Cole observed as he cut the kids’ chicken into small pieces.

“You want to be in your highchair?” Colson wiggled his whole body, so I put him in the chair where there were already a few slices of chicken and potatoes.

“What’s it like living with the Calloways?” Cole asked

“We’re not bad,” Daphne said.

“Most of them are perfectly nice, but Teddy—” I began .

Daphne grimaced. “Teddy’s a bear. He’s all gruff on the outside and soft on the inside.”

“I haven’t seen this warm side you speak of.” I sat next to Colson.

“He had to grow up quickly when Mom died. He felt like he had to take care of us because Dad was busy falling apart.”

I could understand that, but he was a grown man now. You’d think he’d deal with his issues and have more emotional awareness. But he had the personality of a rock.

“He feels like he has to be in charge of the farm and the family,” Cole said carefully.

“I don’t know how I’m going to work with him.”

Daphne poured glasses of water and passed them around the table. “Dad figured you could handle him, or he wouldn’t have hired you.”

“You think so?” I asked Daphne.

She nodded as she leaned over to grab food Colson had flung on the floor. “Dad knows what he’s doing.”

“At least he believes in me.” I was still worried I wouldn’t be able to help. I had ideas, but if Teddy wasn’t on board, I wasn’t sure they would be successful. Last year, I was supposed to offer more holiday events, but Teddy had put a stop to it.

Daphne grinned at me. “You’re going to be great.”

“I want to use my work at the farm to highlight my abilities. I need more jobs to justify continuing with the business. Otherwise, I’d have to go back to a traditional marketing firm.” At my last job, I worked long hours, and it was highly competitive. I frequently had headaches. I didn’t enjoy what I was doing.

We had to create exactly what the client wanted. There was little creativity involved.

Going back to a private firm would put me in Rick’s crosshairs. It was an industry where everyone knew everyone. I wouldn’t be able to hide .

I preferred working with small businesses where I could give advice and have more room to be creative.

“Unfortunately, I don’t need your services. I have more work than I can handle at this point with two kids,” Daphne said apologetically.

“Don’t worry about me.” It was sweet that she was concerned, but she’d built her pie business on her own. Now, she sold to several restaurants in the area, including Violet’s ice cream shop where they collaborated on pie-flavored ice cream. I’d consulted with her several times, but her instincts were good. She didn’t need my help.

Izzy entertained us through dinner with her talk about the upcoming holiday concert at school and everything she wanted for Christmas from Santa.

Colson interjected with flying food. When he was tired of sitting in the highchair, I grabbed a cloth to wipe him down and carried him to the living room to let him play with blocks and cars.

I didn’t get enough time with Colson.

Cole came in a few minutes later and sat on the couch watching us. “You doing okay?”

I know he’d been worried about me since I showed up at his house saying I’d lost my job and my apartment. I hadn’t told him about Rick because he’d been involved with Daphne at the time and dealing with the fallout of our families finding out about their relationship. Then afterward, he’d bought a house and built an outbuilding for Daphne’s pie house.

I hadn’t wanted to burden him especially when he was so happy. He’d lived under the weight of my father’s alcoholism for too long. He was finally free from that, and I wouldn’t drag him down with my problems.

“You heard from Mom or Dad lately?” Cole asked.

We’d talked to them together to say we didn’t approve of Dad’s drinking or Mom’s enabling. Cole wouldn’t let them be involved in his kids’ lives until Dad went to rehab. “Last I heard, he was checking himself into a center.”

“I’ll believe it when I see it,” Cole said.

“Same.”

“Are you happy?” Cole asked me.

Daphne and Izzy were chatting in the kitchen. “You know I am.”

Cole just arched a brow. “You act like you’re happy, but I’m not so sure it’s real.”

“Feeling good is a choice I make every morning.” I’d decided when I was a kid I could be upset about my Dad, or I could make the best of my life. I’d chosen the latter and never looked back. It saved me from dark times.

Cole let his head hang. “I wasn’t happy—truly happy—until I met Daphne and Izzy.”

“You have to find happiness within yourself before you can find it with others.”

He lifted his head to meet my gaze. “I worry about you.”

“I know you do, but you don’t have to. I’ve got everything under control.” I knew Cole wanted me to find what he had with Daphne. But that wasn’t going to happen while Rick was still involved in my life. I needed to rid myself of him for once and for all.