Chapter 15

chapter

fifteen

Owen

Two months later

Graham, my mom, and sisters Summer and Harmony are already head over heels for Daisy.

And why wouldn’t they be?

Summer and Harmony wait until the week after Graham’s second birthday party to launch the official grand opening of the frozen yogurt shop.

Now that all the shop’s inspections, permits, and red tape are in the rearview mirror, it’s time for one final approval: my sister Mills and her boyfriend Hayden are here from California and are meeting Daisy for the first time.

Mills is kind, but has a less bubbly demeanor than Summer and Harmony.

“So. What are your intentions with my brother?” Mills asks, lifting an eyebrow.

“Come on, sis,” I say, rolling my eyes.

“It’s OK,” Daisy says, patting my chest. I hook a protective arm around Daisy’s shoulder.

Mills is a lot more intimidating than Summer and Harmony, too, and I can tell Daisy’s eyes are searching the room, hoping for some boozy yogurt to appear to lighten the mood.

Knowing Daisy, she’ll give a straight answer. Maybe one tinged with her sweet sincerity that makes me melt.

Instead, Daisy goes with absurd sarcasm. “My intentions are to trick Owen into falling in love with me so I can have him as my live-in chef.”

Hayden chuckles.

Mills narrows her eyes, and I wait for a tongue-lashing. But it never happens. A slight smile pulls on Mills’ lips, and she says, “You should’ve gone with a joke about stealing Graham away from my brother, the helicopter dad. But I’ll give it to you. Owen’s a great cook.”

It doesn’t take much more than that for the future sisters-in-law to warm up to each other.

After some time, Hayden pulls me aside.

“Mills tells me you’re thinking of buying the feed store and turning it into a garden center?”

It sounds strange to hear my idea boiled down to the bare bones, especially from someone who owns one of the biggest sports equipment companies in the world.

The two of us are seated at the corner booth by the window, away from the crowd of friends, family, and townsfolk. Cooper and Carter, the yogurt shop investors, are sticking close to my sisters—a little too close.

A sense of unease settles on me. Then I see Rebel carrying Graham around like an accessory even though he’s been walking for a while now. Her bump is starting to show. I’m going to hate explaining to Graham in another few months why his favorite sitter is going to be busy for a while after her baby arrives.

“Sort of,” I tell Hayden. He’s listening with genuine interest. I explain my idea about expanding the feed store to include a garden center and a place for classes and resources for people interested in sustainable agriculture.

“That sounds really cool. Do you have a business plan?” Hayden asks.

“As a matter of fact, I do. My sisters and Daisy helped me draw one up in preparation for pitching my idea to the bank president,” I tell him.

“You don’t say,” he says with a smirk, taking a spoonful of non-alcoholic blueberry basil frozen yogurt.

“And recently I’ve had people interested in using my farm as an event venue, which makes me wonder if it’s possible to combine both under one company,” I say. “Both the farm and the garden center. But then, I think an event center space would be a lot to maintain. I’d have to hire coordinators because I don’t know the first thing about weddings.”

Hayden chuckles. “Delegating is your friend.”

I agree, but I have a hard time delegating. I’m working on that. “It’s a lot to think about. I just don’t know where to focus. Sometimes the only thing I know how to do well is being a dad and a good boyfriend for Daisy.”

The guy is seriously starting to freak me out. Not only is he overdressed for today in his business shirt and tie, but he looks deep in thought, as if he really wants me to be more dogged about my plans. More excited. More … something.

Hayden slides his business card to me across the table.

“I’m in.”

“You’re what?”

“You have big plans and big plans need a big investor. I’m in.”

I blink at him. “But your company is sports equipment?” Boy, I sound dumb.

“And?”

“And, I have a meeting with the bank next week to talk about a business loan…”

Hayden shuts me up with one look. Hell, now I can see how he won Mills’ favor. Nothing but an absolutely focused person can keep her interested in a relationship.

I’m not gonna lie — even I, a straight man, am slightly turned on by this dude’s intensity.

“I’ve got more money than your little neighborhood bank, and we both know it. Listen to what I’m saying — I put my money into entrepreneurs. I like people with vision. I think you’ve got that vision, and it’s clearer in your head than you’re letting on. Call me when you’re ready and I’ll set you up.”

I hesitate. “Don’t you need to talk to Mills about this?”

Hayden scoffs. “Who do you think told me to talk to you about this?”

Over Hayden’s shoulder, I catch Mills’s gaze. She winks and raises her little red spoon in a salute.

“My sister’s a good egg. And very nosy.”

“Don’t I know it,” Hayden says.

Just then, Daisy walks over to where we are, and her sweet scent wakes me up to the possibilities.

She smiles at me, and I hook my arm around her waist. “What are you boys talking about?”

Of course, this will work. Not just because Hayden has deep pockets but also because I have people around me who will support me, help me, and cheer me on.

“My ideas for the farm and all the rest of it.”

She smiles. “That’s great!”

I thank Hayden, letting him know I’ll be in touch. He nods and walks off to find Mills.

I pull Daisy into my lap, and grip her chin with my forefinger and thumb.

“What are you doing?”

“Kissing in public,” I say, pressing my lips to hers.

I lose myself in our kiss for a brief, blissful second.

“I’m so excited you’re bringing up your ideas with other people. Talking helps move things along,” she says.

“I’m learning that,” I say.

“Good,” she says, pecking me on the nose.

“I’ve got something else to talk about, sweetheart.”

She blushes. “What’s that?”

“About how much I love you, Dr. Daisy Allen.”

I said it. It’s out there.

Daisy blinks, then blows out a breath.

“I love you too, Owen Mosley.”