Eight

EIGHT

Everett

M y new home in Eads River couldn't be more different than the penthouse I'd left behind in New York. Instead of floor to ceiling windows that overlooked a bustling city, I had rustic balconies that oversaw acres of land and a sparkling lake.

For whatever reason, Carmen had pre-ordered a different bouquet of flowers to welcome us into almost every room in our eight-thousand square foot abode, but all it did was make me want to rush for a clear space outside.

Only problem with that was, the best place featured a custom-designed garden, and it had Dahlia and her mother's fingerprints all over it.

Fuck.

I ventured down the hallway and into the kitchen.

Finally, not a damn flower in sight.

"You can place those in the kitchen!" Carmen's voice echoed down the hall, and within seconds, a mover was carrying two large bouquets toward me.

"Here you are, sir." He handed me the envelopes before setting them on the island.

Welcome home, Everett! May these blooms serve as a reminder that you're always welcome here.

Can't wait to meet your soon-to-be wife, Everett! She's a lucky girl and you're a lucky guy!

"The other bouquets can go in the parlor room." Carmen stepped into the kitchen, armed with shopping bags.

"There's a Dior store in town now?" I asked.

"Of course not." She laughed. "I told you I had Ralph fly me to New York and back this morning for a quick shopping trip. I needed some new underwear."

"For future reference, they sell underwear at Target and Walmart," I said. "That's like five miles away from here."

"You're funny." She set the bags on the counter and admired the flowers. "You know, I've never seen such care put into flowers before ordering from Blooms and Letters."

I arched a brow. " You've ordered from there?"

"Oh, no, no—" She shook her head. "I mean, I've noticed that everyone in town uses them and no place else."

"There is no place else." I plucked a lily from the vase. "They have a monopoly on this town and the next eight towns over. It wasn't always like that, but Dahlia's mother had a passion that couldn't be contained."

"I hope that's how our farm will be after we have our first big season," she said. "I want to start a restaurant soon after, with every meal traveling straight from the farm to the table."

I looked at her and held back a laugh.

I'd never seen her wear anything on her feet other than stilettos and designer shoes, and she screamed whenever we saw dragonflies or mosquitos in Central Park.

"You do know that you'll have to spend countless hours outdoors to farm, right?" I asked.

"I know that the people I hire to run it will." She smiled. "I can't be a mom and be outside all day. Unless you want to hold off on starting a family?"

"I don't." I shook my head. I'd already waited long enough…

"Are you sure you don't want to invite your father to our wedding?" she asked.

"I don't have a father, Carmen," I said. "You know that."

"I know, it's just…" She tapped her lip. Imagine how he'll feel years from now, knowing that you've married, and you didn't want him there."

"He'll feel the same way he does now." I refused to budge on this topic. "He hasn't been there for anything."

"You don't believe in forgiveness or second chances?"

"Not for people like him, and I need you to drop this subject."

"But—"

" Now ."

"Okay, fine." She kissed my cheek. "I'm sure you'll be an awesome dad when we have kids."

"I will be."

"Here." She pulled a small teddy bear charm from her pocket and handed it to me. "I bought that for you today. Whenever we get pregnant and pick a name, you should get it engraved."

I rolled it around my palm. "My child won't hate me like I hate my father," I said to her. "I can promise you that."

"I believe you." She kissed my cheek. "I won't bring up that topic again. Let's get dinner."