Chapter 18

Chapter Eighteen

Abbie Carter stood in her grandfather’s kitchen, the warm, familiar aroma of fresh-brewed coffee filling the air as she leaned against the counter, a smile playing on her lips. Her grandfather sat at the table, a cup of coffee in his hands, and a twinkle of excitement in his eyes she hadn’t seen in a long time.

“I still can’t believe it,” he said, shaking his head. “The children's therapy support organization wants to put on a big fundraiser for the ranch. Can you imagine, Abbie? They’re saying it could bring in enough money to rebuild the barn and add more stalls. That means we could take in more rescue horses, help more kids… just like we always wanted.”

Abbie’s chest swelled with pride and happiness as she watched him speak, his voice carrying an energy that had been missing for months. She pushed away from the counter and walked over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“Grampa, that’s amazing,” she said, her voice filled with genuine excitement. “This could be exactly what the ranch needs. It’s like everything’s finally falling into place.”

Her grandfather nodded, his weathered face lighting up with a rare smile. “It’s more than amazing, Abbie. It’s a blessing. I’d almost given up hope that we’d ever see the ranch thriving again, but this… this could change everything.”

Abbie sat across from him, her hands cupping her coffee mug as she considered his words. The ranch had always been her grandfather’s pride and joy, a place where he poured his heart and soul into rescuing horses and helping children in need. Knowing that this fundraiser could secure its future filled her with a sense of hope she hadn’t felt in a long time.

“I’ll help however I can,” she said. “Whatever you need—organizing, promoting, you name it.”

Her grandfather’s gaze softened as he looked at her. “You’ve already done more than enough, sweetheart. Coming back here, helping with the ranch, standing by me when things got tough… I couldn’t ask for more.”

Abbie felt a lump form in her throat at his words, but she swallowed it down and gave him a bright smile. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily. Besides, this fundraiser is a big deal. It deserves every bit of effort we can give it.”

Her grandfather chuckled, his eyes crinkling with warmth. “That’s my girl.”

The sound of her phone buzzing on the counter broke the moment, and Abbie excused herself to check the call. Her stomach twisted when she saw the name on the screen—Nathan Winters.

She hesitated for a moment, staring at the name as if willing it to disappear. Finally, she sighed and swiped to answer. “Hello?”

“Abbie,” Nathan’s voice came through the line, smooth and polished as always. “It’s me, Nathan. How are you?”

“I’m good, Nathan,” she replied, keeping her tone neutral. “What’s going on?”

“I hate to do this to you, but I was hoping I could talk you into coming back to the office in the next few days.”

“In the next few days? Why? Has something happened?” Abbie frowned and cut a worried look across the table to her grandpa.

“No, not exactly, but there was something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about.” Nathan said, his tone shifting slightly.

Abbie frowned, caught off guard by his tone. “Can’t you just tell me what it is now. Over the phone?”

“No,” he said, almost hesitant. “No, it’s not a conversation for the phone. We’ll talk when you’re back. I had Missy book a seat on the first plane out tomorrow. Can you make it?”

She frowned. “Tomorrow? Is it that important?”

“It’s that important, Abbie. It’s about your future and I think you are gonna want to hear what I have to say.”

Abbie’s heart sank a little at the mention of her future. Had something happened to change Mr. Winter’s mind about her partnership? No, she couldn’t let that happen. She cleared her throat and forced herself to focus. “Of course, I’ll be on that plane. You know how important my job is to me, Nathan.”

“Good. Glad to hear it, Abbie. Safe travels and I’m really looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.”

They exchanged a few more pleasantries before hanging up, but Abbie couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling in her chest. She set her phone on the counter and stared out the window, her mind racing.

Her job at Winters and Winters was the epitome of stability and of everything she thought she wanted in life. That partnership was the key to getting her to where she wanted to go, but as she stood there in her grandfather’s kitchen surrounded by the familiar sights and sounds of home, she couldn’t ignore the nagging doubts gathering in the back of her mind. Did she really want to go back to the city, to the long hours and relentless pace of her career? Or was there something else—someone else—keeping her here?

Her thoughts drifted to Beau Elliott, the infuriatingly charming detective who had somehow managed to get under her skin. She could still picture the way he looked at her, the heat in his eyes when they argued, the way he always seemed to know exactly how to push her buttons.

But Beau was leaving too. He’d made it clear that his time in Jessup Peak was temporary, that he had no intention of sticking around once the case was closed. And maybe that was for the best. Abbie wasn’t one for commitments, and the last thing she needed was to get tangled up in something that would only end in heartbreak.

Still, as much as she tried to push the thoughts away, she couldn’t stop wondering what might have been. What if things were different? What if she wasn’t so determined to keep people at arm’s length? What if Beau wasn’t leaving?

“Abbie, you okay?” her grandfather’s voice broke through her thoughts, pulling her back to the present.

She turned to him with a smile, though it felt a little forced. “I think so, but I’m going to have to go back to my job tomorrow. I’m sorry I won’t be here to help plan, but I can contact the event organizers and let them know I can still help from New York.”

“Don’t you sorry, Abbie. You’ve already helped me more than I ever dreamed possible. Now you go on back to work and don’t give this place another thought.”

“You know I could never forget you or this place.” She hugged her grandpa and then headed to her room to pack. As she folded her clothes into her luggage, a small part of her couldn’t help but wonder if leaving was really what she wanted after all.