She turned down the familiar road that led to Paige's gentleman's farm. As twins, they had spent almost every minute of their childhood together, yet she and her sister were polar opposites. While Peyton adored Radar and was mostly a dog person, Paige loved all animals, and couldn't seem to get enough of them. Peyton liked order and Paige seemed to thrive on chaos. Life in Four Corners wasn't the adventurous lifestyle that Peyton was used to, but her sister seemed to love it, and all that mattered was that her sister was happy.
She parked in front of the small yellow and white farmhouse and a cool wind brushed her skin as she opened the door of her old Volvo sedan. It wasn't the fanciest car, but it was reliable and got her where she needed to be. She caught sight of Paige's dusty old blue truck near the small, red barn and stifled a giggle. She couldn’t believe her sister still had the truck—but then again, maybe she could.
Radar woofed from the back seat and she laughed. “I know, buddy, I feel it, too.” He leaped from the car the second she opened his door, prancing by her side, anticipation in his big brown eyes, waiting for her command. “Go!” she encouraged him, and he raced toward Paige’s house.
"Paige!” she called out as she moved toward the front porch, hoping the open windows would carry the sound of her arrival. She loved her sister's house. Paige had done a lot of the renovation on it herself, and Peyton’s favorite spot was the front porch with two white wooden rocking chairs—one for each of them. Radar stopped when he reached the steps, waiting for his human, his tail wagging furiously. He loved her sister, too.
"Peyton!" Paige threw the screen door open and rushed through it, wrapping her sister in a warm hug. Paige pulled back and huffed. "You're losing weight…”
"Hardly." Peyton rolled her eyes. "I've been sitting on my butt for weeks, I'm surprised I haven't turned into a couch."
"Oh stop, that's never going to happen."
Peyton loved the sparkle in her sister's sea-green eyes—the eyes they both shared.
"Are you sure you're up for this, sis?” Paige asked, her eyes filling with concern, glancing down at Peyton’s leg.
"Of course, I'm fine," Peyton assured her. “Sorry, I’m late. I hit traffic getting out of LA, and the rest is history. Give me the rundown and then go and have fun—I can't wait to taste what you learn." Her sister was an award-winning bakery chef, and it hadn’t been easy for Paige to get into the highly sought culinary master class, but she had. She deserved to go and not worry about anything.
"Peyton, seriously." Paige grasped her shoulders and took a step back to look her over from head to toe. "I don't want this to be too much for you. You gave me such a scare."
"I'm fine." Peyton gritted her teeth. She loved her sister, but she didn't appreciate the constant questions and worrying about her recovery. "My doctor and physical therapist both approved. Honestly, I think my PT was glad to be rid of me." She raised an eyebrow. "I told him he wasn't requiring enough reps, and he told me that he was the one with the license."
"Ha!" Paige grinned. "Classic Peyton always has to be in charge."
"I wouldn't say that," her eyes narrowed as Paige crouched down to greet the large Shepherd.
“Hey, Radar!” Her sister’s honey blonde hair fell forward across her shoulders, and Peyton flashed back to the moment she'd opened her eyes after the shooting. She'd been knocked unconscious shortly after the second bullet seared through her abdomen and the next thing she knew she’d woken up in the hospital, with that familiar curtain of honey blonde hair falling over her.
Peyton shivered as she recalled the fear in her sister's voice as she begged her to wake up. She swallowed hard and pushed the memory away, covering it with a smile as Radar licked Paige's cheeks.
"You shouldn't let him do that, he'll go soft."
"Oh please, like you don't." Paige rolled her eyes and stood. “I hate to rush, but my transportation should be here any moment. Here are your instructions." She handed Peyton a small notebook. Peyton’s eyes went round and Paige laughed. ”It's all quite simple I promise. If you have any problems, just call me. I should have an hour to spare before my flight leaves once I reach the airport. I typed separate pages for the goats, chickens, horses, bakery, and,” Paige’s voice hitched, “and the special orders.” Her eyes met Peyton’s briefly. “But don’t worry,” she breezed, “Helen, my assistant manager, will be there five days per week. You’ve met her before and she’s very self-sufficient. You’ll be like… her assistant,” Paige declared as she cocked her head and bit her lip.
Peyton snorted at Paige’s attempt to reassure her. ”I'll be fine. Don’t worry.” Peyton took the notebook and wondered how many pages of instructions were inside. She’d helped her sister with farm chores before, so it shouldn’t be that difficult. "I love you, sis." She hugged her and kissed her cheek. “Now go have the time of your life and be safe. Bake a leg."
"Very funny," Paige gave her a lopsided grin as she picked up her luggage and practically skipped down the steps to meet the airport car service pulling into the drive.
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About the Author
Kate Cambridge is a bestselling indie author writing cozy mysteries, sweet historical romance, and contemporary romance—all with a thread of faith, hope, and suspense intertwined. Her debut series, The Choice Brides Suffragette Series, has been a bestseller with three books yet to be released. She has participated in several multi-author collaborations, including Sweet Americana, The Burnt River Western Romance Series, and the latest a multi-author Hero Hearts Christian romance series. She is also an author in the Kindle World, First Street Church.
Writing is her passion, but she also loves animals and hopes to open a shelter for abused and homeless dogs one day soon. Her greatest joy and blessing is her faith. She is married to her favorite person on the planet, loves being a mom, and also enjoys sailing, music, sea kayaking, and spending time with friends and family at their home on Sebago Lake.
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Also by Kate Cambridge
Read the HERO HEARTS Series
Circle of Trust
Lawfully Charmed
Reluctantly Charmed
Contemporary Romance
Burnt River Series: Aqua’s Achilles, Western Romance
Burnt River Series: Ivy’s Search, Western Romance
Cozy Mystery
The Prequel, A Hannah & Callum Cozy Mystery
For additional books visit Kate on Amazon!
CHARMED Boxed Set 1, Hero Hearts Historical: Inspirational Western Romance Page 31