“Sure, no cream or sugar.”
She gasped. “What? No sugar? When did you give that up?”
I walked over to the cabinet that I remembered held her coffee cups. “Cups still in here?”
With a nod, she replied, “Yep.”
“I gave up sugar pretty much after I filed for divorce from Bishop. Truth be told, I almost gave up eating entirely. I was in pretty bad shape for a while. Then I met Carol. She won’t admit it, but she really pulled me out of the hole I had fallen into.”
Arabella gave me a warm smile. “I’m glad you met someone in Boston who was there for you.”
I leaned against the counter and chewed on my lip as I looked down at the cupcakes sitting on the table before I glanced back up. “I’m really sorry I haven’t been in touch with you. It was pretty crappy of me to just leave like that.”
Arabella shrugged. “You already said you were sorry at least a dozen times. You’re forgiven, Abby. You did what you thought you needed to do at the time. Who am I to judge? I did pretty much the same thing, except I ran to this little cottage and hid out here.”
I pressed my lips tightly together and thought about whether I wanted to broach the subject of Hunter. “Do you, um, ever see Hunter?”
Arabella’s back was to me as she spoke. “Every now and then. It’s hard, though, ya know?”
I nodded. “Believe me, I know. After seeing Bishop the other day and having him pretty much kick me out of our…I mean…his house, well, it sucked ass. Not to mention he made it pretty clear…” She handed me the cup of coffee. “Thanks. Anyway, he made it clear he was dating someone.”
Scrunching up her face, Arabella blew on her coffee. “I can’t imagine that felt good. At least when you were in Boston, you didn’t know what he was doing.” She glanced down at her coffee, and I could see the sadness move over her face. “Living here in Boggy Creek and seeing Hunter dating…it’s been so hard. There have been so many times I’ve wanted to just stand on top of a mountain and scream. Somehow, I always thought if I did that, he would hear it and magically understand. It’s hard, hearing about him being with other women. Though I don’t blame him one bit.”
“Doesn’t make it hurt any less, I’m sure.” I took a sip of coffee, then set it down. “You know, you should stand on top of a mountain and scream. We both should.”
Arabella laughed sadly. “I’ve been running from my past for so long, Abs. I don’t think I know what normal life feels like anymore. I mean, this last year I’ve felt a bit normal. I’ve gotten out more, gone to lunches with Greer and Willa. It helped—and don’t you dare say you’re sorry again, Abby!”
I reached for her hand, and she gave it to me. “Do you still have nightmares?”
She nodded. “Yes. All the time. I still look over my shoulder when I’m in town. I sometimes feel like I’ll never be able to get away from it.”
Arabella closed her eyes.
“You know what?” I said. “We need to do it.”
She gave me a sweet smile. “Do what?”
“Climb the mountain and scream!”
Chuckling, she said, “I was kidding.”
“I’m not, Arabella. Let’s do it. Kyle can take us. You know how much he loves to hike up in the White Mountains. We’ll be safe with him.”
She chewed on her lip. “It’s tempting. But it’s been snowing a lot already, and I’m sure the mountains have gotten even more.”
I reached for my phone in my back pocket and pulled up Kyle’s number. “Then let’s have Kyle decide. I’m making the arrangements before you say no!”
The phone rang while Arabella simply shook her head.
“Hey, Abby. It’s weird seeing your name pop up on my phone,” Kyle said with a soft chuckle.
The sound of a dog whining filtered through the line. “Is there a dog there?”
Kyle laughed. “Yeah. It’s my new partner.”
“Wait, your new partner is a dog, or they’re just making dog sounds?”
Another laugh. God, it felt so good to talk and be around my friends.
“It’s a puppy. Her name is Cat. She’s going to be coming home with me in a few days to start training as a K9.”
“Wait, you named your dog…Cat?”
“Yes, I did.”
“Um, why?”
“It’s short for a name.”
I opened my mouth, then shut it. “What’s it short for?”
“Don’t ask that.”
My mind raced to figure out why a man like Kyle would name his K9…Cat. And then it hit me.
“Oh my God! I know why! I know why!” I shouted as I smiled. Turning to Arabella, I said, “Kyle is getting a puppy, but she’s going to be his partner. And her name is Cat!”
“I thought police dogs were male?” Arabella said. “You’re with Arabella?” Kyle asked.
“Yep, don’t change the subject, Kyle Larson. You named that dog after—”
“Abby Harris, I swear to God. Shut up now, and I’ll do anything you want me to.”
I covered my mouth with my hand while Arabella stared at me with a confused look. “Anything?”
“Yes, you little…”
Tsking, I said, “Be careful, Kyle, or I might feel the need to share what I know.” I chuckled, then added, “It’s Boyer now, by the way.”
Kyle sighed. “Tell Arabella most K9s are male dogs, but Cat is going to be trained specifically for drugs.”
I nodded and then looked at Arabella who seemed utterly lost. “He said most K9s are males, but Cat will be trained to sniff out drugs.”
Arabella’s brows rose, and she sat down at her little table in the kitchen. “Didn’t know we had a drug problem in Boggy Creek.”
“Listen, I won’t keep you,” I said to Kyle, “but Arabella and I want to go hiking.”
There was a moment of silence before he replied with an, “Oooookay.”
I laughed. “Up to a very tall mountaintop. Maybe Cloudland Falls or Franconia Ridge, if we can get up there. Will you take us?”
He paused again, and I thought I heard him say “Hunter.” Maybe he was with him. “Of course I’ll take you guys. When do you want to go?”
“When can you take us? The sooner the better.”
Kyle chuckled. “You do know it’s been snowing; we might not make it all the way to the top depending on how much snow has fallen up there.”
“That’s fine. We just need someplace to scream.”
“Scream?” he asked in a confused voice.
“Yep, scream. This is where I’m calling in my return favor for keeping my mouth shut.”
Kyle grumbled something, and I was pretty sure I heard the word “women” in there somewhere.
Arabella covered her mouth and giggled.
“You guys got hiking gear?”
“I’ve still got some boots from when we went that one time in college. Bella?” She nodded. “We’re golden, Kyle. Just tell us when.”
“I’ll pick you both up tomorrow morning at seven.”
“Tomorrow morning at seven. We’ll meet you at The Coffee Pot, so you don’t have to drive out to get both us.”
“Okay, sounds like a plan. Talk to you tomorrow,” Kyle said.
With a wide grin, I replied, “Talk to you then.”
Hitting End, I set my phone down next to my coffee, picked it up, and took a drink.
“Are we really going to do this?” Arabella asked.
“Yep!” I said, popping my p. “Now, let’s talk business.”
Arabella’s eyes widened.
“Before I left, I talked my father into planting a few acres of lavender. It’s done amazingly well. I know things are really picking up here at the apiary, especially with the little café you opened in the gift shop. And I know you have all the lavender plants that the hives are sitting among.”
Arabella smiled as she reached for a bowl and took off the lid to reveal frosting. She picked up a cupcake and started to frost it. “I’m also doing really w
ell selling picnic baskets! I started doing them for friends just for fun, but then word got out and more and more people are asking for me to make them. I have to turn a lot of people away since I don’t have the time.”
“That’s a good thing.”
She shrugged. “Good and bad. I hate turning away business, but the bees are my number one priority, so it’s been a double-edged sword.”
“I get that,” I said.
“What’s your business idea?”
“Lavender honey.”
She perked up. “I’m listening.”
“I have plans to make culinary lavender and sugar lavender. How cute would it be to make up little product bags that bring the flower farm and the apiary together? The ideas are endless! Lavender honey syrup. Lavender and honey soap. Lavender and honey simple syrup! Lavender and honey cookies.”
“Oh, I love that one. I love them all! Yes.” She jumped up. “Oh my gosh, yes! Count me in!”
Arabella and I spent the next few hours writing down ideas and notes while I helped her in the café. Not many people came to the apiary in the winter, since the bees were all in hibernation, but plenty of people came for Arabella’s food. MaryLou, who also worked at the Willow Tree Bed and Breakfast, helped out Arabella a few days a week and was currently making up a batch of chicken salad.
“You need more help,” I said as I grabbed more strawberries to cut up. Arabella had only hired a young high school girl—Misty, I think her name was—to wait tables.
Arabella blew away a stray hair that had fallen down from her bun. “Tell me about it.”
“You need Candace.”
She lifted her head and met my gaze. “I wouldn’t want to lure her away from Greer.”
“You wouldn’t completely take her. Maybe she’d be willing to share her time.”
Arabella blew out a breath. “I don’t know if Candace would be interested.”
“I’m serious, Arabella. Talk to her about it. Did you see the way her eyes lit up when she said how much she liked to bake? She could come in a couple times a week and whip up desserts for you that would last for days!”
Arabella stopped icing the cupcakes and looked at me. “You know, that’s true. I don’t have a set dessert menu; it’s usually whatever MaryLou or I feel like making for that week—and my skills are limited when it comes to baking. It would be nice to offer custom cakes…and Candace did say she makes cakes.”
“All I’m saying is, it doesn’t hurt to ask.”
She seemed to be chewing it over in her head. Then she smiled. “You know what, I’m going to ask her!”
I clapped and hugged her. “Okay, on that high note, I need to get back to the flower farm. I’ll meet you at The Coffee Pot tomorrow morning! No backing out.”
Wiping her hands on her apron, Arabella walked with me as I headed out of the kitchen and through her living room.
Right as I opened the door, I froze. Hunter, Kyle, and Bishop all stood on Arabella’s porch.
Arabella froze next to me. She instantly wrapped her arm around mine. I wasn’t sure if she was doing it for me or for her. Maybe a little bit of both. It had been four days since I’d last seen Bishop. Why did he have to look so damn handsome? His dark blonde hair seemed even darker, and his eyes looked like crystal clear blue water.
“Hey,” Kyle said as he walked over, leaned down, and kissed me on the cheek. Then he did the same to Arabella.
“Um, hey,” I replied, looking from Kyle to Bishop. When his eyes met mine, I felt my stomach flip, just like it had when he’d first started talking to me all those years ago.
He, apparently, didn’t feel the same, because he quickly looked away. I tried to ignore the way it made my heart fall like lead straight to my stomach.
I forced myself to smile and looked at Hunter. He and Arabella were locked in a stare before Arabella cleared her throat and turned to Kyle. “What brings you three here?”
Kyle spoke with a smile. “I just wanted to remind you both to dress in layers tomorrow.”
Arabella’s grip on me tightened, and we both nodded.
Kyle smiled, and I couldn’t help but notice the little gleam in his eyes.
“So you’re both going hiking with Kyle tomorrow? Are you sure you want to do that?” Hunter asked, looking at me, then Arabella.
“Yep,” we both said in unison.
I stole a quick glance at Bishop. He was staring at me, and I wasn’t sure how to read his expression.
“Why don’t you wait until spring?” Bishop asked.
I drew my head back. “Why wait until spring?”
“It would be safer, for one thing,” Hunter answered, a touch of frustration in his voice.
Kyle rolled his eyes.
With a smile as big and bright as I could muster, I said, “I’m not the least bit worried. Kyle wouldn’t let anything happen to us.”
“And isn’t that part of his job?” Arabella asked in a sarcastic voice, which wasn’t normal for her. “I mean, if he goes in and finds lost hikers, I’m pretty sure we’ll be fine.”
Everyone turned and looked at her. I mouthed the word bravo and winked.
Kyle took a small bow. “Thank you, Arabella. That was exactly what I told these two idiots when they insisted it was a bad idea.”
I snapped my head over to look at Hunter and Bishop. Before I could even utter a word, Arabella said, “Well, thank you for your concern, gentlemen, but seeing as our welfare and safety is none of your responsibility, I don’t think we need your opinion on the matter.”
I was positive my mouth wasn’t the only one hanging open in shock as all eyes went to Arabella.
Kyle let out a roar of laughter. He walked up to Bella and cupped her face with his hands. “I always knew there was feisty spirit in there somewhere.”
He went to kiss her on the forehead, but Hunter grabbed him and pulled him away. He stepped closer to Arabella. “Bella, when was the last time you even went hiking?”
She shrugged.
“Exactly. Sweetheart, I just don’t think this is a good idea.”
Something moved across Arabella’s face, and she let go of my arm. Lifting her chin, she stood as tall as she could. “I’m not your sweetheart. You must have confused me with Brighton there for a moment, Hunter.”
Hunter’s head jerked back as if Arabella had slapped him across the face.
She turned on her heels and headed back into her place, calling over her shoulder, “See you tomorrow morning, Abby and Kyle.”
I stared at her, then looked back at Hunter. “What did she mean by that?”
Hunter’s eyes were locked on Arabella as she retreated.
Kyle cleared his throat. “Um, Hunter and Brighton kind of hooked up a few times last year.”
My eyes went wide. “Brighton Rogers? The lawyer? Doesn’t she live in Boston?”
Kyle leaned in closer to me and whispered, “It’s a long story, Abs. I’ll fill you in tomorrow.”
I was slightly taken aback by Kyle calling me Abs. Only Bishop, Greer, and Arabella had ever called me that.
Bishop shot him a displeased look and then hit Hunter on the arm. “Come on, let’s go.” Before he turned, he gave me one more expressionless glance.
Kyle watched the two of them walk into the softly falling snow.
I shook my head to clear it. “What was that all about?”
Kyle chuckled. “They both freaked the fuck out when they found out you two wanted to go hiking. I might have egged them on a bit, I’ll admit it. It’s fun watching them both get so damn worked up.”
“Why do they care?” I asked.
Kyle’s face turned serious, and he regarded me for a moment. Then, without answering my question, he flashed me that brilliant smile of his and winked. “See you in the morning, Abby.”
Bishop
“Is there a reason you’re chopping that wood like it took your last dime?”
I raised the ax and slammed it onto the piece of firewood. When the pieces fell
to the ground, I reached for another one and ignored Hunter.
“Okay, so you don’t want to talk. I get it. You keep chopping wood, and I’ll talk.”
“Don’t you have a job, Hunter? You know—” I turned and looked at him—“protecting the city and shit.”
Jack came running up to Hunter and dropped his ball. Hunter picked it up and threw it again. It landed in a snow drift. I watched as Jack ran and dove into the snow.
“Jesus Christ, your dog is just as crazy as you are.”
He laughed. “I’m on a lunch break. Have you heard from Kyle?”
I let the ax fall again. “No.”
Hunter walked around me and started to pick up the wood pieces, tossing them into the back of the truck. “Getting ready for some firepit action, I see.”
“Yep,” I said with a grunt as I swung the ax again.
“You know, last time I checked, you had a machine that split firewood for you. Is it broken?”
“No.”
He picked up more wood and tossed it into the truck, then threw the ball for Jack again.
I stopped and wiped the sweat from my brow. Exhaling, I walked over and jumped up onto the tailgate of the truck, reached for my water, and took a drink.
“What do you make of Arabella’s little outburst yesterday?” I asked while Hunter watched Jack search for the ball.
Shrugging, he replied, “I’m not sure.”
“The day Abby stopped by to talk, Arabella called and left me a message. She was looking for Abby. I called her back because I was curious about what was going on. She did the same thing on the phone to me.”
Hunter threw the ball again and turned. “What do you mean?”
“Spoke her mind. She went right for the jugular.”
The corner of Hunter’s mouth twitched with a hidden smile. “What did she say?”
“That I’ve spent the last two years drowning my heart in whiskey and women.”
His brows lifted. “I’ll be damned.”
I smiled softly, then let it fade away. “Yeah, well, her sucker punch caused me to throw one of my own.”
His mood changed in a flash, and I saw an instant look of anger on his face. “What did you say to her?”
She's the One (Boggy Creek Valley Book 3) Page 10