Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 91288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
“We can use that in the advertising.” Dayne joked, then slapped Dylan on the back. “Okay, who’s breaking the news to Mom?”
The work needed to get the resort up and running seemed endless. A lot of it included major construction, so he hired a general contractor to oversee it all.
The contractor they hired, Ford Harris, was well known in the area for quality work, as well as having a great work ethic. That was exactly what they needed.
The sooner they could get everything done, the sooner they could open and start making back some of the money they were investing. Dylan had sold his home in Virginia and moved into their parents’ farmhouse while Dayne was in the middle of selling his house in North Carolina.
Once Ford finished the two new wings on the farmhouse—one for him and one for his brother—the contractor would begin updating the original house where Danica would eventually reside. Besides sharing the original kitchen, she’d have her privacy for the most part, as would they.
Their sister was currently living with their mother in town until Dylan could move out of the main house and into his wing. They were not only updating the farmhouse’s interior; they were completely changing the exterior to match the soon-to-be-built lodge.
With everything going on, Dylan was overwhelmed but it was satisfying to see his project and their future business all coming together with only minor hiccups.
Since he was already in town to cross more things off his insanely long to-do list, his sister had asked him to stop at the butcher and see if they’d be willing to provide all the meat for the resort.
Dani wanted as much locally sourced food as possible. Fruits, veggies, meats, baked goods… Dylan agreed and also wanted to keep as much money in the community as possible. The town of Fisher Falls had about six thousand residents, but, for the most part, it was a close community.
As expected, the local butcher was thrilled. He had connections with farmers in the area to get whatever the resort needed, including game meats like rabbit, venison, bison and wild boar.
The bell above the door jingled when he stepped out of the shop and onto the sidewalk. When the afternoon sun blinded him, he squinted and automatically reached for the sunglasses on top of his head, then froze.
His chin jerked back and he blinked.
Then blinked again at the woman walking in his direction to make sure he was seeing who he was seeing.
The second she spotted him, her steps stuttered before she stopped and stared.
He knew he’d eventually run into her.
Only, he didn’t expect it to be today.
Dropping his shades into place to help cover his reaction, he wasn’t sure if he should simply ignore her and head back to the ranch, or stay and say hello.
His first instinct was to avoid her. Of course, that reaction pissed him off, so he forced himself to stand his ground and wait.
With a head twitch and a set jaw, she began walking again. Unfortunately, toward him and not in the opposite direction.
“Dylan?” she asked in a damn wispy voice that made his chest tighten. She had an uncanny knack for telling him apart from Dayne—despite his twin trying to trick her many times—but it had been a long time since she’d seen either of them.
“Erin,” he greeted after prying apart his clenched teeth.
She ran her gaze up and down him, making him tense even more. “You look good.”
If she expected a return compliment, she would be waiting a while. But she did look good. Too good.
Of course, that pissed him off, too.
Her long dark brown hair hung loosely around her bare shoulders. She wore a yellow sundress that showed off her tan, with a wide leather belt cinched around her narrow waist. Of course, she wore cowboy boots with her skirt.
Her looks and her “all-American” girl style hadn’t changed a damn bit.
She was the same as he remembered but also different. She clearly embraced her thirties. Her maturity fit her even better than her youth. Not that—he did some quick figuring in his head—thirty-three was close to being old.
But thirty-three was a long way from when they dated back in high school.
“I ran into your mother at the grocery store the other day. She mentioned you were back in town. How long are you here for? We should grab a coffee or something.”
Coffee? Was she kidding? Like they were long-lost friends who needed to catch up? “I’m here for good.”
She hid her surprise at that news well. “I thought she said you were only here to sell your family farm?”
“That was the original plan. But…”
“Plans change,” she finished softly. “We know that only too well, don’t we?”
“Yeah, Erin, we do. Dayne and I decided to keep the farm.” She didn’t need to know why.