“So part of what you love about him is the cowboy vibe?”
“Yes! Because that’s who he is to the bone. He was born to ride a horse, and oh, how he loves working with those animals. His second home is the barn and oh, yeah, he plays a mean guitar. He gets to do that all the time around here. In Seattle, he’d—”
“You’re crying again.”
“Just a little.” She wadded up the soaked tissue and shoved it in her pocket. “Anyway, that’s the gist.”
“Izzy, you do have a choice.”
“If you’re going to tell me to take a chance and invite him to live with me, I’m not—”
“You could move there.”
She gasped. “Are you crazy?”
“Sometimes, but I—”
“What about Cup of Cheer? What about you? Moving here would mean selling the shop, and I could never—”
“I don’t want you to sell it, either. I love working here. In fact, I love running the place. So, open another one in Apple Grove and let me run this one. Nobody said you can only have one—”
“You really are crazy!” Her heart raced. “Do you know what that would entail?”
“Yes, I do, and I’ll bet the second one will be easier to get going than the first. Any bank will be happy to give you a loan because you’ve proven you can successfully operate a business in a highly competitive market.”
“They won’t if it’s not a viable concept in this location. I appreciate the thought, but Apple Grove is a little town. I doubt I’d get the traffic to support—”
“At least promise me you’ll think about it. Or better yet, research it. You’re good at that.”
“So are you.” She took a shaky breath. “But that brings up the other point. I’d be ten hours away from you. And Mom and Dad. And the only place I’ve ever called home.”
“Have you been happy with CJ at the Buckskin this week? And don’t lie, because I know you have.”
“Of course I have.”
“And has he indicated he’d do whatever it takes to make this work between the two of you?”
“Yes.”
“Then let him put all that energy into making it work for you in Apple Grove. You’ll be so busy with him, the baby, and the new business you won’t have time to miss us.”
“That’s really crazy.”
“Yeah, okay, maybe that’s over the top. But you could visit a lot. In fact, it’d be a tax-deductible expense!”
That made her laugh. But not for long. “What if it doesn’t work out?”
“What if it does? You could have it all, Iz. You just have to be open-minded. Listen, I gotta run. Think about what I said. I’ll see you soon. Love you.”
“Love you, too.” She disconnected, but stood staring at the phone for a long time.
The image Naomi had painted hovered like a mirage in front of her eyes. She didn’t want to leave her family, move to Montana, and build another coffee shop from scratch.
Did she?
* * *
Apple Grove’s Founders Day celebration was in full swing as Isabel and Kate joined the folks strolling the square. The streets had been blocked off to become pedestrian walkways and fairy lights sparkled in the trees.
“Thanks for rescuing me from an awkward situation.” The knot in Isabel’s chest loosened. She’d ridden in with Matt and a very nervous Lucy, who was getting her first lesson in pulling a horse trailer with her new truck.
They’d parked next to a riding arena that was within walking distance of town. While the Brotherhood and the Babes organized the barrel racing demonstration scheduled soon, she’d had nothing to do but avoid CJ.
Kate smiled. “Happy to. I’m not much help to them, anyway. Last year I wandered over here by myself while they were setting up. It’s nice to have a buddy this year.”
“How many of these have you been to?”
“This’ll be my third and I’m still dazzled by it. Those fiddlers were here last year. One guy does an amazing job on Orange Blossom Special.”
Isabel glanced at the gazebo, which was also decorated with fairy lights. CJ would be performing a number at some point.
She’d meant to check for a program online, but her focus today had been area demographics and commercial rental property. Oh, who was she kidding? She’d avoided looking up the time. Any reference to CJ made her stomach churn.
She took a deep breath. “When’s CJ playing?”
“Nine-thirty.” Kate looked at her. “Did you ask so you could be there or so you could head off somewhere else?”
“I haven’t decided.” She sighed. “I’m a hot mess, Kate. I may watch from a distance, so he can’t see me. I might throw him off his game.”
“I have it on good authority that he’d like you to be there. Where he can see you and vice-versa.”
The knot in her chest returned. “Does he still think he can change my mind?”
“Of course. He’s CJ.”
“Of course.” She swallowed.
Kate put her arm around her and gave her a quick sideways hug. “I hate that this is so tough for both of you.”
“Thanks, Kate.”
“Hey, the shops are open. We could pop into one of them or browse the crafts fair.” She gestured toward the tents and booths set up on the lawn surrounding the gazebo.
“Just walking the square helps the most.” Soon they’d pass the vacant shop on the corner, the only one for rent on the square.
“Then we’ll do that.”
When they reached it, she paused. “What used to be in there?”
“A yarn shop. You know the little knitted baby caps Red and Peggy gave you on Thursday?”
“Yes. They’re adorable.”
“Red and Peggy bought the yarn from Thea. They’re very sad she left town.”
“For lack of customers?”
“Oh, no. The shop was always busy. She just got tired of the snow in the winter. She’s only been gone a couple of weeks. It’s a good spot. Somebody will be in there soon.”
“I’m sure. With display windows on the front and the side it’s a tasty piece of rental property.” Plenty of room for booths with a view of the
