“She always seems happy when I talk to her.”
I could practically hear my mother rolling her eyes. “Let’s get back to you and Greer. What are the plans?”
Typical of my mom to change the subject when the conversation wasn’t going her way. “The plan is for me to stay with Greer until I find a place of my own.”
“So you’re moving in with her!”
The utter joy in her voice should have been a warning sign for me to change the subject this time. But to be honest, I was excited about the idea of living with Greer, even if temporarily. Our relationship had been going at warp speed, and we both decided that we needed to slow down. Living with each other permanently, although tempting, wasn’t on the table right now.
“It’s only temporary until I find a place. The realtor already has a few listings she wants me to take a look at when I get back into town. I’d love for you to come and help, if you want.”
“I’d love to, thank you, sweetheart. When I hang up, I’ll call the Willow Tree Inn and book a room for your father and me. It’ll be like old times, staying there.”
I pulled off the highway and into a gas station. “I’m sure they’ll be over the moon to have you both back in town. I swear, Joanne seems to remember every single person who’s ever stayed at the bed and breakfast.
My mother chuckled. “How’s their daughter…what was her name again?”
I parked and slipped out of the car. “Brighton. She’s good. A lawyer in Boston now.”
“Really? My goodness, time goes by fast. Everly and Brighton played together a few times when we stayed there.”
“I better let you go, Mom. Going to top off my gas, stretch, and then I’ll get back on the road. I want to call Greer as well.”
“Sounds good, sweetheart. Drive safely, and see you soon.”
After filling up with gas, making a bathroom pit stop, and stocking up on junk food, I was ready to get back on my way. I pulled up Greer’s name and called her cell. When she answered, I heard what sounded like yelling in the background.
“Greer? Is everything okay?”
She laughed, then seemed to be trying to catch her breath. “Fine. Good. Goat got out…”
I frowned. “Um, did you just say a goat got out? Out of what? Did you buy a goat while I was gone?”
Giggling, she replied, “No. Let me…catch my breath.”
“Okay, while you’re catching your breath, I’ll give you an update. I’m on my way and only a few hours out from Boston. My folks are going to rent a room for a few days at the Willow Tree Inn to go house-hunting with me. Jill, my realtor, has some leads on a few places for sale. Gotta say, I was surprised by how many places are actually for sale in the valley. Have you caught your breath yet, baby?”
She cleared her throat. “Yes! Thank you. I’m at the Boyers’ farm right now with Willa and Arabella. They both needed some goat milk, and I wanted to buy some flowers for Turning Pages. When we got here, one of their goats—Lucifer is his name—got loose and took off. I’ve been chasing after the damn thing, along with Arabella and Mr. Boyer. Willa used her pregnancy card to get out of helping.”
I couldn’t help but laugh as I pictured all of them chasing after a goat. “Sounds like his name fits him.”
“You have no idea; it fits the little bastard to a T. You should have seen his eyes when he turned and came after me and Arabella. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her move so fast in my entire life. Anyway, what time do you think you’ll be here tomorrow? I’m so excited to see you. I know you’ve only been gone a week, but it feels like forever!”
A warm feeling spread through my chest, along with a rush of happiness. “I missed you, too, Greer. I can’t wait to hold you in my arms.”
“You know, your parents are more than welcome to stay with me. I have a guest bedroom.”
“Hell to the no,” I quickly said. “I want to make you scream my name when you come, and having my folks in the room down the hall will be crazy awkward when you’re begging me for more.”
There was a moment of silence before she whispered, “Why would you do that to me?”
“Do what?” I asked.
“Give me that visual? Now I’m standing in the middle of a pasture surrounded by goats thinking about…you know.”
“No, tell me.”
She huffed. “Not going to happen. I better go, Arabella looks like she’s buying the farm!”
“Huh?”
Greer laughed. “She’s making some sort of goat and honey soap now, and I think she’s actually trying to buy a goat!”