when she looked up at him. Trent automatically smiled at her joy. “Karri is going to buy the building next to Harper’s bar and they’re going to work together!”
“Wait, Karri’s staying in Shadows Landing? And how are she and Harper going to work together?” Trent was not expecting this news. It was great, though. It might mean that Skye was serious about staying herself.
“Yes, she’s staying. She had a dream that Shadows Landing and this restaurant were her home. Then Harper walked in this morning and told us the building was for sale and offered to make the drinks for Karri’s restaurant if Karri made the food for Harper’s Bar. Isn’t that great?”
“Great? It’s genius. Harper hates trying to come up with a menu. Now she can focus on what she loves and Karri can focus on what she loves. What’s the other thing you wanted to talk to me about?”
Skye’s whole demeanor changed. Worry clouded her eyes and dimmed her smile. Trent wanted to know what was wrong, but he wanted Skye to go at her own pace. Skye took a deep breath and then looked toward the property next door. “I’m afraid you’ll think I’m moving too fast, and I know I am. I mean, we just started dating and I don’t want this to sound as if I have any expectation of our relationship.”
“Okay,” Trent said slowly, not knowing where she was going with this.
“The house next door will be going up for sale in the spring. Tinsley took me over there and I met Mrs. Cramble. She showed us the estate. We had to hop the fence, but it was worth it. I want to buy it. However, I’ll only do it after everything is settled and if you support my move to Shadows Landing. This is your home. I want to make it mine too.”
Trent’s initial reaction was excitement. Then what she was really saying set in. She would move her whole life here. What if they broke up? What if they didn’t? Now he understood why she looked nervous. This was a conversation that most couples had after they’d been together for a while, not just a week.
“I understand exactly what you mean. This is a huge step. Let’s not even consider our relationship in this. Will moving to Shadows Landing make you happy?” Trent asked. “Really think about it. This isn’t a big town. Remember what it was like growing up in a small town? Everyone will know everything about you. However, it’s almost the farthest from Hollywood you can get.”
Skye took a deep breath as he used his thumb to trace a gentle circle over her shoulder while he held her. “Yes. Both Karri and I felt it instantly. We were at peace here. We are happy and we love the residents. Somehow, in less than a week I feel as if I’ve been here for my entire life.”
“If I weren’t in the picture, would you buy Mrs. Cramble’s house?” Trent asked next.
“Yes.” Skye’s answer was instantaneous. Then she took a breath and looked back at him. “But, I want to know if we’re together long term, which,” Skye paused and bit her lip nervously, “which I really hope we will be. In that case, could you see yourself there with me? For all that it’s my house right now, I want it to be our house when we’re ready.”
He was ready now. He wanted to tell her he loved her. He wanted to rush headlong into forever, but the fear of Skye changing her mind and breaking his heart held him back. “I’d love to look at it with you. Why don’t we set up a time with Mrs. Cramble to look at the house again in a couple of weeks? She’s not putting it on the market until the spring, so we have time, right? That way we can get things settled with your career and not have to sneak over the fence. I’d love to see that, though. It’s a tall fence.”
“Don’t worry, Ryker has it on camera,” Skye said with a chuckle. “I was not at my most graceful.”
“I refuse to believe it, but I’m totally asking Ryker for the footage.” Trent loved teasing her. He loved her laugh as he pulled out his phone, but before he could fake-text Ryker, his phone rang.
“It’s like he’s listening,” Trent said, turning the phone to show it was Ryker calling. “Hey. We were just talking about you and Skye’s fence-vaulting