absorbed what I’d read earlier, my mind spun and raced. It didn’t feel real. Everything had fallen into place over the last year. The new stables were up and rented to eighty percent capacity, bringing in a good chunk of money for the farm. Four of the cabins Lachlan had promised were finished and had rental reservations already lined up for the winter ski season.
Lachlan and Percy brightened my every day, and my stress had melted away with them in my life.
How could it get better?
But it just had. I hoped Lachlan felt the same way when I told him.
I rattled my head, ensuring I wasn’t dreaming.
“You okay?” Lachlan asked.
“I really need to tell you somethin’.”
“After. Please. This is… I’ve been planning this a long time. Let me do this.”
“My news is serious.”
“So’s this.”
Lachlan pulled off the county road onto a service road I knew led toward the property of land I’d given him in exchange for the cabins. This area was considered off-limits for me. He’d made me swear on my mother’s grave I would never go down this road or ask questions. It had been a hard promise to keep.
Lachlan took us down a vacant road, swerving around the tree-lined bends as we climbed a gentle incline that led farther into the mountains. I kept my eyes peeled for whatever surprise had kept him tight-lipped for over a year. I didn’t know what to expect. The man was sneaky and scheming. When I’d added those to my list, he’d only laughed and shrugged them off.
As we rounded another bend, a clearing came into view. Centered in that clearing was a brand new two-story log cabin with large windows and a huge wrap-around porch. The driveway ended at a covered carport. Lachlan pulled up front and put the car in park.
I sat forward, jaw unhinged. “Lachlan. You built yourself a house.”
He reached for my hand. “No, I built us a house.”
“What?” My mind raced with implications. He built us a house? Us?
“Come inside, and let me explain.”
We got out, and I took in the view. It was secluded, surrounded by evergreens and mountains and nature.
“It’s beautiful up here.”
Lachlan took my hand and guided me to the front door. He followed me in and waited while I absorbed all there was to see.
It was warm and inviting with tall ceilings and so much wide open space. He’d decorated with functional furniture and natural wood accents. Uniquely crafted wooden shelving and framed pictures of the mountains hung on the walls. There were plants and area rugs over natural wood floors. It was gorgeous.
“Four bedrooms. Three upstairs and a master on the first floor with an attached bathroom.
“This is too much. I can’t—”
“Let me explain.” He took my hand, stopping my protests. “I didn’t know if this was a good idea or if you’d even agree to move out of the farmhouse back by the stables, so I spoke with Erwin about my plan.”
“Dad knows about this?”
“He does. His opinion was important to me. When I explained, he thought it was a wonderful idea. You grew up in that farmhouse. I know. He said you’ve always been a loyal son and wanted to run the stables from the time you were a teenager. But he also knew living with your old man might not be ideal for when you wanted to settle down with someone and start a family. The farmhouse is small and old. Your dad assured me he’s not a senile old man, nor is he incapable of taking care of himself. He said he’s got a lot of years left in him and he’s strong and independent, hip notwithstanding. If that day comes, there is plenty of room for your dad to join us here. That is … if this appeals to you at all. I wanted us to have a home together. It’s a five-minute drive to the main barn. It lets you step away from work from time to time. You can afford the staff now. You don’t have to be responsible for every little thing.” Lachlan paused and shuffled. “So … what do you think?”
I was speechless. I spun circles, taking it all in, absorbing his words. Through the wide-open front room was an equally large farmhouse style kitchen with custom made cabinetry climbing to the ceiling and a huge kitchen table with bench-style seating. The back window overlooked a picturesque landscape, a huge deck, and a pool.
“A pool! Holy shit. You put in a pool?”
Lachlan