a family affair. The food all laid out in a perfect display. The glowing cake and star-dusted cupcakes. The people and the love that permeated this place.
That was one of the things he loved best about this farm—Matt had always felt like he was loved here, and like there was a place for him here. Perhaps after Gray and Elise returned, he could simply stay on and work the farm. Gray had asked him to several times over the years, and this time, Matt determined he’d say yes if the offer came.
The song finished, and everyone whooped and clapped, Matt included. His heart lifted with a bit of joy over his son’s fourteenth birthday, and he nudged Britt to go in front of him to get her food. With her tics, she sometimes needed a bit of help carrying things.
He always assigned her to get the eggs, because if she practiced, she could overcome her physical limitations. He thought of the equine therapy program Molly had presented to him, and he believed Britt would benefit from it greatly. Sometimes the other kids at school made fun of her, and while Britt held her head high and did her best not to let their words hurt her, the truth was, sometimes they did.
Sometimes words really hurt.
Matt noticed Hunter looking toward the front door, and then Molly. He turned that way too, and the woman standing there stole the air right out of his lungs.
He’d pictured this woman in his mind only a few days ago. The soft, wavy blonde hair, her freckled cheeks, and those pink lips. The hair had been pulled up into a ponytail. He could barely see the freckles on her face beneath her blush, but the lips were the same.
Those lips.
Those eyes—loads of green, with a hint of blue. Matt knew her, or at least a version of this woman from two decades ago.
“Gloria?” he whispered at the same time she said, “I’m sorry.” She glanced around at everyone staring at her, her eyes skipping right past Matt as if she didn’t see him standing there at all. “I thought I had an interview this afternoon, but it looks like y’all are havin’ a party.”
Chapter 14
Gloria Munson had knocked. She had. Twice. No one had come, and she’d heard the singing wafting out of the open window, much the same way the scent of marinara and garlic bread had.
A tall, broad, dark-haired man came toward her, his hand extended. “I’m so sorry. I’m Hunter Hammond, and I forgot to cancel with you.”
Gloria kept her eyes on him, because it sure was easier than looking at Matthew Whettstein. What in the world was he doing here?
What rotten luck, she thought as she painted a smile on her lips and shook Hunter’s hand. When she’d heard the birthday singing, she would’ve left and texted him had she not needed the job quite so badly.
As it was, she’d stood just inside the mouth of the doorway and listened to everyone sing for someone named Keith. By the glowing smile on a lanky teen’s face, Gloria assumed him to be Keith.
“I’m sorry,” she said as she released Hunter’s hand. “I can go.” She hated the words as they came out of her mouth, and she wished she could take them back. “Actually, if we could still do the interview today, that would be ideal for me. I have another interview in Silver Lake tomorrow morning, and another in Golden in the afternoon.”
Her smile shook, and she let it drop. Gloria leaned closer to Hunter, as everyone else in the house seemed transfixed by her sudden appearance at their family party. “I need a job quite badly.”
Hunter nodded, his smile kind and his eyes wiser than his age. “Why don’t you stay for dinner?”
“No,” she said firmly, though she hadn’t eaten since breakfast. “No, it’s fine.” She reached into her back pocket. “I know it’s not super neat, but I have my résumé right here.” She started to unfold the piece of paper she’d already used twice that day.
She hadn’t liked either man she’d interviewed with earlier that day nearly as much as Hunter Hammond—or this farm. The land here possessed something she could feel deep down in her core.
It reminded her of her father’s farm, and Gloria sucked in a tight breath.
Hunter took the paper from her, and she held the air in her lungs for too long, too long.
He looked up at her, something curious in the dark glint of