It was clear I was at a crossroads. I was back to being in the position of needing to choose between my family and my career. Only now I felt like I also needed to choose between Charlie and my career. The lovesick puppy in me wanted to follow him back to Ireland. But what in the world would I do there? It wasn’t like nearby Doolin had a position open for a financial analyst. I’d have to think of something new.
I wasn’t very good at trying new things.
Except with Charlie. Somehow he made trying new things safe. Like I knew that even if I failed, it wouldn’t change the way Charlie saw me.
As Kojack made his way toward the creek, I considered my options. I’d never before imagined I wouldn’t grow up to be a financial analyst like my father. I’d never thought of building a life in which my career wasn’t the number one priority. But this was my chance to change things, to determine where I wanted to live and what I wanted to spend my days doing. Not only did I have savings from working a good job for over a decade, but I’d also invested them well. I’d used my knowledge and experience to grow my money. For all those nights I worked instead of bar-hopping with friends, I’d saved money. For all the years I was too busy with my job to take a fancy vacation, I’d saved money.
The question was, what was I going to do with it? Continue to work hard and save or use that money to start something new? What if I could sell the patent for the tap nozzle ring I’d invented to make enough money to buy the pub off Bruce Ames? Would Charlie even be interested in that? Could he see himself living in a tiny town in Texas instead of on the windy cliffs of County Clare?
When Kojack lowered his head to the water, I realized we’d arrived. I slid down to the ground and dropped the reins, knowing the well-trained gelding wouldn’t wander off. I was grateful to Doc for making sure to keep up with the animal’s training in my absence. Seeing Kojack this obedient made me wish I was the one who got to work with him and the other ranch horses every day. I wondered if any of Charlie’s dog training methods crossed over to horses.
I moved along the creek bank to a grassy spot under a tree. The moon shone through the bare branches above when I lay back on the cold grass. I watched a few thin clouds float across the bright light.
Even though Charlie wouldn’t expect me back yet, I realized I should let him know where I was. I reached for my pocket and remembered I’d plugged my phone into the charger in the truck and hadn’t grabbed it after I parked.
Dammit.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Charlie’s dad was here, and he wasn’t happy. How had everything gone from a euphoria of being in a happy bubble with Charlie to this clusterfuck of Ames’s acquisition, upset parents, and so many sudden changes I didn’t even know what city I lived in anymore?
After Fig and Bramble’s opening tomorrow, I was technically off the project and back to working in Dallas. Once I was off the project, I would no longer be working with Charlie.
My heart began to hammer harder in my chest, and I rubbed at it with my thumb.
Charlie.
It was time for me to show him how much he meant to me, but first, I needed to come up with a new strategy to see if my idea would actually work. I didn’t want to get his hopes up before I even knew what was possible. Even if I was willing to make a leap of faith and try something new, I needed to have a plan in place first.
42
Charlie
Charlie’s Revelation:
I love the vanilla bean.
When Darci snuck into my room, I damned near gave her a show.
“Christ Jaysus, whassat?” I gasped as the cold hand landed on my shoulder. I’d been in a dead sleep and almost jumped out of bed naked as the day I was born.
“It’s me,” Darci said. “Wake up. I can’t find Hudson.”
My heart almost leapt out of my throat. “How’d you lose him? You’ve only had him a few hours.”
“He went for a ride and was supposed to text me when he got back. He never did, and if he’s not here with you, that means maybe something happened.”
“What?” I asked, sitting up and rubbing my eyes with the heels of my hands. I shot Mama a look for not protecting my life from sneaky ex-girlfriends. “What kind of ride?” The minute the words were out of my mouth I realized she meant a horse ride. “What? Now? In the middle of the night?”