Southern Attraction (Southern Heart 3)

“Yeah.”

“So.” She claps her hands and rubs them together. “What can I do to knock out that to-do list?”

I hesitate briefly before my decision is made. I hand her the clipboard. “You can finish inventory while I start on the books for the week.”

“Got it, boss.” She salutes me with a cheesy grin. “What else?”

“I have to order after I do the books, then just wait to make sure everyone shows up for work.”

“They will. You have a good team here.”

“We have a good team here. You know this place is just as much yours as it is mine.”

“I don’t have the passion that you do, Mike. I love this place, but I don’t want all the headache that comes with it.”

“You could do the behind the scenes stuff.”

She nods. “I just hate the thought of firing someone, and then what happens when I hire a complete tool and they mess up the flow of what we have going here?”

“That’s every single person in management, Livy. That’s a part of the job. Just think about it. You could take over the books and ordering, that kind of stuff.”

“Why are you pushing this?”

“This is our legacy, not mine. Sure, I’m the namesake, but his blood runs through your veins too. Whenever I thought about taking over, it was always the two of us, not just me.”

“Really?” she asks, surprise in her voice.

“Definitely.”

“All right, I’ll think about it.”

“Great. Now get your ass to work.” I point at her and she flips me off, grinning before turning back to finish the inventory.

The drive to Kentucky is uneventful. I thought for sure with it being Friday I would run into traffic, but it’s been light. The weather is clear though, so maybe everyone called in sick or took a vacation day like me.

I’m just about an hour away from my best friend, Whitney, and her new hometown. This three-day weekend is long overdue for me. Six months is too damn long. I can’t wait to see their house. I’ve seen pictures, and it looks just as beautiful as Whit described. And the ring, I’m sure the pictures don’t do it justice. Aaron Mills holds nothing back when it comes to my best friend. There is no question how much he loves her.

Cranking up the radio, I settle in for the final leg of this trip. Excitement bubbles inside knowing I get to see Whit soon. I miss her so much.

I might also be a teensy bit excited to see Mike. It’ll be good to see if this fantasy I have of him from that weekend holds true. When I was here six months ago, I was dating someone. It was casual, but dating nonetheless. I broke things off not long after my trip. It just didn’t feel right. Seeing how devoted Evan and Aaron, and even David are to their girls, I wanted that. I didn’t see the point in wasting my time with someone who was never going to deliver. After three months of dating, you just know.

As soon as I pull down the long lane taking me to the farm, I unbuckle my seat belt and sit up a little straighter. Following the directions Whit gave me, I drive past the main house and the barns and follow the gravel road around a bend. When the house comes into view, I almost slam on my brakes. It’s a beautiful two-story with a full wraparound porch.

It’s definitely country, and I never thought I would say this, but so Whitney. Kentucky has changed her; her family, both old and new, has brought life back to her. She’s happy, and I couldn’t ask for anything more for her. I was really worried after her mom passed; she was so depressed and… lost.

I smile as I pull up behind Aaron’s truck, knowing she’s not lost anymore. She’s found herself an amazing man who brings with him friends and family who are equally as amazing. I’m both happy for and envious of her.

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Before I can climb out of my car, the front door flies open and Whitney comes racing out on the porch and down the steps. I hurry and climb out just in time to accept her hug.

“I missed you!” she says, wrapping her arms around my shoulders.

I laugh. “I missed you too.” I spy Aaron over her shoulder. He’s leaning against the post on the front porch, arms and legs crossed with a smile spread across his face. He’s happy she’s happy. Good man, that one.

“Come inside, you two,” Aaron calls out with a chuckle. “You’ll freeze to death.”

It’s February in Kentucky, so yeah, he has a point. Although, compared to a Chicago winter and our winds, this is nothing.