I pick it up, feeling the weight of it in my hand. The earthy smell of the worked and burned leather reminds me of horseback riding and saddles. I carved her name on the front by hand and embossed flowers around it. I untie the leather straps that hold it closed and flip through the blank cream-colored pages. After a minute of staring at the first page, I grab a pen and scribble a note for her to read later.
I’m so damn happy you’re happy.
Don’t break my brother’s heart.
He couldn’t handle losing you.
A small smile touches my lips as I tie it closed, then tuck it in the bottom of the red-and-green gift bag I bought. I stuff candy cane–striped tissue paper inside and let out a sigh of relief. Giving it to Hadleigh after the last month feels right.
She may have been the woman I crushed on for fifteen years, but I know deep inside that she wasn’t the one for me. Knowing that means I can search for the woman I’m going to start a family with and spend the rest of my life making happy, and I hope to God I find her sooner rather than later.
CHAPTER ONE
IVY
PRESENT DAY
2 ½ YEARS LATER
Although the pollen tends to coat the hood of my car, I love late spring, right before summer. I always find something special about the grass and flowers coming out of hibernation after a long, brisk winter. Just another reminder that the seasons are changing and days are passing. Pretty soon, outside will feel like an inferno, so I try to enjoy the warm mornings while it’s still bearable.
After I grab my book and walk inside the goat soap warehouse where I work, my boss, Harper, greets me with a smile. She also gives me her signature good morning expression, but she looks exhausted while chugging coffee from her “Boss Mom” thermos.
“Rough night?” I ask, noticing the wild strands of hair that aren’t quite in her ponytail.
“You have no idea. Hayden was up at four and wouldn’t go back to sleep. Thankfully, Grandma asked to keep the kids this mornin’. There’s some pre-summer thing they’re having at church. Honestly, a literal godsend.”
I snicker. “I was wonderin’ where they were. But hey, at least Hailey-Mae is a little angel.”
Hayden is almost three, and we celebrated Hailey-Mae’s first birthday last month. Together, they’re a handful, so Harper usually brings them to work with her. The shop has an area for the kids, and honestly, I love having them around. They always keep it interesting and make me laugh, especially Hayden with his mini-Bishop personality.
“My son will probably be a devil. He was already cranky when I dropped him off.”
“Well, if he is, a handful of women over the age of seventy will take him off her hands because he’s adorable.”
“He is when he wants to be. I know he’s not even in kindergarten yet, but I’m dreading his high school years because he’s already giving me a run for my money.”
“Hopefully, he’ll grow out of it,” I say, setting my book on the counter and rummaging through the pile of orders to fulfill today.
She gives me a pointed look. “I highly doubt it, considering how sexy Ethan is. I swear he’s going to age like a fine wine. I tell him not to forget to wear that wedding ring because the old ladies at the diner give him the eye, knowing he’s married to me and has kids!”
“Cougars want to have fun too, ya know?” I tease, knowing I shouldn’t because it’s too early to get her riled up.
Harper shakes her head and playfully scoffs.
“Do you blame them, though?” I smirk. “A fine cowboy with a big appetite.” I can’t even get the words out.
“Hell no! If he weren’t mine, I’d be lookin’ too, especially now since he’s letting a little more scruff grow.” She finally bursts into laughter. “Hot as hell.”
“Keep that up, and you’re gonna have a third baby.” I snort, and she does too. “Orders in the morning, then soap mixing in the afternoon?” I ask, realizing just how much we have to get done tonight. Harper gives me a nod, and then we get to work like busy bees.
Our routine doesn’t change too much each day, but it’s extremely dependent on what’s been launched and what sales we’re doing. This week, we’re focusing heavily on packaging before lunch so most packages can be postmarked on the shipment day. In the afternoons, we’ve been prepping for the announcement, then pre-order launch of the first wave of summer scents. Since it takes almost six weeks for our homemade soaps to cure, running this business successfully means being ahead of schedule and overstocked for launches.
“You know my sister’s gonna go into labor at any moment,” I sing-song. My sister, Hadleigh, is ten years older than me and has been best friends with Harper for as long as I can remember. A few months ago, Harper and I made a bet on which date we thought the baby would be born.