The Butterfly Effect (Boggy Creek Valley 1)

I laughed and shook my head. “Well, let’s hope she wants to build a Hollywood-sized home.”

Willa turned and leaned against the windowsill. “Yes, that would be good for you. For the company.”

I nodded, then looked back down and went through a few more items on my grandfather’s desk. “Okay, I have a note to call Betty in the morning and set up a meeting with her, Tim, and Carol for Tuesday. I’ll also give Tucker a call to let him know I plan on attending this meeting with Ms. Daughtry. Not sure how he’ll take that. He may think I’m trying to step on his toes,” I said as I stood and made my way around the desk.

“What do you mean?”

I raked my fingers through my hair and sighed. “Tucker has worked for my father and grandfather since we were in high school. He’s two years older than me and always resented the fact that I was younger and would be in line to get the business. Needless to say, when I show back up and take an authority position, he’s not going to be very happy. Especially since I haven’t put any time in.”

“Any time in?” Willa stated, a hint of anger in her voice. “I’m sorry, but you’ve been off fighting for our country. God knows how dangerous it’s been. Just because you haven’t been here doesn’t mean this doesn’t belong to you, Aiden. You have every right to take over for Carl.”

I shrugged. “Maybe.”

I left it at that, knowing damn well that Tucker was going to have a fucking fit when I informed him that I was attending the meeting on Wednesday.

“I’m done here. You ready to go eat?” I asked, motioning with my arm for Willa to head back out to the reception area.

“Yes. What did you have in mind?” When she walked by me, I was hit with the smell of vanilla and a hint of lavender, and instantly, I was transported back to that barn so many years ago. I wanted to groan as the thought of our earlier kiss came back to me as well.

“You still like surprises, Willa?” I asked, and she turned and faced me.

“I love them, as long as they’re positive.”

I knew she was referring to finding her husband in bed with her best friend. Locking Granddad’s office door after stepping out of the office, I turned to look at her. “I’d never hurt you, Willa.”

Her smile faded slightly. “Aiden, I know. I’m sorry if I made you…” Willa’s voice trailed off, and she sighed and shook her head. “I didn’t mean to be cynical. And I would never compare you to him. You’re ten times the man he is.”

That made me smile. “We need to make one more quick stop before lunch.”

“Sounds good,” Willa replied. She let me pick up Ben’s carrier again, and we headed back outside.

“Do you want to drive?” she asked.

I snapped Ben’s carrier back into the seat, hoping I didn’t wake him up. When I was assured he was still asleep, I replied, “If you don’t mind.”

Willa slid into the passenger seat of her Honda Accord. “Not at all. Where are we going?”

“Adams Apiary.”

“Why are we going there?” she asked, a hint of excitement in her voice.

“If I told you, I’d ruin the surprise.”

A wide grin moved over her face, and I loved that it was me who put it there.

After dodging Willa’s questions about why we were stopping by Arabella’s place, I walked out of the little house that had been turned into a store and café with a basketful of goodies for lunch. It was Greer who had told me about Arabella’s café and how she made baskets for people to take on picnics. When I called Arabella this morning and told her that I wanted to take Willa on a picnic lunch, she nearly screamed in my ear with excitement and told me she would take care of everything.

Arabella had been in the same high school graduating class as me and Hunter. They had dated during our senior year, as well as the first few years of college, until Arabella broke things off. Still to this day, Hunter never truly knew why Arabella had called things off.

I set the large picnic basket in the backseat and got back into the driver’s seat. One quick look at Willa, and my breath caught in my throat.

“A picnic! You’re taking us on a picnic, Aiden?” She nearly came out of her seat with pure delight.

Feeling a bubble of happiness build inside my chest, I nodded. “Yes. Does that sound okay?”

She did a little crazy dance in her seat. “Okay? Yes! I’ve always wanted to go on a picnic.”

With a frown, I asked, “You’ve never been on one?”

Suddenly, her smile slipped some. “Um, no.” Then she shrugged and looked down at her hands. “Do you go on them often?”