Ignite (Cloverleigh Farms #6)(63)

Around one the following afternoon, I knocked on my Aunt Chloe’s office door.

She looked up from her computer and smiled. “Hey, Win. What can I do for you?”

“Got a minute?” I asked.

“Of course.” She closed her laptop. “Take a seat.”

I perched on the edge of one of the chairs in front of her desk and looked around. Her office was bigger than my dad’s, but just like his, the shelves were full of family photos—a wedding picture of her and Oliver; school photos of their teenagers, Sawyer and Elsa; a professional family photo of them on the beach in coordinating khaki pants and white button-downs.

She followed my line of sight and laughed. “Oh God, that picture. I fought Oliver so hard on those stupid matching outfits, but apparently it’s some sort of Pemberton family tradition.”

“It’s a nice shot,” I said. “Your family is so beautiful. Elsa looks just like you.”

Her sigh was wistful. “Hard to believe she’s in high school now. Time flies.”

I nodded, my fingers twisting together. “I wanted to talk to you about something.”

“Shoot.”

“I was offered a job as head of events at an inn in Newport called The Alexander.”

Her eyebrows rose. “Good for you. Did you take it?”

“I did,” I said, “but it doesn’t start until October, so I’ll be here at least three more weeks. I can help you find someone to replace me, if you’d like.”

She waved a hand in the air. “Don’t worry about that. I’m excited for you! Tell me about the job.”

Relaxing, I described the position to her, and she eagerly opened her laptop and checked out the Alexander’s website.

“Oh, Winnie, it’s gorgeous—that architecture! The setting!” She clucked her tongue. “You’re going to love it. And they’re so lucky to get you.”

“Thanks.”

She closed her computer again. “Have you told your folks?”

“They know about the offer, but I haven’t told them I accepted yet.”

She grinned ruefully. “Frannie will cry buckets just like she did when Felicity moved to Chicago.”

I laughed. “Well, she knew it was a possibility.”

“This is so great, Winnie. I’m thrilled for you. And of course we’ll miss you around here, but I completely understand wanting to broaden your horizons.”

“Thank you.” I paused. “I really do love it here. Cloverleigh Farms has always felt like home to me.”

“Sometimes we have to leave home to chase our dreams.” She sighed, looking around. “And sometimes we find ourselves right back where we started, and that’s okay too.”

I laughed. “Thanks, Aunt Chloe.”

“You’re welcome, darling.” She blew me a kiss as I rose to my feet. “I’m always here if you need anything.”





I’d just gotten home from Pilates that evening when I heard a knock at my door. I pulled it open to find a grouchy-looking Dex on my porch.

“So where can I adopt a cat?”

I laughed. “You want to adopt a cat?”

“Fuck no.” He exhaled loudly and held out a folded piece of paper. “But the girls won’t leave me alone about it. I just found a note in a dresser drawer they must have written last time they were here.”

I took the note and unfolded it. It was written on lined paper that had been torn out of a notebook. The print was round and childish but neat.

Dear Daddy,

We think we should be aloud to have a cat here. We will take good care of it. You can hug it when we are not here. You need more hugs so you do not turn in to an oger.

Love,

Halsy Pal and Loony Toon

I smiled and looked up at him. “An ogre?”

“Yeah. Did I tell you about the story Hallie is writing?”

“No. Is there an ogre in it?”

“Yes. Named Rex. There’s also a princess named Minnie.”

I clapped a hand over my mouth. “Not too subtle, is she?”

“Nope. Anyway, a cat isn’t a sailboat or a fancy vacation or even a horse, but it’s something they’ll love.” He sighed, closing his eyes. “And I’m a sucker, just like you said.”

“I think it’s great. I’ll get you the name of a few adoption places. And my offer still stands to feed the cat while you’re at work.” I paused. “At least until I move.”

“Thanks.”

“I can probably help you find someone in the complex willing to swing by and feed it. There’s a widowed lady who lives one building over that’s really nice.”

“Sounds good.” He reached for the note. “Have you eaten dinner yet?”

“No. I just got home.” I pulled my sticky shirt away from my body. “I worked out, so I was going to shower before I thought about food. I’m sweaty.”

“I was just going to order some takeout. Want to come over and eat with me?”

“Sure.”

“Do you like Thai food?”

I rubbed my belly. “Love it.”

“Okay. I’ll order some different things, and we can share.”