Page 20 of One Kind Soul

At this question, Nicole puffed out a long breath. “I did, but neither of them worked out. I’m probably going to have to move to a smaller place that I can afford on my own.” She sighed. “It’s fine. That beach house isn’t as much fun without Tessa anyway.” She took a small bite of her sandwich and nibbled with a thoughtful look on her face. “Actually Kauai on the whole isn’t as much fun without Tessa.”

“It must be hard to have your best friend move away. My brothers are my best friends and though I have Landon and Donovan at my fingertips, my youngest brother, Jackson, is a traveler.”

“An archaeologist, right?”

“Yeah. He’s all over the globe. I hope when he decides to stop traveling, he chooses Vermont as his settling spot.”

“That would be nice. Do you think that’s likely?”

“Hard to say for sure. Jackson loves seeing new places. I’m not sure Vermont has enough excitement for him.”

“It had enough for Tessa.”

“True. She seems to love it.”

“And your brother.” Nicole’s eyes had a dreamy look in them. “I knew the moment I saw her and Donovan together she would fall in love with him.”

“You did?”

She nodded. “They had this energy. I don’t know how else to explain it.”

“I think I know what you mean. Donovan isn’t known for being a flirt—not like me—but Tessa brings out his slick side, you know? He never wanted to try with anyone else before.”

“Who wouldn’t want to try for Tessa? Not only is she a wonderful person, she’s gorgeous too. Total package.”

“It takes a total package to know a total package.”

Nicole huffed. “You don’t have to say that. I’m going to give you the cheese curls and licorice whether you say nice things or not.” She nudged the two packages on the bed toward him.

Christian reached over and put his hand on her forearm, causing her to freeze and look up at him. “I’m not just saying you’re a total package, Nicki. You are. Only a total package would ride with me to the hospital. Wait for me while I got sewn up. Escort me to a nice hotel room. Buy me spare clothes. Feed me.” He released her. “And you’re not doing those things because I saved your life. You’re doing all of it because you’re a great person.”

A whisper of a smile ghosted across her lips. “I hear it takes a great person to know a great person.”

“Indeed it does.” He leaned back against the headboard of the bed. “We’re awesome. Agree with me and hand me the cheese curls.”

She passed him the cheese curls bag.

“Sweet. This brand is my favorite.” He ripped open the bag and offered her some first. When she held up her sandwich wrapping, he shook some curls onto it.

“I haven’t eaten cheese curls since high school,” she said.

“What?” Christian popped one into his mouth and crunched. “I mostly eat well, but cheese curls are my one weakness. I wish I could grow them on my farm.”

“Farm-grown cheese curls. Probably would sell well.”

“Slap organic on there and I could charge double for them.”

“Are you an organic farm?”

He shook his head. “Not right now. It’s in the future plans though. I haven’t been the owner of the farm that long. I’m focusing on fixing up the farmhouse on the property first so I can live there. Right now I’m living above the barn and horses are noisy roommates.”

“How many horses do you have?”

“Two. They are one of my favorite parts of farm ownership. I’ll introduce you if we ever get to Vermont.”

“Okay. I’d . . . I’d like that.”

Score! Having a reason to get her to his farm felt like a win.