Page 8 of Lumberjack Bonfire Kisses

“You don’t think you could stay in the cabin?” I asked her, laying my card down to cover the bill.

She sipped on her coffee as she thought it over.

“I’m sure I could. But Peyton makes a nice chunk of change on it when he rents it. Especially now, or soon. The summer is really his bulk though. I wouldn’t want to take it away from him.”

“But could you do something remotely and live here?”

“I never thought about it, but it’s not impossible, I guess. The town isn’t so small that I couldn’t find a job either. I just never considered it.”

“Maybe you should.”

She looked at me, a smirk on her lips before she hid it behind the cup again.

I knew that look, she didn’t hate the idea. And for me, who lived up here permanently, well, I wouldn’t object or stop her. In fact, I was pretty good at encouraging her.

And if she did get a spot up here, I know Peyton wouldn’t mind an extra set of eyes looking on the place for him. Might even save him some money because she could help clean the place up.

I’d have to send a message to Peyton, after I pushed her to talk to him, because he needed to know what was going on, but he would help her too.

I glanced at her phone as it buzzed, thinking it was the jerk again because he called multiple times last night, though I didn’t let her see it. I deleted the whole thing. I was happy to see that it was Peyton.

She grinned as she answered and put it on speaker phone.

“Hello brother dearest,” she said, sliding out of the booth. I followed her out, grinning.

“Justice and Eddie, because I know he’s with you. Why not tell me what’s going on?”

“Because it’s a boring detail and you don’t need to know. I’m fine, Peyton. Really. Eddie has been a great friend.”

Her brother snorted and I chuckled.

“Right. Okay. We’ll pretend I’ll believe it. Now, stop lying sister, and tell me what’s up.”

She looked at me, and I waved, knowing he wouldn’t let up. So, I sat next to her on the bench outside as she told him the same thing she told me.

“What a fucknut. Can I please beat him up? I never liked him anyway.”

“You didn’t?” she questioned, and I even shook my head.

“Not at all. I tolerated him for you, that was it. He always struck me as a jerk and more so after this. You take all the time you need. Eddie might be there, but I trust you too. I know you can kick his ass if needs be.”

I rolled my eyes, making her laugh.

“Thanks, Peyton.”

“Welcome, sis. I’ll call you later. I love you.”

“Love you too.”

She ended the call, setting her hands in her lap.

“Was that so hard?” I asked, resting my hands over hers.

“No, I guess not. I just, I don’t know. Sometimes I think my brother likes to stand up for me in ways he shouldn’t and then he does something crazy and I hate that it might get him in trouble.”

“Trust me, Peyton is not that type. If he’s going to protect you or defend you, he’s going to do it smartly. Just let him be your big brother. It’s a role he enjoys a lot more than you think.”

She glanced at me, before nodding.