The sight of my office has started to annoy me. In truth nothing has been right since I left my cousin’s home in Montana and came back to Lexington. It’s not Madison that niggles, but more like the deliciously hot cowboy who I gave my heart to. Geary. He’d managed to talk me out of my panties within hours of us meeting, and he had the ability to keep them off of me.

We had agreed from the start that what we shared was temporary, except, I don’t want it to be temporary anymore. As the snow falls outside of the McKenzie building, I wish I was curled up in front of the warm hearth in Geary’s small cabin. The stone cabin was close to Derek and Madison’s home, but felt completely separate. That’s how I feel right now. Completely separate from my own life. I’m going through the motions except nothing feels the same.

I’m lonely.

My brother, Alexander, is happily married and my cousins are all falling in love and starting families of their own. It feels like an epidemic and I’ve never been so out of place before. I know why, I just don’t know what I’m going to do about it. Or even if the man in question wants me to do anything.

Geary had readily agreed to our brief encounter, and he’s had plenty of time to get in touch with me, but he hasn’t. I can’t blame him completely because I haven’t tried to get in touch with him either. I guess it works both ways.

Biting down on the pencil I’ve been twirling around between my fingers, I wince and toss the remains into the trash under my desk. Sighing heavily, I stretch from my chair and moving over to the ceiling to floor window, I rest my forehead against the cool glass.

“Olivia?” Michael, my cousin says with a frown in his voice. “Are you okay?”

“I don’t know.” I sense him moving closer, and add, “I think I need a break.” As the words leave my mouth I know it’s what I really want. A break from the same schedule I keep on a daily basis. Some time to let my brain relax. The thought of having no responsibility for a short time starts filling me with excitement. I don’t rest. Ever. But this Christmas, I’m going to.

“I’m going to take Christmas off and I’ll be back in the office mid-January.” I turn and grin at my astonished cousin. “I’ve just finished a project and haven’t picked anything up next.”

“There are a few things waiting attention,” Michael comments.

My smile starts to slip. “Really?”

Michael pauses. “We’ll manage. January is always busy though.”

“I just need a break. Something for me instead of everyone else.” I offer him a wry smile. “You know how much I love my family, but I don’t think I’ve ever taken time for just me.”

“You haven’t, which is why I’m not giving you grief now.” Michael sits opposite my desk and watches me warily. “A friend of yours is in town and I thought you’d like to join us for dinner?”

“Who? Business?”

“Not business, although Geary has been in town a few days on business for Derek.”

My heart starts to beat wildly thinking about Geary, until I realize Michael said Geary has been in town for a few days. Plenty of time for him to get in touch with me.

“So dinner?” Michael urges.

I desperately want to jump on his offer, but I don’t. “I have plans.”

“Olivia, I know you. You do not have plans. You’re avoiding.”

Dropping into my chair, I stare at my desk. “If he’s been in town a few days then he’s had chance to get in touch with me. He hasn’t. I’m not going to dinner.” I meet Michael’s gaze. “I’m going to leave early.”

Michael opens his mouth and snaps it closed again.

I’m well aware I’m being childish, I just can’t seem to stop myself.

Moving out from behind my desk, I wrap my arms around him. “Thank you for your concern, but I’m fine.”

“He’s expecting you there tonight.” Michael won’t give up.

“Please leave it.”

Michael stays silent and leaves my office.

So Geary is in town and has been for a few days, huh? I guess that tells me where I stand with him.

Clearing my desk, I straighten the chairs and close the blinds before grabbing my purse. My office is silent as I close and lock the door.

As I pass Michael’s office, I notice Brooke has arrived and she is currently wrapped around my cousin. I move toward the elevator, wondering if I’ll ever have what they do. What most of my other cousins have—someone to share a life with.