“I guess that friendship is over.”
“Fair guess. And I have even better news for you. Maura just called. The studio would like to extend their apologies for acting prematurely—and they’d like to re-offer you the part of Fiona. They understand if you’ve moved on, but they haven’t been able to find anyone who holds a candle to you. They’re willing to up their offer.”
Mia’s mouth dropped at the figure Nolan casually rattled off. She would’ve jumped at the chance with no increase in salary.
“I can go back to them with a higher number,” Nolan said when she didn’t respond immediately.
“That’s more than I expected. Much more.”
“They don’t have to know that. At least make them squirm a little.”
Mia chuckled. “I’m just glad to get the role back.”
“You do your job, and I’ll do mine,” he said, his tone wry. “This is a happy day, Mia. Let’s celebrate over dinner once you’re settled.”
Mia was walking in her back door by the time she remembered the little package Levi had handed her. She’d been on the phone with Brooke the entire ride home. When she arrived she had the driver crawl through the swarm of reporters at her curb. She could hear them shouting through her window.
“Mia, what do you want to say to your fans?”
“What do you think of Emma’s actions?”
“Do you feel vindicated, Mia?”
“Mia, how do you feel about Jax Jordan?”
Shaking away the questions, she pulled her suitcase to the base of the stairs and dropped her carry-on bag beside it. The house smelled of artificial pine. She knew the difference now, she realized, after taking in the authentic scent of mountain pine for five weeks.
She walked across the expanse of the living room, her heels clicking on the ceramic tile—the only noise in the house. A cold and sterile sound. Her eyes swept the living space. The black Italian leather living room suite, special ordered. The white luxurious rug spanning the space. Those were the only soft things in the room. Everything else was glass and metal and concrete, the architecture bearing a sort of stark beauty.
She grabbed her bags and headed up the glass steps. She suddenly missed the charm of squeaky wooden floors, cozy furnishings with a hodgepodge of knickknacks, and the ever-present sound of people moving about.
Once in her room she dropped her bags and reached into her purse. The small package had sunk to the bottom, but she found it with little trouble. She pulled it out, her heart suddenly beating too fast. This, whatever it was, was her last contact with Levi. There was already an ache where her heart rested.
She held the package in her palm, feeling its weight, wondering what it might be. Some trinket she’d pointed out in a shop, probably. A souvenir. A memento of a place and person she’d never see again. Or maybe it was the engraved watch they’d found in the attic—possibly her grandmother’s.
She wasn’t ready to face it, this last connection between them. She opened a dresser drawer and placed the package beneath the folds of silky lingerie where she wouldn’t have to see it until she was ready.
forty-five
Levi stepped up on the ladder again and went to work around the gutter at the rear of the house. He checked his watch. He was losing light as the sun set across the lake and running out of time. At least the heat was waning with the end of the day.
Repairs to the inn had been in full swing for a week. The plumber had repaired the pipes, replacing all the old ones to prevent a reoccurrence. He was a relative of Della’s and was doing the work at cost. Della bribed him daily with baked goods to rush the job.
Donald Walters, one of his dad’s old friends, owned the local hardware store. He’d donated the necessary drywall, and friends from church were volunteering their time to put it up. They’d have to hire a professional to tape and mud it, but Levi already had a guy lined up. From there, they’d paint and put the trim back up: Levi, Molly, Grace, Adam, and anyone else who was willing to pitch in. It was all hands on deck.
Thankfully the wood floor had survived, only requiring the replacement of a few boards. Altogether Levi thought they could have the job done in two more weeks. They were still out a lot of revenue, but hopefully they’d finish the season strong.
He had a new hook to help with marketing—it had come in the form of a brief note Mia had left in his sisters’ bedroom. The words were now embedded in his heart.
From the cozy bedrooms to the warm hospitality and delicious breakfasts, my stay at the Bluebell Inn exceeded my expectations. Enter a world where every detail is considered, every need anticipated. Both in town and on the lake, the inn is the perfect point from which to explore the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and the area’s many natural attractions. The Bluebell Inn is a destination of its own. I can’t think of any place I’d rather be.
That last sentence made his breath hitch every time. He couldn’t think of any place where he’d rather Mia be either. As busy as he’d been, the last week had dragged. He thought of her a thousand times a day. Sometimes the memories made him smile, and other times he wondered if he’d need to carve his heart out of his chest to stop the ache.
He’d thought he’d hear from her—because of the necklace if for no other reason. He’d thought that gesture would’ve meant something to her. But maybe it didn’t. Or maybe she simply couldn’t bring herself to make contact with him again.
He’d been tempted a hundred times to reach out to her. But after what he’d gone through with his sisters he was trying to stay in his own lane. And whenever he got down about her lack of communication he remembered her generous endorsement.
Grace had already placed it front and center on their website and added it to the review pages on numerous travel sites. He had bigger plans for the quote once he had a little space on his credit card.
He continued working along the gutter, making good progress. He’d been at this for almost three hours, but he was almost finished. Just one last . . .
His phone buzzed with a text and he checked the screen. Just in time.
* * *
Molly set down her brush and glanced at Grace in the mirror. “What is this event anyway? And since when do you hobnob at the Biltmore?”
Grace had begged Molly to go along tonight and had dragged her through shops all afternoon, searching for the perfect dress.
“I told you it’s an appetizer fund-raiser thing. Sarah got tickets and thought it would be a good way to network for my website business. But she can’t go with me, and I can’t go alone.”
Molly scanned her sister’s long, lithe form. “You look good in a dress. You should wear them more often.”
“Not happening. But I like yours too.”
Grace had all but insisted Molly get the floral sundress when she saw it on display. She had to admit it totally suited her, and it clung and flowed in all the right places.
Molly checked her watch. “Are you sure it doesn’t start till nine thirty? Isn’t that kind of late?”
Grace looked up from her phone. “It started at nine but, you know, fashionably late and all. Ready?”
Molly pushed away from the mirror and slipped into her heels. “Let’s drive Levi’s car. I don’t want a breakdown on one of those switchbacks.”
“Don’t forget your purse.”
“Oh. Right.” Molly led the way downstairs. She didn’t get dressed up often, but she felt pretty swanky in her new dress, with her curled hair flowing around her shoulders. She only wished Adam could see her, but he was out of town.
She turned at the bottom of the steps, holding out her phone. “Take a picture. I want Adam to see my new dress.”
Grace rolled her eyes but accommodated. She was just reaching for the doorknob when Levi came down the hall.
“You guys look nice.”
“Thanks,” they said.
“Can I get your help out back before you go, Molly?”
“We’re on our way out.”
“I see tha
t, but it’ll just take a minute.”
“Will it dirty up my dress?”
Levi smirked. “Not even a little.”
Molly shrugged. “Fine. I’ll be right out,” she told Grace.
She set her dainty purse on the check-in desk and followed Levi down the hall. She couldn’t imagine what he was working on outside in the dark, but he was always puttering around with something. Especially since Mia left. He was working himself to the bone over this inn.
But she had to admit he’d kept his promise where she and Grace were concerned. Whenever Grace brought up her new business he was supportive. He even offered business and marketing advice. And even though Levi hardly sat still these days, he seemed a little less tightly strung. And that benefited all of them.
Levi opened the back door for her, and Molly stepped down onto the back patio.
Suddenly there was light. White twinkle lights. Everywhere.
And standing in the center of the beautifully lit patio was Adam, handsome in a black suit. His lips curved in a sheepish smile.
A wave of gooseflesh pebbled her arms. Her breath caught. She placed a hand to her heart, sure it had swollen to twice its normal size.
A shuffle sounded behind her. She tore her eyes from Adam and caught Levi’s gaze, holding it for a poignant moment. Then he gave her a knowing grin and slipped back inside.
She faced Adam again. He looked so precious, standing there, all uncertain and shy. And she felt blessed beyond words to be loved by him. She walked forward, closer, closer.
She could hardly catch her breath. “Oh, Adam.”
“You look so beautiful. And I’m trying very hard not to spew random facts, but the urge is strong.”
The laugh gurgled from her tight throat. “I’m actually speechless. You better go quick before the moment ends.”
He took her at her word, sinking onto the mossy pavers, one knee down, and took her hands. His were shaking, but so were hers. And she couldn’t tear her gaze from the love shining in his eyes.
“Molly Elaine Bennett, I knew there was something special about you from the moment I stepped through your door. In a matter of seconds you had me neck deep in a project.”
She breathed a laugh at the memory.
“And it didn’t take much longer until I was completely over my head. Even though I write about love and soul mates, I’d never experienced any of it . . . until you.
“Every day you surprise me, you confound me, you amaze me, and I don’t even know how I was satisfied with the colorless life I had before you brightened it. There’s no one else in this world I want to be with, Molly. I want to see your face first thing every morning. I want to share every moment of the day with you, good and bad. And when I fall asleep at night, it’s you I want in my arms.”
He dropped her hands and withdrew a box from his pocket, lifting its lid to reveal a beautiful marquise diamond that sparkled under the lights.
“Molly . . . will you make me the happiest man alive? Will you marry me?”
“Yes.” Molly stared into his eyes, mesmerized by his words. Someone sniffled. Maybe her. “Yes, yes, yes. Now get up here and kiss me.”
“Um . . .” He looked so sweetly uncertain. “I’m supposed to put the ring on now.”
Laughter gurgled from her again. “Right. Yes, of course. Go ahead.”
He took the ring from its velvet nest and slid it on, his fingers a little clumsy.
Molly’s eyes fastened on the diamond, glinting under the twinkle lights. “Oh, Adam, it’s beautiful. It’s perfect. I love it.”
He rose to his feet, framing her face, thumbing away her tears. “You’re beautiful and perfect. Perfect for me.”
Her heart rolled over in her chest. “I love you, Adam.”
His eyes were wet. “I love you too, Molly. So much.”
And as his lips met hers, softly, sweetly, reverently, Molly felt more alive, more blessed than she ever dreamed possible.
forty-six
“I quit.” Mia shoved the cheesecake closer to Brooke. “It’s all yours.”
“Don’t have to tell me twice.” Brooke dug her fork into the creamy slice of heaven, dragging the bite through the raspberry swirls that decorated the plate.
Somewhere on the coffee shop’s patio a chair grated across the cement. Cars rumbled by, the traffic slow on the Sunday afternoon. In the distance a siren wailed. As was their tradition when they weren’t on set, she and Brooke had stopped for lunch after church.
She’d been home for two weeks now. Thankfully the hullabaloo surrounding the scandal had died down on her end, allowing her to get back to her routine: working out, church, outings with her “little sister.” She’d been working hard on the Lesser Days script, and on Wednesday she was heading overseas to begin filming.
She’d also gotten back to a Bible study she used to attend. It was time to get serious about her faith again. She was learning to let down her walls with people, but she needed to let God in too. Him, most of all.
“You’ve been quiet since you’ve been home,” Brooke said.
“I’ve had a lot to think about.”
“If I didn’t know better I’d think you left your heart in North Carolina.”
Mia took a sip of her water, then gave her friend a wan smile. “I’m afraid you might be right.”
Brooke blinked. “Wow. Did not expect that.”
“Well, you’ve been tiptoeing around it for two weeks.”
“True, but . . .” She leaned into the table, wincing as she placed her hand over Mia’s. “Gosh, Mia. I’m so sorry. You finally fell hard for a guy and he just . . .”
“Rejected me?”
“That’s harsh. You said he has a lot going on right now. Maybe the timing’s just not right. Maybe later . . .”
She couldn’t let herself think like that. It had been doomed from the start, hadn’t it? They were too different, like her mom and dad had been. Mia had to move on. But she’d told herself that a thousand times since she’d been home. Her heart seemed to have ideas of its own.
“I just need to focus on my work right now. It’ll be easier once I’m in Ireland.” At least that’s what she told herself.
“That’s probably a good idea. Stay busy. It’ll get better with time.”
“Problem is, this role . . . Fiona.”
“I thought it was your dream role.”
“It is. But it’s also dredging up a lot of stuff from my past. I mean, that’s partly why I wanted it so badly—I relate to her. But yeesh. I went to bed last night crying over my dad’s abandonment, Brooke. I mean, that was years ago. What is wrong with me?”
“Nothing’s wrong with you. That’s a deep wound, honey. The kind that could take a lifetime to resolve. Do you think maybe the breakup triggered some of this? You had a bit of a setback when you and Wes broke up, remember?”
“Yeah, you’re right. But I just wish . . .” What? That the breakup had never happened? That she’d never met Levi at all? No. She wouldn’t trade one moment with him. Even if it had ended in heartache.
“What, honey?”
Mia met her friend’s gaze head on. “You know what I really wish? I wish I’d finally be someone’s priority. I wasn’t my dad’s, and I wasn’t my mom’s. I just want someone to look at me and say, ‘Mia, you are worth my time and attention. You’re worthy of it.’” Mia’s throat closed up. Her eyes burned. She blinked the tears away.
“Oh, honey. I don’t mean to get preachy on you right here, but you know Someone’s already said that.” Brooke squeezed her hand. “And anyway, what am I, chopped liver?”
A laugh burbled out Mia’s throat. Brooke was right. God loved her. He’d never abandon her. She sat still a moment, breathing, just letting that soak in. Why was she always looking for something more? She acted as though God wasn’t enough for her. The realization made her heart clench.
Oh, God, I’m sorry. If I made You feel the way I sometimes do, I’m so sorry.
Mia took in the co
mpassion in Brooke’s eyes and was grateful for a friend who’d tell her the truth in love. “You’re a good friend. I really appreciate you. And you’re absolutely right. I don’t know why I keep forgetting that.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll keep reminding you.” Brooke leaned back and placed her napkin on her plate. “I just wish there were some way of finally getting closure about your dad. Or your mom for that matter.”
“I never even went through her things after she died. Remember, I was on set in Vancouver when it happened? Your mom settled the estate for me. Sold the furniture. Mom wasn’t very sentimental. Her personal life pretty much boiled down to three cardboard boxes. How sad is that?”
“What was in them, the boxes?”
“I don’t know. They’re still in my spare room closet under a pile of blankets.” She recoiled at the thought of them. But maybe that was just habit. When her mom had died she’d been too hurt to face the memories. But maybe it was finally time.
“Maybe it’s time,” Brooke said, echoing her thought.
Mia considered the idea, her head nodding, almost of its own volition. “Maybe it is.”
No time like the present, Mia thought as she entered her house and shrugged her purse from her shoulder. She should get this done while she had the nerve. Brooke had offered to go through the boxes with her, but this was something Mia needed to do alone.
She made her way upstairs and toward the bedroom farthest from her own. No coincidence, she realized. Her legs trembled as she entered the room. Her hands shook as she opened the closet’s French doors. She pulled away all the blankets until she found the three boxes. The flaps were folded in, and Lettie had written Personal Items in a black marker.
Let’s do this. Mia dragged out the boxes and sat on the carpeted floor. She opened the flaps of the first box. It was filled with cosmetics, perfumes, and products—so many products.
She breathed in the scent of her mother, closing her eyes. Memories flooded her. Her mom teaching her to apply mascara when she was in the sixth grade. A shopping spree that ended with a dress Mia had been eyeing for weeks. Running lines for her first big role in a children’s program. Maybe they weren’t typical mother-daughter moments. But they were hers. And they were good ones.
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