~
Mandy stared at the clock in the kitchen Monday morning. It was almost eleven. Elise had arrived moments ago, and Jade was walking in the door now.
As soon as Jade saw Mandy, she stopped and frowned. “Well, don’t you look like a ray of sunshine? They didn’t get the A/C fixed yet?”
“Nope.” Mandy hopped down from the chair at the bar and stalked across the floor only to return again. “They told me someone would be here between eight and ten. We have guests coming this evening and need the air conditioner running again. If we get many more cancellations…” She stopped herself. With nothing else to do that morning, she’d gone over all the financials again. Truthfully, if something didn’t change soon, she might have to let Elise go. Possibly Jade, too.
“Is it that bad?” The concern in Jade’s eyes mirrored Elise’s.
“Yeah, it is. We’re barely earning enough money to keep the B&B afloat. Preston and I have been coming up with ideas to help bring in more guests. We’ll even offer canoe rentals, which I think will be fun. We also have Preston’s website up to help bring business, and I’d like to set up a little store inside somewhere. He’s got a lot of great, one-of-a-kind things guests might want to buy to remember their stay here. But none of it matters if we can’t get the guests here and keep them.”
Jade and Elise both looked grim. The three women waited in silence, the ticking of the clock echoing through the room. Still no sign of the mechanic.
“You know,” Jade began, “if you need to find some extra income, you could always turn your breakfasts into more of a pastry deal. Use your grandmother’s recipes and even bake a day ahead. I’d understand if you need to terminate my employment here. I just do it for fun, anyway, now that my kids are all grown and gone.”
The older woman’s kind words brought a much-needed smile to Mandy’s face. “I appreciate that, Jade. It may have to be a possibility. I want to give it another couple of weeks, though. See how Preston’s business takes off and see if we can’t bring in more guests with the boats.” She put an arm around each of the ladies. “I appreciate you both and will keep you updated on what’s going on.”
“Thanks, Mandy.” Elise looked relieved. “I realize I only work a few hours a day here, but this job has been a real blessing.”
They chatted for a few minutes before Elise got to work. Jade went through the cookbook and made her notes for the week. She was walking out when a white van pulled up the driveway.
“It’s about time,” Mandy muttered and went out to meet them.
An hour later, wonderfully cool air blasted from the vents all around the house. Thankfully, only the tubing had been damaged and nothing else major was wrong with the compressor. Mandy wrote a check, forcing herself not to flinch at the cost of the repair, and thanked the guy.
She heard the back door open and the sound of Preston’s shoes stomping on the welcome mat.
“We’ve got air conditioning!” His deep voice carried into the living room.
Mandy walked into the kitchen and grinned. “Yes, thank you, Lord! The guy just left. I was getting nervous about having the place cooled off in time to welcome guests this afternoon.” The relief was so strong she didn’t realize she’d leaned into Preston with a half hug until his arm went around her waist and pulled her closer.
“I’m glad. And I have more good news for you.” He looked down at her, his gray eyes twinkling. “I checked the online store right before coming in, and we’ve had two sales, plus a custom order for a kayak paddle. Not only that, but my boss from Clearwater Lumber, Mr. Logan, opened a convenience store near a couple of those popular campgrounds. He heard about the new business and wants to sell a bunch of our stuff on consignment since there are many tourists going through there. He’s planning on having a display and everything.”
“Are you serious?” Mandy moved back, allowing her to see his face better. “That’s amazing, Preston! I’m thrilled for you. You deserve this.”
“We deserve this,” he corrected.
Mandy couldn’t deny how that one word warmed her. “Hopefully things are finally changing for the better.”
“I sure hope so.” The delight on Preston’s face morphed into something else, something more intense. He lifted a hand to run his fingers through her hair and cup the back of her neck.
The heat from his palm permeated her skin as her eyes drifted shut from the contact. When her lashes lifted again, his face was only a breath from hers. Before she allowed herself to second guess everything, she rose on her tiptoes and met his lips with hers.
He took over from there, kissing her thoroughly until they were both out of breath. The sound of someone clearing her throat finally broke them apart. Mandy’s face heated when she saw Elise grinning from the doorway.
“I wanted you to know I finished everything. There wasn’t a lot to do today. I’ll be back tomorrow,” she said, an amused look on her face.
Mandy took a sidestep away from Preston so she could think straight. “I appreciate it, Elise. Have a great rest of your Monday.”
“You, too.”
They could hear her laughing as she closed the door behind her.
Mandy covered her face with her hands and groaned. She split her fingers and peeked at Preston between them. There was no hint of embarrassment or regret on his face. She tried to discern what that look meant when he answered the question for her.
“I love it when you blush. I’ll always be finding new ways to make that happen.”
Mandy shook her head. “I think you have enough weapons in your arsenal as it is,” she muttered behind her hands, unable to keep the smile from her face. “Come on, Casanova, let’s get some lunch and enjoy the fact we won’t melt while we’re eating.”
At least not from the air temperature, anyway.
Chapter Fifteen
Something woke Preston up early Wednesday morning. He turned his phone’s screen on and flinched at the brightness. Two thirty-five. He held his breath and listened, but noticed nothing out of the ordinary. He doubted he’d be able to fall asleep again until he did a quick check of the house.
He pulled on a T-shirt to go with the shorts he wore, slipped some shoes on, and stepped into the hall. Mandy’s room was open, but when he looked inside, her bed was empty. She had to be downstairs, and that was probably what he had heard.
He found Mandy sitting at the bar in the kitchen, her head bent over her laptop and a stack of papers at her left elbow. She wore a pair of loose pants and a flowing T-shirt, and her hair was gathered in a loose ponytail at the base of her head. She sat in the chair, one leg curled underneath. When she noticed him, her head jerked up, and she jumped a little.
“Did I wake you up? I’m sorry.” She frowned. Her eyes looked tired and dark circles colored the skin below them. “I needed some tea and nearly dropped my glass.”
“I heard a noise and wanted to make sure everything was okay. What are you doing up at this hour?” He crossed the kitchen to see her computer screen and a client’s website open.
“I’m trying to get caught up.” Mandy smothered a wide yawn with her hand. “Although I’m seeing double at this point.” She rolled her shoulders back.
Preston rested his hands on her shoulders and gently massaged the muscles. They were full of knots. “Baby, you should go to bed and get some rest.” His fingers itched to pull her hair from the band holding it back. He loved the way it flowed around her shoulders. He stamped down the temptation and continued to work her stressed muscles.
“Yeah.” She saved the website she was working on and closed the laptop. After searching through the stack of papers, she pulled out a spiral-bound notebook. “I looked through all the finances again. I hate to do it, but if I let Elise and Jade go, I can take over their jobs. That’ll save us some money right there. Then, if I pick up a few more clients for website work—”
Preston was shaking his head before she finished speaking. “And when are you going to build and maintain these
websites if you’re cleaning the rooms and doing all the cooking for breakfast? At two every morning? Mandy, you work like that, and you’ll make yourself sick. No one can keep that kind of schedule going. Even if you do, will it dig the B&B out of a financial hole?”
Mandy’s silence confirmed what he’d suspected the answer would be. His hands stilled. “The woodworking business is taking off. Did I tell you Mr. Logan called me earlier today and asked for more pieces to put in his store? Apparently, the coasters and paddles are the big sellers. I’m going to make miniature paddles and turn them into key chains.”
“That’s great, Preston.” She turned her head and gave him a tired smile. “You’ve put a lot into your business. You deserve this.”
Preston suppressed a sigh. She still refused to consider anything as “theirs.” He’d been trying to let it go, hoping and praying she’d eventually change her way of thinking. But she was being obstinate about it, one of her personality traits that both made him love her more, and drove him absolutely insane.
He gave her shoulders a final squeeze before letting his hands drop to his sides. “How about we both sit down after church tomorrow and see where we can trim some expenses? Money’s come in with the woodworking, and since we didn’t have to put anything into getting the equipment, that can help balance out what we’re not making with the B&B.”
Mandy’s back stiffened. “There has to be a way. You shouldn’t have to give up your money.”
Her words were like a punch to the chest. When will you see it’s our money? But he said nothing. She wouldn’t change her mind. Certainly not now when she was about to drop from exhaustion. “We won’t find the answers tonight.”
“I know.” She groaned as she stood. “I sometimes wonder if we ever will.”
Preston understood. There were times he wondered the very same thing. He took her hand in his and gently pulled her to her feet. “Come here.” He led her to the living room where he sat on the couch and tugged her down next to him.
When his arms went around her, Mandy snuggled against his chest. Her breathing evened out as she started to relax.
“That’s better.” Preston rested his cheek against her head. “I wish I knew what the answer was. You keep thinking it’s up to you to find it. I’m here too, remember? You’re not alone. We’re not alone. We’ve been so frantic to solve our own problems we haven’t been bringing them to God. Or, at least I know I haven’t.”
Mandy tilted her head back so she could see his face. “You’re right. I haven’t been, either.”
He kissed her forehead then tucked her head against his chest again. “Then that’s what we need to do. Pray. Because there will be an answer. This can’t keep going on. What we need is the wisdom to find the solution.”
God, only You know what the future holds. And only You can see inside Mandy’s heart. She’s hurting and as much as I want to fix things for her, she won’t let me. I want to pray You’ll help her fall in love with me, but what she needs the most is peace. Peace from the pressures she’s putting on herself. Peace from the past actions of her parents she can’t seem to shake. Father, please help her move forward.
~
Mandy and Raven stood back to admire their handiwork. One classroom at the church had been transformed into a baby-themed extravaganza. Pastel-colored banners hung around the room along with cut out pictures of baby bottles, rattles, and pacifiers. On one wall, a piece of twine had been hung up to look like a clothesline and several pink and purple one-piece outfits were attached to it with clothespins.
Two long tables were covered with colorful tablecloths ready for people to sit down and visit. Another table held the snacks Mandy had prepared for the party, and a last table would hold all the gifts. A large box in colorful wrapping paper waited next to the table. Mandy and Raven had gone together and bought Tricia the stroller she had on the baby registry.
Raven brushed her hands off in front of her. “I say we outdid ourselves.”
“I have to agree.” Mandy smiled. “She’ll love it. Oh, and can I say again how glad I am she didn’t want to play a whole bunch of silly baby games?”
“Amen to that, sister.” They both laughed.
Mandy moved to sit down. “I also think we were greatly overestimating how much time we needed to prepare for the party. It’ll probably be at least thirty more minutes before anyone arrives.”
“It’ll give us plenty of time to talk about your hunky husband.” The eye roll Mandy gave her didn’t deter the line of questioning. “How are things going between you? Any more kissing?” Raven’s eyes lit up in amusement.
Mandy thought about Preston. He’d dropped her off at the church before going to visit his parents. She’d text him when the party was over. “You seriously need a love life of your own. You know that, right?”
Raven stuck her bottom lip out in a fake pout. “I’d much rather live vicariously through you.”
Mandy released an exaggerated sigh. “We’re fine. There was more kissing. Things have felt a little different these last few days.” She told Raven about the newest problems with the B&B. “Things are falling apart with the B&B, and I don’t have a clue how to keep things together.”
“Are you guys still keeping everything separate as far as financials go?”
“Yeah.” Mandy frowned. “That’s not what Preston wants to do, though. He’d be willing to bail the B&B out of trouble. But he’s worked all his life for the opportunity to get his own business started. I don’t want him sacrificing it for my mess and then we both end up with nothing to show for it.”
“Did you tell him that?”
“Not in so many words.” She was sure he understood her feelings on the matter. Fairly sure. Maybe. She suppressed a groan. “I don’t see any other way around it. I can’t let the B&B go. It’s all I have left of Papa and Granny. And I can’t let Preston lose everything he’s worked for. So, I have to hope and pray something happens soon to turn things around.”
Footsteps sounded from the hallway and Tricia walked in. The peach-colored dress she wore reached her calves and draped prettily over her extended belly.
The friends all hugged each other as Tricia gushed over the room. “You girls did a beautiful job! I love it!”
Mandy still couldn’t believe her friend was going to be a mom. Tricia was one of the sweetest people Mandy had ever met. And the saying about pregnant women glowing? Tricia was the definition of that.
Tricia and her husband couldn’t wait to meet their baby girl. It often made Mandy wonder if her parents were ever as excited to meet her. Did they get tired of being parents later? Or did their disappointment in parenthood start while Mandy was still in the womb?
This internal line of questioning was quickly putting a damper on Mandy’s spirits. Besides, they were questions she’d never have the answer to. There was no doubt in her mind, though, that Tricia and her husband would be amazing parents.
Guests poured in and before long, the room was bustling. Everyone sampled the treats Mandy brought, and she had the satisfaction of seeing most of them disappear. When it came time to open gifts, Mandy wrote down each item and who had given it to Tricia. They received everything from adorable frilly outfits to a baby bathtub to a diaper bag.
By the time the last guest left, and they’d helped Tricia and her husband, Lars, load up the gifts, and Mandy and Raven had finished cleaning the room up again, Mandy was exhausted. At the same time, she hadn’t thought about the B&B once in the last two hours. The tension seeped back into her body moments after remembering the trouble waiting for her back home. She fought against it, unwilling to stress yet.
Mandy texted Preston to let him know they were nearly done. She and Raven carried the two full trash bags out to the dumpster and walked around to the front of the church just in time to see Preston’s truck enter the parking lot.
“That was fun.” Raven reached over to give Mandy a hug. “So, who do you think will be the next one to have a baby?”
Mandy quirked an eyebrow. “My guess? Tricia again.” They both laughed. “I had a blast. I’ll call you soon, okay?”
Preston parked in a spot nearby and gave them a friendly wave.
“Sounds good.” She nodded toward Preston. “You guys will figure things out.”
“I know. Thanks, Raven.” Mandy gave her friend a hug.
“You’re welcome. When in doubt, kiss the man. That’s bound to help at least a little.” She waggled her eyebrows suggestively and giggled at herself.
“Uh-huh. Good bye, Raven.” Mandy walked around the truck and climbed into the passenger seat. She set the small bag of dishware and a few leftovers from the party on the floorboard. “Hey. How was your visit with your parents?” She squinted against the sun shining through the windshield.
Preston took a pair of sunglasses out of the console and put them on. “It was good. Dad’s got another cold, which worries me. He says it’s not a big deal, but since the kidney transplant, it can get serious fast.”
“Is your mom concerned, too?”
“Yeah, though we’re both trying to not let Dad know.” He chuckled wryly. “It’d stress him out and make it worse. But I asked her to call me if he gets any worse.”
“I sure hope he’s feeling better soon.” Mandy took in the thick, fluffy clouds blanketing the sky in one direction, wondering if it might rain.
“Did Tricia enjoy her baby shower?”
The memory of Tricia laughing among friends and family members brought a smile to Mandy’s face. “She did. It went off without a hitch. I swear Raven and I were the only ones without kids there. The one thing we did instead of games was to have a notebook where every guest wrote down a piece of advice for the new parents. Mine? ‘Don’t call me, I have no idea.’”
Preston laughed heartily at that. “I wouldn’t be much better myself. With no siblings and no cousins in the area, I haven’t had a lot of practice with babies.” He remained quiet for a moment. “I know the kind of situation you grew up in, but did you ever hope to have a family of your own?”
Marrying Mandy (Brides of Clearwater Book 1) Page 12