Steph sipped her tea and nodded. “I’m not sure she’ll say yes though, Zane. She’s always been fairly clear about how relationships work for her. She’d never rush into anything.”
Zane’s face fell. “That’s what I was worried about. Maybe I’ll leave it a little longer.”
Steph shook her head. “No, I mean, she never will. It’s just not who she is.”
“Really?” Zane pushed his hand through his dark hair. “Wow, okay. I had no idea. I wish she’d said something earlier.” He put his tea down on the coffee table. “I don’t even know what to think now. We’d talked about having kids and everything. I’m not having kids if I’m not married, so that’s never going to work. I guess I need to have a chat with her.”
Steph stared at him. “Hold on. I think you need to backtrack. When you said you wanted to ask me something tonight, what exactly was it?”
“Whether you thought it was too early for me to propose to Asha?”
Steph’s mouth dropped open. “No, yes, I mean, oh my goodness!”
“Okay, now I’m really confused.”
Steph laughed. “I thought you were going to ask her to move in with you. I meant that she wouldn’t live with someone before she was married.”
“Phew!” Zane pretended to wipe his brow. “So it’s not too early to propose?”
Steph thought about it for a moment. “Jenna.”
Zane nodded. “Yes, my next problem.”
“Honestly, I think it would be good if you waited. This is Jenna’s limelight at the moment. The engagement party’s only a few weeks away. Could you wait until after then?”
“Yes, I thought you’d say that. It was what I was thinking, but I’m dying to ask her. I love her so much, Steph. I can’t believe how lucky I am to have found her.”
Steph blinked back tears. She was so happy for her sister. “You know this would make us brother and sister if you guys got married.”
Zane grinned. “I already think of you as my sister. Jenna’s amazing, but you and I click on a different level. You understand what I’ve been through.”
“Not really,” Steph objected. “And I hope I’d never find myself in that situation.”
“You know what I mean, though. You understand that as much as I want to forget about the holdup, I can’t. It haunts me, and I have no idea whether I’ll ever get over it or not.”
Steph nodded. It was how she felt about the accident. She doubted she’d ever be able to forget the look on Holly’s face before the car took her into the depths of the lake. The question was whether she’d ever be able to live in peace with it.
“This is so exciting,” Steph said. “At least you’ve got plenty of time to plan your proposal.”
Zane grinned. “And buy a ring. Would you help me do that?”
“Of course.” Excitement rose within Steph at the thought of Zane proposing to Asha. “I know exactly what Asha would like.”
“You have to promise you won’t say anything to her.”
“I’ll be too busy planning the yoga studio and keeping an eye on Matt,” Steph said. “You don’t have to worry about me letting anything slip.” She frowned. “One thing though. Are you going to speak to Dad first?”
Zane nodded. “Definitely. I just wanted to get your feel on the timing. If you’d said go for it, I would be chatting with your dad tomorrow and asking his permission. But I agree, I don’t want to upstage Jenna, so there’s no rush.”
Steph sipped her tea, unable to keep the smile from her face. Only a few weeks earlier, Asha was unsure of her future with both her business and her relationship. Now, she had an exciting business venture and the love of an amazing man. Steph couldn’t be happier for her.
6
Buster tossed and turned for most of the night following his visit to Eve. He wasn’t sure how he thought he’d feel after seeing her, but it wasn’t like this. Guilt seeped through him. He’d let her down so badly. How was it he hadn’t questioned her behavior after Holly was born? She’d changed so much. Become someone difficult to live with, yet never once had he considered something like postpartum depression. When he’d returned from the prison, he’d spent two hours googling. Eve’s behavior fit the diagnosis perfectly.
He’d buried his face in his hands and cried until there were no tears left to shed. He’d failed Eve, and he’d failed Holly. He was not fit to be anyone’s husband or father. He’d proven that to both of them. To think Eve was the one trying to apologize to him when it was him who owed her an apology. Eventually, he’d taken himself to bed, exhausted from the emotional upheaval of the day. He’d fallen asleep quickly, but he woke only an hour later from a nightmare and then struggled to sleep the rest of the night.
He climbed out of bed at seven and stood under the jets of the shower for a long time, trying to wake himself. His eyes were bloodshot, and he looked like he’d had a big night out. He hadn’t drunk anything or eaten for that matter when he’d returned from visiting Eve, and he looked terrible. He had meetings with Travis and then with Asha and Charlie at Hope’s Ridge that morning. He’d need to stop at the pharmacy before he drove to Hope’s Ridge and get some eye drops. He couldn’t face clients looking like this.
His phone rang as he thought about making himself some coffee and toast. Cora’s name flashed on the screen. He hesitated before answering the call.
“Henry, it’s Cora.”
“How are you?”
“Oh, love, I wanted to thank you. I spoke with Eve last night. She was like a different person. Whatever you said to her has given her the will to live. I’m so grateful.”
Buster swallowed the lump that formed in his throat. “You shouldn’t be thanking me. I let Eve down. I see that now. I wish I’d realized how Holly’s birth impacted her.”
“Love, we all let her down. None of us realized. I’m her mother. I should have known. Gosh, I had a friend with postpartum depression, and I still didn’t pick it. Eve’s talking about it now, but she hid it well back then. We can’t turn back time, as much as we’d all love to be able to, and you’re not to blame.”
“I appreciate you saying that, Cora.” Buster did, even if he didn’t believe her.
“Eve said you’re going back on Holly’s birthday to see her.”
“I am,” Buster said. “It’s the one day of the year we should be together.”
Cora fell silent for a moment.
“Did you want to come with me?” Buster asked.
“No. I will visit Eve, but not on Holly’s birthday. I know it’s selfish, but I just can’t. It’s too hard. Holly was so precious and regardless of the circumstances…” She stopped talking. “I won’t continue, but I do appreciate that you’ll be there for her. Now, I’d better let you get to work. I just wanted to say thank you.”
Buster ended the call, not sure how to feel. He was glad his visit to Eve had made a difference, but he was also aware that he could have made a difference many months ago. Instead, he’d completely abandoned her. He took a deep breath and flicked on the coffee machine. He was going to need a lot of help to get through the day.
An hour later, Buster sat across from Travis. The concern on his business partner’s face was evident.
“I think you should cancel your meetings today. You look terrible.”
Buster smiled. “No sugarcoating it.”
Travis shook his head, and at the same time, Jodi knocked gently on the door.
“Eye drops for Buster.” She handed him a package.
“Thanks, Jodi, but you didn’t need to get them.”
Jodi shook her head. “Put some in now, drink your coffee, and you should be good to go in about thirty minutes.”
“See?” Buster said to Travis. “I’ll be fine.”
Travis nodded, still unconvinced. “What’s the deal with this Heat Wave project? I was speaking to Matt, and it sounds like it’s something he’s going ahead with. He wants us to do the plans and construction.”
“It just happened,” Buster
said. “The sale goes through today, I think, so he’ll probably want to meet up next week.”
“I assume you’re stepping aside with this one?” Travis said. “If you’re leaving the business, it doesn’t make sense to take this job on.”
“No, it doesn’t.”
“But?” Travis sensed his hesitation.
“But, I kind of promised Asha and Zane that I would look out for Steph’s interests. Make sure Matt doesn’t do anything underhanded.”
“What does that mean for your timing of leaving here?”
“I don’t know at the moment. Is that okay? A lot is going on all of a sudden. Yesterday left me drained, and no sleep doesn’t help. Can I think about it and get back to you next week?”
“Of course. There’s no rush to make a decision. The longer you’re here, the better, from my perspective, but if you decide to leave suddenly, I want to make sure I have enough time to replace you. With what we already had in the schedule, plus these new Hope’s Ridge jobs, it’s going to be busy. Speaking of Hope’s Ridge, has the Sandstone Cafe reopened?”
“It opens today. I’ve scheduled my meeting with Charlie and Asha there.”
Travis frowned. “Really? How did that suggestion go down?”
Buster laughed. “I put it to them that they should be checking out the competition. I want to support Ryan and Margie and hopefully show everyone that we can all work together, rather than being fiercely competitive.”
Travis rolled his eyes. “You are aware that Matt owns the Sandstone Cafe?”
Buster nodded.
“Fiercely competitive is his middle name. I hope for your sake he’s not there this morning, or I can guarantee your meeting won’t go well.”
❖
Steph found it hard to believe it was Bodhi’s last day at Heat Wave. He’d removed all of his possessions and at four o’clock would be teaching his last class. She’d hugged him as soon as she’d arrived that morning.
“I’m going to miss you so much.”
“And me you,” Bodhi said. “And this place.”
“I hope it turns out to be a good move for you.”
Bodhi sighed. “I’m sure it will be. It’ll be good for Mom, and that’s the most important thing. She’s done so much for Becca and me. It’s time we gave something back. Now, are you meeting with the lawyers today to discuss your agreement with Matt?”
Steph nodded. “Yes, at the Sandstone Cafe. It reopens today, and Matt asked us to meet there at ten. It will be a good chance to wish Ryan and Margie well too. I still haven’t seen Margie, have you?”
“No, but I haven’t had any reason to go into town, so there’s no reason I would have seen her. What about Ryan?”
Steph hadn’t seen him, but he had contacted her and invited her out to dinner. She’d declined. She needed to speak to him, make sure he realized she wasn’t interested in anything but friendship. She didn’t want to give him the wrong idea. “No, I haven’t seen him.”
Bodhi glanced at the clock. “You’d better get going if your meeting’s at ten. It’ll take you at least twenty minutes to walk there, unless you’d like me to drive you?”
Steph immediately shook her head. “I’ll walk, I could use the fresh air.”
Bodhi touched her arm. “Maybe you should think about driving again soon.”
Steph pulled her arm back. “What? Why?”
“Because it’s holding you back. What are you going to do when it’s freezing and raining?”
“Exactly what I have been doing. Wear a coat and carry an umbrella.”
“Pushing through something like your fear of driving and being in the car more frequently could help you.” Bodhi held up his hands to stop Steph from objecting. “It’s just a suggestion, nothing more.”
“Let’s go with the nothing more,” Steph said. “Now, I’d better go. If I don’t see you beforehand, I’ll be back for your last class.”
Bodhi nodded. “See you at four.”
Steph did her best to push Bodhi’s suggestion of her overcoming her fear of driving from her mind as she wound her way through the backstreets of Hope’s Ridge to the lake trail. She followed it around the lake until it met the populated area of Lake Drive and Main Street. She could see the streamers decorating the Sandstone Cafe as she approached. Music was playing, and a huge menu board stood out the front. She smiled to herself; they were up and running.
She walked through the large arched doorway and into the cafe, her eyes instantly drawn to the walls. The previous owner had decorated with small black and white images. Large, vibrant abstract works of art replaced them. Pieces that were very clearly Ryan’s work. Steph sucked in a breath as her eyes traveled from one piece to the next.
“Like what you see?”
Steph turned to find Ryan grinning at her.
“It looks amazing. Your artwork completely changes the feel of the cafe. It was lovely before, but kind of sleepy. Now it feels vibrant and full of life.” She reached forward and hugged him. “Well done, and congratulations on the opening.”
“Come and say hi to Margie,” Ryan said, pulling out of her embrace. “She’s been a bit hesitant about seeing everyone again, but she’s going to need to get used to it.”
Steph followed him across the cafe floor to the service area. Mouth-watering cakes and individual slices filled a large glass display unit.
“Margie,” Ryan called through to the kitchen.
Moments later, his sister appeared. She smiled shyly at Steph.
She was a year younger than Steph and yet looked so much older. Her smile was warm and genuine, but lines etched her mouth and forehead. A testament to the stress she’d been through.
“Margie! It’s so good to see you. It’s been years.”
Margie nodded. “It has. Can I get you some coffee or something to eat?”
“I’ll wait until Matt arrives if that’s okay. We’re meeting with the lawyers to discuss a few things.”
“Looks like you aren’t the only ones having a meeting.” Ryan nodded toward the door.
Steph turned to see Asha and Charlie entering the cafe. She almost laughed. They were the last two people she expected to be frequenting the cafe on its opening day…or any day.
“This is a surprise,” Steph said. “It’s lovely to see you again, Margie. Hopefully, we can catch up properly when you’re not working.”
Margie nodded noncommittally.
Steph turned back to Asha and Charlie, who were now seated by one of the windows overlooking the shoreline. She walked over to them.
“I wasn’t expecting to see either of you in here.”
“Checking out the competition,” Asha said. “And we have a meeting.”
“Who’s looking after the food truck?”
“Orla. Just for an hour, so Buster had better hurry up.”
Buster? Steph’s stomach flipped. She took a deep breath, wishing it would stop doing that.
Charlie tutted. “Why he couldn’t have made the meeting at your premises I don’t know. This seems very unnecessary.”
“It’s a good opportunity to support Ryan and Margie,” Steph said. “Their cakes look delicious, by the way. You’ll need to try them all for market research.”
“Exactly.” Buster’s deep voice greeted them.
Steph turned to him, her smile slipping as she took in his tired eyes and drawn cheeks. It reminded her that he’d met with his ex-wife the previous day. By the looks of him, she could only assume it hadn’t gone well. She wanted to take him in her arms and hug him, tell him everything would be okay. She gave herself a mental shake. Where had that come from? He’d think she was crazy if she suddenly did that.
“Come and sit down,” Charlie said. “We have lots to discuss, and Asha has to get back to her food truck in an hour.”
“I’ll leave you to it,” Steph said. “But Buster, could I talk to you once you’ve finished this meeting?”
Buster nodded. “Sure. Matt’s asked me to join the two of yo
u once I’ve finished here, so we can talk then or once you’ve finished with Matt. Whatever works for you.”
Steph didn’t elaborate, just smiled and left them to their meeting.
❖
Buster could feel Steph’s agitation as he discussed plans for Heat Wave with her and Matt. He’d had to laugh when Matt had arrived at the cafe and immediately came over to welcome, or possibly antagonize, Asha and Charlie. The teasing had appeared to be good-natured, and he’d insisted their coffee and cakes were complimentary. Charlie, however, had refused to accept his generosity, paying the bill and leaving an enormous tip just to make a point, Buster imagined. Matt had just laughed and called out to Ryan and Margie that they shouldn’t worry about Matt’s popularity, or lack of, affecting sales. If Charlie was anything to go by, they’d be raking in the tips.
Matt and Steph were engrossed in an animated discussion when Buster joined them. Matt had explained that they were ironing out the details of their agreement before meeting with the lawyers after lunch. Steph had announced she was also getting advice from a second lawyer. If this had surprised Matt, he hadn’t reacted. Instead he agreed that it was a good idea. “I want you to be a hundred percent invested in our partnership, Steph. If you’ve got doubts, or a lawyer points out something that’s not going to work for you, then we should find that out now. I don’t want any surprises down the line, and I’m sure you don’t either.”
Now the conversation had turned to what could be done with the existing properties, what the council laws for building on the land were, and the anticipated budget Matt had.
“Some ballpark figures are good for me to get a feel for the size of the project,” Buster said. “I’ve had a quick look at the cottages on the property, and they’re pretty basic. Solid structures, but if you’re targeting an upscale crowd for your retreats, they’re going to need considerable work to bring them up to a suitable standard.” He pulled out some papers and passed one to each of them. “This is a very rough budget per renovation. It’s purely to give you a starting point and something to think about.”
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