Just Look Up

by Courtney Walsh

  It would be selfish to say otherwise. “I think you’ll be amazing.”

  “I didn’t know how you’d feel about it,” she said. “But I was thinking we could still spend weekends together? I can come up here or you can come to the city.”

  “Definitely.” But in his heart he knew they’d start off with those good intentions, and then, as happened with so many long-distance relationships, romantic or otherwise, they would eventually grow apart. And all these feelings they had for each other would slowly drift out to sea, taking with them the memories of what they’d shared.

  “You don’t look convinced,” she said. “I actually think we can make this work. I mean, you might have to be willing to text me once in a while.”

  “You know I hate texting.” He smiled, then drew her close and kissed her unapologetically, knowing that while what he really wanted was to keep her with him forever, he had no right to hold her back from what she really wanted.

  Still, it occurred to him that sometimes doing the right thing sure felt wrong.

  Lane did one last walk-through of all the cottages, anxious for the general public to see what they’d been working so hard on. As she closed the door on Mabel, one of the homes in the center of Cedar Grove, she drew in a deep breath of late-spring air.

  Tourist season was just around the corner, and her time here in Harbor Pointe was coming to an end. Though she’d told Julia she needed a few days to think about her offer, the truth was, the second it had come in, Lane knew what she would do. She had never been in the position to negotiate before, but Innovate really wanted her—and she had used that to negotiate a better deal for herself, one that included weekends off.

  Even Brooks had agreed it was a perfect fit, exactly what she’d wanted all this time.

  So why wasn’t she more excited about it?

  The plan for tonight’s open house was to have everyone meet in the adjoining Cedar Grove backyards, which Lane had set up with tables and chairs underneath a large white tent. White lights had been strung in the trees, creating a canopy over the fire pit, which was encircled with several Adirondack chairs. They’d gather together and Ryan would thank everyone for coming; then the visitors would tour the cottages, the goal being to hopefully entice the locals in Harbor Pointe to tell their friends and relatives about a beautiful new community that was perfect for a week away. If enough families booked the cottages every week, everyone would win.

  Lane wanted to see Ryan succeed almost more than she wanted it for herself. Knowing she’d played a small part in his happiness had filled her up enough to last a lifetime. At least that’s what she told herself.

  She, Lindsay, Dottie, and Emily had gone shopping earlier in the week for the perfect party dresses, and though there were moments when Lane still thought she’d been born into the wrong family, she’d begun to feel like a part of the crazy Kelley clan, a part of Harbor Pointe.

  Leaving would be harder than she thought.

  After she’d returned to the model cabin and dressed in her formfitting black-and-white dress, she hurried down the stairs and found Brooks waiting for her in the kitchen. “I’m going to meet the caterer outside and just make sure they set everything up in the right spot.”

  He shook his head. “You don’t get to come in here looking like that and expect to have a normal conversation.”

  She smiled. “You’re looking pretty good yourself.” While he wasn’t exactly clean-shaven, he had cleaned up, and there was no sign of the baseball cap tonight. Instead he wore a pair of gray dress pants and a white button-down shirt with an unknotted tie dangling around his neck.

  “You forget how to tie that thing?”

  “I was hoping you would do it for me.” He grinned as she came closer. She avoided his eyes while she secured the tie around his neck. Once she’d finished, she stepped back and gave him a once-over. “There. Now you look respectable.”

  “Well, that’s a shame.” He tugged her toward him, welcoming her into his arms. She thought about the look in his eyes when she’d told him about the offer from Innovate. She’d assumed he would put up more of a fight, though she supposed it was good he didn’t. Her resolve wasn’t strong, and she was thankful he wanted the best for her.

  Each time he kissed her now, she prayed it wasn’t the last time. Maybe it was naive to think they could overcome long distance, but she couldn’t stand the thought of letting him go.

  His kiss was soft, perfectly placed. His lips had begun to recognize hers and they moved in a rhythm, the kind that accompanied familiarity but would never grow monotonous or mundane.

  She pulled away. “You’re going to make us late.”

  He kissed her again. “I don’t care.”

  She laughed, then headed for the back door and out onto the patio, knowing that in just another couple of days, this view would be nothing more than a fond memory.

  The thought was unwelcome, as was the lump that had formed in her throat.

  She quickly shoved them aside and focused on the caterer, who was nearing the tent. The preparations for the party would be her saving grace tonight, keeping her mind occupied.

  Everything was perfect by the time people began arriving just before 7 p.m. As she stood off to the side and watched Ryan greet the guests, her heart swelled, so gratified was she with the response and with his success. Together they’d created something incredible. No amount of miles between them could take that away.

  Her family arrived, each of them clearly excited for Ryan. Noah had apologized for his outburst at the hospital, and in true Brooks fashion, he’d waved it off as if it were nothing.

  Even Nate showed up, still in a wheelchair, and Lane couldn’t tell if his happiness was for Ryan, because he was with Betsy, or because he was finally out of that hospital bed. Regardless, seeing him there served as a well-placed reminder that life was short and people were what mattered most.

  How had she ever convinced herself otherwise?

  One by one, familiar faces filtered into the tented area, the buzz of excitement thick in the air. So many sought out Lane to thank her for sharing her gifts with Harbor Pointe, which, of course, embarrassed her but made her feel validated at the same time.

  Once the tent had filled, Brooks stood and waited until he had everyone’s attention.

  “I’d like to thank you all for coming tonight,” he said. “We’ve worked so hard to bring this place back to life, and we hope you love it as much as we do. We’ve got tour guides in eleven of the twelve cottages, waiting to take you through and show you just how beautiful these spaces would be for your friends and family who come to visit. Our goal is to show them what we all know to be true—that Harbor Pointe is truly a special place.”

  The crowd applauded.

  “One more thing, since we’re all family here.” He looked at Lane. “I want to thank the beautiful, elegant, and classy Lane Kelley for lending her artistic eye this past month and turning Cedar Grove into this stunning community you see before you.”

  More applause.

  “Once you tour the cottages, feel free to come back here and join us for dinner and dessert.”

  The crowd dispersed, and Lane kept an eye on Brooks as he talked to a guy in a black suit who Lane thought might be one of his investors.

  “Tell me it’s not true.”

  Lane turned and found Chloe standing behind her. “What are you doing here?” She pulled her friend into a tight hug, realizing in that moment just how much she’d missed her.

  “Your beautiful boyfriend texted and asked me to come. I was hoping he was going to ask me out, but he said he was sure you’d want me here, so there went that dream.” Chloe wore an adorable black floral dress that hugged her torso and flared at her hips. It looked like something straight out of another decade. It looked like Chloe.

  Lane laughed. “How are you?”

  “I’m okay. You look wonderful. This small-town, slower-paced-living thing really agrees with you.” They started walking toward the
cottages. “Which is why I’m wondering about a rumor I heard at work the other day.”

  Lane groaned. “Are you going to give me grief about it?”

  “Someone has to. What’s the boyfriend say about all this?”

  “I don’t like the word boyfriend. And he’s fine with it. He thinks I should go.” She caught a glimpse of Brooks, genuine smile on his face, shaking hands with the man in black.

  “Sure he does.” Chloe folded her arms and followed Lane out onto the sidewalk. People zigzagged from cottage to cottage, filling the little community with such excitement, Lane could hardly keep from grinning.

  “I’ve been reading your blog,” Lane said.

  “You have?” Chloe linked her arm through Lane’s.

  “Of course. It seems like it’s going really well, Chloe. You’re going to quit JB Sweet one of these days and become a real entrepreneur.”

  Chloe let out a sigh. “That’s the dream.”

  “Have you been inside any of the cottages yet?”

  Chloe shook her head. “Had to find you first—see if I could knock some sense into you.”

  Lane gave a soft shrug. “This was always going to be temporary, Chlo. You know that. Brooks and I both knew that.”

  “But things change, Lane. Look at you. You’re positively glowing.”

  Lane wished it were true, wished she could be content here, but she never had been before. She’d accepted that she belonged in the city, where she could work for something important. She needed her work. She could hardly further her career or feel a lasting sense of accomplishment in Harbor Pointe.

  “Lane! Oh, Lane!” A small, stout woman Lane recognized as her mother’s old friend Laura Danvers plodded toward them. “Lane Kelley. You simply must come work your magic at my cottage.”

  “Oh, thank you, Mrs. Danvers, but I’m heading back to the city soon.”

  The woman’s shoulders slumped. “I’ve been wanting to redo our cottage for years, and I just never felt the inspiration hit. After walking through these cottages and seeing your work, let me tell you, the inspiration hit.”

  Lane thanked her but quickly moved on, doing her best to avoid Chloe’s knowing stare.

  “You’ve found something really special here, Lane,” Chloe said, slowing her pace.

  Chloe’s words hung in the air between them, begging Lane’s attention, but she shoved them aside. She couldn’t think about what she’d be leaving behind this time—not if she wanted to stay on course.

  “I have to go back, Chloe.” Lane faced her. “You know I do.”

  “But why? There’s nothing left to prove.” Chloe waved her hands toward the beautiful cottage community that had come to feel more like home to Lane than anywhere else she’d ever lived. “Look what you’ve done.”

  Lane fought tears. It would be hard to say good-bye to this place. To Brooks. Even to her crazy family.

  “Lane.” Chloe’s earnest eyes studied her. “It’s okay to want a simple life.” She stood unmoving, her words resounding somewhere at the back of Lane’s mind.

  “I know that,” Lane said, wholly aware it was a lie. Simple had never been on her agenda.

  “You’re not going to change your mind about this, are you?”

  Lane shook her head, unable to ignore the part of her that was saddened by this.

  Chloe put her hands on Lane’s shoulders. “Well, if you decide to start your own design business and relocate to Harbor Pointe, I’d happily quit my job to be your assistant.”

  “Just like that?” Lane couldn’t imagine Chloe leaving Chicago for sleepy Harbor Pointe.

  “Just like that.”

  “You wouldn’t miss the city?”

  Chloe shrugged and let out a harrumph that would’ve suited an old lady. “I’m over it.”

  If only it were that easy.

  If only Lane were that brave.

  CHAPTER

  38

  SATURDAY MORNING, the day after the grand-opening party, Ryan was up before the sun. He wanted to make sure everything was perfect for his guests—especially Lydia and Drum Jr.—who were arriving later that day. If he was honest, he was nervous.

  Cedar Grove practically glowed in the early morning sunlight. It was as if the cool breeze and promise of warmth had been a gift, hand-wrapped just for him. He had been praying that the details of this day would fall into place, even the ones he hadn’t thought of, so why was he surprised to see that they were?

  After a final walk-through of each of the cottages, he saw Lane sitting out on the dock. It was a sight he’d never tire of, having her close enough to touch. And though a part of him thought it would’ve been easier to watch her go back to her old life if he’d never given in to his feelings for her in the first place, another part of him wouldn’t trade their time together for anything in the world.

  He’d prayed about their relationship—confused about why their timing was so off—but he hadn’t been happy with the answers he seemed to be getting.

  Lane had a strong, independent mind of her own—it was one of the many things he loved about her. And as much as he wished things were different, as much as he wanted her to stay, he’d never ask her to give up her dreams for him. What if she resented him for it? He couldn’t live with himself knowing he was the reason she wasn’t doing what she loved.

  Still, he’d miss this view. He’d miss her nearness, her unexpected laugh, her beautiful blue eyes that always seemed to know exactly what he was thinking before he even said a word.

  Man, it was going to be hard to let her go.

  He made his way to the dock, the same place they’d sat together so many times before. She didn’t turn around, though something told him she knew he was there.

  He sat down next to her and took her hand, following her gaze to the skyline, the first rays of the sun now bathing the lake in golden light.

  “I’m going to miss this place,” she said quietly.

  The unshed tears in her eyes made him want to beg her to stay, to promise his life’s mission would be to make her happy. Instead, he wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her close, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. “You’re going to be so amazing, Lane.”

  It killed him to say it. He didn’t want to believe it. He wanted her to live right here in Harbor Pointe so he could see her anytime he felt like it. He wanted to spend every single day with her, stealing kisses in the alley behind Hazel’s on the way to the farmers’ market and dreaming about the kind of life they would create for themselves.

  His heart ached knowing she was leaving later that day.

  “But what about us?” She looked at him.

  He gathered every positive thought he could find and put on a reassuring face. “You said it yourself. We’ll see each other on the weekends. You’ll come back here, and I’ll visit you. We’ll make it work.”

  A tear streamed down her cheek, and he wiped it dry with his thumb.

  “I think we both know that won’t work forever,” she said.

  He didn’t want to have this conversation. Wouldn’t it be easier to face the truth somewhere down the road?

  “Ryan, I don’t want you waiting around here for me.”

  “I’ve waited for you this long,” he said.

  “But how does this end? You’re not going to move to Chicago. I’m not going to move here.”

  “I don’t want to talk about this, Lane. I can’t think about losing you.”

  She reached up and put a hand on his cheek. “You’ll never lose me.” She was talking about loss in the abstract you’ll-always-be-in-my-heart kind of way. That wasn’t good enough for him.

  He liked it better when she was being positive about their relationship. What had happened to that version of this scenario?

  She rose up on her knees and drew him toward her, kissing him with such softness it had to be good-bye.

  He responded to her kiss, pulling her body close. He didn’t know when—or if—he’d get to kiss her again, after all. She
made him feel like he could do anything, and now that he’d seen just a glimpse of what they could be, he didn’t know how he’d manage otherwise.

  How did he exist in a world without her?

  After several minutes, he broke away and saw the tears that had streamed down her face. She didn’t need him to fall apart right now. She needed him to be strong. He wiped her cheeks dry and held her face in his hands, marveling again at her beauty.

  “You’re getting the promotion you finally deserve, Lane. You’re going to blow them all away.”

  Her smile looked forced.

  “I’m excited for you—and so proud. I can’t wait to hear what happens next.”

  “And this place—it’s going to explode, I just know it is.” She kissed him again. “I’m just sorry I won’t be here to see it.”

  He didn’t tell her that his investor from Summers Bay was thrilled with the way Cedar Grove turned out. Just as Ryan had hoped, he’d specifically requested that Ryan and his designer work together to create another cottage community there, to boost tourism the way the investor was sure they’d done in Harbor Pointe. Ryan didn’t want to confuse Lane or seem like he was trying to convince her to do anything but what she’d always wanted to do.

  “You have an open invitation,” he said. “Anytime.”

  They finally stood. She picked up her flip-flops and wrapped her arms around him for one more kiss.

  “I’m really going to miss you,” she said when she pulled away.

  He could tell by the lump in his throat that responding would be unwise, so instead he held her, drew in the scent of her, marked the moment in his mind so he’d never forget how she felt in his arms.

  And then he let her go.

  Lane hadn’t expected leaving Harbor Pointe to be so difficult. She’d been there almost a month, and in that time, something inside her had shifted. When she was with Ryan, half the time she didn’t even have her phone with her. She knew very little about what was going on at JB Sweet, and oddly she didn’t care.

  And not caring felt really good.