by Lily Kate
“She’s in the dining room,” Luca says, in one of his surprising full-sentence offerings. “They’re ready for you.”
I nod a thank-you to him and skip past Jax who, I realize, has bothered to throw on a button up over his normal T-shirt and jeans for the occasion. He gives me a quick raise of the eyebrows and nods toward the back, to the cozy little table in the corner that Claire prefers.
I make my way toward the snug little spot. It’s drenched in sunlight and has views that span across the nearby river and into the trees beyond. The fall colors are bright and popping this season, vibrantly setting the stage for beautiful lunchtime views.
“Claire,” I say, greeting the older woman with a double kiss to her cheeks. “It’s so good to see you! Why didn’t you tell us you were stopping by? We would’ve prepared something a little more special to celebrate.”
Claire waves a hand, her silver-white hair bright under the morning sun. Her blue eyes are paler than I remember, and her wrinkles are a bit deeper. Even her smile is a shade lighter than before, though a sense of contentment over everything gives her a more relaxed aura.
“No need to prepare anything special for me,” she says, her voice distinct in its smooth raspiness. “I like the day-to-day at this inn. It’s what guests like, too.”
I take the seat next to Emily, which prompts Jax to bring over a pot of tea and dainty china cups all around. He flips over a timer to let the tea steep as the three of us ladies finish up with the formal niceties.
“I won’t fool you by saying I’m just popping in to check on the business,” Claire says, stirring sugar into her second cup of tea. “I know you’re smarter than that.”
Jax has brought over a nifty little breakfast spread, but my stomach is doing so many flip flops I don’t trust myself to eat anything except a bit of toast. “What does bring you here?”
Emily, too, nibbles absently at some eggs as she waits for Claire to respond. The older woman takes her time, circling her hands around her teacup as she looks us in the eyes. “You girls know I trust you implicitly—hence the reason I hired you to run this place. It really is your inn, you know, I’ve simply supplied the financing.”
“It wouldn’t be an inn without financing,” I tell her. “Emily and I would be running a barn without your help.”
“Yes, well,” she says, and there’s a shake to her hand. “As you can see, I’m getting older. I have a lot of properties in town, and—”
Emily’s spoon clatters to the plate. “You’re selling the inn.”
“No,” she says, and then rephrases. “Not yet.”
Emily’s face goes pale, and I force myself to remain calm. We’d discussed this in the past, she and I. We both knew there would come a day when Claire couldn’t continue on with the inn, and we’d both agreed to work toward saving the funds needed to buy this place when the time came.
The problem is that the time can’t be now. We’re years away from saving up enough—we thought we’d have at least five to ten more good years of Claire’s support before we had to worry about it, and by then, the missing difference could be covered with a loan.
“The bookstore,” she says, nodding across the street. “I have an offer on it, and I’m considering taking it.”
“But, Julia,” Emily gasped. “Will the new owners keep the bookstore?”
“I don’t know. I’d hate to lose Julia; she’s such a wonderful employee. I feel so guilty, girls, but I’m getting older, and I can’t hold onto these properties forever,” she says with the slightest flinch. “My third grandson arrived a few weeks ago, and I haven’t been out to visit him yet. That’s not acceptable.”
“I’m sorry, Claire,” I tell her, and I mean it. The woman has been a godsend to us, and she’s kind to the bone. “We know how much you love this town, and your businesses, and we understand it’s hard to let go.”
“I wasn’t planning to sell anything so early, and I hated to do it, but it just wasn’t pulling in a profit. To top it off, I’ve been feeling guilty about how much time I’m still spending working...” Claire’s hands fall open. “I’ll be seventy soon enough. I need to be sitting on a porch somewhere, not discussing buyouts over lunch.”
I give her a smile. “You’re pretty incredible, I hope you know that.”
She gives a quick shake of her head. “That’s not true, but you’re kind to say it.”
“Of course you are,” Emily agrees. “And we’ll support your decision. Do you know who made the offer?”
Her mouth puckers up. “I do, but I’m hesitant to say too much. I’m supposed to have a meeting this week with the interested buyers. I may very well say no to them, but I didn’t want you girls to be blindsided. If the offer is too good to refuse...I might say yes.”
“And Julia?” Emily presses. “What will happen to her?”
Claire considers the woman who runs the bookstore. “I’ve been wondering if we might not have an extra job for her here.”
I glance to Emily, and her look mirrors mine. We don’t have room in the budget for another employee, but I don’t want to upset Claire.
“Maybe something part time with Lelia,” I offer. “We could start there, and see...”
“It’s not your responsibility to fret,” Claire says. “Who knows if anything will happen at all? I’ve always kept you girls informed of my plans, and I wanted to be upfront with you both.”
“We appreciate that,” I say, and Emily echoes the sentiment. “Let us know if we can help, or if you want us at that meeting.”
“Thank you,” Claire says, pulling herself to her feet. Sure enough, she’s moving slower now than before, and I’ll have to remind Mila that next time she sees Claire, she can’t bowl her over with one of her normal bear hugs. “This place is sparkling. Thank you for the brilliant work. Oh!” She holds up her finger as if she’s forgotten something. “I noticed you had the popcorn machine fixed. I’m so glad—it’s been on the fritz for years.”
Emily gives me a knowing stare, and it’s all I can do not to swallow my tongue. “Yep,” I say. “No problem.”
Emily rolls her eyes in the background, but recovers by the time she speaks again. “Will you be staying with us on this trip?
“I’ll be staying at the house,” Claire says with a wink. “You know where to reach me if you need. Also, I’m hoping to see you both at the Halloween party.”
“Of course,” I tell her. “We’ll be there.”
Emily and I watch as she eases into her sleek Lexus. She waves before pulling out of the driveway.
“She’s older,” Emily says. “Definitely older.”
“Do you think the inn will be next?”
“I don’t know.” I can hear the tightness in Emily’s chest. “I sure hope not. That could change everything.”
“Poor Julia,” I say, glancing across the street. “I wish we could hire her on here.”
“Me too,” Emily says. “Though it doesn’t help much if the inn goes next, does it?”
Thankfully, the phone behind the reception desk rings, and without thinking, I reach over and answer it. “Lilac Inn, this is Maggie,” I say. “How can I help you?”
“Maggie...” There’s an inhalation of breath. “Margaret Marshall?”
“Yes,” I say, frowning and turning away from Emily. “Can I help you?”
There’s a few quick breaths, and then the dial tone.
“That was weird,” I tell Emily. “A woman asked for me and then hung up.”
“Happens all the time,” Emily says. “They forget their credit card, or whatever, and then call back.”
As if on cue, the phone rings again, and this time, Emily answers. “Go shower,” she whispers. “You smell like a man.”
I leave Emily to deal with the mystery caller, wondering who would’ve addressed me as Margaret. On the website, I go by Maggie. Someone I know? I wonder.
“Yes, sir,” Emily says on the line. “We do have availability those dates.”
; It’s not until I reach the shower that I realize Emily called the person on the phone Sir. The voice I’d talked to was most definitely female. I shake it off and climb under the hot water. As I wash my hair and let my worries slide down the drain with the shampoo, I wonder if Tyler Daniels is also thinking about the next night we’ll have together.
Though I hate to admit it, now that I’ve gotten the full view of Tyler’s smoking hot dad bod, I need more.
Chapter 24
MAGGIE
It’s a few days later before I’m finally feeling back to normal. After several days of brief interactions and too-short glimpses of Tyler’s gorgeous smile, I’m ready to see him again. Alone.
I’ve been thinking of Tyler Daniels during every waking moment and dreaming of him while I sleep. It’s all I can do not to reach out and grasp him every time we pass in the hallway. I don’t know what’s come over me, but it’s working; I feel more alive than ever.
Luckily, we have a date tomorrow, thanks to the girls. The canoe trip Tyler promised if the girls didn’t get along is set for Saturday afternoon, and the fact that today is Friday has me whistling through my chores.
“You’re peppy,” Emily says. “Anything to do with seeing Mr. Dad of the Year tomorrow?”
I shrug. “Maybe, maybe not.”
“I offered to stay with Mila last night if you wanted to go over there.”
“I can’t always be the desperate one.” I hiss as I fold the laundry and Emily pours herself a second glass of wine. “We’ve barely had a chance to talk all week. How would it look if I showed up at his door with a bottle of wine?”
“Uh, like heaven?” Emily gives me a blank stare. “I mean, he’s a man. He’s probably thinking about what happened the other night and trying not to seem too eager to get back into your pants. You know, manners and shit.”
“Manners and shit.” I frown. “I wish he’d just say that, you know?”
Emily raises her glass. “Amen, sister.”
“Is it...wrong of me to be enjoying this so much?”
“What are you talking about? You’re both single, at least one of you has been on a sex fast for most of your adult life, and you guys have more chemistry than a high school science lab.”
“Yes, but...don’t you think it’s dangerous? We both have kids involved. If things go south...what will it mean for Mila and Jess? Tyler could decide to return to New York tomorrow.”
“He could.”
“And then what?”
Emily stares at me for a long moment. “Don’t tell me you’re thinking of going with him.”
“I’m not.” I hesitate. “I mean, not seriously. My life is here, my family, you’re here, my job...”
“You’re seriously thinking about it.”
I raise my eyebrows at her in answer.
“You can’t leave us!”
“I’m not! I just...Tyler is talking about marriage.”
“No wonder you’re whistling like Tweety Bird.” Emily cracks a smile. “Don’t look so dumbfounded, though, Maggie. You’re a catch—he’s probably not wasting any time because he’s thinking he wasted enough time over the last decade, so why not go for what he wants?”
“Maybe.”
“I mean, it’s not often a man gets another chance at a woman he let slip through his fingers.” She stands, tossing a stray sock onto the bed as she drains her wine. “Why don’t you go over there tonight? I’ll kick back and watch a movie with Mila.”
“Uh, he has Jess,” I tell her. “And it’s not happening. We don’t need to rush things.”
I don’t realize I’ve drifted off into a daydream until Emily snaps her fingers. “Earth to Maggie—I’m folding all the towels, here, while you’re in La-La land.”
“Sorry.”
“It’s fine! I just want you to be careful. Make sure he’s going to stand behind what he says; if he makes you fall in love and then breaks your heart again...”
“I know. That’s precisely why I’m not going to fall for him. Not so soon,” I correct at Emily’s stare. “We’ll see how long he can handle this town. If he doesn’t last a month, at least we’ll know we tried.”
“I think I hear Mila calling for you,” Emily says. “I’m going to head out. Let me know if you need anything.”
“I told her to clean her room,” I say with a roll of my eyes. “I’m sure she’s trying to get out of it.”
“Well, you know where I’ll be.” Emily strolls toward the door but, on second thought, she returns for the bottle of wine and a glass. She swipes them both up and waves the bottle at me. “Call if you need anything. You’re looking at my Friday night right now.”
After locking up behind Emily, I head to Mila’s room, my arms folded across my chest as I steel myself to play the tough-mom-card. Mila’s upset because I wouldn’t let her go over to a friend’s house tonight because she hadn’t cleaned her room all week.
I’d asked her to do so over one hundred and three times. She didn’t listen, which means she’s stuck home on Friday night, picking up books and Barbies and clothes instead of eating cake with her friend. I know, I’m horrible.
“Mila?” I ask, my heart breaking as I see her sitting on the bed, soft sobs wracking her shoulders. “Mila, I’m sorry that I made you stay in tonight, but honey, do you understand why?”
I inch over toward the bed, wanting to pull her close and apologize. Equally, I want her to grow into a mature, responsible adult who realizes there are consequences to her actions. The only problem is that sometimes, playing the police-mom is hard. I’ve always hated being the bad guy.
“Mila, you know I love you very much, right?” I put my hand on her knee and rub it back and forth. “No matter what, I’ll always love you. You can tell me anything. I’m sorry about Andrea’s house tonight, but we talked about this. You had all week to clean your room, and look at this mess.”
Mila plays hard, a fact that I love about her, but it does have its downsides. Like the fact that the floor is invisible under the sea of stuffed animals, and I’d almost broken an ankle this morning stepping on a Barbie Jeep.
I try to remind myself that she could’ve cleaned up instead of watching TV last night, or worked on it this morning instead of playing jokes on Jax over breakfast. She’d chosen not to, hence the reason we are sitting here on a Friday night. All the logic in the world, however, doesn’t ease the pain of watching my daughter cry.
“Mila, I understand you’re upset about Andrea,” I continue, “but it’s important—”
“It’s not about Andrea!” Her small voice arrives as a shriek. “I don’t care about Andrea’s house.”
“Oh, okay. Well, then why are you crying, sweetie?”
Mila shakes, trembling, her face scrunching into a pained little ball. It breaks all the resolve I have left and, after kicking Barbie Jeep across the room, I scoot on the bed next to her. “Talk to me, honey. You know I love you. Tell me what’s wrong.”
“This.” Mila reaches next to her on the bed, and I see a piece of paper sitting there. I missed noticing it in my single-minded focus on my daughter. “Our stupid test.”
“Oh, honey. It’s okay. I already knew about that.” I pick up the exam with marks taken off from the day when she and Jess had gotten in trouble during the quiz. “You learned your lesson, didn’t you? One bad grade isn’t going to ruin everything.”
When Mila doesn’t respond, I pick the paper up and study it.
“Are you sad about this?” I press. “It’s okay. We’ll study together for the next one.”
“It’s not the bad grade,” she says. She peers at me through watery eyes, a hopeless expression there that kills me. “I lied.”
“About what?”
“Do you promise you’ll still love me?”
I wrap her in my arms. “No matter what. You’ll always be my baby, Mila. You can talk to me about anything.”
“Jess didn’t want to talk to me. She was...she helped me on the test.”
&nb
sp; “What do you mean?”
“She let me peek at her paper. I didn’t know some of the answers and Jess knew that, so she let me look at hers. Then, my teacher caught us. Jess didn’t want to do it. She only got in trouble because of me.”
“Oh, Mila.” I don’t know quite what to say. “Thank you for being honest. It’s okay—hey, honey, we’ll sort this out.”
Mila’s sobs wrack her shoulders until her eyes are red and her voice is nearly gone. “I’m sorry, mom. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay, honey, it’s okay. But you’re not going to do it again, are you?”
Mila shakes her head.
“We’ll study harder for the next one, you and me. In the meantime, I think Jess might be owed an apology.”
“Yeah, I suppose.” Mila nods. “Mom? Why didn’t she say anything in the principal’s office?”
I give her a crooked smile. “Sometimes, friends watch out for each other. Being honest is important. But Jessica probably didn’t want you to get in trouble alone.”
“Jessica is my friend?”
“Sure sounds like it to me. But I do think you owe her an apology.”
“Yeah,” Mila says, softly. “I guess so.”
“I’ll tell you what. I’ve got some brand-new ice cream in the freezer. Let’s grab it and head on over there—we’ll bring it as a peace offering.”
“What if Jess doesn’t like me anymore?”
“You can only apologize and try to be the best friend that you can be. The rest is up to her.”
She considers this for a moment. “Ice cream is probably a good start. Also, she likes Jax’s chocolate chip cookies. Can we make some for her?”
I pull her close and kiss her forehead. “Now you’re thinking like a great friend.”
As Mila pulls away, excited, I catch my heart beating just a little bit faster at the thought of seeing Tyler tonight, if only for a few minutes.
For Mila’s sake, I hope Jess forgives her and the two move forward and become friends.
For my sake, I hope Tyler and I can be friends, too...or more.