by Lori Whyte
"Ready?" Aiden asked.
Mason shot him a dark look. Then he took Anna's hand in his. "Are you sure about this? I can stay with you at the hospital for the next few days, then we can all return to Sanctuary together. Aiden can make arrangements for the dog. You don't have to—"
She silenced him with a quick peck on the lips. "Thank you, Mason, for all that you've done. You've been amazing through this, really."
And then she ran for the door.
TWENTY-FIVE
Anna shoved a box on the floor in Ryan's spare bedroom. All of her possessions were now stowed in sturdy cardboard boxes. Packing and moving hadn't been easy, but at least her injured arm was almost back to full strength. But that wasn't the problem now. It didn't matter how many times she rearranged that heap, they still didn't fit in here. It didn't even look like much. Not a lifetime's worth of memories and belongings.
But it was.
They just didn't belong here.
She squeezed her eyes shut. Suck it up. This isn't about you. Her whole focus was about Ryan now. He would need help while getting used to his new life and she needed to be busy. With something. Anything.
And the inn was too full of memories for her to stay there.
Good and bad.
Besides, Mason hadn't dropped his surprise on her yet, and she couldn't just sit there and wait for her world to crumble. He might think that the inn wasn't worth anything except the value of the land, but she didn't need to hear about his plans or the plans of whoever he'd sell to either. She didn't want to see all of her and Viv's dreams knocked down by a demolition ball.
The bank had turned her down. She read between the lines of the conversation. Essentially it all came down to her lack of capital and the condition of the building. Her business plan hadn't been good enough, but she couldn't think of any way to improve it. She'd told them her vision and they'd rejected it.
She sat on the edge of the bed and stared at the boxes. Jonesy pushed his nose into her hand and wagged his tail. She patted him absently and let her mind go through her internal checklist again. What had she forgotten?
She didn't even know anymore.
The pamphlet had said it'd take anywhere from a few months to a year for Ryan's new normal to establish. All of that time would be filled with tough therapy and training. He hadn't healed as well as the doctor had expected after the surgery, so they could only hope the rest of his recovery would go more smoothly.
Her phone rang. Call display announced the caller was Ryan.
"So, what did the doctor say today?" Please let this be good news finally.
"They're letting me out for good behavior," he joked.
"Thank God."
He'd been in the hospital for a week longer than first expected. Complications. So he was up in the city all that time, all by himself.
She should have stayed there instead of bolting. Mason had been right. They could have found someone to look after Jonesy. Her chest tightened. God, it'd been a long time since she'd seen Mason.
"I'll jump in my truck and be there as soon as I can," she said.
"Hell, no. I'm not getting bounced around in that wreck you call a truck. Not all the way back to Sanctuary."
His words stung, even if he had ended his refusal on a laugh.
"But…"
"Don't worry. I've got it covered."
"You aren't taking a bus, are you? Honestly, I can—"
"No bus," he said. "Oh, I gotta go. See you in a while."
She stared at the phone and new tears rose in her eyes. She wiped them away angrily. Just because she thought she should have been the one to pick him up from the city, it was good that he was laughing… good that he was making plans.
The pamphlet had warned about depression.
God. Maybe she'd had her own amputation. There seemed to be a gigantic aching gash in her chest where her heart used to live. And she definitely showed signs of depression.
She ached at the mere thought of Mason. How could she have thought leaving him in the city would be easy? How could she have fooled herself that she could sleep with him and walk away?
But obviously that had been okay for him. He hadn't come for her or called her.
At least she hadn't told him that she loved him… so she'd saved herself from being laughed at all over again. But that was only one small consolation.
Everywhere she looked she saw him. God. Even the glimpse of an egg carton in the fridge made her weepy because it reminded her of their last morning together. And everyone in town whispered about her behind their hands. Pity, just like she'd projected, filled every look cast her way.
Even Betty at the diner comped her supper the other night. Betty never gave away anything more expensive than a coffee refill… certainly not a full meal.
But they'd get over it. Some other bit of gossip would erupt soon and drag everyone's eyes away from her. She just had to endure it until that happened. Until then, she would just avoid going back to town.
She spent the next several hours cleaning Ryan's place. It gave her something to do while she waited for him to get here. She didn't even know how long he'd take. He was later than he should have been if he'd left right away. But he hadn't actually said he had to get off the phone because his ride was there.
Who was his ride? Was he taking a taxi? Please let it not be Mason…
God. Mason was chauffeuring him, wasn't he?
That was okay. Ryan and Mason were friends. She could handle this.
She and Mason were friends too. It'd be okay.
Just friends.
But… if he was coming, she couldn't look and smell like a dirty dishrag. When was the last time she'd showered? She couldn't remember. Moving was a messy business. It had nothing to do with the strange emotional paralysis she'd been fighting since she'd returned to Sanctuary.
She'd just stepped out of the shower when she heard her cell ringing. Her first thought went to Ryan. Something had happened.
She bolted through the house and grabbed her phone on the third ring.
"What?"
"I'm almost home. Just thought I'd give you a head's up. Get cleaned up—"
"What makes you think I'm not clean?"
"Mrs. Schultz called me earlier to say that she thought a vagrant was squatting in my house."
No wonder she was getting pitying looks in town. Had she really looked that bad?
"I was moving boxes," she muttered. "You get dirty when you move."
"Don't shoot the messenger," he said. "Get cleaned up and meet me outside in fifteen."
"Hey, you never said who you caught a lift with."
"Drew," Ryan said. "You should see his ride. It's sweet. I knew I should have gotten into computers."
Not Mason.
Right.
"See you in a few," he said.
She took a deep breath and trudged to her room. It would be easier to see Drew than Mason. She wasn't sure she'd be able to handle seeing him again. Everything seemed too raw.
Yes. Drew was much better.
She threw on a T-shirt with wide sleeves that she could get around her sore arm without bending it too much and pulled on some yoga pants. If she saw Mrs. Schultz, maybe she'd do a spin so the old lady could inspect her clothing and see if she was still in vagrant territory. Then she went to sit outside on the front step.
She couldn't wait to see Ryan.
For the first time in a week, the smile on her face didn't feel fake.
TWENTY-SIX
Mason stood on the lawn in front of the inn and had never felt more nervous in his life. He stuck his hand in the pocket of his jeans to wipe the sweat off his palm without anyone being the wiser. Aiden smirked at him, like he knew what he was doing.
He forced his gaze away from the gate. They would be here soon enough. Ryan had said he had it under control.
Grady leaned back on one of the wooden lawn chairs. He'd turned it so it didn't face the lake like it usually did. Nope. He was staring
right at him.
Where were they?
He hit the envelope against his leg. Impatience wasn't generally his thing, but it gnawed at him today.
Then they heard a vehicle approach. It had to be her. His pulse kicked up a notch.
When Drew's car came into view, Mason strained to see who else was in the car. Had she come? Drew and his stupid tinted windows. He couldn't see a thing.
The car rolled up to the front. Tires crunched on the gravel road. Come on, already. When the car stopped, his brother got out, but no one else did. His pulse thundered through his veins.
She hadn't come.
Maybe she didn't want anything to do with the inn anymore. Her room was a hollow shell. Ryan had warned him that she'd moved out, but seeing that empty closet had gutted him. What if she didn't want this?
No. She had to.
He couldn't live without having her in his life. He'd tried that for the last week and it'd sucked. What was the point of having the beautiful view and the big bed without someone to share it with? Without Anna?
He should never have let her leave the way she did.
Well, if she wouldn't come here, he'd go to her. He marched in the direction of his car.
"Where are you going?" Drew said.
"To get Anna."
"I'm here…" Her voice was as beautiful as the sunset over Sanctuary Lake.
He spun around.
Drew was helping Ryan into a wheelchair, and there… beside them… was Anna.
"You came."
"I thought we were going to grab supper." She cradled her stomach.
He approached her, slowly. She looked like she was about to bolt.
"Is it still hurting?" He glanced at her arm.
"A little," she said. She looked away from him. Her gaze darted over his brothers. Then it landed on Ryan, who was finally situated in his wheelchair. "What's going on?"
"I told you I had a surprise for you…"
"I don't want a surprise." She frowned and stepped back.
He let her retreat. She'd made it clear in the city. She didn't want him. All that he had to offer wasn't enough. He was still that same unworthy kid he'd been in Sanctuary. Maybe okay for an attraction. Okay for a tumble. But not someone a woman like Anna would want as a husband… not someone she could see herself with for the rest of her life.
But he could still give her this.
He offered her the envelope.
She eyed it suspiciously.
"What's that?"
"It's about the inn."
She clenched her hand, making it clear she wouldn't accept it from him.
"My brothers and I have been talking a lot since Viv's death," he said. "This place should have been yours. We all know that. Viv saw you as a sister and everyone knows we didn't take an interest in the place… ever. But we also know that you can't run it alone…"
Her cheeks were ablaze with a bright blush. She let out a little huff. "I lied. The other day… I heard more of that phone call… I know you were talking to Jake. I know you were talking to realtors. And I just want to say it's okay."
Huh? He narrowed his eyes and studied her. From the defiant tilt to her chin to the way her hands were trembling, warning signs were shooting up like fireworks. He cleared his throat. "What's okay?"
"It's okay if you want to sell. I know I can't do it. Viv and I were having a tough time staying in the black… some months we didn't. And there were two of us. I know I can't do it alone. I should never have told you that I wanted to buy it." Tears welled in her eyes and she spun away from him.
What the hell? This wasn't part of the plan. She was supposed to be happy.
"Anna…"
"What?" Her shoulders were shaking.
"I get it if you don't want it, but I think you should hear me out first… hear us out…"
She sniffled. She didn't tell him no. He looked at his brothers and Ryan. They all shrugged. No one knew what was going on. Well, that wasn't helpful.
"They've agreed to sign over five percent of their shares to you… so they'll each have fifteen and you'll have twenty from them. And you'll have all of mine. It isn't quite a majority. Only forty percent…"
She whirled around on him. "What are you talking about?"
"Drew, Aiden, Jake and Grady will each keep fifteen percent and you'll have forty…"
"What about you? Don't you want anything to do with the inn?"
He rubbed his neck.
"Never mind. I shouldn't have asked." She snapped her mouth shut. Then she shook her head. "No. I can't do it."
She marched up to him and shoved her finger in his chest.
"Why do you hate Sanctuary Inn and everything here… everyone here… so much that you'd give away all of your shares?"
"I don't hate any of it…" he whispered as he reached for her cheek, "I have started the application to get the inn listed as a heritage building. That means it's less appealing to potential buyers and developers. I will donate to whatever renovation fund that you and your other shareholders see as necessary… I want this to succeed. For you."
Her mouth dropped open.
"You see, the thing is, I love you. I want to give you what you want. And it is in my power to give you this."
"I don't want your shares," she said.
Christ. A sucker punch to the gut would be less painful than being rejected by Anna like this. "Why? Don't you want this?"
The engagement ring he'd optimistically brought with him burned like a hot coal in his pocket.
"I don't want the inn… not like this." She stared at him. "You see, the thing is, I love you too."
"I don't understand. Why refuse this?"
"I don't want your shares. I want you to be here, with me." She grabbed his hand. "Mason Randall, will you marry me?"
All around him he heard laughter and hoots of approval. This time his jaw dropped open, but he wasn't about to let this opportunity slide by.
"Yes, Anna Brooks, I will." Then he got down on one knee and pulled the ring from his pocket. "Because you took the question right out of my mouth," he said with a grin.
Her eyes widened at the sight of the ring in his hand. "You were planning to ask me to marry you all along… Why didn't you? You should have started with that."
He took her hand and pushed the glittering band of diamonds and gold onto her finger. It fit perfectly.
Then he stood up and drew her into his arms. The misery of the last week evaporated under her kiss.
"We don't have to live here," she said when the kiss ended. Her words were issued on soft panting breaths that made him want to swing her over his shoulder and find a new room in the inn to claim. "I know that the inn—"
"The inn is only a building," he interrupted. "My home is with you. Wherever you are."
"So you don't want to stay in the city?"
"My condo is on the market as of this morning." He grinned. "Jay is currently upgrading our videoconferencing facilities at the office, and Drew's agreed to do the same here."
"What if I'd said no?"
"I had to believe that you wouldn't. I couldn't handle the idea of living without you," he said. "So you'll take my shares?"
"Absolutely not… but I wouldn't be opposed to being an equal shareholder. Divide everything evenly between you, your brothers and me."
He nodded. "We can do that."
"Good."
"So what do you want to do first?"
"I want to plant a rose garden… right here where you proposed to me. And I want to dedicate it to Viv. We're going to fill this place with memories… good ones. Only good ones. And that's where we're going to start."
EPILOGUE
Grady Randall stared at the inn through the trees. He couldn't believe he was back here. It'd been years since he'd called this small town his home and he never expected that to happen again. But he needed to do something. And until he figured out what that might be, this looked like his only option.
He scrubbed a han
d over his face. It was a sad day when the best plan involved moving to Sanctuary Lake.
Still, he could appreciate the effort everyone was putting in. Hell, Mason and Anna had even lured Drew back here with the promise of high speed Internet and God only knew what else. Grady didn't do computer speak. At least he could console himself that he wasn't the only one to get reeled in.
And the place was looking better than he could ever remember.
The faded, peeling paint had been stripped and a new coat of butter yellow paint had been applied. The trim and the new deck were bright white. Yep, the outside looked ready for business, but the inside was taking a little longer. Mason had hired an army of laborers and tradespeople for Aiden to manage, all with the expectation that the place would be open for guests by the end of the month and, a few months after that, just as the aspen and larch trees started to yellow, they were going to be married on the front lawn overlooking the lake. Those were Mason's promises to Anna, and he was determined to keep his word.
Man. The way he looked at her… Made Grady wish he had something like that in his life too.
He shook his head. Thinking like that was a useless endeavor. There had only ever been one woman who'd made him smile like that… and he hadn't seen her for almost twenty years.
He rolled his head from side to side and turned back to his task. The covered dock was a filthy mess. Viv and Anna had obviously not cared much about that side of the business. He was sure that half these boats had been around when he'd lived here. He'd have to take each of them out on the lake and see if they even floated anymore.
Not the end of the world.
He could use the exercise. It might wear him out… and that was the only way he could sleep at night these days. Yeah, he nodded. The regular workouts would be good. But it would be sweeter if he didn't have to deal with tourists.
How had he ended up on lake tour duty? Sightseers needed to be charmed and told funny stories about the locals. He had no interest in doing that.
Fishing. Maybe he could just do fishing tours. That way no one would want to talk to him.
He turned over the rowboat in the corner and a dozen spiders scurried away. Visitors wouldn't like that either. He'd have to snag a couple of Mason's guys and get them down here to help clean the place. A power wash would go a long way to making this presentable.