by Rachel Hanna
The young man, probably in his mid-twenties, was standing in her entryway wearing a very nice suit. In fact, it reminded her of Patrick showing up just a few days ago looking much the same.
"Excuse me. I'm looking for Patrick Scott."
Before Jill could call for him, Patrick came around the corner. He stopped in his tracks when he saw the man, his mouth hanging open.
"Derrick? What on Earth are you doing here?"
Derrick stepped forward and shook Patrick’s hand. "I've been trying to reach you for a couple of days. You never go offline like this. Why aren’t you answering your cell phone?
"I, uh, decided to take some time off this week. I’m sort of living an unplugged lifestyle right now." He glanced at Jill, a slight smile on his face. "So why are you here again?"
Derrick looked around the room. "Well, I wanted to see this place, for one thing. The bank called and gave me the information, so I thought I'd take a drive up here and check it out and see if I could find you. It's kind of… out here."
Patrick chuckled. "Yes, it's a good ways out, but it's a beautiful property. Oh, Derrick let me introduce you to Jill. She owns The Retreat."
Jill didn't crack a smile, but did manage to extend her hand. "Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too."
"So, how exactly do you to know each other?" Jill asked.
"Derrick is one of my business partners in this whole conference center deal."
Jill was confused. Patrick was a billionaire. Why did he need a business partner?
"Oh. I didn't think you had business partners given your… financial status."
Derrick laughed out loud. "Trust me, he's doing me a favor. Trying to help me get started in this commercial real estate world. He doesn't need me in the slightest."
"That's not true. Derrick has a great mind for business. Sometimes he helps me make decisions that are difficult to make. He’s very good at being objective.“
Jill wasn’t sure what that meant. “Well, I'm pretty tired so I think I'm going to go upstairs and take a nap before I need to prepare lunch. You two enjoy your visit," she said as she walked toward the stairs.
"Hey, Jill?" Patrick called after her.
“Yeah?”
"I had a nice time on our hike," he said, winking at her. For the first time since she had seen the mystery figure on the bridge all those years ago, Jill suddenly had butterflies in her stomach. This was getting way too complicated.
"I'm just trying to picture you out in the freezing cold weather all night long acting like some kind of mountain man," Derrick said with a laugh.
"I'm a lot handier in the outdoors than you might imagine," Patrick said. "So tell me what you're really doing here. I left word that I was going off-line for a few days before I did it."
The two men stopped at an overlook. "I'm just a little worried about you, man. I've never seen you stop working for so long. I thought I better come up here and make sure you still had your head on straight."
"Why would you think I didn't?"
Derrick laughed. "Because this is very out of character for you, Patrick. Is there something going on with you and this woman?"
Patrick rolled his eyes. "Do you honestly think I would let something like this come between me and this conference center deal? You know me better than that. I don't get tied up in personal relationships when it comes to business."
Even as Patrick said it, he knew it was a lie. He had been trying everything in his mind to convince himself to step away from this deal almost since the moment he got there. But that seemed too dangerous. That felt like giving in. The last time he believed in somebody, he got the short end of the stick.
"Okay, if you say so, then I have to believe you. This deal is going to be one for the books. I hope you aren’t backing out."
Patrick shook his head. "I don't back out on business deals. You should know that. I think you came all the way out here for nothing."
"No, I didn't. I still would like to see the property. So are you going to show me around or what?"
After walking around for an hour, Derrick was more than ready to go back to The Retreat. Plus, it was almost lunchtime, so Patrick had no problem heading back there himself. His stomach was growling something fierce after missing breakfast.
They walked onto the screen porch and sat down in a couple of rocking chairs. Patrick didn't know where Jill was, although he assumed that she was back in the kitchen working on lunch. She really didn't need to do that since it was just the two of them and Winston staying at the place, but she was a dedicated hostess, nonetheless.
"So, are you expecting to stay here tonight?" Patrick asked. "Because if so, I'd like to pay Jill a little something extra for your room."
"No. Actually, I have an early meeting tomorrow. That Savannah deal is looking like it might go through, so I need to head back to the office and try to hold it together. Dealing with Donovan can be challenging sometimes, you know."
Just hearing the details of another business deal made Patrick cringe a bit. He had to admit that he’d enjoyed being unplugged the last few days, completely focusing on spending time with Jill and looking at the beautiful surroundings. He was going to be sad when he had to leave and go back to his gray office walls and slightly boring life.
"Well, at least have some lunch with us before you head out."
"Sounds like a plan. But before we do that, I do have a couple of questions about this property. Actually, I have an idea to throw out at you."
Patrick leaned forward. The last thing he wanted was for Jill to hear him talking about plans for her property. She was already sad enough that she was going to lose it, and he didn't want to rub it in.
"Okay. What kind of idea?"
"Well, I've been thinking about that bridge we saw. It's nice and all. I know you want to preserve it, but I'm thinking that putting a state-of-the-art zip line course in that area would be a major attraction and a money maker."
Patrick leaned back in his chair. "No. I'm not tearing down that bridge. "
"Patrick, come on. I don't know what your attachment is to that old thing, but we’ve got to get it out of there. It doesn't go with the rest of the plans for the conference center."
"I told you that I'm not negotiable about this."
"Even if you can add thousands of dollars a month to the bottom line?"
Patrick rolled his eyes. "This is one of those times when I'm going to point out my billionaire status. Thousands of extra dollars a month doesn't really get me motivated, Derrick."
Worried that they were talking too loud, Patrick stood up and motioned for Derrick to follow him outside. As they approached the door, Derrick patted him on the shoulder.
“You know I'm right. That bridge has to come down. It's right in the middle of everything, and having that zip line course is important. It will be a great attraction for this entire area and bring a lot of money to your future employees and the surrounding town."
"I get what you're saying…"
"Then you need to trust me. Getting rid of that bridge will make way for something even better. Right now, it's just an old remnant of the past that isn't serving any real purpose."
“But Jill…”
Derrick squeezed Patrick’s shoulder. “Look, man, you said it yourself. I help you make tough decisions because I’m objective. The bridge needs to go. Don’t get all mixed up in emotions here.”
Patrick looked at the doorway to make sure no one had heard their conversation. “Come on, let’s take this outside.”
Jill couldn't believe what she’d just heard. As she had come around the corner to offer sandwiches to Derrick and Patrick, she never expected to hear the tail end of their conversation.
But her ears perked up when she heard them speaking about the bridge. Derrick was urging Patrick to tear it down and make way for some zip line course. And from what she could hear, Patrick wasn't exactly arguing with him.
He’d been lying to her. Apparently, he�
�d had no intention of keeping the bridge at all. Instead, he was going to destroy it – and her memories along with it – just for rich people to be able to fly through the forest.
Her stomach churned. How could she have been so stupid as to think that this super wealthy guy would have any interest in keeping the bridge? It was all about money for him. She felt so ridiculous for believing that she was somehow changing his mind or helping him reduce his stress. Or that he was developing feelings for her.
The Retreat was going to be gone. She was going to be without a business, without a job, without a life. And now, the one place on Earth that made her feel hopeful was going to be torn down in the process.
It all broke her heart.
"Hey there, young lady. Everything okay?” Winston asked from the doorway. Jill was sitting at the kitchen table, her head in her hands.
"I don't know anymore. Why does life have to be so incredibly complicated?"
Winston sat down across from her and reached over to pat her hand. "Because it's life. That's how it's supposed to be. Otherwise, it’d be boring, right?“
"Well, I'm not so sure. Why does it seem so easy for some people and so difficult for others?"
"Sweetie, sometimes we make it more difficult than it has to be."
"Agreed. But sometimes other people are the ones making the mess that you can't clean up."
"This must be about Patrick?"
"Yes, in a way. I let my guard down, and I shouldn't have."
Winston cleared his throat. "I'm not so sure about that."
"Wait. Are you actually defending him?”
"Not exactly. I just think maybe there's more to him than meets the eye."
"I can't believe what I'm hearing. I thought you couldn't stand him?"
"He's growing on me. Slightly."
"Well, I learned my lesson. He'll be leaving soon, and this place will be a part of my history. As sad as I'll be, I'm ready to see what the rest of my life has in store."
"That's a good way to look at it, but don't write this place off just yet. I have a feeling that it holds more miracles for you, young lady."
Winston stood up and started walking to the door. "Don't you want a sandwich for lunch?"
"No thanks. I'm actually going into town to have a little lunch. Sometimes, we need a change in scenery to see things in a new light. Try it sometime."
Jill laughed. "I had plenty of scenery last night when I was stuck in the woods. I think I'll stay here where it’s safe."
Jill stood in the middle of the screened porch, the only place on the property where she could get a panoramic view of the land she loved so much. She turned slowly, trying to take in as much of the scenery as she could. Before long, she wouldn't have this view anymore. She’d probably have some crappy one bedroom apartment overlooking a dumpster.
Okay, maybe she was letting her feelings get away with her.
Her heart jumped in her chest as she waited for Patrick to come back from talking to Derrick outside. Now that she knew he was just conning her, telling her what she wanted to hear, she wanted to get rid of him as soon as possible.
But how would she explain why she wanted him to leave? The last thing she wanted was for him to know that he had gotten to her. She wanted to keep at least a shred of her dignity, whatever she had left of it.
"Oh, hey, Jill. I was just about to walk Derrick to his car. Unfortunately, he can't stay for lunch after all.”
There he stood, a big smile on his face. What thoughts must be running through his mind? Was he pleased with himself? Maybe lying to a woman who was in financial straits somehow gave him a thrill? The whole thing made her sick.
"Sorry to hear that. Have a good trip back." With that, Jill turned and walked upstairs without looking back. The last thing she wanted was for him to know that he was affecting her. She was going to get through the next few days without interacting with Patrick as much as possible. And then, she would start her life over, mindful of the fact she really couldn't trust anyone in the world. Not her sister. Not her banker. And certainly not Patrick.
Patrick was confused. After spending the night in the woods with Jill, he thought they were making some progress. He was starting to develop stronger feelings for her, a fact which he was having a harder time ignoring by the moment. But when he came back with Derrick from their chat outside, she was different. Standoffish. Angry, perhaps?
He tried to figure out what he had done. But he couldn't think of anything. Maybe Winston had filled her head with something? But that didn't seem possible since he hadn't done anything terribly wrong that he could think of.
He was fairly sure that she hadn't heard his talk with Derrick. They walked pretty far from the property to discuss his plans for The Retreat and the bridge. In fact, their conversation had gotten heated a couple of times which was why Derrick decided not to stay for lunch.
But right now, Patrick just wanted to figure out what was going on with Jill. Like a man going straight into the lion’s den, he walked up the stairs and knocked on her door.
After a few moments, she swung open the door, her bright blue eyes looking up at him like she could shoot daggers straight through his head.
"Hey. I just wanted to come up and check on you. You seemed a little upset downstairs. Is everything okay?”
She shook her head slightly, looked at the floor and chuckled. "Yes, everything is perfectly fine. My life is going exactly as I had planned." She stared up at him, no hint of a smile on her face. Yep, she was ticked off about something. He just didn't have any idea what it was.
“all right… Is there anything I can do?"
"No, Patrick, there's nothing you can do. But listen, I think I've given you just about as much of my time as I have available. Obviously, I need to focus on getting this place packed up so I can move soon."
He stood there, staring at her for a moment. She was giving up? This wasn't like her at all. He was supposed to stay a few more days, but was she asking him to leave?
"I don't understand… I thought you wanted me to stay here…"
"Well, if there's one thing I've learned in the last week, it's that things can change very quickly. I'd appreciate it if you would make your way back to the city as soon as possible. I'll be glad to refund you a prorated amount for your stay." Patrick had paid her the going rate for someone staying a full week.
"No, that's okay. I wanted you to have that money," he said, his stomach churning.
"Suit yourself. I won't really have time to work with you on your stress anymore, but I would highly recommend seeing someone in your area."
With that, she slowly shut the door in his face and Patrick was left to wonder what in the world had just happened.
Jill's hands were shaking. Her stomach was nauseous, and her heart was racing faster than she had ever remembered, including that one time she decided to run a half marathon without much training. She’d ended up vomiting in the bushes about eight miles in, and her friend had to carry her to the car. Not her finest moment, for sure.
Looking at Patrick, the confusion on his face, almost made her heart ache. If she wasn't so incredibly mad at him, she might have felt bad.
But this wasn't a misunderstanding. She knew what she had heard. And no matter how much she found herself attracted to him, he wasn't who she thought he was. He knew what that bridge meant to her, and he’d made a promise that he was apparently intent on breaking.
And now, she was left with the realization that she was going to lose The Retreat and the bridge. The rug was definitely going to get ripped out from under her, and there wasn't anything she could do about it.
Sometimes, giving in and letting go is the best thing you can do for yourself, she thought.
So, she decided that she would call the bank and give the deed back as soon as possible. She needed to rip this place off of her like a Band-Aid. It was apparently time to move on with her life, whether she liked it or not.
Chapter 10
Jill hadn'
t come back out of her room by the time Patrick was ready to leave. He lingered around in the entryway, hoping that she would come down and at least say goodbye. But she didn't. And he still didn't really understand why.
His heart told him to go talk to her until she admitted what was wrong. But his head was telling him to just let it go. No matter what, this wasn't going to end well. She had made their break much cleaner. His brain was telling him to get in his car, drive straight back to the city and never look back.
But he couldn't stop himself. There was still a part of him that thought of her as that fifteen-year-old girl who needed his help on the bridge that day.
He slowly walked down the hall and stood outside of her door. After a few moments of working up his courage, he lightly knocked. At first, she didn't answer. But when he knocked again, he heard her sigh.
"Jill? I was getting ready to leave and I would really like to tell you goodbye."
"Goodbye," she said softly. He could tell she was standing just on the other side of the door, the shadow of her feet breaking up the light underneath it.
"So you're not even going to open the door?"
"Look, Patrick, I think it's best that I don't. I'm ready to cut my losses and get on with my life. I'll give the bank a call so that you can get your hands on this property as soon as possible."
Now he really was confused. The fight that had been in her the whole time was gone suddenly. Nothing made any sense.
"Jill, is something wrong? Let me help you."
"You can't help me. I can only help myself at this point. Please, just go, Patrick."
He stepped back and stared at the closed door. There was nothing more that he could do, so he decided to go ahead and leave The Retreat and try not to think about the woman he was leaving behind.
As Jill packed her last box, memories of owning The Retreat flew through her head. She was going to miss this place so much. It was like losing her child. It had been the only thing that had held her together for the last few years, and the feeling of her dreams dying was as soul crushing as she imagined it would be.