by Jeulia Hesse
Both women finished up quickly, washing their hands and exchanging mutual anxieties about Maude. “Shawn’s still out there,” Gina said, opening the door to leave the restroom. “I think he wants to talk to both of us.”
Gina hesitated, looking at her friend. “He is so hot in that uniform. I swear I am going straight to hell. Not the time or the place for dirty thoughts like mine.”
They made their way back to the waiting room where the men waited, and Shawn approached the pair.
“What happened exactly?” Shawn asked as the women took their seats again, waiting for Jim, who had gone to talk to the hospital admission clerk about insurance.
Gina proceeded to tell Shawn what she had observed. They became immersed in their conversation, shutting out the rest of the group.
“You’re not heading back tonight, right?” Kevin asked Christina.
She shook her head. She was so relieved that Maude was going to recover that she hadn’t realized that she had been holding herself so stiffly. As the tension left her body, she found herself exhausted. A long night drive back to the city was totally out of the question.
The priority would be to get Jim calmed and taken care of now that they knew Maude was going to be all right.
Kevin reached out and gently squeezed her hand. “Let me know what I can do for you.”
For yet another time that day, she was thankful that he was there for her. His solid presence was reassuring and comforting, and she knew she could rely on him.
Jeff slid easily into the chair beside Christina. “Busy day for us both. I haven’t been back home since I left you on the trail. Thanks for seeing to the horses.”
“Glad to hear she’s doing okay; whatever happened to her?”
“No idea. She apparently was on the trail with a group, but she got separated and was off on her own. She’s a little spotty with her memory apparently. They think she has a concussion in addition to her leg injury.”
“Nice of you to stay for her.”
“Had to. She wouldn’t let go of me.”
The door to the ER swung open and Jim rejoined the group with a relieved expression. The tension was reduced in his shoulders. He looked years older but bore a smile. “She’s a little groggy but she’s telling them what to do.”
Gina reached out to hug him and he held onto her shoulders with one arm.
“My cousin’s girl works upstairs and will be her nurse all night,” he told her. “She told me to go home. She said she’ll call the house if anything changes.”
“That’s wonderful, Jim,” said Gina.
“I know. She’s going to be all right,” Jim said, tears pouring down his face again.
Both women hugged the sobbing man, adding tears of happiness of their own.
“Let’s get you something to eat,” Gina said, leading him out of the hospital waiting room with the rest of the group trailing behind.
Chapter 21
“You’re firing me?” she said, her voice rising an octave as she tried to respond to her employer’s idiocy.
She watched the color in the younger man’s face grow redder as he struggled with how to handle her explosive reaction. She realized it was likely that his uncle had left him with the dirty task of terminating her, so he could take her place. It was common knowledge that he likely really needed the job now that he was going to be married and had finished college.
“Not exactly firing you,” he explained. He spoke slowly, as though he was making his voice as calm as he could. She knew she looked out of control and would like nothing more than to reach across the desk and throttle him.
She rocked back on her heels, venom rising in her throat as she looked at this kid with no experience in the business world. With just a few words, he’d capsized her world. “What the hell would you call it then? You just told me my job was being eliminated.”
The whole thing was stunning. She worked all hours, and on holidays and weekends, to bring this resort to the level of financial success it was now experiencing. Without her work, her sweat and worry, as well as those she inspired to work hard with her, the resort would have not survived in the competitive marketplace of New York City. It was a family-owned business and when the current owner – the uncle of the brat that stood before her – hired her, they were headed to financial ruin. She saved this damn company, and this is how they repaid her? Promoting someone over her last year, and now sending in this spoiled kid to fire her? She knew that he would be taking her place, and she also knew that they would be right back where they were when she started, as they would have no experience and little business sense.
Good riddance.
As she stood looking at the privileged face of the young man that was desperately trying to fire her, she felt all the emotions from the past few weeks rise to the surface – the looming decision of what to do with the inn, Maude’s close call, Jeremy’s persistence, and the emotional turmoil with Kevin. Now this issue piled on top of everything she was feeling. All her hard work and drive, but for what? To be pushed aside by someone that was merely related to the owner? She was sick of being passed over and taken for granted.
As she stood there, she felt a sensation of calm wash over her. Her perspective subtly shifted as she realized in that moment that there was another clearly obvious option. She had her own inn that she could run. She had the talent, and the work ethic to make it successful. It was there in the palm of her hand. She did not need to try to play nicely in the sandbox with these juveniles that did not appreciate her any longer. From now on any hard work she did, would be for her own and her family’s benefit.
“I quit.” She said quietly. And then more loudly as she affirmed her choice, it was so obvious what she should be doing. “I’m done.”
Then she walked out of the offices her head held high. She just left – they could send her personal things, although really, there was not much she wanted. There were no photos or personal mementos on her desk or on the walls of her office.
She waited until she reached the street before laughing out loud. A huge weight just lifted off of her shoulders. This was the push that she needed. She had a whole inn of her own to run, and she could be her own boss!
Hours later, she was wrapped in her quilt and laying still on her couch, in shock from the immediate change in her circumstances and contemplating her next steps. Gina called before she let herself in.
“Oh honey, you’re going to be all right,” she said hugging her friend cocooned on the couch. “I brought the necessities.”
She unloaded her shopping bag of wine, ice cream and cookies while she consoled her friend. “Those bastards. I heard that they also demoted John from housekeeping, and they are announcing some further changes when the dinner shifts arrive. I am on my way in, but wanted to stop in to see my girl.”
Christina appreciated her. Gina knew when to reach out and when to leave her alone. She also brought the right treats without being asked. Gina sat on the couch next to her, covering herself with another quilt and wrapping her arms comfortingly around the other woman.
“I think that this was the universe giving you a sign – pushing you in the direction of your destiny. This was meant to happen.”
They sat quietly together for a long moment, each in their own thoughts.
“I’ve been thinking,” Gina started hesitantly, “I am not sure how you would take it, and if I could really pull it off...but after what happened today, I finally have the push to say it.”
She inhaled deeply, fortifying herself. “Now that you are going to keep the inn and run it, I know I could make a go of it there too. I’d like to be your business partner, and I’d like to run the restaurant portion of the business.”
Gina’s words made perfect sense. There was no one that she would rather work with, or whom she trusted more than Gina. Her natural talent for food was unsurpassed. Christina believed that Gina would ‘go places’ she just hadn’t gotten the chance to be fully in charge of her own place, yet.
; A smile grew on her face as she considered it. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Gina leapt from the couch, her small frame bouncing around the living room as she spoke. “Imagine the two of us, in charge of our own place. Doing the things that we know work well and not having to report up to the corporate boys.”
“In charge of our own destiny,” Christina replied.
She felt her energy changing, as if a weight were lifting. It was becoming abundantly clear that having the inn was a blessing, especially with the turn of events that morning.
“Are you ready to do that? To leave everything behind here to work and live in Vermont? There is not much happening there – socially, I mean. But running the inn would certainly keep us busy.”
Gina appeared to be buoyed by her comments. “It’s a wild leap for me, but I really feel right about it. I have been pondering the idea since the first day I walked into the dining room at the inn.”
Christina knew she would likely need to sell her apartment to be able to buy into the business, and that would leave her with no home base in Manhattan. But with an ex-husband potentially moving back into the area, Christina knew that the idea of leaving Manhattan was even more appealing for Gina.
Christina’s mind was whirling with ideas for the inn. It made her feel alive with potential concepts. It was appealing to consider being her own boss and making the inn a successful tourist destination and a local treasure for special occasions. It was a direct contrast to her bitter feelings of her job at the resort.
“What about your job here?” she asked Gina.
“With you leaving, I don’t think I could stomach staying on. Those bastards have no appreciation for what they lost, or what they have.”
“Don’t throw it away just yet. I need to figure out financing for any kind of renovations,” she replied. “I’m really hesitant to sell any of the land to the developers to raise cash.”
Gina smiled to herself. She was sure that it was in both of their best interests to take the opportunity that was in front of them and make the best of it. The unexpected inheritance of a country inn with such potential would bring them both a decent living and give them control over their lives. The trade-offs between living in the city and all it offered to living in the quiet country seemed to be worth it. They could always visit the city again; this was a chance of a lifetime.
They sat together and chatted about their future, both deeply excited for the potential that it held for each of them.
Chapter 22
He knew this was a risky move. She could tell him to get lost. He could not risk it though. It was the thing that he didn’t do the last time she left – go after her. Youth, inexperience, and his own heartache had kept him from acting when she left and did not return. The hope that she would come back had died over time, but his love did not.
It wasn’t the actual city that he disliked, but he did not fit in here. The idea of all those people, living on top of one another on the 13-mile island, was disturbing. He was used to being one of the only humans in that size space, open and free. It was a nice place to visit, he chuckled to himself as he approached her address. It took him a bit of effort to get his bearings after getting off the train earlier and checking into the hotel. He was thankful for the common sense of the numbered streets and avenues because it made it easier for him to find his way around.
The day had passed achingly slow as he waited until early evening to go to her building, assuming she would not be home until later in the day. Likely she had a lot to catch up on after being away for two weeks. Doubt entered his thoughts as he considered that she may not be home yet. Perhaps she was out meeting friends for dinner or with someone else. He brushed the uncertainty aside; he was doing the right thing. He was in love with her and wanted her in his life. He hoped she felt the same way – she had too.
She had to stop blaming herself for Annie’s disappearance. It was not her fault; she had no blame in the matter at all. The lack of an answer for what had happened to Annie haunted them all of course. Maybe someday they would find out what had happened. Life had moved on in time, and they had learned to live with the absence. Most of them had moved on, and even Christina had learned to exist and focus on her work and career. She had shuttered herself emotionally, blaming herself for Annie and separating herself from the place where it had occurred. But that place that was a home for her; it was where she had family, friends, and love. Not able to face it, she had not dealt with the emotional impact. By going back this time, Kevin was really putting it out there for her. He wanted to place his feelings in the forefront, forcing her to face what she had avoided for so long.
He hoped that she had realized everything that she had missed by leaving. Her home was still there and he was still there. He stopped in the middle of the sidewalk; this was a big step forward for him. Her rejection was a possibility. His heart thudded loudly in his chest.
No, I’m doing the right thing, he thought to himself. There was a solid chance for them to be together and for her to grow whole and purge the guilt she felt. She had a chance to build a wonderful and prosperous life. It had been literally handed to her. They had a chance at love again, and a lifetime to be together. He had to convince her of that.
He approached the entry of her building. It was an unassuming building with a serviceable impression. A uniformed guard manned a desk in the small, subtly decorated lobby. As Kevin let himself into the lobby, uncertainty rose in his chest as a last-minute chill entered his thoughts. But he was here to see her. He had come all this way.
Yes, he was sure. The guard called up to Christina’s apartment to announce him and get her approval to let him up. Based on the conversation, Kevin could tell that she was home and also, surprised by his visit. He had envisioned her opening the door to her apartment to find him there and was a little disappointed for the lack of surprise. Yet he was glad she was well-protected.
The guard guided him to a set of elevators and gave him directions. “Ms. Wade said that you should go right up.”
Moments later, he was at the door of her apartment. The door flew open, and she was there. For a moment they stood just looking at each other, then Christina flew into his arms. His heart soared. She pulled him into her apartment and closing the door behind them. “What are you doing here?” she asked. “Is everything all right? ...Maude?”
He held her face in his hands. “I came after you. I did what I didn’t do the last time. I love you and I want you in my life.”
Tears clouded her eyes as sobs issued from her throat. She was unexpectedly overwhelmed with emotion.
“I have always loved you, I never stopped...” He kissed her then, a gentle touch on her lips.
Immediately she responded, kissing him back. He was bolstered and relieved as his heart soared with her response. They held each other, both heartened with the other. Love filled his heart as he held her. She was all he ever wanted.
After a moment, she took his hand and led him to the couch in her sparsely furnished living room, sitting closely together. She looked up into his eyes, hers were sparkling and shiny with unshed tears. “I can’t believe this is happening, that you are here!” she exclaimed, kissing him again. “I quit my job today. They said they were eliminating my position, but in truth, they were just bringing in a family member that needed a job.
“All that time, all those hours... all the late nights, weekends... it feels like I just wasted my life on a place that did not care about me.”
He pulled her into his chest, where she rested her head, still in disbelief that he had appeared on her doorstep. He looked around the room, taking in her home. There was not much to look at since she only had the essential pieces of furniture and no personal touches. There were no individual pictures on the walls or bookshelves. There was little evidence of the woman who occupied these walls as her home. This relieved and worried him. Had she isolated herself in order to be away from loss and guilt? She’d tried to build a life but ha
dn’t quite succeeded. She had wrapped herself in work and building her career, yet she had neglected to build a life.
He felt relieved that there were no pictures of other men in her home. It didn’t seem as though she’d had relationships while he was out of her life. He had had a few, short-lived and half-hearted attempts to find a relationship. No one had come close to his feelings for Christina. Deep down, he had not wanted to even try to replace her.
It was clear that she had worked hard, putting in the time and energy to make it work and they had not been grateful for the results that she had achieved for them. They’d taken her for granted for years and never reciprocated the investment she’d put into the place.
He could not believe he was here in the city and with her in her apartment. As his fingers brushed strands of her hair away from her face, he brushed gentle kisses on her brow. All he had ever wanted was here in his arms. His love for her grew at every moment.
She curled into his arms, resting her head against his broad chest. “I can’t believe you are here, and that you came.”
He shifted his position so he could look directly into her eyes. “I wanted you to know...”
His words faded as she pulled his mouth to hers, giving him a gentle kiss full of love and passion. After a moment, she pulled away from him and looked into his face. “Wow, today has been a day. My life has shifted in an instant, it seems.”
He realized that with his appearance on her doorstep and the loss of her job, life must be sending her into an emotional tailspin. Everything was moving her back to the place she had run from, and her life was unfolding before her, pointing her in a direction in which she had not expected. He understood his appearance was surprising, especially after the way they had left things between them. He had clearly put the ball in her court. He had made his position clear.
But by coming to New York, he demonstrated that he would meet her halfway. He would be willing to come to her to have a relationship with her.