“And who wants to go down the hall to use the restroom in a hotel?”
“Exactly. Now each room will have a private bath, I just need to determine the most cost-effective way to configure everything without it feeling like an afterthought.”
He thought about the crib sketches tucked in his back pocket. While they were good, they were crude compared to what Kayla had done.
Facing her, he saw the skepticism in her expression and wondered if she had any idea just how much talent she possessed. “Kayla, this is amazing. Not only would most general contractors pay somebody to do this—” he nodded toward the computer “—but you have a real gift. You can see beyond what exists and envision what could be.”
Appearing suddenly nervous, she closed the lid on the laptop. “I’ve still got a long way to go. I just hope I can get it right.”
Why was she doubting herself? “Well, based on what I just saw, not only will you get it right, you’ll knock it out of the ballpark.”
The corners of her mouth twitched. “I appreciate the encouragement.”
Man, that husband of hers had really done a number on her. Stripping her of her confidence. Something Jude was determined to rectify.
“I’m just speaking the truth.” He took a bite of chili before setting his bowl on the table. “Now I have something to show you.” Pulling the sketches from his pocket, he closed the lid on the pizza box, giving him space to spread them out. “I’d like to make a crib for your baby.” He laid out each design. “Though they’re pretty rough, I’ve got some sketches here I’d like you to look at so I’ll know which style you prefer.”
When she didn’t say anything, he looked up to discover her still at the end of the table.
“You kind of need to come here so you can see them,” he said.
Ever so slightly, she shook her head. “I’m sorry, I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because I can’t let you do that.”
“Make you a crib? Why not?”
“Because it’s too much.” She looked at her clasped hands. “And I don’t even know if—”
He moved toward her again. “Don’t know if what?”
She turned away, but he moved in front of her.
“Talk to me, Kayla. What’s going on? You’ve been acting strange the entire time I’ve been here.”
With a sigh, she dropped into one of the six wooden chairs. “My mother-in-law called today, assuming I was back in Denver. When I told her I was staying in Ouray, she was really disappointed.”
Taking a seat in the adjacent chair, he leaned toward her, resting his forearms on his thighs. “I don’t mean to sound insensitive, but that’s her problem, not yours. You have to do what’s right for you.”
“I know. And I thought I was doing the right thing. I mean, just look at how everything has fallen into place for me to stay in Ouray.”
“Yes, it has.”
“But...”
Unfortunately, he knew exactly where this was leading. “After talking to her, you’re second-guessing your decision?”
Lowering her pretty head, Kayla nodded.
She was allowing herself to be manipulated again, like she had with her husband.
He reached for her hands. “Kayla, nobody can decide what’s right for you but you. Sure, others might be disappointed, but this is your life. What do you want?”
“For everybody to be happy.”
“Yeah, well, that’s never going to happen.” That earned him a smile. He squeezed her hands. “Let me ask you this. When you informed your mother that you were going to stay in Denver, what did she say?”
“Initially, she tried to talk me out of it. Until she realized how determined I was. Then she hugged me and told me she wanted me to be happy.” Kayla straightened then, looking as though she’d just had a lightbulb moment. “I never would have dreamed I’d have an opportunity to work on something the scale of the Congress Hotel.” She looked at him, determination lighting her chestnut eyes. “I really want to prove to myself, and the world, that I can do it.”
He couldn’t help but grin. “Then do it. Trust your instincts.”
She gave a soft laugh. “Thank you. It’s been so long since someone asked me what I wanted that I forget to ask myself.”
“Glad I could help. Now—” he shoved to his feet “—if you’ll allow me, I’d really like to show you these crib designs.”
Her smile faltered then. “Why?”
“Because your baby needs a place to sleep.” He peered down at her. “And since I’ve never made a crib before, I thought it’d be fun. Humor me.”
She grinned in force then, and he thought his heart might beat right out of his chest. “In that case, let’s see what you’ve got.”
* * *
Jude was right. It was time for Kayla to focus on what she wanted and stop trying to make everyone else happy. However, if it made him happy to make her baby a crib, then that was fine by her.
All three of the designs he’d shown her two nights ago far exceeded the basic crib she’d been planning to purchase, and narrowing it down to just one had been tough. In the end, though, she’d decided to go with the one with the arched head and foot because it would showcase Jude’s woodworking skills. After all, a gift from him should display his talent.
Now if she could just nail down the layout for the third-floor guest rooms.
“Lily threw me a bit of a curveball when she stopped by earlier today.” Standing in the narrow hallway of the hotel’s upper level, she eyed Jude. “She’d like to have a suite. Complete with a king-size bed, claw-foot tub with a separate shower and a sitting area.”
“Where did she propose you put this suite?” Still wearing his police shirt, cargo pants and tactical belt, Jude glanced from one end of the hall to the other.
“She’s leaving that part up to me.”
“Okay—” the corners of his mouth twitched “—so where are you going to put it?”
“That’s why I asked you to come by.” Moving to the western end of the hall, she opened the doors to the rooms on either side. “The only solution I’ve been able to come up with is to combine the space of these two rooms into one room that runs from the front of the hotel to the back.” She walked into the small room that sat at the front of the hotel, the last remnants of late-afternoon sunlight struggling to make it through the southern- and western-facing windows.
“We could have the sitting area here, in front of the windows so guests could enjoy this spectacular view of Mount Hayden. Then—” she retraced her steps back to the door “—the bed would be somewhere in here.” She gestured with her arms. “Probably a dresser opposite. And the other room—” she pointed “—would be where the bathroom is located.”
“Entrance?”
“Either here—” she noted a spot on the bedroom wall “—or into the short hallway connecting the bedroom and bathroom. Which is also where the closet would be.”
Jude walked between the two tiny rooms, nodding. “I think it’s perfect.”
She followed him into the room across the hall. “Don’t be silly. Nothing is perfect.”
Hands perched low on his hips, he frowned at her. “Look, a suite is an upgraded room. Usually with more space, a nice place to sit... You’ve achieved that and given guests an incredible view to boot. In my book, that’s perfect.”
She pondered his words, still uncertain. “I know, but...”
“But what?”
An image of the finished room played across her mind, the way it had earlier in the day after her meeting with Lily. She could envision guests sitting in cozy chairs that faced the window and that glorious view. And the bathroom with its classic black-and-white mosaic floor, marble walk-in shower and luxurious claw-foot tub... Guests might never want to leave.
“Nothing.” She met Ju
de’s dark gaze. “I agree. It is perfect.”
“Are you saying I’m right?”
“No. I’m saying I am.”
He laughed. “It’s about time you realized that.”
Thanks to him. This wasn’t the first time he’d forced her to take a good, hard look at herself or her ideas. Much the way her father used to. Only one of many reasons she adored her dad. Hugh Brennan had always believed in her.
She surreptitiously watched the man beside her. Jude believed in her, too.
The realization sent an unexpected wave of awareness shivering through her. But she quickly shook it off. Jude was her friend. And she was pregnant with another man’s child. Meaning any and all romantic notions were off-limits. For the sake of her baby, she couldn’t afford to make another mistake.
“You about ready to call it a day?” Jude’s question interrupted her reverie.
“Yeah, I think so.”
“Good.” He followed as she started for the stairs. “Don’t suppose I could talk you into a hot drink from Mouse’s and stroll around town, could I?”
After spending all day in the stale hotel, she could use a dose of fresh air. “I like the way you think, Officer Stephens.”
In the lobby, she grabbed her coat and draped it over her arm.
“You’ll probably want to put that on.” He took the coat and held it up for her. “It’s kind of cool out there today.”
“Another front come through?” She shoved her arms into the sleeves.
“Yep.” He moved toward the door. “Winter will be here before we know it.”
Ten minutes later, their fingers were wrapped around lidded cups of hot apple cider.
Kayla took a sip. “Mmm... I’m so glad you suggested this. Very autumnal.”
“What can I say?” Steam billowed from the tiny hole in the lid of his cup as they walked up Main Street. “I’m an autumnal kind of guy.”
“Whatever.” She rolled her eyes. “So where would you like to go?”
“There’s a recently renovated house over off Fourth.” At the corner, he reached for her elbow and kept his hand there as they started across the street. “I thought you might like to see it.” His caring touch made it difficult to concentrate.
“Yeah, sure.”
“How’s the overall layout of the hotel coming? Aside from Lily’s curveball, that is.”
“Pretty good. I think I’m finally starting to get a good feel for everything. I may try to work on adding the suite into the computer tonight.”
“Sounds like you’re truckin’ right along.”
“Time is money.” A breeze sifted through a large blue spruce as she followed him around a corner. “The sooner I get the permits, the sooner we can start demoing. I want to get as much done as possible before the baby comes.”
“I know you do.”
Looking up, she spotted her favorite house, in all of its mustard-yellow-and-raspberry ugliness. Then she saw the for-sale sign in the front yard. Funny, that wasn’t there two weeks ago.
Her steps slowed as they approached the house, images of her mental renovations plaguing her mind and accelerating her heart rate. This was the opportunity she’d always hoped for.
“Something wrong?” Concern marred Jude’s handsome features as he watched her curiously.
“No, not at all. Actually, something’s very right.”
“Care to share?”
She pointed to the Realtor’s sign. “It’s for sale.”
He grinned then. “You always did love this house.”
“I still do.” She looked from Jude to the house and back. “How much do you think they’re asking?”
“Hard to say. It’s historic, but it’s also in pretty bad shape. You might not be able to move in right away. Not until you’ve made sure it’s safe for the baby.”
“Remember that room with all the windows?”
“We agreed it would make a great kids’ room.” The fact that he remembered had her already-flailing emotions behaving like a hyperactive child jazzed on sugar.
“Yeah.” She stared at the house, trying to bring her crazy thoughts under control. Something that wasn’t easy with Jude watching her. But, boy, would she love to have this house. “I wonder if there are any major issues with the place. You know, the kind that translate to big bucks.”
“Well, that porch will need to be shored up pretty quickly. That shouldn’t be too expensive, though. However—” setting a hand on her shoulder, he turned her to face him “—first things first. Call the Realtor, find out what they’re asking, then make an appointment to look at it. You never know, things could be so bad you don’t even want to consider it.”
She simply blinked. That would be like breaking up with a longtime love. “You’re right. This could be way out of my price range.”
“And if it isn’t?”
Then her dream had come true. She eyed the man beside her. One of them anyway.
Chapter Thirteen
Jude was falling in love with Kayla all over again.
Not that he’d ever stopped loving her. But the feelings that accompanied it—the heart-pounding anticipation of spending time with her, the thrill of seeing her name appear on his phone—had him turned inside out. Just the way they had seven years ago.
Every once in a while, he’d catch glimpses of the old Kayla. Her confidence was returning. And the look on her face when she saw that the old Orr house was on the market... If he wasn’t a goner already, he was then. Once upon a time, he’d dreamed of sharing that house with her. Him, Kayla and a whole passel of kids.
Did he dare to dream again? Or was he setting himself up for another heartache?
He wasn’t sure he had the answer to either of those questions. All he knew was that he couldn’t wait to see her tonight.
So, while she went to look at the house this Saturday morning, he had work to do. Over the past week, he’d spent so much time with Kayla that he’d gotten behind on his orders. And if he didn’t get caught up, he could kiss his plans for the real date he’d scheduled at a nice restaurant tonight goodbye.
A blast of cold air filtered into the shop just then. In the past few days, temperatures had taken a drastic tumble. He could only pray that any snow would hold off until after tonight.
“Jude.”
He hated the way he cringed every time he heard his father call his name. It didn’t used to be that way. He used to greet the old man with a smile and ask him how his day was going. Yet in the weeks since the topic of taking over the cattle business had been broached, things had changed.
Jude should have given him his answer a long time ago. That first night, even. But instead of ripping off the bandage with one quick yank, he’d been slowly peeling it back, causing himself even more pain in the long run.
The man paused just inside the door, his expression stern. “I need to see you inside. Your brothers are all here, and I think it’s time we had a talk.”
Before Jude could respond, his father was gone, leaving a bone-chilling dread in his wake.
A knot the size of Mount Sneffels twisted in his gut. This was it. With everyone here, Dad was probably going to announce that Jude was taking over the cattle business. How would he get out of this now? He’d either have to tell the man no and embarrass the both of them in front of his brothers or give up his own business, the one he’d worked hard to build, and take care of the ranch until his father passed away.
Whichever path he chose, someone was going to get hurt. All because he wasn’t man enough to come clean with his father before.
Grabbing his jacket, he mentally kicked himself all the way to the house. Now he wished he’d gone with Kayla, no matter how many orders he had.
The aroma of coffee and cinnamon rolls greeted him when he walked inside. Something he would have found tempting any other tim
e. Now, however, he didn’t have the stomach for either one.
After kicking off his boots in the mudroom, he made his way into the living room, where he spotted every other male in his family sitting around the table in the adjoining kitchen.
Cup of coffee in hand, Dad looked up. “Good, you’re here. Have a seat.” Smiling, he motioned to one of two empty chairs, the other having belonged to Jude’s mother.
Jude’s stomach tightened as he approached. “Dad, I—”
“I know, you’ve got orders to tend to. But this won’t take long, so sit down.”
Dropping into the wooden chair, he felt as though he was ten years old again. Somehow, he’d have to find a way to break the news to his father. Today.
Dad pushed his mug aside and clasped his hands together. “I asked you boys here today because I have something to tell you.”
Jude swallowed hard.
“And I’d also like to hear your feedback.”
Jude’s head jerked up. Feedback? He hadn’t anticipated that. This could be his chance for a reprieve. What if one of his brothers balked? What if they wanted the cattle business?
“Dad—” creases formed on Noah’s brow and around his eyes “—the last time you gathered all of us around like this it was to tell us Mama had cancer. You’re not sick, are you?”
The old man’s eyes widened in surprise. “No. No. Sorry, boys.”
The collective release of breath around the table was almost audible.
“I didn’t mean to worry you, but I do have something important to discuss with you.”
Okay, now it was a discussion. Jude could handle that. Except, now Dad looked nervous.
“I...” He met each of their gazes. “I’m going to propose to Hillary, and I want to know if any of you have any objections.”
Jude and his brothers looked at one another, each of them wearing the same dumbfounded expression. Dad was asking their permission to get married?
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