“I told you I’d be back as soon as I could,” I reminded him. I nearly added that it sucked being away from him, even for a single night, but didn’t want to come across as a complete sap.
“I know, but you have stuff you need to do back home. I’m sorry I panicked yesterday. It’s probably nothing.”
“You were right to call me,” I reassured him. If something had happened to Brook and I hadn’t known he needed me, I’d never have forgiven myself. “Grady and I already had the apartment packed when you texted me last night. My work there is done.”
“But your dad. He was counting on you being there when he gets out. I don’t want to pull you away from your family, Dane.” Brook released me, planting his feet on the floor. As he spoke, he ran one hand through my hair and the other over my chest. God, how I wished I could drag him up to our suite for a proper reunion. Later. We could get as freaky as we wanted once I knew the inn was safe from my uncle’s lack of common sense.
I cupped Brook’s face in my hands and trailed my thumb over his high cheekbone. “It’s funny. The whole time he’s been in prison, I’ve thought about what it’d be like when he got out. I imagined my lonely, miserable self driving into the prison and explaining all the ways he’d fucked me up as we left.
“I’d never envisioned any other scenario. I was angry, first because I thought he was this monster who’d done all the things he was accused of, and later because he refused to fight for his freedom,” I admitted, pinching the bridge of my nose. I felt as though I was talking about someone else, not my own anger that’d been a constant companion. Since the first time I’d walked into the inn, the anger had receded like the tide. Unlike the ocean, I had faith it wouldn’t come crashing back over me. “Maybe it’s better if I’m not there to pick him up. When we’re reunited, it’ll be on neutral ground. A place without any bad memories. He’s not the only one getting a fresh start.”
Brook gaped at me. “Who are you, and what have you done with my boyfriend? You look like Dane Montgomery, but the words coming out of your mouth… they don’t compute.”
“Very funny.” I glanced over my shoulder to make sure we were alone before swatting Brook’s ass. “If you’d like, I can go back to being the grumpy asshole I was when I came down here. Personally I think there’s something to the idea that living near the water is good for the soul.”
“Oh, it’s the beach that did it?” Brook teased. He ran his tongue across his lower lip, and I wished I could drag him upstairs.
Unfortunately another family chose that moment to descend the staircase, so I settled for a quick peck on the cheek. “I’m going to run upstairs and shower. I want to get today over with so we can move forward.”
“That sounds like the best plan ever.” Brook let out a huge breath. “I know he’s your family, but James has made an absolute clusterfuck for all of us to clean up. I’ll be happy when he no longer has any control over the business. You think he’ll agree to sell?”
“He doesn’t really have a choice, does he?”
The family I thought was coming to check out took a detour to the breakfast room, giving us a few more minutes alone.
As much as I wanted a shower, I needed to be close to Brook, so I pulled up a stool behind the front desk. “My bigger concern is how you’re feeling about Grady and Jen buying in. Are you still upset about that?”
Brook shrugged. “I’m irritated that I was in the dark, but it makes sense. You did what needed to be done to save the inn, and at the end of the day, it’s not fair of me to expect you to discuss how you’re going to spend your money.”
“You’re wrong about that,” I insisted. “I’m not just doing this for me. I’m doing it for us. I meant it when I said I want the inn to become our legacy and you should be allowed to have your say. Maybe it’s a bit premature of me to think that way already, but it’s how I feel. And I’m done living my life waiting for everything to go wrong. For once, I’m enjoying looking into the future and seeing clear skies.”
“Awww, you’re getting all sappy on me.” Brook finished whatever he was doing on the computer, then draped his arms over my shoulders and kissed the side of my face. “Things between us have progressed quickly, but I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing. It’s not up to us to question the timing when the universe puts people in our path. And that’s what happened with us. Given the choice between wondering where you see this relationship heading and knowing, even if it is a bit daunting at times, I’ll take certainty.”
“Not to be a buzzkill, but did James ever call back last night?” I needed to know, wanted time to prepare myself for how today might go down.
“He called this morning,” Brook responded. “I told him you were on your way back to town and that you wanted to meet with him this afternoon. He’s said he’d talk to ‘his friends’ and call back. I swear, it’s like living in some cheesy mobster movie with bad acting. Part of me wonders how he’ll wind up spinning this in the future to make himself out to be the victim.”
I kissed the top of Brook’s head. “Not our problem, babe. Jen should be here soon, and between the two of us, I’m confident he’ll sign over his claim, and then he’ll be free to screw up his own life, but never ours again. Were you able to find her a room?”
“Yeah, she’s going to take the one I’d blocked off for your dad. I’m not sure where we’ll put him when he gets here, but I suppose he can stay with us for a bit.”
That wasn’t an option. I wanted him at the inn so he was close, but I also needed my space. And I sure as hell wasn’t going to worry about being too loud because the old man was sleeping on our couch. I’d rather have Grady’s family up there with us; that’d be less embarrassing than my father knowing about my sex life.
Brook must’ve noticed the way my lip curled at his suggestion, because he quickly added, “But if we have a cancellation, I’ll block it for him.”
“Sounds good. When Jen gets here, tell her to get settled and then come up to the room.” Everything had been a whirlwind for the past twenty-four hours, and I wanted to sit down and talk with her a bit about how to handle this meeting with James.
“Will do.”
Another couple came downstairs to check out, so I eased my way past Brook, leaving him to work.
“MAN, IT’S no wonder you love it so much down here,” Jen gushed as she stretched out on one of the lounge chairs. Pax was down for his nap, giving his mom a much needed break. “Fair warning, once Grady gets down here, he might not want to leave.”
“I’d be okay with that.” I hadn’t mentioned the idea to them, figuring they’d never go for it, but having Jen closer would benefit all of us. She could take over the financials, maybe look through the past years to make sure James hadn’t done anything else that’d come back to bite us in the ass.
“Yeah? Because I’d love to get out of the city, but I don’t want you thinking it has anything to do with us worrying about how you’ll run the inn. We wouldn’t be doing this if we didn’t think it could be a success.”
“Thanks. It means a lot to hear you say that. Sometimes I wonder what I’m getting myself into and worry I’m making an emotional decision rather than a logical one,” I admitted. A month ago, my life was on a very different course. No matter what I’d told Brook earlier, there were times I questioned what I was doing. If not for him, I could’ve easily walked away and let James deal with the situation he’d created. “And yes, I’d seriously be cool with you guys coming down here.”
Jen shrugged. “Well, let’s get through today first, and then we can talk about who’s living where. Maybe once Grady and your dad are here, we’ll peek around at houses in the area. Can’t hurt to think about it.”
Jen closed her eyes, and a few minutes later, she was snoring, even though I knew she’d deny it. As carefully as I could, I moved the umbrella we kept on the balcony so she didn’t wake up with a nasty sunburn, and went inside. It’d been a long night without any decent sleep; maybe Jen had the
right idea.
I stretched out on the couch, knowing better than to lie in the bed. If I did, I’d crash hard and not wake up if Pax or Jen needed me. I’d just fallen asleep when the door to the suite opened, and I startled awake.
“It’s just me,” Brook announced. I pulled myself up and looked over the top of the couch. “Crap, did I wake you?”
“Yeah, but it’s okay,” I reassured him. “What’s up?”
“James called. They’re going to be here in about twenty minutes.” He shuddered, and his shoulders tensed. “I get why someone’s escorting him here, but damn, I’m sick of seeing that dude with the beady eyes.”
So much for resting. I pushed off the couch and wandered into the bedroom, trying to find something more business casual than beach bum. Even if this meeting was with my uncle, I intended to walk in there and have him know I meant business.
“Is Jen going downstairs with you?” Brook asked as I adjusted the taps on the shower. “If she is, I could stay up here with Pax. Probably for the best if we keep him away from the bullshit.”
“You wouldn’t mind?”
Jen had told me Brook had been his usual friendly self when she checked in, but I wasn’t sure if that was because he was damn good at his job or if he’d decided he was done being upset with me.
“Nope. We only have two check-ins today, and they’re both returning guests who won’t arrive until later in the evening. I’ll forward the phone up here, so I know if anyone needs anything.”
“And if they do?” I hated that Brook was still the go-to guy most of the time. My first task when I officially took over would be finding more help, because neither of us were going to work so much we resented the inn.
“I can text you. You’ll be on-site, so it shouldn’t be an issue for Jen to excuse herself if I have to run.”
Brook hopped up on the vanity and kept talking to me as I showered. When I turned off the water, he handed me a towel, not even trying to be sneaky as he checked out my body. He reached down and adjusted himself, and I really wished we had time for a quickie. Later. Business first; then if all went well, we could try to unwind later tonight. While I dressed, Brook told me he was going to find Jen and let her know the plan.
THERE WAS a distinct shift in the air as Jen and I entered the lobby. James and the wannabe muscle who’d been lurking around were waiting for us in the library. I closed my eyes and took a few breaths, reminding myself why I was doing this. Jen curled her fingers around my forearm, digging her nails in just enough to grab my attention.
“You sure you’re up to this?” she asked, keeping her voice low enough we couldn’t be overheard.
“I could ask you the same question. You don’t have to be here if you don’t want. It’s not your mess.” I’d made the same offer several times this morning, and every time, Jen had rolled her eyes, reminding me that this was as beneficial to them as it was to me.
I felt underdressed walking into the library in khaki pants and a polo shirt. The goon wore his standard uniform of a black suit with a black shirt underneath. Even James was still wearing the shirt and tie he’d likely put on yesterday morning. Fortunately Jen was a woman whose presence demanded respect. She’d been almost giddy as she slid into a pair of heels and a navy blue dress. I got the impression she was happy to finally be getting back to work, even if it wasn’t her former corporate job.
We sat across the table from James, and before I could tell him my plans, Jen fanned out the contents of a manila folder. “Gentlemen, it’s my understanding that there have been some… issues recently surrounding the financial state of Bird Island Inn. I’m sure both of you will agree it’s in the best interests of the business, as well as all parties involved, that we find a solution as quickly as possible.” She sat a bit straighter, looking directly at the man in black. “If you don’t mind, I would appreciate a few minutes to discuss some business matters with Mr. Montgomery.”
“I’m not sure—”
Jen narrowed her eyes on the asshole. If she was at all intimidated by him, it didn’t show. I had to laugh when James gaped at her.
“Sir, we don’t know one another, but I’m asking you to trust me. Not James, as I’m sure he’s burned every possible bridge already. If it makes you feel any better, I’ve never laid eyes on him until we walked into this room. I have zero loyalty to him. My goal here is to help you and James’s nephew both walk out of here satisfied, but I think it’s for the best if you’re not in the room for this part of the discussion as it doesn’t pertain directly to the money owed to you.”
The man scrubbed at the back of his neck, furrowing his brow as he studied Jen, probably weighing his options. Finally he pushed back from the table. “I’m not leaving the main area of the hotel, but I will give you five minutes.”
“Thank you.” She offered a polite smile, and I stifled a laugh. Only someone who knew her well could read the underlying message through her saccharine-sweet response. Once we were alone, she turned her attention to James, pushing the first contract across the table to him.
“What’s this?” he asked, mumbling as he skimmed over the papers.
“That is the contract you’re going to sign, promising that as soon as the inn clears probate, you will sign over your stake to me,” she explained to him.
He stiffened, and I thought he was about to say something stupid.
Luckily Jen saved him from himself. “Mr. Montgomery, you’ve made some grave mistakes, and now you have problems you’re incapable of solving on your own. This is your only option if you want to save your ass. You can either sign this contract as well as one with your nephew regarding a loan for the rest of the money, or you can walk away and consider what that guy plans to do to you if he doesn’t get his money. Prove to your nephew that you’re not a complete idiot and do the right thing.”
“My father wanted one thing that was all his, and when he died, it was supposed to come to me.” James’s voice cracked, and I almost felt sorry for the guy. As angry as I was with him, I was starting to see that he wasn’t malicious. He just didn’t think about the consequences of his actions.
“No offense to your father, but that seems to be a poor choice given what you’ve done. You should consider yourself lucky to have family who’s willing to offer you a solution,” she scolded him.
James sank back in his chair.
“Perhaps you were under the impression your nephew would be so overjoyed to hear that his grandfather left part of the inn to him that he’d bail your sorry ass out. If that’s the case, I’m sorry to say you have a lot to learn about Dane Montgomery. He’s a good man who’s had to fight for everything he has. And even if he was inclined to rescue you without any sort of reassurance you’d repay him, he can’t do it alone.”
She reached into her purse and waved a cashier’s check in the air. “Lucky for you, he has people who have faith in his ability to run the inn and the resources to buy in. And that is why you’re going to sign those papers.”
“What happens if I do?” James scratched his chin, then wiped beads of sweat from his brow.
“That’s easy. When you sign both contracts, I’ll call the muscle back in here and give him the check,” she explained, leaning forward and resting her arms on the table. “After that, it’s between you and him to get the check cashed and the money into the right hands. And when probate clears, we’ll sit down again to make the transfer of your stake official.”
“Why would you give it to him?” James seemed annoyed by her plan.
“Because I need his reassurance that he will leave us out of your business dealings in the future,” she clarified.
“I don’t think I should make any decisions without my lawyer present.” James kept flipping through the pages, not reading anything at this point.
Jen pulled out her cell phone and slid it across the table. “By all means, call your lawyer and explain to him what you’ve done. I’m sure he will agree this is the only remaining option. Muscles out there
doesn’t strike me as having much patience left for you. Do you really want to explain to him that this could’ve all been cleared up, but you wanted to make sure your nephew, who you’d never talked to until you needed his help cleaning up a mess, isn’t going to screw you over? The way I see it, you’re getting one hell of a deal because Dane’s not charging you interest on the money he loans you, even though I’m sure we all know it’s unlikely he’ll ever see a penny in repayment.”
James shoved the phone back toward Jen. “Fine. Let’s get this over with.”
Jen handed him a pen and excused herself. Her heels clicked against the laminate floor, and she returned a minute later with James’s “friend.” I wasn’t sure what she’d said to him, but he seemed much more relaxed than he had earlier. They took their seats, and all of us watched as James signed over the inn. As soon as he put down the pen, I let out a sigh of relief.
The inn was safe, and my grandfather’s legacy would become ours.
Chapter 21
(Dane)
Nine months later
I LEANED back in the sand, closing my eyes and taking a minute to just be. During these early morning visits to the beach, the never-ending to-do lists were shoved out of my mind. And there was always something needing to be done back at the inn, but I wouldn’t have traded this new life for anything.
“Thought I might find you out here.”
I looked up, shielding my eyes, as Brook approached the mailbox. I’d left him sleeping in our bed, not wanting to wake him with the restless energy that’d kept me up most of the night. I’d needed the still of the morning, the waves rolling onto the beach as the sun rose, to center me, to remind me the chaos of today was what we’d all been working toward most of the winter.
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