10
Andrew turned into the state park campground and trundled toward the primitive tent site he and Paige would have to vacate in a week, when they hit their fourteen-day maximum and were forced to find a new park. Camping on public land like national forests would be cheaper, but at the very least he owed his wife access to running water and a hot shower.
In truth, he owed her much more than that.
Stomach clenching, he tightened his grip on the wheel as he took the fork in the road that led to their campsite.
Maybe he should urge her to go back to her parents’ home. Her decision to quit college after one year and marry a carpenter in defiance of their wishes might still be stuck in their craw, but they’d welcome her in a heartbeat if she ditched the high school dropout with a GED who worked with his hands and wasn’t anywhere close to the white-collar professional they’d set their sights on for their only child. Not even his business success had been sufficient to soften their hearts.
The truth was, no matter what he did, he’d never be good enough for them.
And maybe he wasn’t good enough for Paige.
As he dodged a rut in the road with a sharp yank of the wheel, his shoulder slammed against the door.
He probably should be noble about this and cut her free.
But what he should do and what he had the strength to do were two different things.
How could he encourage her to go when she was the only bright spot in his world? The only reason he got up in the morning and kept on keeping on? The only thing that breathed life into his bruised, hurting heart?
Without her, he’d be finished.
But that was doubtless what he deserved after his epic fail.
Convincing her to leave would be a hard sell, though. She’d believed in him and his dream heart and soul, walking with him every step of the way as they built the business from the ground up, working menial but reliable jobs that offered them a steady paycheck and benefits until he had a financial foothold and she could join him at the company.
Paige wasn’t a quitter, that was for sure.
As their campsite came into view, he slowed.
Despite her reassurance that the disaster with the company wasn’t his fault, he should have paid more attention to the books instead of trusting a man whose amiable demeanor had hidden a growing heroin problem and serious gambling addiction.
It was too late to change the past, though. All he could do was try to minimize his mistakes in the future
Including his mistakes with his wife.
He had to do what was best for her.
But God help him, he wasn’t certain what that was anymore.
The flap of the tent opened, and Paige emerged. Froze when she caught sight of him.
He picked up speed, pulled into their parking spot, and stepped down from the cab. At least today he had more upbeat news to share.
She crossed to him, hands gripped together in front of her, a tentative hope blooming in her eyes. “How did it go?”
“I told him my story, and he didn’t throw me out. He also took my references. But the job is big. It could take me as long as six weeks, working alone. I know he’d like it done faster than that.”
“Did he ask you to bid?”
“Not yet. He said he’d contact my references and let me know.”
“That must mean he’s willing to work with you on the schedule.”
“Don’t count on it, Paige.” Much as he hated to dampen her spirits, it would be foolish to get their hopes up. Breaks hadn’t been their lot lately.
She chewed on her lower lip. “If timing is a deal breaker, I could help you speed the job up.”
“How? You’re not a carpenter.”
“No, but I can paint and pick up supplies and hand you tools and clean up the construction mess and place orders with suppliers and manage the books for a job of this scale. It’s not like running a whole company and doing payroll and filing taxes.”
“You didn’t sign on for all of that.”
She mashed her lips together, a definite sign she was digging in her heels. “I signed on the day I said ‘I do.’ Whatever it takes to make this job work, I’m willing to do it. We’re in this together, Andrew. I can also stop at that café we saw in town and see if they’re hiring. I haven’t waitressed in a while, but I’ve had experience. I could try to get early morning or late shifts so I can help on the job site.”
His throat constricted.
What had he done to deserve this woman?
“I don’t want you to have to wait tables again. Or work sixteen hours a day.”
“It won’t be forever. Once we’re back on our feet, I can quit the restaurant gig. But a steady income will allow us to get a decent place to live, with running water and electricity and heat on chilly nights.”
All the comforts she deserved.
Gritting his teeth, he dug deep for the courage to say what had to be said. “You could always go home. Your parents would be glad to have you back.”
His suggestion went over about as well as he’d expected.
“Home is where you are. And I won’t go back to my parents’ house until you’re welcome there too.”
“That’s never going to happen. If they didn’t relent when the business was booming, it’s not likely they ever will.”
“Then you’re stuck with me.”
He shoved his hands in his pockets. “I think you’ve got that backwards.”
She moved closer, stopping inches away. Close enough for him to catch a subtle whiff of the bewitching floral scent from the shampoo she favored. To see the faint, endearing sprinkle of freckles across her nose. To hear the slight catch in her words as she spoke.
“I will never in my life feel stuck with you, Andrew. I wish I could convince you of that.”
“You could have done a lot better than me.” His voice hoarsened, and he cleared his throat.
“Better how? Could I have found a man with more integrity? A more admirable work ethic? A kinder heart? More humility?”
“You could have found one with a higher-class background. Your parents didn’t like mine.” And who could blame them? A guy with an abusive father and a mother who drank too much wasn’t a promising marriage prospect for a woman like Paige, with her genteel upbringing.
“They never got to know you like I did. Their loss.”
“Yours too. I never meant to drive a wedge between you and them.”
“You didn’t. They did. I’m sorry they couldn’t accept you. I’m sorry they couldn’t accept that I was old enough to make my own decisions, even if those decisions didn’t meet their approval. But as long as I have you, I’ll be fine.” She touched his arm. “I need you, Andrew. Please don’t shut me out.”
At her pleading tone, his vision misted. “I only want what’s best for you.”
“Then don’t do what my parents did and try to override my feelings. Trust me to make my own choices.”
“I just don’t want you to feel like you have to stick with me. I know we took vows, but I would never hold it against you if you decided staying together is too hard. This isn’t the life I promised you.”
“The life you promised me is less important than the love you promised me. And it will only be too hard if you keep shutting me out. Pushing me away. Please don’t do that, Andrew.” A sheen appeared in her eyes, and she reached up. Laid her palm against his cheek.
He ought to move back, break the connection.
But he didn’t.
“Let’s not wait to work on the bid.” She smoothed her thumb over his cheek, sending ripples of warmth through him. “Let’s go ahead and get it rolling. Together. I bet we can figure out ways for me to help that will shorten the timeframe. And if you get this job, the news will spread about your work ethic and your skills. We might be able to make a new start here.”
How was he supposed to resist her entreaties while she was standing inches away, her gentle touch wreaking havoc with every resolution he’d made to keep his distance until he was certain he could dig them out of the mess he’d created?
How was he supposed to resist her?
It would take a man with far more self-discipline than he possessed not to cave.
Mistake or not, he slowly covered her hand with his, slipped his arms around her, and tugged her against his chest.
A simple hug, that was all he needed. A moment of comfort to help get him through the challenges ahead. To lighten the loneliness.
She came willingly, nestling close as she melted into his embrace, the familiar curve of her body against his bringing sweet memories of happier times as he absorbed the tiny quivers running through her and inhaled the scent of her hair while the slight frizz of her curls caressed his temple.
The temptation to move beyond a simple caress was strong. Almost too strong to resist. But somehow he summoned up the willpower to ease back. For now, a hug had to suffice.
He maintained his hold on her hands, however, as he looked down at her. “Are you certain you want to help me on the site?”
“Yes.”
“And you don’t think it’s jumping the gun to start working on the bid?”
“No. How could any of the references you offered be anything but complimentary about your work? I guarantee the guy at the B&B will hire you as long as we give him a schedule he can live with. And we will. Whatever it takes.”
At the conviction in her tone, a glimmer of hope flickered to life deep inside him. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt to research local suppliers and work on a timetable. Why don’t we find a coffee shop with Wi-Fi and boot up the laptop?” Their old cells would have come in handy today, but a pay-by-the-minute flip phone had been more budget-friendly during their weeks of wandering.
“I’m in. There’s a coffee shop in Hope Harbor, but the woman at the bookstore mentioned it was a Wi-Fi-free environment.”
“There has to be one in Bandon or Coos Bay. A library could work too.”
“Let me get my purse.” She squeezed his hand. “And try not to worry. I have positive vibes about this job.”
He watched her jog back to the tent, this woman who’d caught his eye the day they met at the café where she was studying for finals and he was measuring the counter for a remodel job.
Who could have known their flirty, teasing conversation would lead to romance and love and marriage?
But it had been an ideal match for almost six years, despite her parents’ misgivings and disapproval.
Until the bottom fell out of their world.
Paige could be right, though. Maybe here in Hope Harbor they’d find the new start they so badly needed.
If Matt Quinn was willing to give him a chance.
“So tell me how the meeting with the contractor went. I’ve been waiting with bated breath.”
As Kay cut straight to the chase after greeting him, Matt watched the two seagulls that had taken up residence at the edge of the terrace cuddle up beside one another.
Cell pressed against his ear, he gave them an envious look.
Nice for them that they had each other for companionship.
Angling away from the cozy duo, he focused on a solo silver-white harbor seal perched on a craggy rock offshore, its doleful expression a more apt reflection of his own mood. “The meeting went well for the most part.”
She listened while he recapped the story Andrew Thompson had relayed, speaking only after he finished. “He sounds like an honest man. Not everyone would be up front about that sort of experience.”
“I agree. Vienna Price did too.”
A beat ticked by.
“I know a Bev Price. She owns the bookstore in town.”
“Vienna’s her daughter. She’s here on a visit. You won’t believe her background.” Once again, Kay listened without interrupting as he filled her in. “I don’t know how we lucked out, but she’s willing to help us while she’s here.”
“For real?”
“Yes. She toured the inn today with the contractor, and she’s already thrown out more ideas than you or I would probably come up with in a month.” Or a year.
“I’m all ears.”
He gave her the rundown, ending with the notion of changing the name of the B&B. “What do you think about her suggestion to make this a couples destination?”
“I like it. The location is secluded, and the scenery is world-class. But I don’t have a clue how to go about . . . what did you call it? Rebranding?”
“I expect she has a ton of ideas on that score too.”
“Okay.” A note of caution crept into her inflection. “How much is this going to cost?”
“The initial pass is free, but if she gets more involved, we should offer to pay her.”
“I don’t think we have the budget for that.”
The two seagulls rose in a flutter of wings and settled on the railing of the balcony of one of the guest rooms.
Guest rooms.
Bev’s comment about bartering advice for a room replayed through his mind. As did Vienna’s comment about her aversion to driving in the fog.
Would a free place to stay, despite the fact that it didn’t hold a candle to the inns she was accustomed to dealing with, be sufficient compensation for her counsel?
More importantly, would it be safe to even offer that, given his reaction to her today?
“Do we?”
At Kay’s prompt, he redirected his attention to finances. “Depends on the bid from the contractor, assuming his references check out. Vienna also asked me about your vision for the place. Are you looking to make it mid-range casual or a high-end destination that brings in top dollar?”
“What’s top dollar?”
He repeated the number Vienna had tossed out. “That’s assuming we do serious updating.”
“Wow.” Her response came out hushed. “I say we aim for high-end. I can’t do the math in my head, but multiply that by five rooms, times three hundred and sixty-five—wow again. For that kind of income, it may be worth taking out a loan to do the updates.”
“Except I doubt you can count on 100 percent occupancy year round.”
“Oh. Yeah, that’s true. Did she say anything about what occupancy rate we could expect?”
“Not yet, but I assume that will be part of her research.” As it should have been part of Kay’s. But he left that unsaid.
“Even at 50 percent, that would be a decent income.”
“You’ll also have expenses. Like housekeeping staff.”
A huff came over the line. “Are you trying to be Mr. Negative?”
“No. I’m trying to be realistic. Assuming she thinks you can expect a reasonable occupancy rate, however, it may be worth taking out a loan if there aren’t sufficient funds in reserve to cover all the expenses. And if you decide down the road to move on, a rebranded, high-end inn would be easier to sell than the Beachview B&B you bought. However . . . Vienna did say clients at those kind of places can be demanding, and they’ll have elevated expectations for everything from amenities to service to food. Are you up for that?”
“For a higher return, yes. Hang on a sec.” Muffled voices came over the line. “I’m passing the phone over to Cora. She’s champing at the bit to talk to you. Will you keep me in the loop?”
“Of course.”
After a pause, Cora spoke. “How’s my favorite vet doing?”
At her familiar gravelly, no-nonsense voice, the cloud hovering over him lifted a hair. “He’s holding his own. I’m more interested in how you’re doing.”
“I’ll be right as rain after they roto-rooter my ticker. Don’t you worry about me. You take care of yourself and that B&B your sister saddled herself with. I’ve been hearing quite a few stories about the sad state of affairs out there.”
“We’ll get it all sorted out.”
“I expect you will—if you get my drift.”
Yeah, he did. Cora knew Kay as well as he did, both her many wonderful qualities and her foibles. “I’m not the savviest businessman, but I’ll do my best.”
“From what I overheard of your conversation, sounds like you have someone out there who may be able to lend a hand.”
“I think so. Her background is tailor-made.”
“I’m sure I’ll get the scoop from your sister, but how on earth did you happen to cross paths with her?”
He filled her in. “She came out to the B&B today, and she seemed willing to help us.”
“You’re about due for a break. She vacationing there with her family?”
One of the gulls above him squawked, and he glanced up. They were both watching him with rapt attention.
Weird.
“She’s here to see her mother. No family in tow.”
“Is she married?”
Uh-oh.
Apparently her health issues weren’t deterring Cora from the less-than-subtle campaign she’d been waging for the past couple of months to remedy his solo status.
“I don’t think so. She didn’t mention a husband, and neither did her mother.”
“How about that. An eligible woman literally on your doorstep.”
“I’m not in the market, Cora.”
“You should be. The Bible verse says it all, right there at the beginning, in Genesis. It isn’t good for man to be alone.”
“You never got married.”
“But I wasn’t alone. I have a ton of friends, and I have you and your sister. Who do you have, other than me and Kay and those animals you take care of?”
“At least they don’t try to give me advice.”
“Ha-ha. But you know what? That’s the first snappy comeback I’ve heard from you in a while, and there’s a hint of the old lilt in your voice. Something—or someone—out there is perking you up.”
An image of Vienna popped into his mind.
He erased it at once.
“Could be the sea breeze.”
“Nope. You have that in San Francisco. My money’s on a someone. Call me again in two or three days, after the effects of the anesthesia wear off. I want a clear head to keep tabs on this new development.”
“You should be worrying about yourself, not me.”
“I don’t need worrying about. You do. So does your sister. And let me tell you, that’s been a full-time job these past two years. Just say a prayer for me tomorrow and put everything in God’s hands.”
“I will. I’m also coming to see you soon.”
“I’d like that, but Kay needs you more than I do right now. You take care of business for her while she takes care of me, and maybe I’ll come out and see that B&B you’re working on after it’s all snazzed up and the doctor gives me the green light.”
“You could come back with Kay for a visit after she’s finished playing nurse.”
“I’ll consider that. Love you, Matt.”
Pressure built in his throat at her typical matter-of-fact expression of affection that hid quiet depths of emotion.
How blessed he and Kay had been the day they’d moved in next to this caring, generous, slightly rough-around-the-edges woman who’d taken one look at them, realized they were hanging on by their fingernails, and tucked them into her heart. If she hadn’t thrown them a lifeline, who knew where they’d have ended up?
“Love you back, Cora.”
They said their goodbyes, and as he set his cell on the patio table, he gave the vast expanse of ocean a slow sweep.
Truth be told, he’d been thrown a lifeline on this trip too, thanks to the unexpected arrival of a carpenter and a consultant just as he was beginning to get desperate.
Whether Kay’s B&B ended up being the center of the new life she’d planned remained to be seen. His main goal was to get it to a point where she could walk away whole if she chose.
And even though he hadn’t contacted Andrew’s references yet or seen detailed ideas from Vienna, every instinct in his body said that with them on his side, he could not only bail out his sister but perhaps add a bit of light to the darkest corners of his soul.