Chapter Fifteen

“This is going to be so much fun.” Holly bounced in her chair instead of eating her breakfast. “I’ve never gone clothes shopping with a mom before.”

A wave of sadness washed over Beck. Holly had missed out on all the experiences of having a mother. He knew he’d done a good job raising a great little girl, but apparently shopping with Dad or Grandma wasn’t the same. Suz had offered to take Holly shopping with her and Emmie that morning, and that’s all Holly could talk about.

“Finish your waffle.”

“I’m not hungry.” She stabbed her fork over and over into the waffle. “It’s time for you to take me over to their house.”

“All that shopping is going to be tiring, so you need to eat so you have lots of strength.”

“Oh, yeah.” She was quiet for a moment as she shoveled more waffle and sausage into her mouth. Mocha sat under the table, waiting for any crumbs Holly might drop.

She was growing up so fast.

Was he wrong to start a new business that would keep him away from home at night? Evening was the only time he was able to spend time with Holly now during the week. What made him think he could run his own business—and a bar no less? Was Rachel right? Maybe he couldn’t have it all.

No. He’d worked it all out. Holly would have her space upstairs and his parents would help.

“Dad? Dad?” Holly was looking expectantly at him. “It’s time to go.”

“Brush your teeth and we’re out of here.”

Davis met them outside his house with Emmie and Suz. “Have time for a cup of coffee?” he asked Beck as they waved goodbye to the shoppers.

“Sure. I’m in no rush to get to the store.” He followed Davis into the house. “I still can’t even go down to the workshop because Rachel might need some last minute stuff from there.”

Davis let him rant as he poured Beck a cup from the never-ending coffee maker on the kitchen counter. For as long as Beck had known him, his friend’s writing had been fueled by caffeine.

“Thanks.” He cupped the mug in his hand, but he couldn’t sit. “I’m itching to get inside The Station and get to work.”

“Soon, though, right?” Davis sat on one of the padded stools at the large kitchen island.

“Not soon enough.”

“What did you expect? You’ve seen enough of these shows to know the homeowners can’t see the finished project till it’s done.”

Beck paced. “But I thought it was all for show. I didn’t think they’d keep me out of my own property this whole time.”

“Have some coffee. It’s only a day or two now. It’s not going to make a big difference in the scheme of things.”

Beck took a drink of coffee, then set the mug on the island. “I didn’t expect to feel this lost. This was the first project I’d had control of and then it was taken away from me. My parents just laughed. They don’t get it at all.”

“They must understand you’re anxious to get it ready to open.”

“No. It’s like they were surprised it mattered to me. I don’t think they really expected me to follow through.” It hurt that he still didn’t have their respect.

“Sure they did.”

“They didn’t trust me to come up with a design plan, though.”

Davis studied him. “Is that what you think?”

“What else can I think?”

“I know that your father and brother didn’t go out looking for someone to design your bar. They took advantage of an opportunity when it came to them. They thought it would be a help. One less thing you’d have to worry about.”

“There you go, being all logical again.” Could he have been wrong all this time?

When Beck didn’t say anything, Davis went on, “I suppose you threw out accusations. Maybe whined a bit.”

“I don’t whine.”

Davis just lifted a brow. “Still acting like the youngest kid?”

“I am the youngest kid.”

“You’re an adult. You don’t want your family to treat you like a kid, how about stop acting like one.”

“I…”

“Finish your coffee. I have to get to work. This book won’t write itself.”

“Good thing you’re my best friend.” Beck downed the rest of his coffee and walked away.

“You should talk to your family. Apologize. Thank them. Like a grown-up.”

“Yeah, yeah. I’m on my way.” Beck looked back over his shoulder when he reached the door. “Thanks.”

But when he got to Colburn and Sons, they sent him out on a salvage after all, so that talk had to wait.

…

All the tables, chairs, and upholstered seats were inside the bar and arranged by noon. How was it Friday already? Rachel’s last full day in Lakeside. She should be aching to leave, but…she wasn’t. She’d made connections she hadn’t expected. Made new friends and rediscovered old ones. She’d spent more time with her family than she’d planned, and while they would never see eye to eye, she didn’t hate to be with them anymore.

And she’d fallen in love. She wished to hell she hadn’t, but there was nothing she could do but try to ignore the fluttering in her stomach, the warmth in her chest, the voice in her head begging her to tell him how she felt. This wasn’t part of the plan. It wasn’t part of her dream.

She didn’t have time to think about it now. The Salvage Station had to be ready for the reveal first thing tomorrow.

All the Colburn and Sons employees had helped transport and set up the amazing pieces they’d fashioned from salvaged materials. And then Bud actually stopped by and offered to arrange the bottles of booze on the wood and iron shelves that had been installed in front of the mirrored wall behind the bar. Now Rachel had all afternoon to hang the art and fire helmets, arrange the million glasses behind the bar, and stage the whole place with the finishing touches that would wow Beckett and his family—especially Beckett—as well as her viewers.

She was damned proud of the job she’d done on The Salvage Station. She’d gotten to stretch her creative muscles and it felt great. Would it be enough to ensure her show continued? She pushed away the nerves that danced in her stomach.

Everyone had left and she was finally alone. This was one of her favorite parts, when all her work came together and she could see it as she’d envisioned. Putting on the finishing touches was the fun part. Rachel grabbed her water bottle and took a slug. Time to get to work.

She was in the process of hanging one of Anita Colburn’s paintings when her cell phone, which she’d left over on the bar, began to ring. She sighed and propped the painting of docks stretching out into Lake Margaret against the wall, and reached the phone in time to answer the call from Holly.

“Rachel. Rachel. I’m here. Right outside. I’m done shopping with Emmie and her mom. Can you come out? Or can you let me in? I missed you.”

Rachel swallowed. How often had she heard anyone say they missed her? She was always so busy trying to stay on top of the heap that she rarely cultivated relationships with people who couldn’t help her career.

“Rachel? Rachel, did you hear me? The door is locked. I know it’s top secret so could you come out for just a minute? I’m afraid you’re going to go before I can see you again.”

“Are you in the front or the back?”

“Back door.”

Rachel smiled. “Be right there.”

Holly threw her arms around Rachel as soon as she stepped outside. She looked over the young girl’s head to see Emmie and Suzanna Dillon. “Hi. How was shopping?”

“It was so much fun,” Emmie said. Suz grinned indulgently beside her.

Holly stepped back and looked up at Rachel. “I wish you could have come with us but we all knew you were really busy with work. Maybe some other time, okay?”

There were so many feelings bombarding Rachel that she couldn’t even speak for a moment. Holly wished Rachel could have gone shopping with her? “Hey, you want to help me this afternoon?” The words had come out of Rachel’s mouth before it was even a conscious thought.

Her blue eyes widened. “Really? But isn’t it supposed to be a surprise for everybody?”

“Well, if you were my helper you would have to see inside.”

Holly bounced up and down. “Can Emmie help, too?”

Before Rachel could make an excuse, Suz answered Holly. “Sorry, but we have to get home. I’m so glad you could come with us today, though.”

“Why don’t you and Emmie run inside and let your grandma know you’ll be helping me out for a while.”

“Okay!” Holly and Emmie dashed toward Colburn and Sons.

Suz came closer. “That little girl is very attached to you.”

Rachel nodded. “I know. I probably should have sent her in to Donna and gone back to work by myself, but…”

“You’ve gotten attached to her, too.”

She nodded again. “I know it’s not good. I’m leaving tomorrow.”

Suz cleared her throat. “I take it you don’t plan on keeping in touch with her father?”

“No.”

“Long-distance relationships are tough. Davis and I couldn’t make it work.”

“But you’re really giving up your job to stay home?” Wasn’t that the same as failing?

Suz chuckled. “Don’t sound so appalled. I’m tired of traveling. I’m tired of seldom seeing my daughter. And I’m tired of pretending I don’t love Davis. It was a pretty easy decision once I admitted those truths to myself.”

There was no time to continue the conversation. Holly and Emmie dashed out of the showroom. “I’m ready to help.”

They said goodbye to Suz and Emmie, and Holly followed Rachel inside.

“It looks amazing!”

“Wait until we get done with our work today.”

“What do we have to do?”

“Put the icing on the cake.”

Holly tilted her head. “What cake?”

“The bar is the cake. It looks great, but it’s a little plain. It needs some icing.”

“Oh, to make it pretty.”

“And give it that wow factor. So we’re going to hang things on the wall and put candles on the tables. Set out these cool napkins with the new Salvage Station logo on the bar and the tables. And then arrange the glassware. There’s still a lot to do. I’m so glad you’re here, because I can really use another pair of hands.”

Holly beamed up at her. “I’m so glad I’m here, too.”

Rachel blinked and grabbed the painting she’d been ready to hang not long ago. She loved this little girl as much as her father. How could she have let this happen? Beckett had warned her he didn’t want Holly bonding with someone who was going to leave. Rachel had never thought she would be the one bonding.

I could have it all.

That little voice whispered the tempting words in her head. Look at Katie. Look at Suz. Look at what—at who—she’d be leaving behind.

But she’d be leaving behind her career if she stayed in Lakeside with Beckett and Holly, because it took everything she had right now to stay at the top of her game. She’d never be able to convince the network that she could keep her ratings up if she shifted even a small percentage of her focus away from The Rachel Touch.

And she’d never expect Beckett and Holly to be content with only a small percentage of her focus. They deserved 100 percent.

And there was the problem.

“What can I do?” Holly asked eagerly.

Rachel mentally shook her head and got rid of those wishful thoughts. She would enjoy her time with Holly and her father, and then say a cheerful goodbye, grateful she’d been able to let go of her hatred of Beckett and all things Lakeside.

Now to get to work. “See that big blue tote over there?” Holly nodded. “There are glass and metal candleholders and flameless candles in there. Could you wipe down the holders with that towel, then put a pillar in each one and set them out on the tables?”

Her eyes lit up. “Right away.”

Holly chattered away as she worked, telling Rachel what she did in Hershey and about the shopping trip she went on that morning. Rachel listened as she worked, all the while telling herself that she didn’t want that kind of life. She wouldn’t know what to do with a kid. She’d probably screw up her life like her parents did to her.

Still, the time went much faster with Holly’s help and her happy chatter. When all of the other work was done, Rachel pointed her to the bar.

“Okay, grab a couple of those cotton dish towels at the end of the bar.” She’d ordered the bar towels with the same logo as on the napkins and the menus and the sign that would go up out front first thing in the morning. “Now we really get to work.”

Holly grabbed the towels and followed Rachel behind the bar. “Holy pepperoni, that’s a lot of glasses!”

…

She knew she should call Beckett to cancel the boat ride. After spending a wonderful afternoon with Holly, the best thing to do was stay far away from both Colburns until morning. But she couldn’t bear to hole up in her room at the inn. Knitting held no appeal tonight. Who knew when she’d get another chance to go out on the lake? Besides, they had to get past the awkwardness of the last day or two before she left tomorrow. They had an important shoot first thing in the morning, and they had to act as if everything was still great between them. And she’d hate to leave him with them both being angry.

The salvage job Beckett had been working on ran longer than he’d expected, according to the text she received, so she relaxed on a bench by the water to wait for him. A pleasant breeze lifted the ends of her hair. Rachel closed her eyes against the bright sun that seemed to shine into all the shadows lurking inside her. How had this happened? How could she have fallen for a little girl and her father?

The thought of getting on a plane bound for her next project shouldn’t make her eyes prickle with unshed tears, she should be giving a sigh of relief. She’d made her choice a long time ago and there was no going back now. But why did she keep feeling Holly’s arms flung around her? And the taste of firm lips and the brush of soft beard? She didn’t want to crave those sensations.

Who would she be if she wasn’t the Rachel Bradford? She’d be nothing but a failed TV designer. A has-been whose show was cancelled. She would have lost her dream and spent the rest of her life either grasping at wisps of vague alternatives or looking back on her past as the best time of her life while everyone, including her parents, felt sorry for her.

She couldn’t spend the evening with Beckett. How had she ever thought that was a good idea? But as she stood and turned to run back to her car, Beckett’s Jeep pulled in and parked next to her rental.

“What’s the matter?” He jumped out of the vehicle and stopped her before she could reach the car door.

I want to hold you, kiss you, keep you. “I’ve changed my mind. I’m exhausted.”

“Come on.” He put his arm around her shoulders like she was his buddy and led her down the dock. She couldn’t make herself pull away. “A short ride. Blow the dirt off your skin, Pop used to say. Blow the worries out of your head.”

It did sound nice but there was no way anything would blow him out of her head. “Okay, but just a short one. It was a long day.”

“You got it.”

He helped her onto the boat, and memories of their night on the Happy Holly bombarded her. Right there they’d stretched out beside each other to gaze at the stars. Right down those steps is where they made love for the first time.

Once they were on their way, he turned to her with a mischievous grin. “So, how did it go with the bar today?”

“It’s ready for the reveal. Holly even gave her stamp of approval.”

Beckett immediately pulled the boat into the nearest cove and cut the power. “What?”

She hopped up from the padded seat, the boat rocking only a little with the gentle waves. “Don’t worry, I’d never let the rest of your family see it before you. I enlisted Holly for help this afternoon to make up for her missing out while she was in Hershey. She pitched in like a trooper.”

“I bet she loved that.” He rubbed his hands together in an exaggerated gesture, like some evil villain. “Now I know who to torture for the answers.”

She laughed but pretended to be horrified. “You can’t torture a little girl.”

“Sure I can. All I have to do is take away her cell phone. She’ll tell me everything I want to know.”

“Or you can wait a few hours and all will be revealed.”

He locked his rich gaze on hers. “Honestly, I’m in no rush. Because after the reveal, you and your crew pack up and you’ll be gone.”

“Beckett…”

“Truth or Dare?”

Not again. “Beckett…”

“Come on. Truth or Dare?”

She swallowed. She couldn’t risk him asking how she felt about him. “Dare.”

“Kiss me.”

“No.”

“One last time, Rachel.” His gaze was intense now. “Kiss me goodbye.”

She landed in his lap with her legs around his hips. She cupped his face, his beard soft on her hands. She should have given his lips a small brush. But by that time it was all she could do not to devour him. She drank from him, savoring his taste. That taste, the unique Beckett-taste that she would miss for the rest of her life.

When she pulled back, he caught her gaze. “We could have been good together.”

She didn’t want to hear it because she was afraid he was right. Too late now. It triggered her memory of the story Mia and Ginny told her. “Why didn’t you tell me you disappeared from Lakeside for years?”

Beckett lifted her off his lap. She returned to her seat so she could be a safe space away from him. He scrubbed a big hand over his face before he spoke. “You told me our fight in the fire station that night was what made you leave town and never return. Do you think you were the only one to be affected by that shit we were shouting at each other? You hit me with that dig about how I’d be working for my parents for the rest of my life. That I’d never get out of Lakeside. And I realized you were right.

“My first semester at community college was pointless. I couldn’t stop thinking about being stuck in Lakeside and never seeing the rest of the world. So one day I packed up and left.”

“Did you even talk to your family? From the stories I heard, you suddenly disappeared. No one knew where you were.” She knew it wasn’t fair, Ginny had said he talked to his parents, but she couldn’t hold back all the angry accusations that had been running around her brain.

“Just because random people didn’t know where I went doesn’t mean I ghosted my family.” His eyes were shadowed and his voice caught. “But yeah, I stopped calling cuz Mom would cry. So it was mostly by text. To let her know I was safe.” His hands were clasped on his lap and he leaned forward, like he was hurting. “I was afraid if I heard her voice again, I’d go back home. I couldn’t risk it. I had to prove you wrong.”

The breath left her lungs. “Are you blaming me?”

“No. No, there’s no blame. I’m glad you gave me the push. I am sorry I didn’t keep in touch with my family. It made sense to the stupid kid I used to be, trying to do it all on my own. And I’m still paying for it, even though that’s not who I am anymore. I’m not sure my family has completely trusted me since. Maybe they think I’m going to run off again.”

“Where did you go?”

“Traveled around the eastern U.S. Picked up odd jobs here and there, but then I stopped into a corner bar in a little town in Georgia. They were looking for a dishwasher, but I got to be friends with the owner, and before long he taught me everything I needed to know about bartending. From there I moved to Florida for a while. Then I ended up managing a bar in North Carolina.”

She’d lucked into her first job with the Home Improvement Network right out of college. “That’s where you met Holly’s mother?”

“Yeah. Crystal was fun and she didn’t want a commitment any more than I did.”

A baby was certainly a commitment. “You decided to come back to Lakeside after Holly was born?”

“I needed help. I needed family.” He swallowed. “I needed home.”

“I can’t imagine what you went through.”

“I’d never been so scared in my life. Here was this tiny person depending on me for everything.” He closed his eyes for a moment, as if he was looking back in time. Then he opened them and leveled his gaze. “I couldn’t raise her on my own. Maybe some people could, but I knew I couldn’t. I quit my job, packed everything up, and drove ten hours, stopping only to feed and change the baby, until I pulled into the parking lot.” He chuckled sadly. “I was exhausted. Holly was crying. Mom took one look at us and started crying, too. I don’t know what I would have done without her.”

Rachel imagined the scenario. What if she’d had a baby and came home for help? After a sound scolding about what the neighbors would think, her mother would have hired a nanny. She’d never have dropped all her charity boards to feed and change a newborn so Rachel could work.

She knew it wasn’t fair to compare their families all the time. But it was difficult not to. “Your girlfriend didn’t have any family to help?’

Beck shook his head. “She was an only child, and her parents were gone. Looking back, I think she was desperate to make her own family. We’d been dating for about a year when she admitted she’d ‘forgotten’ to take her birth control pills for the past few months.” He put air quotes around forgotten.

“Oh, wow.”

“I took responsibility. Asked if she wanted to get married, but she didn’t. It took me a while to get used to the idea of a baby. Hell, I’d had no idea she’d even wanted a child, but I was excited by the time she was due. I scoured the secondhand stores for baby furniture and fixed them up with skills I’d learned at Colburn and Sons. We had the nursery all set up and then a week before her due date Crystal told me she was leaving me.”

“What?”

“Turns out she just wanted a baby. She didn’t want me.” He came over to sit beside her. “I don’t want it to sound like self-pity. I’m over it now, but at the time it was devastating. She went into labor that night. And then she was dead.”

“Oh, Beckett.”

“And then I was home,” he added. “I’m glad I traveled around, glad I had the chance to work outside the family business, but none of those places ever felt like home.” He took her hands. “I’m glad you gave me the push to leave Lakeside because if I hadn’t, I never would have known.”

“Known what?”

“That I belong here. I would have always wondered if there was something better for me out there. Doesn’t mean I don’t want something more than being muscle in the family business, though.”

Rachel winced when he used the word she’d thrown at him that night.

Beck went on. “I got years of experience running a neighborhood bar and I was good at it. I’ve been planning this move for the past nine years. I’m finally there. It’s so close I can taste it. And you’re here to help me again. What does that say?”

She grinned. “That we get up in each other’s business?”

“That’s one way of looking at it. I used to think we brought out the worst in each other, but now I think it’s the other way around. We bring out the best in each other.”

She held back a shaky gasp. “Do you think so?”

“I do.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me any of this before?”

…

Beck didn’t get why she was even asking about it. It pissed him off that she acted like he’d kept it from her on purpose, so he snapped when he shouldn’t have. “Why would I spill all my history to you? We don’t have a real relationship, right? You constantly tell me you’re leaving.” He sighed. “Sorry. It happened a long time ago. Didn’t seem to be much point in bringing it all up.”

“But I was bound to hear about it. Gossip spreads in Lakeside, especially when people can actually get on TV if they have a story to tell.”

“I’m not used to looking at life like that,” he said. “My life has never been part of a publicity campaign. I told you what happened at that bar I worked at. I’ve never wanted my life to be gossip fodder. And I don’t like it.”

“Good thing I’m leaving then.”

“No. It’s not good.” He almost blurted out those three little words, but he knew she wouldn’t want to hear them. “What are you afraid of?”

She backed away from him. “My leaving has nothing to do with fear.”

“I think it has everything to do with fear.”

“What were you running away from when you quit school and disappeared?”

He clenched his jaw. “I told you why I left.”

“And I told you why I’m leaving.”

He’d no doubt piss her off, but he was going to say it anyway. “Coming home doesn’t mean failing. Neither does staying there. It means you’re back where you belong.”

She froze. “Take me back to the marina.”

Fuck. Didn’t he know all along she’d react that way? “Admit it, you’re afraid if you come back to Lakeside you’ll be seen as a failure. But I know you’re the only one who would see you that way.”

“You don’t know anything.” She stood up as if to walk away, but there was nowhere to go on a boat in the middle of Lake Margaret. She cursed and dropped back down to the seat.

He might as well blurt out the rest of it, the question he’d wanted to ask since he realized how strong his feelings for her were. “You can live anywhere in the country and do the work you do.” He felt as if he were begging. He didn’t like to beg but he’d do it for Rachel. “You could live here in Lakeside, be a part of our lives. Travel when you need to and come back home to your friends. Your family. Me. Us. Living in Lakeside doesn’t mean you’ve failed.”

Her hands were clenched so tightly, her knuckles were white. She was shaking. “I’m not moving back to Lakeside.”

”Who knew the ambitious Rachel Bradford was actually a coward?”

“How dare you call me a coward after you ran away from home for over a decade?”

Yeah, there was some truth in that, but… “I came home, but you’re still running away.”

She surged to her feet again, her face red. “Take me back. Now.”

Why was he trying to make her angry? This was supposed to have been a relaxing end to their time together, and now he’d ruined whatever chance they might have had. “Fine. Sit down.”

“I don’t want to sit down.” She crossed her arms, then almost lost her balance when the boat rocked.

“Well, I don’t want you to fall overboard. It would be a real pain in the ass to have to pull you out of the lake.”

“You’re such a jerk.” But she plopped down onto the seat.

“Good thing I didn’t say I was in love with you.” Well, he hadn’t expected that to come out of his mouth.

She rolled her eyes. “You’re not in love with me and I’m not in love with you. We played our parts for the camera. You used me to get your business ready and I used you to save my show. That’s all that went on here.”

“Yeah, you’re right. That’s all it was.” It was still hot and muggy on the lake, but Beck was chilled to the bone.

“I wish I’d never come on this stupid ride. It ruined everything,” she ground out. “I was almost sorry to leave. I would have remembered you fondly, but now I’m back to hating you.” Her chin jutted out. “You are still that cocky jerk underneath it all, aren’t you?”

“And you’re still that stuck-up country club princess with your nose in the air.”

“Guess you were wrong.”

“About what?”

“Apparently we don’t bring out the best in each other.”

…

Beck hated staring into a camera. He’d hated it on the first day and now that they’d finally reached the final day, he still hated it.

He didn’t care how much money he’d save, or how much promotion it would mean for his business, he was never doing this again. If the crew came back for the opening of The Salvage Station, they could film the bar, the crowd—please let there be a crowd—interview Pop or Noah or anyone else. He would remain behind the bar and then stay far away from any camera for as long as he lived.

Stu was wrong. Beck had never gotten used to it.

Stu called cut for the third, or maybe fourth time because Beck couldn’t seem to stir up the proper amount of enthusiasm as he waited to be allowed into his own place to see what had been done to it. His nightmare was that it had been changed into a caricature of a neighborhood bar and he’d have to tear the damn thing apart and do it his way. If he hated it, was he supposed to pretend to love it before he was forced to start all over again? He hadn’t thought about that before today, but it was all he could think about now. He just wanted to get this over with.

Rachel stood beside him, looking as lovely and put-together as always, wearing another dress that was a riot of pinks and yellows that made her look even more vibrant than she already was. She seemed to have no trouble repeating her lines over and over, perfectly, as though they hadn’t thrown nasty words at each other last night and destroyed the relationship they’d been building. As if it didn’t hurt her heart to think of what they’d thrown away.

She somehow smiled at him and for the camera at the same time. “Beckett Colburn, the time has come to see how your old fire station has been transformed into an exciting but welcoming neighborhood bar with The Rachel Touch. Are you ready?”

He forced a smile. “Yes. I. Am. So ready.”

“Cut!” Stu shouted again. “For God’s sake, try to sound natural.”

“You want natural? ‘Let me into my fucking bar.’ How does that sound?”

Rachel placed her hand on his arm, then jerked it back as if she’d remembered she didn’t want to touch him anymore. “Beckett, please.”

“Sorry.” He was a grown man. A single dad. He was no longer that angry, cocky jerk. He took a deep breath and smiled at the camera. “I can’t wait to see what you’ve done to the place.”

“That’ll have to do,” Stu said. He leaned close. “I don’t know what’s up with you two this morning but shake it off and let’s finish this.”

Beck nodded. Holly and the rest of his family were standing in The Salvage Station parking lot, waiting for their chance to see the final reveal, as soon as the crew filmed Beckett’s reaction. The parking lot at Colburn and Sons was packed with gawkers. He appreciated that Pop hadn’t insisted on being the first one in the door. Maybe he did finally trust Beck to know what he was doing. He’d never gotten around to having that conversation with his parents yet.

He hadn’t realized he’d curled his hands into fists. He stretched out his fingers and rubbed his sweaty palms on his jeans. The crew followed him and Rachel to the front door.

There hadn’t been any way to avoid him seeing the changes done to the outside. Apparently, for most of Rachel’s projects, the homeowners had to stay away from the entire neighborhood while the work was being done. But with Colburn and Sons next door, they decided they couldn’t avoid him seeing the new multi-paned windows that took the place of the two garage doors or the wide entry door. Blinds had been installed and pulled down over the windows so no one could see inside. They’d mounted a large, colorful sign out front only this morning with an image of an old, red fire helmet, with The Salvage Station printed across it. He had to admit it was a look that should draw customers to the bar.

Glen walked ahead of them—backward— so he could capture Beck’s expression as he approached the building, walked through the door, and got his first look at the finished interior. His stomach twisted into a mass of nerves. He should have been excited and he supposed he was on some level, but focusing on keeping his face neutral while walking up the new brick walk was taking all his concentration. Then he stepped through the door and froze.

He should have known anything Rachel designed would take his breath away. The industrial theme he feared would be too cold and bright, was anything but. It was…perfect. The pipes and ductwork added interest to the high ceiling, but the mixture of reclaimed wood and metal in the bar, the floor, and the furniture made all the difference.

“Well…what do you think?” Rachel was still beside him, the camera was in his face, and Beck had forgotten everything but seeing his dream come to life. Was that hesitancy in her voice? Could she actually have been worried what he would think?

The hell with the camera. Beck turned to Rachel. He wanted to pull her into his arms but not only would the gesture not be appropriate for the show, he didn’t have that right any longer. “Exactly what I wanted and I didn’t even know it. It’s more than I ever expected.”

Her wide smile revealed her relief. “You wanted an atmosphere that would welcome your customers and let them know they’re going to have a great time, just by walking in the door. That’s the goal of a good design.”

“You accomplished exactly that.”

“Great. Let me show you around.” She led him over to one wall where low tables were surrounded by upholstered club chairs. “As you can see, the fire-engine red we used on the entrance door has been echoed in the fabric in these conversation areas.”

“I didn’t know you were going to do these. They’re great.” He turned his focus to the artwork on the wall. “Those look familiar.”

“Yes, I talked with your sister-in-law, Anita Delgado, who you know is an exceptional artist, and we selected a few paintings from her gallery to display. If you’ll notice on the other wall are some photographs by your other sister-in-law, Katie Colburn. You have a talented family, Beckett.”

And by choosing art from the family, Rachel had personalized the space even further. “Yes, I do.”

“Let’s take a look at the bar because I know that’s the most important space.” He followed her across the floor, past the beautiful tables of wood and iron. “Now you had already installed this gorgeous salvaged bar, and I couldn’t have done any better. But we’ve added a few touches I hope you like.”

Beck pointed to the base of the bar. “Iron pipes for the foot rail. I like it.”

“We used the same pipe for the legs of the barstools,” Rachel went on. “The seats are fashioned from salvaged wood Colburn and Sons had in storage.” The seats had been sanded and stained to match the bar.

She gestured behind the bar, to the wood and metal shelves that held the liquor bottles and were reflected in the mirrored wall. “I designed everything to be functional as well as great-looking. You’ll have to let me know how I did.”

He rounded the bar, checked out the reach to the glasses, the sink, the well, and the shelves. Everything worked. He looked out over the bar, and a thrill of anticipation made his heart race. He couldn’t wait to see the place humming with friends and strangers.

“It’s perfect,” he told her. “It’s not one thing, it’s everything. I can’t even take it all in.”

“We have one more thing for you to look at,” Rachel said. She took his hand and he savored the sensation. He most likely wouldn’t feel it again. But she was heading to the stairs. As she’d mentioned at the beginning, she’d installed a metal gate to block off the stairs. “I can’t believe Colburn and Sons even had this scissor gate from an old elevator in their storage yard.”

“I remember that salvage. An old factory in Buffalo.”

Rachel opened the gate and started up the stairs. The crew followed them.

“The upstairs wasn’t part of the deal.”

She smiled. “Surprise.”

When they reached the top, he saw that the bare room had been completely finished. “I have no words.”

“I wanted a safe and fun place for Holly to hang out,” she told him. “We installed noise-deadening flooring. That sofa against the wall pulls out into a bed if need be. We threw in a couple of extra chairs in case she wants to have some friends over to watch the big screen TV. But we didn’t forget about homework.” Rachel pointed out the desk with a new laptop sitting on the surface.

Beck walked around, stunned. He picked up one of the throw pillows tossed on the denim sofa. Had she really had time to knit those chunky yellow pillow covers? “Rachel…”

He started to walk toward her, then remembered the damn camera was recording everything.

Her gaze caught his, bittersweet to be sure. “I didn’t forget you need office space, too.”

She led him past a row of freshly painted shelves that divided the space. He recognized them immediately as the ones they’d salvaged from the old general store last week. There were a few books stacked on them, with room for many more.

In the office space, she’d added a roomy desk and a comfortable-looking office chair. He took a step over to the firemen’s pole. “There’s a cover over the hole.”

“Safety.”

“And there’s a latch.” He had to smile at her then. “In case you want to give it another try?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” The cheeky grin slid off her face as she must have remembered she’d swore she’d never be back here again.

“Well, I’m overwhelmed. It’s perfect. Everything’s perfect. Thank you, Rachel.” He knew he had to get out of there before he broke down and held her or kissed her or cried in front of the damned camera. He turned to Stu. “Did you get enough?”

He nodded.

“I’m going to send Holly in. She’s got to see this.” Beck headed for the stairs.

“Okay, guys. That’s a wrap,” Stu said. “We’ll head out as soon as we get everything together. Don’t want to miss our flight.”

Beck shook hands with the crew members and then headed outside to send in Holly and the rest of the family. He sat on one of the benches out front after everyone headed inside. He needed a few minutes to breathe with no camera or producer or beautiful, talented designer who was so afraid of failure she wouldn’t try something new. But he knew he had acted like a jerk last night, and he needed a chance to get her alone to apologize.

Rachel approached quietly. “I’m glad you’re happy with the design.” She sat beside him.

“It’s everything I wanted and more. And I’m sorry for last night. I was frustrated and let my mouth get away from me. I don’t want us to part on such a bad note.”

“I don’t either. I’m sorry, too. I’m sorry I can’t be what you want me to be.”

“You’re the bravest person I know, and I should never have called you a coward.”

She shifted on the bench. “You’ve built yourself a wonderful life here. Holly is…amazing.”

“She is.” He had so many things he should say to Rachel. That she could be a part of his life. That she could be happy here. That she’d never be a failure even if the Home Improvement Network did something stupid like cancel her show.

But she knew all that. It wouldn’t help to say the words out loud.

“I still wish you’d come back for the opening.”

“I can’t.”

“I can text you sometimes. Send some pics of Holly.”

“Don’t.” She grasped his hands, locked her sad but resigned gaze with his. “You understand why.”

He nodded. The same reason he didn’t speak to his family for years after he left Lakeside, trying to find his way.

“Rachel. Rachel. Rachel.” Holly came flying out the door and into Rachel’s arms. “You made me my own space. You remembered the tulips and butterflies. It’s so pretty. I love you. I love you.”

Rachel patted her back. Tears glittered in her eyes when she looked over Holly’s head at Beckett. “I’m happy you like it.”

“I love it. Thank you. Thank you.”

Rachel gently pulled Holly away and rose to her feet. “I’m afraid I have to go. My flight is this afternoon.”

“You’re going back to California?”

“Yep.”

“When are you coming back?”

“Oh, sweetie. I won’t be coming back to Lakeside.”

“But we didn’t get the chance to talk about our living room. And I wanted to take a boat ride with you. And invite you up to my new room when Daddy’s busy downstairs.”

Rachel began to back away. “Sorry.”

“Yeah. I know. You’re too busy. That’s okay.” Holly hugged her again, but the disappointment was clear in her voice.

Beckett watched the exchange without a word, angry at himself for not pulling back from Rachel at the beginning, as soon as he saw how enthusiastic Holly was. He knew better. He stood and clasped Holly’s shoulders, easing her away from Rachel.

“Have a good trip,” he told her.

She nodded. “Goodbye, Beckett.”