Levi stepped up on the ladder again and went to work around the gutter at the rear of the house. He checked his watch. He was losing light as the sun set across the lake and running out of time. At least the heat was waning with the end of the day.
Repairs to the inn had been in full swing for a week. The plumber had repaired the pipes, replacing all the old ones to prevent a reoccurrence. He was a relative of Della’s and was doing the work at cost. Della bribed him daily with baked goods to rush the job.
Donald Walters, one of his dad’s old friends, owned the local hardware store. He’d donated the necessary drywall, and friends from church were volunteering their time to put it up. They’d have to hire a professional to tape and mud it, but Levi already had a guy lined up. From there, they’d paint and put the trim back up: Levi, Molly, Grace, Adam, and anyone else who was willing to pitch in. It was all hands on deck.
Thankfully the wood floor had survived, only requiring the replacement of a few boards. Altogether Levi thought they could have the job done in two more weeks. They were still out a lot of revenue, but hopefully they’d finish the season strong.
He had a new hook to help with marketing—it had come in the form of a brief note Mia had left in his sisters’ bedroom. The words were now embedded in his heart.
From the cozy bedrooms to the warm hospitality and delicious breakfasts, my stay at the Bluebell Inn exceeded my expectations. Enter a world where every detail is considered, every need anticipated. Both in town and on the lake, the inn is the perfect point from which to explore the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and the area’s many natural attractions. The Bluebell Inn is a destination of its own. I can’t think of any place I’d rather be.
That last sentence made his breath hitch every time. He couldn’t think of any place where he’d rather Mia be either. As busy as he’d been, the last week had dragged. He thought of her a thousand times a day. Sometimes the memories made him smile, and other times he wondered if he’d need to carve his heart out of his chest to stop the ache.
He’d thought he’d hear from her—because of the necklace if for no other reason. He’d thought that gesture would’ve meant something to her. But maybe it didn’t. Or maybe she simply couldn’t bring herself to make contact with him again.
He’d been tempted a hundred times to reach out to her. But after what he’d gone through with his sisters he was trying to stay in his own lane. And whenever he got down about her lack of communication he remembered her generous endorsement.
Grace had already placed it front and center on their website and added it to the review pages on numerous travel sites. He had bigger plans for the quote once he had a little space on his credit card.
He continued working along the gutter, making good progress. He’d been at this for almost three hours, but he was almost finished. Just one last . . .
His phone buzzed with a text and he checked the screen. Just in time.
* * *
Molly set down her brush and glanced at Grace in the mirror. “What is this event anyway? And since when do you hobnob at the Biltmore?”
Grace had begged Molly to go along tonight and had dragged her through shops all afternoon, searching for the perfect dress.
“I told you it’s an appetizer fund-raiser thing. Sarah got tickets and thought it would be a good way to network for my website business. But she can’t go with me, and I can’t go alone.”
Molly scanned her sister’s long, lithe form. “You look good in a dress. You should wear them more often.”
“Not happening. But I like yours too.”
Grace had all but insisted Molly get the floral sundress when she saw it on display. She had to admit it totally suited her, and it clung and flowed in all the right places.
Molly checked her watch. “Are you sure it doesn’t start till nine thirty? Isn’t that kind of late?”
Grace looked up from her phone. “It started at nine but, you know, fashionably late and all. Ready?”
Molly pushed away from the mirror and slipped into her heels. “Let’s drive Levi’s car. I don’t want a breakdown on one of those switchbacks.”
“Don’t forget your purse.”
“Oh. Right.” Molly led the way downstairs. She didn’t get dressed up often, but she felt pretty swanky in her new dress, with her curled hair flowing around her shoulders. She only wished Adam could see her, but he was out of town.
She turned at the bottom of the steps, holding out her phone. “Take a picture. I want Adam to see my new dress.”
Grace rolled her eyes but accommodated. She was just reaching for the doorknob when Levi came down the hall.
“You guys look nice.”
“Thanks,” they said.
“Can I get your help out back before you go, Molly?”
“We’re on our way out.”
“I see that, but it’ll just take a minute.”
“Will it dirty up my dress?”
Levi smirked. “Not even a little.”
Molly shrugged. “Fine. I’ll be right out,” she told Grace.
She set her dainty purse on the check-in desk and followed Levi down the hall. She couldn’t imagine what he was working on outside in the dark, but he was always puttering around with something. Especially since Mia left. He was working himself to the bone over this inn.
But she had to admit he’d kept his promise where she and Grace were concerned. Whenever Grace brought up her new business he was supportive. He even offered business and marketing advice. And even though Levi hardly sat still these days, he seemed a little less tightly strung. And that benefited all of them.
Levi opened the back door for her, and Molly stepped down onto the back patio.
Suddenly there was light. White twinkle lights. Everywhere.
And standing in the center of the beautifully lit patio was Adam, handsome in a black suit. His lips curved in a sheepish smile.
A wave of gooseflesh pebbled her arms. Her breath caught. She placed a hand to her heart, sure it had swollen to twice its normal size.
A shuffle sounded behind her. She tore her eyes from Adam and caught Levi’s gaze, holding it for a poignant moment. Then he gave her a knowing grin and slipped back inside.
She faced Adam again. He looked so precious, standing there, all uncertain and shy. And she felt blessed beyond words to be loved by him. She walked forward, closer, closer.
She could hardly catch her breath. “Oh, Adam.”
“You look so beautiful. And I’m trying very hard not to spew random facts, but the urge is strong.”
The laugh gurgled from her tight throat. “I’m actually speechless. You better go quick before the moment ends.”
He took her at her word, sinking onto the mossy pavers, one knee down, and took her hands. His were shaking, but so were hers. And she couldn’t tear her gaze from the love shining in his eyes.
“Molly Elaine Bennett, I knew there was something special about you from the moment I stepped through your door. In a matter of seconds you had me neck deep in a project.”
She breathed a laugh at the memory.
“And it didn’t take much longer until I was completely over my head. Even though I write about love and soul mates, I’d never experienced any of it . . . until you.
“Every day you surprise me, you confound me, you amaze me, and I don’t even know how I was satisfied with the colorless life I had before you brightened it. There’s no one else in this world I want to be with, Molly. I want to see your face first thing every morning. I want to share every moment of the day with you, good and bad. And when I fall asleep at night, it’s you I want in my arms.”
He dropped her hands and withdrew a box from his pocket, lifting its lid to reveal a beautiful marquise diamond that sparkled under the lights.
“Molly . . . will you make me the happiest man alive? Will you marry me?”
“Yes.” Molly stared into his eyes, mesmerized by his words. Someone sniffled. Maybe her. “Yes, yes, yes. Now get up here and kiss me.”
“Um . . .” He looked so sweetly uncertain. “I’m supposed to put the ring on now.”
Laughter gurgled from her again. “Right. Yes, of course. Go ahead.”
He took the ring from its velvet nest and slid it on, his fingers a little clumsy.
Molly’s eyes fastened on the diamond, glinting under the twinkle lights. “Oh, Adam, it’s beautiful. It’s perfect. I love it.”
He rose to his feet, framing her face, thumbing away her tears. “You’re beautiful and perfect. Perfect for me.”
Her heart rolled over in her chest. “I love you, Adam.”
His eyes were wet. “I love you too, Molly. So much.”
And as his lips met hers, softly, sweetly, reverently, Molly felt more alive, more blessed than she ever dreamed possible.