Chapter Eighteen

Stephanie loaded the last of her bags into the rental car just before noon on Friday. It seemed like a lifetime ago since she’d arrived at the Checkerberry, confused about why on earth Livvy would have sent her here and wholly anxious about spending a week away from her Florida home alone. Leaving, though, she felt much more grounded, more certain.

Yes, she was broken. Yes, the road to healing stretched far and wide before her. But without the week she’d had here with the Mastersons, she’d still be hiding under a ball cap and behind those silly sunglasses. Today, she wore neither.

And yet she was still standing. Go figure.

Stephanie followed the drive toward the front of the inn, her pace unhurried. She had nothing to fear stepping back inside, no one to be awkward around or feel the need to avoid. Miles wasn’t here—she’d discovered as much in the dining room at breakfast, after Ruby insisted Stephanie join her and the other ladies on staff at their table.

And while she’d found herself instantly enamored with Kayla and Maddie, and ever-entertained by Ruby, Stephanie hadn’t been able to keep Miles off her mind. Apparently he’d taken her advice and hit the road to Columbus, to take a tour of his new workplace and start scouting for apartments. She wanted to feel happy for him, be encouraged that he was going after his dreams, but her heart was still too raw from their severed ties yesterday.

Ties she herself had broken.

“I see you’re sticking with your decision to check out early, dear. I’m hoping we didn’t do anything to chase you away?”

Stephanie looked up to find Ruby on the nearest porch swing, a glass of lemonade perspiring on a small table beside her. “No, Ruby. You could never do that.”

“I know I couldn’t.” She patted the space beside her. “But I cannot say as much for the boys.”

“No, they didn’t chase me away, either.” Didn’t chase me at all, actually.

Which meant this truly was all for the best.

“Such a shame.”

Stephanie smiled and shook her head. “It’s for the best. Really.”

“I see. You’re heading back to Florida, then?”

“Sunday. Gonna spend some time with my nieces today. Go see my parents tomorrow. It’s time.”

Ruby placed a soft, age-spotted hand atop Stephanie’s hand. “Indeed it is. And I’m glad to see you facing the world again with your chin held high, dear.”

“Well, I don’t know about high. But yeah. Facing it instead of hiding from it.”

“That’s my girl.”

Stephanie reached over and drew the woman who would always be her surrogate grandmother into a gentle hug, fighting to hold back the tears that now threatened. “Thank you, Ruby. For everything.”

“Oh! Well, I’m not so sure I did anything special.” Her arms wrapped around Stephanie as well. “But you are welcome, dear. Always welcome to come back and visit. You know that.”

“I do.”

Stephanie drew back with a sniffle, then chuckled at her sappy behavior and bid both Ruby and the inn farewell once more. Halfway down the front steps, though, she turned back to the innkeeper. “Can I ask a favor of you?”

“Of course, dear,” said Ruby. “What is it?”

“Go easy on Miles. He might not be choosing a path you all like, or even the right path, but sometimes the prodigal sons and daughters need time to learn that on their own.”

A knowing smile stretched across the innkeeper’s lips. “Indeed they do.”

Stephanie waved once more then headed back down the drive to her rental. Before she climbed in, her gaze swept the length of the Checkerberry, committing today’s view to memory. It would always be her home away from home and hold some of her nearest and dearest memories. Sadly, just not all of her nearest and dearest people.