DEV SAT ON the front steps of the mansion on Wisteria Street. He stared out at a pair of pedestrians walking a small dog and recognized the high school principal and his wife. They waved and he returned the gesture.
“Look at that. Their lives go on, as they have day after day, and they blindly believe that everything is right with the world. And they have no idea that there are volcanoes and missiles and tsunamis just over the horizon.”
Elodie rested her head against his shoulder. “I know it’s a lot to take in, but I have to say that I admire the way you handled your mother. She was so scared of how you might react to the news.”
“I’m the last one to question her choices. She’s always put me above everything else. I’m just surprised that she could have given my brother away.”
“I suspect my father put a great deal of pressure on her and she didn’t have the strength to fight him. He held all the cards—her job, her house, your future.”
“I had no idea,” he said.
“I wonder what other secrets they’re keeping from us,” Elodie murmured.
“You think there’s something else?”
“I don’t know. But I’m going to find out. My father is going to be in New York this weekend. And I need to go back anyway and talk to some potential donors for the gallery. I have a ticket for tomorrow afternoon.”
Dev slipped his arm around her shoulders. “I don’t want you to go.”
She reached out and touched his cheek. “When were you going to tell me about the zoning decision? Mary mentioned that they weren’t going to be ruling in my favor and that everyone in town knows about it.”
Dev glanced away, shaking his head. “I wasn’t going to say anything until I tried to change their minds. Now that I have all this money, I figured a few well-placed bribes might do the trick.”
“I hope you’re kidding,” Elodie said.
“Not at all. I’m pretty sure that’s how your father got things done around town.”
“Well, you don’t have to commit a crime on my behalf. I’ve decided to sell the house. I’ve got some buyers interested and I think they’ll meet my counteroffer. It’s just too much for me to care for, and the mill is probably a better location for the gallery anyway.”
“I could always buy it,” Dev suggested.
Elodie drew back, sending him a look of disbelief. “What would you do with a house this big?”
“Live in it. Fix it up. If you aren’t going to be around, I’ll need to have something to do with my spare time.”
“Maybe you’ll find another girlfriend,” Elodie said.
“Is that what you were? Were you my girlfriend?”
Though he’d made his tone light, the questions were serious. Was this how it would end? Would she leave for New York and never return? He was almost afraid to ask about her plan for fear that his interest might drive her away.
She’d given up on the gallery at the mansion, but had she given up on everything else? “Maybe I will,” Dev said. “And if I find one, this fancy house will go a long way to impressing her, don’t you think?” He paused. “And there is that cold steel countertop on a hot summer night. It’s one of my favorite features.”
She laughed, but Dev wasn’t going to tell her that he wasn’t kidding. He didn’t want the mansion to be sold to strangers. This was their house—his and Elodie’s—and he wanted to build a future here. Maybe she didn’t see it yet, but Dev had to have faith that she would sooner or later. It might not be for a week or a month or maybe even a year, but she’d realize that she loved him and she’d be back. He wanted the house to be waiting for them both.
“When do you think you’ll be home again?” he asked.
She was silent for a long time. “I can’t answer that. If I can’t come up with a viable plan for the mill, if I can’t convince enough people to invest, then I might never come back. Not to live. I have to be able to make a living here.”
“You don’t,” he said. “You could live with me. We could use my inheritance to buy a business for you to run.”
“That money is yours,” she said. “Can you imagine what people would say? A Winchester finds yet another way to steal someone’s money. I’ll visit. And you’ll come to see me. It’s not a perfect plan, but we could make it work.”
Dev ought to have been satisfied with what she offered. It was better than no contact at all. As long as they still found time to be together, he still had a chance to convince her that life could be good in Winchester.
“What are you going to do? For work?”
“The gallery I used to work for wants to rehire me. And it’s decent there. I’ve got a lot of contacts. If I can find someone who wants to invest in the mill, then I’ll come back. It’s not like we’ll never see each other again. We’re adults. There are planes that fly between Asheville and New York. Three hours.”
“It won’t be the same,” he said.
Elodie shook her head. “It won’t be. But it will still be good. I promise.” She stood up and pulled him to his feet. “Come on. You can keep me company while I pack.”
“No,” Dev said. “I’m not going to watch you pack. I’d do almost anything to make you happy, but I draw the line at that.” He sighed softly. “I almost wish you hadn’t come home. I was fine with my life before you showed up. I was relatively happy. I understood where I belonged and I was content. But now, you’ve changed all of that.”
“I know what you want, Dev. And I’d like to believe that we could live here, happily ever after. But the town has already rejected me. And if we were together, they’d start to hate you, too. This is not the place for us. And I’m not sure where that place would be.”
Dev stood up. “I’m going to take a walk.”
“I’ll come with you,” Elodie said.
“No, you have to pack.” He bent close and kissed her forehead. “I’ll be back, I promise. This might be the last night we spend together in a long time.”
The expression on her face betrayed her concern. She didn’t think he’d return. In truth, Dev wasn’t sure he could. She seemed so casual about leaving, as if it would have no effect at all on their happiness. Dev wanted to grab her and give her a good shake, to shout at her and tell her that she was walking away from something great and wonderful. Something so precious that it didn’t come along often.
He pulled her into his arms and gave her a fierce hug. There was so much he wanted to say. But it seemed the harder he tried to convince her, the more she pulled away. She couldn’t admit that she needed him. But then, maybe she didn’t. He jogged down the front walk and headed downtown, setting a leisurely pace. It was nearly 10:00 p.m. on a weeknight but a cool breeze and full moon had brought people out for late strolls.
He recognized everyone he met on the street. Every name. He knew their families, their professions, their addresses. He knew the names of their dogs and their kids. Dev had made his life about saving the town of Winchester. People had trusted him to have an idea of what was best for the citizens, and he’d served them with honor.
What would happen if someone else took over, someone not so ethical? Everything that he’d accomplished would be destroyed and the town would be left to wither and die like so many other industrial towns.
He walked up and down Main Street, smiling to himself as he thought about his boyhood, when Main Street had bustled with business and there hadn’t been an empty storefront to be seen. It could be like that again. He could make it happen.
But now Dev realized that he didn’t want to do it alone. He needed Elodie by his side, focused on the same goals and ambitions, there to pick him up when he felt down and to celebrate his successes. Was he being selfish to want her with him? Maybe so, but he had to believe that deep down inside, she wanted the same thing.
As he continued his walk, the streets grew empty and when the midnight bell from the Episcopalian Church rang twelve, he knew it was time to head back to the house.
She’d left the light on and the front door open. He slipped inside and locked the door behind him, then walked through the empty rooms, switching off the lights as he went. Slowly, he climbed the stairs and slipped into her room. The bedside lamp was on, the shade covered by a silk scarf, creating a romantic atmosphere.
She was already asleep, the thin cotton sheet outlining her naked body beneath. Dev stood at the door for a long time, watching her, memorizing every detail of her face until he was certain he could re-create it perfectly in his mind.
She stirred, rolling onto her side and kicking her leg out from beneath the sheets. Dev walked to the bed and sat down on the edge. Reaching out, he brushed a pale tendril of hair away from her temple. He bent close and pressed a kiss to the spot where her hair had been. And when he drew back, her eyes were open.
“You’re back,” she murmured. “I wasn’t sure you’d come.”
“I said I would,” Dev replied. He stood and slowly stripped off his clothes. She held up the sheet, and he crawled in beside her.
For a long while they didn’t speak, just held each other. Finally, Elodie rolled over and braced her arms on his chest, looking at him in the darkened room. Moonlight streaming through the window outlined her profile, and Dev reached out and traced the shape of her mouth with his fingertip.
“I love you,” she said. “You need to know that. I’ve never loved anyone like I love you. But I’m not sure what that means. I wish I could make sense of it because then you wouldn’t be so sad.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” Dev said. “And when you figure it all out, I’ll be here, waiting. Or you can call and I’ll come to you. Because I love you, Ellie. I have from that first time we spoke at the Christmas party. You were the most interesting, beautiful, clever girl I’d ever met and I knew we were meant to be together. I still believe that.”
She leaned forward and kissed him, sweetly at first. But then Dev wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her beneath him, settling his hips between her legs. This was where he belonged. Wherever she was, that was home to him. Someday, she’d understand and then he’d believe her words of love.
* * *
THE RESTAURANT WAS packed with lunchtime diners as Elodie wove her way through the tables. As she approached, her father, Frederick Winchester, stood. His expression was unreadable and she wondered what was going through his head.
She’d never demanded an audience with her father. In the Winchester family, her father was the only one who did the demanding. In truth, she was surprised he’d agreed to come. But then, maybe there were some things that he intended to say. The maître d’ pulled out the chair for her, and she leaned forward and kissed her father’s cheek before she sat. “Hello, Daddy. You look well.”
He was dressed in an impeccably tailored suit and an expensive silk shirt that showed off his tan. He looked remarkably young and vibrant for a man of nearly sixty-five years. Elodie wondered if he might have had some plastic surgery recently.
“I’ve lost some weight. Your mother took me to court again on her maintenance. I can’t afford to eat out as much as I used to.”
“It’s probably better for you,” Elodie said. “At least it’s healthier. How is Mom?”
“Fine,” he said. “She’s dating some golf pro. He’s taught her how to play. Can you imagine your mother out on a golf course, swinging a club? There was a time when she would have considered that type of man beneath her.”
“Times change, Daddy. Are you dating anyone?”
Frederick held up his hand, and when the waiter approached, he ordered another martini on the rocks. “What can I get you?”
“Wine,” she said to the waiter. “A bottle of your best pinot noir.”
“Well, there you go. Let’s you and I spend the afternoon getting ourselves thoroughly pissed.” He took a long drink of his martini, then popped the olive in his mouth. “You look good. Got a bit of sun. Have you been on vacation?”
“Actually, I’ve spent the last couple of months in Winchester.”
At first, her father seemed stunned. Then, he laughed. “Why would you spend a minute of your time in that place?”
“You forget, I got the house in the settlement. I’m trying to figure out what to do with it.”
“And what have you decided?”
“I’m going to sell it. But the mill is also still on the market. The bank owns that. It’s a shame, really, because it would make a great retail space. Carved up into shops and workshops it could be quite nice.”
“Who in that town can afford to shop?”
“No one,” she said. “Thanks to you and my brothers. But things are changing. Slowly.”
“You’re wasting your time, Ellie, no matter what you’re doing in that town.” Her father studied her for a long moment. “Wait. Don’t tell me. You’ve hooked up with that punk. That Cassidy kid. Is that why you went?”
Elodie took a slow sip of her wine. “He’s not a kid anymore, Daddy. He’s a full-grown man. And still as wonderful as he always was.”
“He’s beneath you, Elodie. He always has been, always will be. You deserve someone who can make your life comfortable, not some townie.”
“Rather than someone who can make my life happy?” She smiled wryly. “How did being ‘comfortable’ work out for you? Did you hear that Mary and Dev Cassidy are both wealthier than you are now? Huge inheritance from a lost aunt in Ireland. It was quite the news around town.”
“Well, well. Maybe he can lend me a few thousand.”
“After what you took away from him, I doubt that will be happening.”
Her father studied her for a long moment. “What are you talking about?”
“Mary’s baby. Devin Cassidy’s younger brother.”
“Mary agreed never to talk about that. But then, I suppose she doesn’t have a reason to keep her secrets anymore.”
“Where is he? You arranged for the adoption. Who did you give him to?”
“I don’t have to tell you that,” he said.
“Yes, you do. At some point in your life, you’re going to need to start making restitution for what you did to the people of Winchester. This would be a good start. Do it for Mary, who did nothing but love and care for your family for decades.”
Frederick took a sip of his drink, then studied a spot near the center of the table. She watched her father breathing in and out, and Elodie cursed inwardly. He wasn’t going to tell her.
“Cooper. Judge Benjamin Cooper. He was the sitting judge in a lawsuit brought against Winchester Mills. We could have lost millions. I got his wife the baby she always wanted and he got rid of our lawsuit.”
“Do you have any idea where he is now?”
“No. He left Winchester a few years after that. I think they were afraid Mary might recognize her child once he grew up.”
The waiter appeared at the table to take their lunch order, but now that she’d secured the information she needed, Elodie didn’t see the point of staying. “I’m really not hungry, Daddy.”
“Sit,” he said.
“I have to—”
“Sit down, Elodie. You’re going to have lunch with me and we’re going to chat like normal people do. Then you can leave. I won’t even make you eat dessert.”
Reluctantly, she sat down. They used to have such a wonderful relationship, Elodie mused. She used to worship her father. And then, he’d sent her away and everything had changed. She’d never been able to trust him after that.
Her father had dictated the terms of Elodie’s life. Her father had bullied her and berated her and dismissed her, all for falling in love as any teenager would. And she’d sworn to herself that she’d never again allow anyone to control her life.
She slowly sat down, then poured herself another glass of wine. “We’ll need a few more minutes,” she told the waiter.
Was that why she was so reluctant to commit to Dev? Was she afraid that he would expect the same control over her life as her father had?
“You’re going to sell the house,” her father stated.
“I was going to try to turn it into a gallery, but I couldn’t get a variance on the zoning laws.”
Frederick chuckled. “That’s kind of ironic. I wrote those zoning laws.”
“But if I can find someone to invest in the mill, we might be able to transform it into small shops and workspaces, and maybe even apartments for artists. If we can create an artists’ colony in Winchester, we may be able to bring in tourists, too.”
“I can see this means something to you, and contrary to what you believe, I do love you, Elodie. It’s obvious I can’t keep you from that boy. So I’ll give you some insider information if you promise not to say where you got it,” her father said. He leaned in. “Next April, they’re going to break ground on a new championship golf course about seven miles out of town. Thirty-six holes, plus a small resort and spa. And there are plans to add another thirty-six holes within the next ten years.”
“How do you know this?”
“I still have some contacts in the area. They called to see if I wanted to invest. They didn’t realize I was broke. But I guess the news was worth something after all.”
“Who else is aware of this?”
“That, I can’t say. But if you’re looking for someone to invest in your little project, call Avery James here in New York. It’s the kind of project he likes. And he probably already invested in the golf course.”
“Thank you, Daddy. It’s good information.”
“I’m still good for a few things,” he said, his words dripping with sarcasm. He waved down the waiter for another drink, and the waiter took their order.
“So are you in love with the punk?” Frederick asked.
“He’s not a punk. He’s the police chief in Winchester now.”
“Police chief? A government job. You can’t beat that.”
“Stop,” she said. “You aren’t allowed to speak badly of him. Not after what you did. He’s a good man. And he cares for me. And I’d be lucky if we ended up together.”
“But you don’t love him.”
“I do,” she said. “I always have. I’ve tried to convince myself that I couldn’t possibly have met the man of my dreams when I was twelve years old, but I think I did.”
“You always idolized him,” her father said. “We suspected it might be a problem, and when it started to seem likely that you’d end up pregnant as a teenager, we sent you away. We protected you from him. From making a mistake that you couldn’t fix. I’ll never regret that. Look at you. You have all the choices in the world now.”
“And if I choose him?” Elodie asked.
“There’s nothing I can do about that,” Frederick said. “But I suppose if he’s the one you really want, then you should marry him. Don’t waste any more time. You’re nearly thirty. You don’t want to wait much longer to have children, do you?”
“Daddy, stop giving me advice. I can run my own life.”
He chuckled. “Yes, I guess you can. So, if we can’t talk about your life and what I think you should be doing with it, what can we talk about?”
“How about who else you suspect might be willing to invest...”
* * *
“SIGN HERE, HERE AND HERE.”
Dev scribbled his name next to the small stickers, then moved on to the next sheaf of papers.
“Here and here,” the broker added.
When they’d gone through every last document, the real estate broker placed all the documents into a folder and handed Dev an envelope.
“Well, this has been a most unusual sale, Mr. Cassidy. You coming in at the last minute with an offer made for quite a bit of tension. But you have the house you wanted and for a decent price, I might add.”
“I would have paid more,” Dev said with a grin.
“I expect you would have,” she said. “But you can use that money to renovate. You’re taking on a huge project.”
Dev opened the envelope to find a familiar set of keys. He ran his fingers over them, remembering the last time he’d seen them in Elodie’s hand.
“There is one thing. I don’t want you to let Elodie know who bought the house. If she asks, just say it was the couple from the city, the couple who made the first offer.”
“Why don’t you want her to know?”
“I have my reasons. I’m just going to need some time.”
“It will be published in the local papers,” she said.
“Elodie doesn’t read the local papers,” he said.
“All right. I’ll do my best.”
Dev got up from the conference table. “I’d appreciate that.” He tossed the keys in the air, then shoved them in his pocket. “By the way, I’ve been thinking I might hire a decorator. Can you recommend anyone?”
“Interior designer,” the broker said. “That’s what they’re called. And yes, I can give you a few names.”
“Good. I want the house done by Christmas.”
“Have you ever renovated a house, Mr. Cassidy?”
He shook his head. “I’ve never owned a house.”
“You’re in for a good time,” she said. “Just remember, whatever they say it’s going to cost, double it. And however long they say it’s going to take, double it. Just double everything.”
“Good advice,” Dev said.
Dev walked back to his car and slid in behind the wheel. He drew a deep breath and closed his eyes. Buying the house had been a leap of faith, but now that it was officially his, there seemed to be a certain logic to it all. Once a sign of power and wealth in the community, now the old Winchester mansion was owned by an ordinary guy. Sure, he was technically a millionaire, at least until he’d written the check for the house.
The closing for the house had taken place at the bank in town, and it was a short drive to Elodie’s place. He stopped short. “Elodie’s place,” he murmured. He’d always think of it as her house. But maybe, if things turned out right, he could start to think of it as their house.
She’d been gone for a week and his life had reverted back to what it had been before she’d arrived. His days were taken up with work and his evenings with activities that did nothing to alleviate the boredom of living in Winchester.
They’d talked every night via video chat on his office computer, and it was almost like having her with him. Though he couldn’t touch her or kiss her, he could still look at her beautiful face and imagine how good it would be the next time they were together.
As he drove toward Wisteria Street, his cell phone rang. He turned it on, recognizing Elodie’s number. “Hello,” he said. “This is a nice surprise.”
“I just had to call,” she said. “The real estate broker just phoned. She closed on the sale of the house today. I guess the couple decided on a cash-only deal and wanted to move up their closing date.”
“That’s great,” he said.
“I wanted to let you know.”
“Why is that?” Dev asked.
“Because...” She paused for a long moment, the line going silent.
“Because you’d hoped that one day you and I would live in that house?” Dev asked.
“Yes,” she said.
“So, I guess I shouldn’t count on that.”
“No, you shouldn’t.”
“Can I count on you?”
“You know you can.”
Dev pulled up in front of the mansion and shut the car off. “I was considering grabbing a few vacation days at the end of this week. I could fly up to New York and we could spend some time together.”
“Not this weekend,” she said. “I have a couple of meetings up in Boston and then I have to fly to California on Sunday night.”
“For how long?”
“Three days,” she said.
“I could always fly out there.”
She grew silent again, and Dev scolded himself inwardly for pushing her so hard. “Never mind. I forgot, I have to go to a conference on Monday in Winston-Salem so I wouldn’t be able to come anyway.”
“You don’t have to play games with me,” she murmured.
“I’m not,” Dev said. “It’s just hard to know how to react. We don’t do well over the phone.” He paused. “Promise me something, will you?”
“Sure,” Elodie said.
“If you ever pick up your phone, or your computer, and you feel the least bit reluctant or unhappy or bothered to have to talk to me, you just stop calling. I’ll understand.”
“That’s not going to happen,” Elodie said.
“I hope you’re right.” He swallowed hard. “I have to go. I’ll talk to you later. Or maybe I won’t.”
Dev switched off the phone, cursing softly. How much longer could they go on like this? The intimacy that they’d found together was beginning to unravel and there were moments when it felt as if he were talking to a stranger. She wasn’t the sweet, playful small-town girl that he’d fallen in love with. Instead, she was cool...sophisticated...aloof.
He didn’t want to fight with her, especially over the phone, but every time they talked he felt her slipping away and he’d wanted to say something. As far as he was concerned, the choice was simple. She loved him or she didn’t. There was no in between.
He glanced at the house, staring at his latest purchase. Either it would turn out to be the biggest mistake he’d ever made or the most brilliant move of his life.
A rap on the driver’s side window startled him out of his thoughts. Dev glanced up and found his mother standing on the street next to the car. He rolled down the window. “Hi, Mom.”
“You have to stop this, Devin. She’s not here anymore. The house is sold. You can’t keep mooning around after her. It won’t bring her back.”
“That’s not it, Mom,” he murmured. “And what are you doing here?”
“I told Elodie that I’d try to get a look at the new owners and see what they were like.”
“And then you’re supposed to call her?”
Mary nodded. “She’s just curious if they have children and what they do for a living. I’m hoping they stop by. I thought I might introduce myself and mention that I used to be a housekeeper in the mansion, and if they have any questions, they can call me.”
“You sound like a stalker,” Dev said. “And I should have you arrested.”
“You won’t,” Mary said.
“No. But you don’t have to talk to them. I know all about the new owner. There are no children. Just a single guy.”
“I heard it was a couple,” Mary said.
“Nope. Single guy. Handsome. Rich. Very, very smart. Extremely brilliant, I’d say”
“You’ve met him?”
Dev reached into his pocket and grabbed the keys, then dangled them out the window. “So, want to walk through my new house with me?”
“You bought her house?”
“I’m thinking of it as our house.”
Mary laughed. “You are optimistic.”
“I had a very good teacher,” Dev said.
* * *
ELODIE HAD FLOWN into Asheville the night before and had stayed hidden away in the hotel there. She’d been just a few miles away from Dev, and it had taken all her willpower to keep herself from driving into Winchester and surprising him.
It had been nearly six weeks since they’d seen each other, and Elodie couldn’t stand it anymore. It had become so difficult to pretend that phone calls and video chats were enough. She craved physical contact. She found herself daydreaming about his hands and his fingers, his lips and his tongue and what he’d been able to do to her body when given the chance.
She’d replayed nearly every minute of their time together in her head, trying to figure out what it was that had made it so wonderful. In the end, Elodie was forced to admit that she’d been madly in love with Dev and that none of her feelings had disappeared since they’d left each other. And after talking with her father, she’d realized that Dev was nothing like Frederick Winchester. He’d never tried to control her, he’d always respected her wishes. He’d always believed in them—she’d been the coward.
But she’d needed the distance to realize what it all meant. She’d been too close to him to see what they had for what it was. Not just desire or lust or passion. But real and true and deep love. Love that could last a lifetime.
The moment she finally figured it out, Elodie booked her ticket home. She was going home to the man she loved. And with every minute that passed, she worried that she may have messed it up. Had his feelings diminished over their time apart? Had he met someone else?
She had the whole evening planned out in her head. She’d called Mary to make sure Dev didn’t have any plans. She’d go to his apartment and make a video call on her cell phone, pretending to be in Manhattan. She’d tease him, seduce him over the phone until he was desperate for her. And then she’d knock on his door and let the evening take its usual course. Sex, more sex, and then maybe some dinner. And then hours and hours of even more sex.
As she made the early afternoon drive into Winchester, she grabbed her phone and rechecked her appointment with the agent from the bank. She was scheduled to meet with an associate from Avery James’s office to show him the old mill and to discuss her plans for renovating it.
Avery James had agreed to explore the possibility. They’d start by having his architects examine the building. If it looked sound, they’d proceed with drawings and plans and meetings with the bank. But even if her plans for the mill fell apart, she’d find some way to make her idea work. Because Winchester was her home, and always would be.
Elodie hoped she’d be able to sneak into town without Dev finding out. He did have a knack for knowing when something odd was happening in Winchester. But she was betting on Mary being able to keep her visit quiet.
The old mill stood on a vast piece of property right next to the river. Made from stone milled from the mountains, it stood like a silent sentinel over the town, its windows dark, walls stained with soot.
Elodie had spent hours of her childhood at the mill. Her father used to pay her a quarter to sweep up the cotton dust that had gathered into little bunnies on the edges of the vast loom rooms. She found the door open and walked inside, calling out as the door creaked.
“Hello?”
“Miss Winchester?”
“Yes,” she said.
“I’m Sophia Markesan from the bank. The electricity is off, so there are no lights. But the windows are big and it’s a sunny day. Is it just you?”
“No, I’m meeting someone. His name is—”
“Hello!” A deep voice drifted in from the door, and they both turned to see a younger man enter. He held out his hand. “I’m Jeff Dupree, Avery James’s associate.”
Elodie made the introductions, then took the keys from Sophia and told her she’d drop them off at the bank when they were done. When she rejoined Jeff, he was anxious to explore the rest of the building.
“I’ve never been inside a fabric mill before,” he said. “When was this built?”
“Between 1882 and 1897,” she said. “This building closest to the river is the oldest.”
“So the mill used water power?”
“Early on, in the 1700s, they were run with water power. But these mills were first powered by steam,” Elodie said. “And later electricity. But with steam came the constant threat of fire, so you needed a source of water to fight a fire, and that’s why they were built alongside the river.”
They walked through the offices and then up the stairs into the loom room. She drew the doors back, the old iron rollers groaning as the plank door slid to the right.
“Wow,” Jeff said. “This is huge.”
“It had to be,” Elodie explained.
“This has got to be a hundred yards long. And completely open.”
“I think it’s about two hundred and fifty feet. And it’s solidly built. These are timber beams and a plank floor that held tons of equipment. It’s overbuilt for what we’d use it for.”
“You don’t have to convince me, Miss Winchester. I see the possibilities.”
“Then you like it?”
“I do,” he said. “I’d love to do a project in this space.”
Elodie smiled and clapped her hands. “Really?”
“Really. That doesn’t mean it’s a done deal, but I’m impressed enough that I’ll start looking at some plans. The price is certainly right. And with the new golf resort going in, it would be the perfect time. One thing you should do, however, if you want to make this an artists’ colony, is line up some corporate sponsors for the artists. If we can rent out fifty percent of our shops and studios by the time we’re done with renovation, it will go a long way to getting the project approved.”
“I can do that.” She threw her arms around Jeff and gave him a quick hug. But the gesture of gratitude was interrupted by a familiar voice.
“Elodie?”
She drew back and turned around to find Dev standing in the doorway. Her heart skipped, and she wanted to run to him and launch herself into his arms. “Dev. What are you doing here?”
“I got a call that there were people inside the mill.”
“This is Jeff Dupree from Avery James and Associates. He’s an architect. His firm might be interested in helping me with the mill project.”
“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming into town?”
She turned to Jeff. “Can you excuse me for a moment? Just go ahead and look around.”
She followed Dev out into the stairwell and the moment they were out of sight, he grabbed her and covered her mouth with his like a man desperate for the taste of her lips. He pushed her back against the wall. Grabbing her wrists, he pinned them above her head. Elodie arched her body against his, their hips meeting in an erotic dance.
When he finally drew away, she was breathless. But Elodie grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him into another mind-numbing kiss.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” he murmured, his lips hot against her throat.
“And I can’t believe you messed up my big surprise. I had it all planned out. I even called your mother.”
“I can always pretend I didn’t see you here,” Dev said. “When are you finished?”
“This is probably going to take at least an hour. Maybe two,” she said. “I can stop by the station when I’m done.”
He nodded. “All right. There’s something I want to show you, actually.” Dev pulled her into another kiss. “I don’t want to let you go,” he whispered. “I’m afraid you might disappear.”
“Don’t worry,” Elodie said. “I’m home now.”
Dev stepped back and stared down into her eyes. “You are?”
“I am.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Elodie watched as he walked out, smiling to herself. She’d had a different reunion planned, but this one had turned out perfectly. If she’d had any questions about his affections, they’d been answered immediately. All that was left was to tell him that he’d been right all along—that she belonged here in Winchester with him.
She hurried back to Jeff, dust motes flying up around her shoes as she moved. She found him at the far end of the adjacent room, his jacket off, his tie undone, an old ladder braced against one of the timber cross beams.
“I just wanted to get a picture of these joints here. They’re amazing. This place could withstand any force of nature—except a fire, maybe. It’s been built for strength.” He crawled down the ladder. “Amazing.”
“I’m so glad you’re enthusiastic about the mill and this project.”
“And I can’t tell you how happy we are that you brought it to us. Mr. James has authorized me to make you a partner in this project. We’d like you to work for us. You know the town, the history of this building. It would be wonderful to have a Winchester on board. You’d have an office in our New York location, but you’d be spending a few weeks down here each month until construction begins. Then, we’d expect you to move down here full-time.”
“A job,” she said. “That would be great. I want to see this project through.”
“Good. I can tell Mr. Avery that you’re on board.”
“Not yet,” she said. “There are a few things I need to work out first.”
“What might those things be?” Jeff asked.
“Personal things,” she said. “About where I’m meant to live—here or New York.”
* * *
DEV PACED THE length of his office, glancing at his watch every few minutes. It had been two hours. She ought to have been here by now. He fought the impulse to go back to the mill and see what was taking so long.
The buzzer sounded on his phone, and he pushed the intercom button.
“Elodie Winchester is here,” Sally said.
“Thanks, I’ll be right out.” He drew a deep breath, knowing that another greeting like the one he’d given her at the mill would have to be delayed until they got out to the car.
He found her in the lobby, chatting with Sally and Kyle as if they were old friends. She met his gaze as he crossed the room, a smile twitching at the corners of her lips. When he reached her, he bent close and brushed a kiss to her cheek. “Hey there.”
“Hello,” Elodie said.
“Have you had lunch?” Dev asked.
“I haven’t. I had a late breakfast at the hotel in Asheville, but just toast and some fruit.”
“Let’s go,” he said. “Sally, I’m on lunch.”
“Got it, boss,” she said with a wide smile.
They walked out into the late afternoon sunshine. “Are you finished with your work for the day?” Dev asked.
She nodded.
“How did it go?”
“I’m so excited,” she said. “Jeff loves the idea, and with the new golf resort going in outside town, there’s—”
“Golf resort?”
“That’s supposed to be secret,” she said. “So don’t tell anyone. I think they’re still trying to put the land deal together. But a developer is planning a seventy-two-hole resort with a hotel and spa.”
“Can you imagine what that would do for the town? The number of jobs alone could change the whole outlook here in Winchester.”
“And they believe that once the resort is built, there will be a need for tourist shops here in town, and that the mill would be a perfect place to develop. Of course, some shops will still be located on Main Street, but both places will benefit.”
When they reached the car, Dev slipped his hands around her waist and pulled her into a deep and lingering kiss. Pressing his forehead against hers, he smiled. “I can’t seem to stop myself from kissing you.”
“So my surprise had the intended effect?”
“Can’t you tell?” he asked.
Her stomach growled, and Elodie laughed. “I guess I’m hungrier than I thought. Where are we going to eat?”
“We could go down to Zelda’s,” he said. “But there’s a new place I want to show you.”
“A new place in Winchester? That’s a good thing.”
He helped her into the car, and they drove toward the Winchester mansion. When he pulled up in front of it, she glanced over at him, frowning. “Here?”
Dev nodded. “You’ll love it.”
“I didn’t know the new buyers planned to open a restaurant. Wouldn’t that require a commercial variance? How could the council give one to the new owners and not me?”
“It’s a very exclusive restaurant. And it’s not really a restaurant but an eating experience. Does that make sense?”
She gave him a confused look. “No. What are you babbling about?”
“Don’t worry. I’m sure you’ll love it.”
“Do we need a reservation?” she asked.
“No, we can just walk in. I know the owner really well.” He tucked her hand in the crook of his arm and walked up the front walk, trying to keep himself from grinning.
“New roof,” she said. “And fresh paint on the porch. Those baskets of flowers are so beautiful. They’ve gotten a lot of work done in six weeks.”
“You should see the inside.” He held the door open for her, and Elodie stepped into the hall. A soft gasp slipped from her lips as she took in the finely decorated interior. “What do you think?”
“It’s lovely,” she said. She walked to a sideboard and ran her hand over it. “Elegant, but not fussy.” She looked down at the floors. “These rugs are gorgeous. And the floors have been refinished. It’s like a brand-new house.”
“Nice enough for you to live in?”
“Who wouldn’t want to live here? I wonder what they did with my room.”
“Would you like to find out?”
“We can’t just wander through the house uninvited. Shouldn’t we ask the owner?”
He slipped his hands around her waist. “Sure. Go ahead and ask me.”
“Ask you? But—”
“Yes. Say, ‘Can I see more of the house, please?’”
“Can I see—” The words died in her throat. “Did you buy this house, Dev?”
He nodded. “I did.”
The expression on her face was pure shock at first. But then, a smile touched her lips and it grew to a huge grin. “You bought the house.”
“For us,” he said. “We can’t live in my apartment. And this place was comfortable for both of us. I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.”
“But you didn’t even know if I was coming back. What if I had stayed in New York?”
“I would have had a lot of extra room.” He grabbed her hand. “Let me show you the kitchen.”
When he pushed open the door, she stepped inside. It had been completely updated. He’d kept all the old cabinets, but had them refinished and fitted with new nickel-plated hardware. And the island had been transformed, the battered stainless steel replaced with granite.
Elodie smoothed her hands over the surface. “It’s very cool. Nice for those hot summer nights.” She walked around, looking in the oven and running water from the new faucet. “You did this all yourself?”
“I had a decorator here for about a week, but we didn’t see eye to eye. So my mom helped me out. She has a good memory for what was in the house when your family lived there.” He took her hand and pressed it to his heart.
“There are a lot of things we will still need to do, and anything you don’t like, we’ll replace. There’s a very generous return policy on almost everything I bought. I want this to be our house, Ellie. I want you to live here with me and let me be a part of your life. I couldn’t care less if we get married. I just want you in my life, every day.”
“I want that, too,” Elodie said, running her fingers through the hair at his nape. “I’ve missed you so much. And I finally realize that this is where I belong. But—”
“But?” he said. “I don’t like that word.”
“If Avery goes ahead with the mill project, they want me to work with them. In New York, at first. But when construction begins, I’d move down here. It would mean a lot of back-and-forth for about six months to a year, and a delay in my plan to move back here for good. But I’d love to follow through on the project.”
“Ellie, you need to be a part of this project. And if I have to wait for you, I’m sure I can do that. It will give me time to finish the second floor.”
She threw herself into his arms and gave him a fierce hug. “I knew there was a reason I loved you.” She pulled back and met his gaze. “I do love you, Dev.”
“And I love you, Ellie.”
“We’re perfect for each other, aren’t we?”
Dev nodded. “We are.” He bent close and kissed her. “There is one other thing I have to show you. I think you’ll like it.”
“I like everything I’ve seen so far. Please tell me it involves taking your clothes off.”
“No. It’s up on the third floor.”
They took the servants’ stairs up to the top story of the house. Dev opened the door that led to what they’d once called the ballroom.
“It’s dark up here,” Elodie said. “Can you turn on the light?”
“I will. Just go to the top of the stairs and enter the room on your right.”
Elodie did as she was told, and when she’d opened the door Dev flipped the lights on. The minute he did, the model trains began to run, circling the tracks as they had all those years ago.
“Oh, my God.” She turned and stared at him, complete surprise etched across her face. “How did you do this?”
“The whole set was sold at the bankruptcy auction. I found the guy who’d bought it and asked if he wanted to sell it back to me. He helped me put it together again and now it’s where it belongs.”
“Do you remember that night?” Elodie asked. “The night I brought you up here? I thought you were the most interesting boy I’d ever met. I decided to marry you that night and so many nights after that.”
“I’m hoping you still want to marry me,” Dev said. “Because I already went out and bought the ring. I don’t want to give it to you until you’re ready but—”
“Can I see it?” Elodie asked.
Dev reached in his pocket and held out the box. Elodie took it from him and opened the lid. Her breath caught at the sight and tears filled her eyes. “I recognize this ring. It belonged to my grandmother. She promised it to me, but they had to sell it.” Elodie looked up at him and Dev reached out and brushed a tear from her cheek. “How did you do this? How did you know?”
“My mother told me about it. About what it meant to you. It wasn’t hard to track it down.”
“Ask me,” Elodie said, handing him the ring.
“You’re sure?”
She nodded, then motioned to the floor. “On one knee.”
Dev knelt down in front of her and held out the ring. “Elodie Winchester, I’ve loved you for nearly my entire life. I can’t imagine living another day without you. Will you marry me?”
Elodie nodded. “I will.”
He rose and slipped the ring on her finger, then kissed her. He’d never tasted anything as sweet and as perfect. And as he held her close, Dev realized that all the very best things in life were worth waiting for—even if it took eleven years, ten months, four days and six hours.