Page 63 of Come to Me

“No, Logan, I don’t think he will. I’m not equipped…neither is mom or dad. And in case you haven’t noticed, this place is on the edge of ruin. We can’t help Tate while also trying to salvage the resort.”

Logan’s jaw clenched. “You said you could watch him this summer.”

“We’ve tried. I love him, Logan. You know I do. I love you too, but something has to change.”

“She’s right.”

Both looked up to see Lori on the deck. “Tate could benefit from more counseling or at least more structure than we can give him.”

Logan sniffed, not liking what he was hearing. “Fine.”

Later that night, Micki sat at her desk feeling emotionally exhausted. Patrick’s departure left a hole in her chest. The argument with Logan left her feeling guilty even as she knew Tate needed more than they could give him. But that was Logan’s call. Her job now was saving the resort.

Her fingers tapped across the keyboard, her mind focused on the task at hand. Diving headfirst into research, Micki scoured the internet for ideas that could breathe new life into the struggling resort. Patrick's suggestions about corporate retreats and family reunions had piqued her interest, and she was determined to explore those avenues fully.

Micki's creative juices flowed as she sketched out potential event packages, complete with themed activities and customizable amenities. The resort's rustic charm and scenic lakefront setting could be the perfect backdrop for all sorts of gatherings – from team-building workshops to milestone celebrations.

With each passing hour, Micki's confidence grew. She put together a package of information to present to her parents the next day. When she went to bed that night, her heart still ached, but she had hope for the future. Part of that hope was that overtime her pain would lessen and Patrick would become a fond memory.

The next morning after breakfast and their last guests left, Micki presented her ideas to her parents. The more she spoke, the more excited she got and sure that this was the answer to their problems.

"Just think of the possibilities. We can host corporate retreats, family reunions, even small weddings! The lake and the cabins are the perfect setting."

Her father listened intently, a thoughtful expression on his face. "I can see the potential.” He glanced at her mother. There was something in the exchange.

“What?”

“I just wonder if we’re the ones to pull this off.”

She stared at her parents, wondering what was up. “Why wouldn’t we?”

Her mother sighed. “The truth is, Micki, that your father and I feel we’ve put too much on you. There’s an expectation that you’d carry on, but we’ve never talked about it. You’ve never had the chance to consider something else.”

“I don’t want to consider something else.” She couldn’t understand what her parents were getting at. “You know I love this place. This is what I want to do.”

Her father’s eyes softened. “How can you really know, sweetie?”

She gaped. “Because I know.”

“You’ve never done anything else. You’ve never been anywhere else,” her father said gently.

Now she was getting mad. “I don’t want to do anything else or go anywhere else.”

“Not even New York?” her mother asked.

“What?” Micki felt like she’d entered the Twilight Zone where everything was upside down and backwards. Nothing made sense.

“It’s no secret that you have feelings for Patrick.” Her mother put her hand over Micki’s. “I know we started out on the wrong foot, but we?—”

“Did Tate tell you we kissed, because it was nothing.” The lie tasted bitter.

“He didn’t say anything,” her mother said.

“He didn’t have to. It was plain as day by the way you looked at each other.”

Micki shook her head and pulled her presentation together. “It was just a summer thing. Now it’s done. It’s time to focus on Kincaid Lake.”

“Micki—”

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