Page 15 of Your Heart & Mine

Back in his hotel room, Wyck sketched out his thoughts on a notepad, elaborating on the plan taking shape. He still had many details to work out, but for the first time in years, he felt motivated by something other than bitterness. By the time he drifted off to sleep, possibilities were crystallizing in his mind.

"So, have you found another house you'd like to look at Wyck?" Jackie asked pleasantly.

"No, I definitely want the cabin. I'm thinking of sticking around a while and need a home base. Living in the hotel is getting old."

Jackie gave him her best sales smile. "I can get that done for you, lickety split," she agreed. "In fact, since the owner is selling it furnished, I could have the keys for you by tomorrow if everything goes through with the bank."

"I'll be paying cash, so that shouldn't be a problem." Wyck watched her mouth drop open in surprise for just a moment before she recovered her composure.

"Well, that would be just fine. I'll have the paperwork completed for you this evening then if that would work?"

"That'd be great, Jackie," Wyck answered. "Now, I'd like to pick your brain a little, but I need your complete discretion."

Jackie's perfectly plucked eyebrows raised in question. "Okay, you've got it. What do you have in mind?"

"I want to know what this town needs. What would make things better for people?" Wyck began. "I find myself owning most of Jonah Carrington's properties."

The real estate broker's eyes widened. Rumors had flown through the town over who was buying up all Jonah's properties. No one had a clue.

"You're Ward Development?" Jackie asked somewhat breathlessly.

Wyck nodded. "Yeah. I was going to just put them all up for sale, but I've decided on a different course of action."

"Tell me what you think Carrington Ridge needs."

Jackie tipped her head, intrigued. "What it needs? Well, more affordable housing and a new daycare center come to mind..." She paused, seeing his serious expression. "But why do you ask?"

Wyck rubbed his jaw. "Let's just say I have access to certain...resources. Resources I'm thinking of investing back into the town."

Jackie got up, went to the front door and turned around the 'OPEN' sign to 'CLOSED' and locked it. "Let's go back to the conference room and you can tell me all about it."

"Okay, lay it all out for me in the conference room," she directed eagerly, heels clicking down the hall.

For the next hour, Wyck outlined his tentative ideas to revive the town by repurposing his new properties. Jackie listened intently, chiming in with suggestions. By the end, Wyck felt certain this change of course was right. The town had potential -especially without Jonah lording over it.

"I'll start putting together a prospectus," Jackie said as they wrapped up. "Here's my personal cell - call anytime. I'm happy to help however I can."

Wyck stood and shook her hand. "I appreciate it, Jackie. Let's keep this between us for now. I have some people I need to...prepare."

Thoughts of Harper rose unbidden, making his heart constrict. Sharing this plan meant fully disclosing who he was now - and how he'd acquired his resources. The cabin, the fresh start, none of it would mean anything if she refused to let him back into her world.

But gazing out Jackie's window at the familiar town square, Wyck felt certain for the first time in forever. Whatever came next, he was ready to leave the past behind and work to make things right. Even if it took the rest of his days.

Chapter thirteen

Plots & Plans

Intheafternoon,Harpermet with Elizabeth and Brenna over sweet tea and pound cake left by a neighbor. The breakfast room was one of her favorites in the house. The large windows drew in the weak winter sunlight and the space was much more cozy and warm than the dining room. A local artist had painted the round, white, wooden table with colorful flowers and the walls were a sunny yellow. The room always made her mood lighten.

She didn't have high expectations that there was going to be much progress made so she was utterly flabbergasted when they returned bearing an abundant treasure trove of information. Apparently, when the Carrington sisters set their minds to something, no one could get in their way.

"I did some market research online and found out," Elizabeth started excitedly, "that even though there isn't a great deal of tourism here in Carrington Ridge, Galax, Sparta, and Wytheville all have a lot of festivals throughout the year and a real lack of available rooms. I also did some measurements of the house, and, by my estimate, we could easily have six guest rooms with ensuite baths here as well as a small dining room on the first floor for breakfasts, or room for small, intimate wedding dinners and receptions. Of course, we could always set up tents outside for bigger events. I'll have to check into county regs for using the kitchen commercially, but there's plenty of room in there."

"And I've set up a mock website," Brenna added, her grin widening. "Here, take a look."

They all gathered around Brenna's laptop to view the site. It was stunning, filled with close ups of some of the prettiest architectural aspects of the inside of the house, as well as their mother's award-winning rose gardens, the meadow that overlooked the valley where an outdoor gazebo already stood waiting for a bride and groom, along with some mock-ups of what the barn could look like with a little elbow grease. Brenna had also made some images of possible themes for bedrooms with corresponding decor.

"I'm really impressed," Harper said, squeezing her baby sister's shoulder. "I never could have guessed you could come up with something this amazing in so short an amount of time."

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