Page 32 of All I've Waited For

It was like she’d materialized straight from Derek’s thoughts.

His whole body flamed hot.

While Ben and Evan eagerly made their way toward the women and the lemonade, Derek got to his feet and pushed open a window. The cool breeze of early evening skimmed his cheeks, allowing him to breathe more easily. But it didn’t loosen the thought that had been on a continuous loop in his brain for the last twenty-four hours since Ashley’s revelation.

They’d loved each other at the same time.

They could have had something amazing.

He might not be preparing to marry Claire right now. He might be …

No. Fact was hewaspreparing to marry Claire. And doing so was going to save Dad’s legacy.

Things had worked out exactly as they were supposed to.

“Derek, you want something to drink?” Ben’s voice pulled him back to reality.

“Sure.” He left the window open and walked over to the semicircle the other four had formed. After thanking Bella for the cup of lemonade, Derek turned to Ashley. “Surprised to see you here.”

Was she following him? But that was ridiculous. Yeah, they’d both been quiet on the hike back to the lodge yesterday, but she had a lot going on in her life. Ashley Baker was going places. She definitely wasn’t sitting around pining after him.

Ashley took a sip of lemonade, lifting an eyebrow as she studied him. “This is my brother’s inn.”

“Right.” Duh. He slammed back a swallow from his own cup, coughing at the drink’s sour bite.

“We were talking through a few more wedding plans.” Bella collected the guys’ empty cups. “I guess we’d better get back to it.”

After Ben leaned in to kiss Bella, the women retreated.

Good. Back to shooting nails.

Ben started up the saw in the hallway again.

“Speaking of wedding plans, how are yours coming, Derek?” Evan resumed his position behind the last finished row of wooden planks.

Derek sighed and plunked down beside Evan again. “Theyweregoing smoothly until our venue canceled on us yesterday.” His hands clenched the gun’s handle as he waited for Evan to be done fitting the joints together.

“No way.” Evan frowned. “What are you going to do?”

“I’m not sure yet. Ashley is still calling around to see if anything else is available, but it’s not looking promising.”

Ben entered the room once more. “What’s wrong?”

“His venue got canceled.” Evan looked from Ben to Derek. “What about the vineyard?”

“You have to be licensed for events, and we’re not.” If they had been, the fix would have been simple. But Dad had never thought much beyond the wine. Once they had their feet under them again, though, Derek would look into what it would take to hold events there. His sisters would probably be great at managing them.

Ben pushed his safety goggles up onto his forehead. “What about having it here?”

“Here, like at the inn?”

“Sure, why not? The calendar is clear since we haven’t started hosting outside events just yet, and I think a lot of our guests that weekend are your out-of-town guests anyway.”

“Wow, man. That would be amazing.” He didn’t deserve Ben’s generosity. “Let me know how much it costs, but I’m sure it won’t be a problem.”

“Dude, I’m insulted.” Ben squatted and punched Derek on the shoulder. “No charge.”

“You have to let me do something.” Yeah, he and Ben had been best friends their whole lives, but Derek wouldn’t mooch off of him—especially since he hadn’t been the best at staying in touch since he’d been gone.

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