Page 47 of Bryce

work.

But they refused toaccept what was happening. The bank took the house while I was awayin college, and she had to go and live with an aunt for a while. Idecided that it was for the best, because I did not want to go backthere.” The sandwich finished; she passed the plate to him.“OJ?”

He would havepreferred something stronger but figured he had had enough alcohol tosink a ship. “Yes, thanks.”

“Anyway.”She poured the juice into two glasses and passed one to him. “Igot myself a tiny apartment in Brooklyn and made do. It was near towhere I was working, so I only had to take one train.” She bitinto her sandwich and chewed thoughtfully. “It was liberating.

The apartment wasawful. There was no central air and during the winter it was too coldand the summer too hot. But it was mine and I did not have anyoneconstantly nagging and telling me what to do with my life. I was freefor the first time, and I relished it.”

It disturbed him tohear that she had a hard time of it.

“You worked inan office?”

She nodded and took asip of the juice. “As an administrative assistant for atyrannical boss whose demands were sometimes impossible. But it keptme on my toes. My aunt called me one day out of the blue and said shewas ill and was going to leave her inn to me. She told me it was notmuch, but it was a legacy.” She shook her head.

“I did not paythat any mind at all, until months later, her lawyer called and askedto meet with me. When the meeting ended and I found myself the ownerof a property and some insurance money, I was dazed. I had alwaysbeen a big city girl and when I heard where the place was, I balked.”

She laughed. “Itold myself that there was no way I was going to leave New York forsome nowhere town that was barely on the map. I was going to sell butdecided to come and take a look at the place.” She toyed withthe olive, before popping one in her mouth.

“I came andtook a look around and was convinced that there was no way I couldever take ownership of it. It was in ruins; the roof was leaking likea damn sieve, and the yard was overgrown with weeds choking it.

The façade wascrumbling. The only thing I could see that was redeemable was thegazebo and the little bridge over the lake. And of course, the idealspot on top of the hill.”

“You fell inlove with the place.”

She nodded. “UntilI went inside and saw the amount of work it would take for me to evenget it to where I wanted it to be. I had made up my mind then andthere to put it on the market when I stepped outside and saw Jessica.

She spoke about howmuch they were hoping I would get the inn up and running again,because the possibilities were endless.

Somehow, sheconvinced me. And to top it all off, when I went back to work thefollowing Monday, my boss told me he wanted me to start workingweekends. That did it for me. I resigned and packed my things. I wasshaking inside and with my mother’s voice ringing inside myhead, I set off for future unknown.”

“But you didit.”

She gave him a softsmile. “Yes, I did. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.The inn became my sanctuary, a place where I could escape the chaosof my past and build something meaningful.”

He nodded; admirationevident in his eyes. “You’re incredible, you know that?”

She shrugged, lookingdown at her hands. “I just did what I had to do.”

He reached across thecounter and took her hand in his, squeezing it gently. “Well,I’m proud of you. You turned your life around and madesomething beautiful out of it.”

She looked up at him,tears glistening in her eyes. “Thank you.”

He leaned in andkissed her softly, his lips lingering on hers. When he pulled back,he smiled. “Now, let’s eat before the sandwiches getdried out.

They sat there eatingin companionable silence while the rain lashed at the building.

“Full?”She gestured to his empty plate.

“Yes.”Pushing the plate aside, he rose and came around to her. “Finished?”

He noticed that shehad been toying with her sandwich for the past few minutes.

“Yes.”Pushing away the plate, she tensed when he put his hands on hershoulders.

“What’sthe matter?”

“Nothing.”

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