Page 74 of Falling For You

Abby, the owner, stood behind the counter, wiping down a few mugs. She looked up as the door closed behind me. Her expression softened into a welcoming smile.

“Owen, haven’t seen you in a few days,” she said, her tone as friendly as ever. “Can I get you your usual?”

“You know my usual after a week?” I looked at her, amazed.

“Of course. It’s how I stay in business. I know my customers.” She chuckled. “That and we’re kind of in the middle of nowhere, and people need their caffeine.”

I smiled, feeling even worse, knowing that the resort’s plans included a coffee shop.

“Yeah, that’d be great. Thanks.”

My legs felt heavier than usual as I went to the counter to pay.

When Abby turned her back to start my latte, I leaned against the counter and rubbed my face with both hands. I was exhausted—mentally, emotionally, physically. All I could think about was how I’d let money ruin everything again. I didn’t want to be this guy anymore, but I had no idea how to stop.

Abby slid the cup of coffee toward me and gave me a long, thoughtful look. “You don’t look so good, Owen,” she said gently. “Everything alright?”

I hesitated, unsure whether I could bring myself to admit how much of a mess I was. “It’s been… rough.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Rough? I’m guessing this has something to do with that sweet girl you’ve been seeing.”

The mention of Violet sent a fresh wave of guilt crashing over me. I exhaled slowly. “Yeah.”

Abby wiped her hands on a towel and motioned for me to sit at one of the tables. “Come on, sit down. You look like you could use a real conversation.”

I didn’t argue. I took my latte and followed her to a small table by the window. I collapsed into the chair like all the energy had drained out of me.

She sat across from me, watching me closely.

“What’s going on, Owen?” she asked, her voice soft but steady. “You can tell me. I’ve seen plenty of people come through here with the weight of the world on their shoulders. Whatever it is, I’m sure it’ll make more sense if you say it out loud.”

I stared down at my coffee. My fingers tightened around the mug. “It’s about the land next to the lodge. Violet’s family’s place.”

Abby’s eyebrows knitted together, her expression growing more serious. “I’ve heard some rumblings. Go on.”

I took a long breath, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. “My partners and I… we’re buying it. The deal closes tomorrow. We offered Vern twenty percent over whatever Violet’s parents could come up with. I knew they wouldn’t be able to compete, but I didn’t stop it. I… I just let it happen.”

Abby’s lips pressed into a thin line, and I could see the disappointment in her eyes. “Violet’s parents were supposed to have first dibs on that land. Everybody knew that.”

“Everybody in town. Obviously, Vern didn’t mention it to us,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “And I knew what it would do to her and her family. But I didn’t say anything. I didn’t warn her. I just… let the deal happen. Vern made us sign an NDA, and I abided by it.”

Abby shook her head slowly. The disappointment became more like sadness. “Owen, you know this town doesn’t take kindly to that kind of thing. People here… depend on their neighbors and their word. It’s not about who can offer more money. It’s about trust.” She shook her head. “I’m stunned that Vern would be so sneaky.”

“It’s our fault. If I’d never scouted this place last year, none of this would have happened.”

“You came here scouting last year?”

I nodded. “It’s been in the works for a year.”

“That’s a lot to take in, even for me.”

“I know,” I muttered, my chest tightening. “I’ve ruined everything. Violet’s never going to forgive me. Hell, I don’t even know if I can forgive myself.”

Abby leaned forward, her gaze softening. “And why’d you do it? Was it really just about the money?”

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to answer honestly. “At first, it was just business. I like challenges. I like watching my ideas come to life. But then… I got to know Violet. I started caring about her. And the more I cared, the worse I felt about the deal. I should’ve told her everything from the start. But I didn’t, and now…”

“Now it’s blown up in your face,” Abby finished for me, her voice calm but firm. “Owen, money doesn’t fix everything. In fact, it usually just makes things more complicated.”

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