Page 12 of Falling Inn Love
I nodded. “Thanks.”
After Pete leaves, Beth returns, carrying two plates. She hands me one, along with utensils wrapped in a napkin. As she turns to leave, I ask, “Would you like to join me?”
I don’t know what it is about her, but I want to be around her. I want to know more about her. With her here, the inn feels a little less lonely.
I watch her hesitate and move toward the door like she was going to say no, so I say, “Please? I could use some advice on something.”
She cocks her head like she’s surprised. “Okay, sure.” She sits on the other side of the desk and places her plate down just as my mom barges in.
“Oh, good, you’re both taking a break to eat. Here, I brought you iced teas.” She takes in the sight of Beth in my office eating with me. Mom’s been trying to set me up with friends’ daughters, guests, you name it, for quite a while now. I know she means well, but it’s annoying. If I wanted to date someone, I’d find my own dates. I just haven’t found anyone who interested me that I wanted to make the time for. Until now.
“Thanks, Mom,” I say, reaching up to take my glass as she places Beth’s down next to her.
Beth nods a thank you as she picks up her chicken salad sandwich and takes a bite. Her eyes widen. “Oh, wow, that’sreallygood,” she says, covering her mouth with her hand.
“Everything Sasha makes is good, but we all especially love chicken salad day,” I explain. “I’m not sure what she puts in it that’s so delicious, but it’s my favorite. I’m glad you like it too.”
“Okay, have fun, you two,” Mom coos, wiggling her eyebrows then closing the door behind her as she leaves.
“She means well,” I tell Beth, taking another bite of my sandwich.
Beth seems to be having an experience with her lunch and loving it. I wish I was that sandwich. I feel like I’ve been just going through the motions every day and not really enjoying life’s little things like lunch. Beth makes me want to slow down and actually enjoy my time more, especially my time with her. I want to know more about her, but I’m trying to pace myself asking her questions. She has her guard up and I know I need to earn her trust before she’ll open up to me.
“What do you think of working here so far?” I ask.
She wipes her hands on her napkin and looks at me, her eyes clear and happy. “I really like it. If you still think I’m a good fit, I’d like to stay for a while and help. But have you heard anything about my car?” Her eyebrows draw together in worry.
Relief that she wants to stay fills me as she talks and I want to take away all her worries, including her car.
“I talked to Sam last night. He says he can look at it early next week.”
“Thank you for doing that,” she says, fidgeting with her napkin.
“Thank you for your help around here. You’re doing great.”
“What do you need to talk about?” she asks, sipping her tea, looking curiously at me.
I take a deep breath, not sure what to share with her. I don’t usually share personal information with people I’ve just met, but there’s something about Beth. I can’t put my finger on it, but I feel like she’s special and someone I can trust and be friends with. I decide to take a chance by telling her the truth.
“I came back after my tour ended to help my mom. But the truth is, I know nothing about being a business owner. I’m struggling. The inn is struggling. Honestly? I’m not sure I can do this.” Feeling defeated, I stare down at my hands.
“I’ve been meaning to tell you I’m so sorry about your dad,” she says. “I can understand why you are struggling, though; that’s a lot of change in a small time. How can I help?”
Beth makes eye contact with me, but this time she doesn’t break it. Usually, a wall seems to go back up. Not this time. Her compassionate green eyes are like magnets to my own.
Wow. There’s that surge of connection between us again with her eyes locked on mine.
I want to know the secrets she hides in the shadows behind her beautiful green eyes. Why does she take a few steps forward and ten steps back?We’ll work on that.
“What are you smiling at?” she asks. There she is. The non-standoffish one. That’s the one I want to know better.
“I was wondering how long you’d be willing to for sure commit to being here. I like the idea of the fall festival, but I also need help getting a better marketing plan set up. Social media, updating our systems, and getting organized. I just don’t know where to start.” My eyes dart around the office and I start feeling more overwhelmed thinking about everything I need to do to get the inn back on its feet.
Happiness seems to fill her, yet she hesitates. “How about sixty days? That’s all I can give you. But I do think I can help you with at least some of those things during that time.”
My gaze meets hers and I feel relieved. “That would be great. I’ll take it. And who knows, maybe you’ll fall in love with this place. Mellie did.”
“I’m serious. Sixty days. I don’t stay in places long, and I don’t get attached. That’s all I can do.” Her tone is matter of fact.She means what she’s saying, clearly. How can I get her to change her mind?
