Page 40 of Falling Inn Love
I grab my toiletry bag and stuff some clothes into my backpack.
As we walk back to his cottage, Evan carries my bag and holds my hand.This is dangerous, I think. I can lose myself in him. He is everything and it’s too much. There’s a part of me, though, that feels like maybe this could work. Maybe we could be together. Maybe just for now, I’m going to soak up and savor every moment with him.
We snuggle up by the fire and under a blanket and I ask Evan to tell me his favorite memories of growing up.
He thinks on it for a minute before he begins. “It was fun. Allie was only a year behind me in school, so we hung out with a lot of the same people. We always had friends over here. The inn was the place to be. Friends always knew we had plenty of food and fun here. My parents loved that our house was like that. Good and safe for all the kids to be at. My parents had a great reputation in the community so the other parents never worried.”
“It’s obvious the inn has always been a special place, then and now. Do you think you’ll be able to pay off the loan and save the inn?”
“I don’t know. I think we have a shot if we can have a successful fall festival.”
“It’s obvious this inn means a lot to you and your family.”
“I think that’s what upsets me so much about possibly losing it. I’ll never get to raise my own kids here if that happens. We’ll all lose it. My mom, Allie and Caleb, Mellie and Kase. Sasha and Pete.”
I think about him losing everything and it stirs so much sadness in me. I already know I will do everything in the next couple of months to help him hold on. To help all of them.
“I wish I had done better,” he tells me.
I hug him tight. “I think you’re being too hard on yourself. You’re doing a great job.” I kiss his cheek.
“Thanks,” he says quietly, leaning into me. “I’m so glad you’re here, Beth.”
“Me, too,” I whisper, and relax into his embrace.
I sit there, lost in my thoughts, wondering how Evan had ever been a stranger to me before now. It seems like we’ve always known each other. Like we were meant to be but just hadn’t met each other yet. I had something really good with John, but I didn’t havethatwith John.
But being with Evan is just like being with another piece of my soul. He feels like home. And that’s what makes it so difficult to know what to do. My thoughts drift off into dreams of having a life together. I don’t want this dream to end.
Apparently in a real dream, I wake up to Evan gently picking me up in the dark and carrying me inside. He lays me on a warm bed. I sit up and unzip my coat and kick my shoes off and slide under the blankets. I’m so exhausted, I fall asleep immediately.
SEVENTEEN
EVAN
Worth the risk.
* * *
I turn off my alarm before it sounds. I don’t want to wake Beth. When I helped her out of her coat and shoes last night, she snuggled in next to me in my bed and was out like a light. She barely moved all night, and I was grateful for the time spent close to her. I love being with her and having her here, I want to soak up every minute we have together. It’s undeniable that she’s got my heart.
I head to my kitchen to make coffee and let the dogs out. I set up some chew toys for them when I bring them back inside. Surprisingly, they haven’t been too bad about chewing on things. They nap a lot together, and they don’t like it when you separate them, even getting whiney when they’re apart.
My phone buzzes and I notice an email from a neighboring inn, The Bayberry. We’re technically competitors, but my friend Jay runs things over there, and we help each other out when needed. I open the email and read it quickly.
Evan,
I screwed up. I overbooked and need five rooms for part of our wedding party. Check in today, check out Sunday. I know it’s high-season, but do you have five units you could spare for me? Please, please say you do. I’ll owe you big time, buddy. Let me know ASAP and send over an invoice.
Thanks, Jay
I throw on a hoodie and my shoes and head over to the lobby to check what’s available. When I get there, I see we only have four vacancies. I realize Beth’s room is the fifth on that block, and a lightbulb goes off in my mind. I email Jay back.
Jay,
We have you covered. We’ll take good care of them. I’ll invoice you.
Thanks for thinking of us,
