Page 57 of Falling Inn Love
I want to be with Evan, but when you lose someone who means so much to you, it breaks you in ways that you can never put yourself back together again. It’s hard to love again and risk that pain. Irrational, maybe, but it’s what I am dealing with.
I leash up Bossy and Chip and take them to the fire pits where Mellie and Kase are sitting along with a few other guests. Kase immediately comes to play with the puppies and I settle in next to Mellie.
Mellie looks over and says, “Evan texted. I think he’s bored. I’m helping with the puppies while you go get him tomorrow.”
“Thanks. It feels like it’s been forever.”
“Beth, when he comes home…” she trails off and looks away. Then she turns back to face me. “Are you really leaving like you said? He is going to be devastated.”
What do I say? I stare into the fire pit, looking for answers. I’m scared. We’ve worked hard to turn things around, but is it enough?
A lump forms in my throat. I’m a nomad, but this is their home. Their livelihood. What if they lose it? I could have done better.
I shake off my anxiety and turn my attention back to Mellie.
“You think we’re going to make it?” I ask her.
“The inn or you and Evan?”
“Both,” I whisper.
She looks me in the eye and says fiercely, “Yes, to both. We won’t settle for any less.”
Preston and Logan join us at the fire, and Preston offers,” “Ready for that chat?”
I nod and stand, my mind still on what Mellie said. But now I have more pressing things to discuss with them.
“I’ll bring you the puppies later, if that’s okay?” Mellie asks. I watch Kase who is playing tug-of-war with Bossy and her rope toy.
“Sure,” I say with a gentle squeeze on her arm.
We head inside and settle onto the sectional where I give them all the details of the situation I know from Evan. Preston takes notes as I speak and asks me some questions I can’t answer, but both the guys are aghast at what I’m telling them.
“What an asshole,” Logan says, and I emphatically agree. “Can he keep getting away with doing this?” he asks Preston directly.
Preston shakes his head. “Sounds like the classic bully—all bluster and likely less powerful than he thinks. Let me do some investigating. And when Evan gets back,” now he addresses me, “I’m going to need to talk to him. When he’s feeling up to it.”
“Thank you. I know Margie and Evan will really appreciate it,” I tell him.
“No one deserves to be treated this way,” Logan adds.
Something occurs to me. “You know, Freedom Valley is a really supportive community. I wonder if he’s doing this to other businesses as well, and if anyone else would be willing to join us in fighting back.”
“Either way, hopefully we can send a message so this stops here,” Preston adds. “This does seem like a really nice town. It would be terrible for one guy to wreck the whole vibe.”
“Have you been here before?”
“Not for years. My family and I used to visit the area in the fall to see the foliage. It’s a pretty quick drive from Boston. Seeing it again, I still really love it here. I’m actually considering maybe getting a weekend place or something.”
“It’s definitely a great little town,” I tell him. And from what I’ve seen of it, I know I’m not just saying that. The tavern, the coffee shop, with all of the nice people who work in those places. The beautiful quiet vistas where Evan has taken me. It would be a nice place to call home.
Preston interrupts my musings with a pointed question about Mellie. “So that blonde you were talking to out there. What’s her story?”
“Funny you should ask,” I tease.
“What?” he wonders.
“She asked about you, as well,” I say with a smile.
