Page 5 of Falling Inn Love
I know that hope will go nowhere and it fills me with rage. “Are you kidding me right now? He’s done nothing to help Allie. Hasn’t even ever acknowledged that he has a son or paid a penny in child support. Let’s not hold our breath. I’ll get tested, too. We don’t need anything from that guy. I do not like him, not one bit.”
“I’m going to try and fly out next week to help out if I can. She’s having a hard time with missing work from taking him to appointments.”
“I’ll call her tonight.” I wish Allie and Caleb lived closer so we could help her more. I hate the thought of her being alone while she’s so far away, dealing with having a sick kid as a single mom. I feel like it’s partly my fault. She followed me out to California when I first got stationed there. I moved back a little over a year ago to take care of the inn after our dad died, but she hasn’t been able to move back yet.
My mom nods. “It’ll be okay. It’s days like these I wish your dad was here. I miss him. He always knew what to say and do.”
“I miss him too, Mom. If you need anything, just let me know.” I give her a hug and kiss the top of her head.
“I’m just glad you’re here. I know running the inn wasn’t what you thought you’d be doing with your life. You need to get out more and see friends. Maybe play with your old band.” She pats my arm. “Do something for yourself.”
I pinch my lips together and let out a big sigh. If only it was that easy. I want to be happy here… I’m just so overwhelmed. Everything and everyone I love is struggling, between the inn and now my nephew’s health. I don’t know how to be happy anymore when I feel like everything around me is falling apart.
“Night, Mom,” I say as I finish up and head out.
I call Sam on my way out to my cottage.
“Sam’s Towing,” he answers. There’s loud music in the background. Friday night means he’s probably at the bar playing with his band.
“Hey, it’s Evan. I need a favor.”
“What’s up, my man? What do you need?”
“There’s a green Subaru SUV broken down on Childers Highway, not far from the inn. Can you pick it up and take a look at it?”
“Sure, I can bring it in, but I’m pretty backed up at the shop. I probably can’t deal with it until Monday, Tuesday at the latest, though—that okay?”
“Actually, take your time,” I tell him. “She’s a guest but also helping us out. The longer you keep the car, the longer she stays, and we really need her help.”
“Found another one, huh? You have a strange way of getting employees, dude.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m just grateful we have such great staff right now.” That’s one thing I don’t have to worry about.
“Any chance you’re up for playing next Saturday at McGuiness tavern?” Sam asks. “We could really use someone on guitar and vocals.”
I scratch my beard and open the door to my cottage. “It’s been a while.”
Allie and I used to play with Sam and his band at the tavern, local weddings, and parties on and off in and after high school. We started out as kids practicing in the garden shed, and probably drove my parents and guests nuts with all the noise. We actually grew into a pretty great band over the years and had a lot of fun with it. We stopped playing with them when I joined the Marines and Allie followed me to California. We’ve gotten together for fun sometimes when I’ve been on leave, but it’s been several years since the last gig.
“I guess I could use some practice.”
“Great! I’ll let the guys know. And I’ll get back to you about the car,” he says, disconnecting.
I realize maybe my mom is right. I need to get out more and settle back into Freedom Valley. This is where I live now; it’s time to get a life.
I didn’t want to tell my mother this, but saving the family inn and our legacy doesn’t leave much time for fun. Maybe that’s my problem. I stopped having fun when I became an innkeeper.
I know how to be a medic in the Marines. Not an innkeeper.
I’m in over my head.
THREE
BETH
I have to keep going.
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