Page 69 of Falling Inn Love
“I can’t. I don’t even know where she is.”
“You know where she is. Your heart knows. Me and Sasha booked you a ticket. Monday, after the festival. You’re going to Austin. Figure it out.”
“I don’t know…” I hedge.
“And you’re not freaking coming back without her. You know she belongs here. I’d go to the moon to get Sasha back if she left. Don’t be a dumbass.”
I pull my head up and look at him. “But what if I can’t get her to come back?”
“Well, asshole, you hid her car in your barn and it’s still there.”
I smile and shake my head, realizing she has to come back for her car eventually.
“Jesus, thank the lord,” he says, rolling his eyes.
“What?”
“That’s the first time anyone has ever seen you smile in days.”
He does a U-turn then drives us back to the inn. When he pulls up to the front, he asks, “Is your head out of your ass?”
“Yeah.”
“Good. Get out of my truck.”
I walk up to the inn with a little more resolve. I know what I need to do now.
* * *
Everything is ready for the fall festival tomorrow, and I’m excited to see how it all turns out.
I head to the garden shed where we do laundry with a pile of my clothes and start a load. I turn to find Mellie standing there, her eyes narrowed at me.
I know I’m about to have my ass handed to me again, and I welcome it. “Come on,” I say. “Let’s have it.” I lean back against the washer and look up at the ceiling, waiting.
She doesn’t hold back. “I know you’re my boss and I shouldn’t be so forward, but I’m going to just tell you like it is. I think it’s dumb and prideful that you said you wouldn’t chase her. We’re not in elementary school, Evan. You need to go get her.”
“You done?” I ask. I cross my arms and lean toward her, smiling.
I love that Beth left an impression on this inn. Everyone misses her and loves her. This isn’t lost on me; I need to make this right.
“Yeah. I miss her.” Her face relaxes and she drops her shoulders. “She was so kind to Kase and me, and I feel like I finally made a friend.”
My heart clenches. Mellie did need a friend. She has been more open and relaxed since Beth came. It took a long time to get Mellie to trust my mom and me, and for her to trust and miss Beth is a big deal.
“I miss her, too. I’m going to get her.”
She huffs. “Way to bury the lede.”
“And miss out on that performance? Not on your life.”
Mellie throws a towel at me and heads out, but I don’t miss the smile that reaches her eyes before she goes.
I head out to do my nightly rounds. Tomorrow is going to be so busy and I want to make sure everything is all set.
Before I check the grounds, I head to my mom’s cottage to open it up and make sure it’s ready for her since she’s been gone a while. I know she’s loved being with Allie and Caleb, but she misses being home, too. Caleb is finally out of the hospital and he’s doing amazing. I’m so damn proud of that kid. He’s a fighter.
Pete drops my mom off just as I’m walking back outside.
