Page 7 of Falling Inn Love
I grudgingly get out of bed and into the shower. A deal is a deal, and it’s time for me to live up to my end of it.
I put on my favorite grey sweater, nicer jeans, and my Converse, and pull my hair back into a high ponytail, hoping this is good enough. I don’t have a lot of clothes with me, or the energy to try harder. This will have to do.
FOUR
EVAN
Wait, what did I just agree to?
* * *
I wakeup early and head out for a run, needing to clear my head. I’ve been feeling anxious since a phone call I had with the bank yesterday. I’ve had all this stress and pent-up energy lately.
My dad managed the inn like he was made for the job. No one could have imagined he’d have a sudden heart attack and be gone so unexpectedly. It’s been almost two years now, but he left a gaping hole when he died. Everyone misses him.
My mom asked me to come help out when my tour ended. I left California to do something I had no idea how to do. Need a combat medic? I’m your guy. Need an innkeeper to entertain and be friendly to strangers constantly? I’m not your guy.
I grew up here so you’d think it would come easily to me, but I’m still trying to figure out my place. I used to help out regularly as a kid with chores and stuff, but I never had to work with money on the business side or deal with people at the front desk. My parents did all of that. My mom still pitches in, but she’s retired from a lot of the day-to-day things.
I run until I can feel the anxious energy leave my body. My sister likes to tease me that I need to run my wiggles out, just like my nephew. She’s probably not wrong.
I head up the back stairs and into the kitchen. I pause when I see Beth sitting with my mom at the counter and Sasha cooking at the stove. They’re laughing at something, and for a brief moment, I notice an unguarded look on Beth’s face, but it quickly disappears and the wall goes back up. What is that about?
“Hey, ladies,” I say as I head over to my mom. I ask Beth, “How did you sleep?”
“Great, thank you.” She focuses on her coffee mug like it’s the most interesting thing in the room.
I pour myself a cup of coffee and glance back at Beth. She quickly looks away and turns her focus to a half-eaten pumpkin scone on the plate in front of her. I study her face and wonder what she’s thinking. She looks nervous, and I can’t help but wonder if I am making her feel that way. She definitely doesn’t make me nervous. I want to get to know her more. I want to know where she’s been, what brought her here, and why she’s living in her car.
She raises her eyes to find me watching her and quickly looks away again. Yep. She likes me.Yes!
My mom glances over at me. “Did you hear me?” she asks.
I shake out of my stare. “Yeah,” I lie.
“Oh, good!” My mom claps her hands together excitedly.
“Wait, what did I just agree to?” I speak into my coffee cup, my eyes darting over to Sasha who’s grinning while she chops up vegetables.
“You just agreed to host a fall festival here at the inn,” Sasha says, clapping me on the back. She pulls open a drawer and takes out a few spices.
I swallow and look up to the ceiling. What have I just walked into? I’m not good at planning things like that. I’m still trying to figure out how to run this inn, and I’m not looking to add any more to my plate right now.
I glance over at Beth, her lips slightly parted as she takes in my reaction. She has a captivating smile. We stare at each other, neither of us looking away for what seems like a long time. Finally, she looks down, smoothing her sweater and straightening her legs under the table.
Wow. I can’t remember the last time I had a connection like this with someone. I can’t explain it, but she draws me in somehow. It makes me question if she feels it, too? I really think she does.
“Maybe Beth can help us?” I say, tipping my cup in her direction then taking a sip. “I bet she’s great at planning festivals.” I give her a subtle, playful head tilt. “What do you say? How long can you stay in Freedom Valley?”
Beth’s eyes reach mine again and her gaze drifts down to my shoulders and arms. She’s totally checking me out. She jerks her chin up. “It depends on my car.” She twists her hands in her lap like she’s nervous, and I wonder if it’s me or this situation that keeps making her feel that way. I’m hoping for the former.
I haven’t felt attracted to a woman like this in years. In fact, I haven’t been attracted to a woman like this probably ever. I dated on occasion back in California, but never anything serious. I was gone a lot and most women couldn’t deal with me not being around. And when I wasn’t deployed, I was helping my sister with Caleb.
Beth is a mystery to me. I want to break down those walls I see her putting up. I want to know what her favorite foods are, what books she likes to read, what movies she wants to see, and the shows she likes to binge watch.
“I think you could both plan the festival, if you can stay longer, Beth” my mom says, glancing back and forth between us, a hopeful look on her face. “It would be great exposure locally, and maybe we can get some weddings or other events booked. I saw our schedule and it appears we have a lot of gaps to fill the next several months.”
“I think I could help,” Beth says. “I’ve planned things like this in the past. But, isn’t this high season?” she asks quietly. “I thought places like this were booked up this time of year.”
