Page 15 of Illinois Innkeeper
“I love it that you’re so willing to help, but you can’t fix this, Miranda. It’s too big of a mess, and it’s my problem––not yours.”
The loving look he’s raining down on me is addictive. I want to feel its shine on my face for the rest of my days. “There is no mine and yours. If someone is after you, then they may as well come after me, too, because we are a team. We can overcome any obstacle, as long as we’re together.”
He grins before pressing a tender kiss to my forehead.
I close my eyes and savor the warmth of his soft lips.
When he pulls back, I look up at him and say, “Wait, that wasn’t my goodbye kiss, was it? I’d like a better one than that.”
Deciding I’d better clarify, I add, “I mean goodbye for now, not goodbye for good.”
He blinks once, which I hope signifies agreement, but I don’t get the chance to ask because he leans down and tenderly brushes his lips against mine. All rational thought vacates my brain as my entire being focuses on his soft, slow kiss.
When Graham deepens the kiss and sweeps his tongue into my mouth, I moan––completely lost in the sweet sensation of our affectionate connection. I wrap my arms tight around him and try to wordlessly convey the love and forgiveness I feel for him.
As much as I don’t want to let him go, I know that the sooner I get to work and take care of what I need to, the sooner I can be back in his loving embrace.
I pull back slightly, but Graham clings to me for a moment. He clearly doesn’t want to let me go, but he forces himself to release his hold on me.
Pressing my index finger to his lips, I say, “I’ll be back as soon as I can. Don’t leave.”
He nods, but I can tell by the resigned look in his eyes that he thinks this is the end for us.
15
GRAHAM
Icare about Miranda far too much to let her put herself in any danger for me. It’s bad enough that the brave woman fights fires for a living. She doesn’t need to be putting herself at risk with ruthless mobsters on my behalf.
As much as I don’t want to leave this town that has become my home or the incredible woman who has stolen my heart, I know that I don’t have any other choice. I need to get out of here before I’m targeted again. My guess is that the next time they come, they won’t stop at just destroying property. These are the kind of criminals who prefer to exact their revenge by drawing blood, and they like to start with the loved ones of their prey. If they find out how much I care about Miranda, she’ll be in extreme danger.
There aren’t any belongings for me to pack in my Jeep, since I don’t have anything left. I take one long, last look around the cheesy motel room where I spent the most unforgettable night of my life. I need to sear the memories of it into my brain, since I won’t ever again have the privilege of being with the woman of my dreams.
I grab the package of Oreos from the grocery bags still sitting in the back of my Jeep. After scarfing down a few of them and guzzling half of a cold Coke from the motel’s vending machine, I decide that my ‘breakfast of champions’ should give me enough energy to drive for a few hours.
Even though I know I should leave and never look back, I can’t stop myself from turning the Jeep toward the center of town. I need to see the remnants of my beloved inn one last time in order to imprint it on my brain that it’s truly gone.
After parking, I get out of the Jeep and stare at the smoldering pile of rubble that has been my entire life for the past few years. The charred black and gray remains create a stark contrast with today’s crisp, clear blue sky.
I’ve spent countless hours upgrading every tiny detail in this place, and now it’s been completely destroyed. Even if by some miracle, I got the money to rebuild and felt it was safe to do so, the place would never be the same. All of that time, care, and elbow grease went up in flames––obliterated in a matter of minutes.
A few passersby give me wide-eyed looks, but no one speaks. It makes me wonder if the rumor has already started spreading that I am suspected of setting the fire. There’s no communication system faster than a small-town grapevine, especially when the story is as juicy as arson.
Reminding myself that I shouldn’t worry about what any of these people think, since I’ll never be able to come back to this place again, I say a final, silent goodbye to the barebones superstructure and ashes that are all that is left of my homestead and business.
The last thing I want to do is leave Miranda or Charming Falls, but I know in my heart that is exactly what I must do. If the only way to protect what I love is to keep my distance from it, then that is what will happen––even though the mere idea of abandoning my home and the woman I love is crushing my heart.
I close my eyes, tip my head back, and take in a deep breath.
Once I’m far from here, I’ll call to arrange a meeting with Jerry Columbus to get this mess straightened out. Jerry will be furious that any of his underlings struck out on their own against me. Hopefully, he’ll figure out who did this and make sure they don’t track me down in my new home.
With my plan in place, I walk with renewed determination back to my Jeep.
After making an illegal U-turn in the middle of the road, I speed towards the outskirts of town. It’s tempting to look in my rear-view mirror, but I refuse to glance back. I need to keep my focus on what’s ahead of me, even though it’s not anything I want.
At first, I think the sound is in my imagination. Perhaps wishful thinking has convinced my ears that they are actually hearing the sound they most crave. Then I realize it’s quite possible that the siren is real, and it’s a cop chasing me down for the U-turn or for speeding through the center of town.
Even though I warned myself not to look back, I have no choice but to use the rear-view mirror as the blaring noise draws closer.
