Page 57 of Hiding Rose
“He makes those as a hobby? They’re gorgeous,” I exclaimed, bringing the phone toward my nose. “He’s crazy talented.”
She grinned. “I keep telling him the same, but he’s convinced no one will want to buy his furniture.”
“I would like one for my own apartment, but probably can’t afford it,” I said, laughing.
“He only asks five hundred a chair, which is ridiculous. I’ve been thinking about ordering one for the larger suites in the hotel. Maybe I’ll use the center as a way to work a deal.”
“How generous of you, Kate,” I said, my hand to my heart. “You’d probably make his year.”
She shrugged. “I know quality when I see it. I’ve had guests ask about rocking chairs frequently. We have the two wooden rockers, but they aren’t comfortable or especially safe. I think it’s one of the little things we’re known for here, always going the extra mile for the guests.”
I smiled. “You sure do. Even when the guest calls you from across the ocean in desperation. I’m forever grateful to you and Gideon.”
She laid her hand on my arm. “We don’t want you to be, Rosie. We want you to be happy and nothing else. I feel like something has changed between you and Sawyer.”
We moved to the next box and started unpacking a changing table, which we abandoned after we leaned it on the wall for the handyman to put together. I hadn't talked to Kate much about Sawyer for a few reasons. She’s a few years older than me, and lately, she’s been a surrogate mother helping me through this time of my life. The other problem is how much she's done for me, both here and in Snowberry. It feels like betrayal to tell her I've fallen in love so soon after the last dating debacle. I worked quietly, not answering her question, instead stacking blocks and books on one table, and diapers and wipes on another, until she grabbed my arm.
She forced me to sit."Why won't you talk to me about Sawyer? All I have to do is look at him to see he lost his heart to you ages ago. You've played your feelings for him close to the vest, but since you came home from Honolulu, you're different. I haven't asked why, hoping you would talk to me about it. Then Lei told me she made a second swipe card for your apartment."
I growled and hung my head. "She promised not to say a word."
"She only told me because it came up on the computer. We do keep track of those things."
I shrugged. "I gave him a card in case I needed help and couldn't get to the door."
"Help with say dinner every night and breakfast every morning?"
I threw my hands up. "Are you watching my every move?"
She shook her head. "You know the halls are monitored at all times. A security guard unfamiliar with the situation called me the other night and asked if he needed to intervene. I’m not trying to snoop or watch your every move. The thing is, Sawyer will tell anyone who will listen how much he loves you."
Crud. I hadn't taken his enthusiasm into account when attempting to stay low key about our relationship.I remained silent and she made theout with itsign with her hands.
“This is the part where you say, ‘I love him too, Kate’,” she said in a goofy voice.
“I’m not comfortable talking with you about this, Kate,” I said instead.
She sat back as if I’d slapped her and guilt rolled in my stomach. “Why not? I’m only teasing you, Rosie. I’m sorry if you got the wrong idea.”
I waved my hand. “No, it’s nothing you said.” I glanced up at the ceiling to gather my thoughts. “It’s more like I’m having a hard time talking to you about Sawyer.”
She grasped my hand. “Why? You know I support you.”
“I didn’t talk to you about it because I didn’t want you to feel betrayed. I didn’t take Sawyer’s display of affections into account, though.”
“Betrayed? Why would I feel betrayed?” she asked perplexed.
I gulped, and stared at my feet. “Because you took me in, paid for everything, and here I am, in love with another man already.”
She shook her head. “No. Life doesn’t work that way, Rosie. There’s no rhyme or reason to its order. You know this. You’ve seen it over and over again. I didn’t bring you here to hold any kind of control over your life. I gave you a chance to find a new life, which is exactly what you’ve done.”
“Mostly, I didn’t want to disappoint you,” I whispered, holding her hand.
“Disappoint me?” she asked confused. “Why would you disappoint me?”
“Poor choices? Inability to stay away from men?”
She sighed and shook her head for a second. “Rosie, you aren’t supposed to stay away from the man you’re meant to be with. We all make mistakes when it comes to love. You didn’t do anything wrong in the situation with Jarrett.”
