It wasn’t a long drive, and I was already learning the roads after just more than a week. Pretty soon I knew I wouldn’t need the GPS at all. As it was, I made it back just in time for Nic’s “staff meeting.” I hadn’t really even begun work yet, though I’d handled snow removal in the past few days, so I figured that was what the meeting was about.
That thought changed the moment I set foot in the lobby and saw Oak, Charlie, Nic, and Dana crammed into the office. Surprisingly, Teague was there as well, leaning against the back wall, my brother sitting in his chair but practically against Teague’s legs. Teague had his hands on Charlie’s shoulders, massaging lightly, and I couldn’t help the smile that Charlie allowed that touch.
“Sorry I’m late,” I apologized as I squeezed into the office as well. I found a perch next to Oak, leaning against the table on the far wall. Dana was in a chair, but Nic hoisted her tiny self up onto the desk, folding her legs underneath her.
“You’re not late. We saw you pull into the lot, so we gathered.” Nic waved that away, like it was no big deal. “But now that we’re all here, let's talk about all the stuff.”
“Cora’s not here?” Charlie asked, brow crinkling.
“Cora only works dinner service with me. Nothing there is changing, so I told her she didn’t have to attend if she didn’t want to,” Dana said.
Nic nodded. “This is about everything else. Which is why Teague is here. We’ve hired him to help part time with renovations. Need to put those carpentry skills to work.”
Teague clearly already knew that, and he flexed an arm, showing off impressive biceps. Laughter washed through the office, though Oak grimaced. It was mostly for show, I guess, but it made me laugh harder. I bumped Oak with my shoulder so he knew I agreed.
“All right. So when Dana and I bought the place, we put off the cabin renos, knowing it was better to focus on the Inn itself with our limited resources at the time. But now that Law has joined us, and Teague can give us some of his time, we’re going to focus there. Our plan is to get everything complete this spring so that we can start renting the cabins this summer.”
Beside me, Oak went stiff. I probably wouldn’t have noticed except there was barely three inches of space between us. I glanced at him, and though his expression was neutral, he held his entire body like he was bracing for bad news. I leaned slightly closer and nudged him with my elbow, but Oak gave a single, short shake of his head. I tried not to frown.
Nic was spreading papers out on Charlie’s desk. “Our revenue is up, which is awesome. We’ve made a little bit of a name forourselves. I couldn’t be happier.Wecouldn’t be happier. We need to keep that momentum going. By getting the cabins ready, we’ll be able to rent for longer stays. Bigger groups. People who just want to get away. Most of the cabins are structurally sound, and just need a lot of cosmetic work. Cabin Three needs a complete overhaul inside, since the roof had a leak. And Cabin Seven got attacked by a fallen tree right before we took possession so will probably need part, if not all, of the back wall rebuilt.”
I was listening to Nic, but I couldn’t stop staring at Oak. Outwardly, he seemed to be paying attention too. But the way he was holding himself, the way he chewed on the inside of his bottom lip, had me on edge. Something about this news unsettled him, and I couldn’t figure out what. I probably shouldn’t care either, but I did. No one else seemed to realize how uncomfortable he was. I nudged him again.
“What’s wrong?” I whispered. Not that it mattered, because we were in such a small space everyone heard my barely spoken words. Just like that, four other sets of eyes latched onto Oak, and he all but squirmed.
“Nothing. I’m fine.” He shot me a glare that lacked the heat it should have. I knew he was trying for intimidating, but it wouldn’t work on me. I saw the pain in those blue depths.
“Oak?” Nic asked, her tone a little more commanding.
Perhaps it was because she was his boss, or maybe because he knew her better, but he breathed out a tiny sigh. “When do you want me out?”
Nic blinked. “What?”
Oak cleared his throat. “How long do I have before you need me to move out of the cabin? I’ll need some time to find a new place to—”
“No!” Nic’s shout was loud, but she didn’t care. “No, I’m sorry. I thought you knew, or else I would have opened with that ortalked to you about this before and made sure you knew that you didn’t have to move out. Youneverhave to move out. That cabin is yours for as long as you want it. I’m talking about the other seven, not yours.”
Oak picked at his nail for a few seconds before he lifted his gaze to her, squinting as though he was trying to make sure she was telling the truth. “You sure?”
“Yes.” Nic gave a nod, then looked at Dana who was smiling and nodding as well. Nic smirked. “Besides, with you being right there, we can pay you extra to be on-call for any problems cabin guests have.”
Oak let that sink in, then he smiled. It lit up his whole face. I nearly lost my breath. It wasn’t until that moment that I realized I’d never seen a true smile out of him. I’d recognized that he was cute, but I didn’t comprehend just how pretty he was. Gorgeous, really. And I just wanted to wrap him up in my arms and assure him everything was going to be fine.
Which is exactly what I did with Marlie earlier, so clearly that was the mode I was in. I saw him like I saw one of my kids, in need of care and support. Even as I thought it, I knew it was a lie. I saw him as much more than that. Which was ridiculous. I was fourteen years older than he was and had absolutelyno businesslusting after him.
“Okay. Yeah, I can do that.” Oak sounded pleased with that arrangement.
“Good. Okay. Now, back to the planning. I’ve done assessments, and I think we need to start with…”
I listened with half an ear as Nic laid out the plans for how and what renovations were needed. The rest of my brain was occupied with thoughts of the young man beside me, and how I’d been ready to offer him space in my house if he had to move out. How his smile made my stomach jump and how right he’d feltin my arms when I hugged him. I was too old for a crush. I was especially too old forthiscrush.
I had to focus on my kids and my new job. I had no time, or more importantly no business, to have my first crush on a man in more than fifteen years. Any thoughts other than brotherly and friendly toward Oak would have to be quashed until they disappeared.
Chapter 12
Oak
After the meeting, I went to continue my normal workday. I wasn’t sure how to feel. For one, I was incredibly fucking happy to know that the cabin was mine to keep unless I wanted to move out. That was one thing off my mind for sure.
