14
Kelly took the elevator down to the lobby. Ava had gone home that morning for a photoshoot she had scheduled. After Kelly had checked in with Michelle, she decided she could stay for a few more days. Michelle had things handled, and that made staying in Wintervale much easier. Once Ava left, Kelly moved back to the resort. She had insisted on it once a room became available. She didn’t want to feel like she was putting Lily out by staying at her house.
Miles waited in the lobby for her and smiled as she approached. He wore dark jeans and a white T-shirt with a brewery logo on the front.
“Hey,” Kelly said.
Miles looked her up and down. She wore a black wrap dress she had found at the local boutique and paired it with some ballet flats. She had pulled a sweater over it as the temperatures were getting cold later in the day.
“You look beautiful,” Miles said.
“Thank you.”
He walked with her out of the resort and to his car. Emma was already at her grandparents’ house for Sunday dinner, sothey had a few minutes alone for the quick car ride from the resort to their house.
Miles pulled her door open and waited for her to slide into the car before shutting it and moving around to his side. Then he got in and froze at the wheel.
“You okay?” she asked.
He looked at her, and a smile cracked across his face. “Yep. I was just waiting for you to toss groceries at me.”
She snorted and immediately covered her face. “Oh my gosh.” Then she looked over at him. “We never did clear the air. You know I thought you were going to hit me, right? I didn’t realize there was a parking spot that close to where I was walking.”
He laughed. “I know.”
They arrived at his parents’ place only a few minutes later, and he pulled open the car door for her. When they walked inside, she felt exactly as she did at her own parents’ house. Their home was cozy and inviting. Laughter came from down the hallway. Miles smiled at Kelly and led her into the dining room, where a large group of people were seated around the table.
A woman stood up and smiled brightly at Kelly. “This must be Kelly. You’re as beautiful as I pictured. I’m Karen.”
Kelly blushed as Karen pulled her into a hug. “Thank you. It’s nice to meet you.”
Then, a man held out his hand. “I’m James. Miles’s father.”
Kelly shook it. Then Miles went around the table pointing out each of his siblings, all of whom she had met during the wedding set up, along with their significant others. Emma sat at the table coloring something, but looked up briefly to smile and wave at Kelly before going back to her drawing.
“I know we traditionally do home-made dinners here, but as busy as everyone has been, I wanted you all to relax. So I made it easy and ordered pizza,” Karen said.
“You guys have a pizza place here?” Kelly asked.
“Next town over,” Miles said. “But they deliver.”
Miles pulled out a chair for Kelly, and she thanked him before taking a seat. He sat down beside her. Karen sat on the other side of her. The family all chatted among themselves. Only Miles and his parents were listening in on the conversation.
“Kelly, I wanted to thank you for stepping up and helping us out while I was sick. Flu season is usually hard for us, but this time it was on top of several other incidents as well. It all added up and knocked us off our feet. I’m not sure what we would have done without your help,” Karen said.
“Honestly, I’ve been thinking about starting an event planning business, so this was a great experience for me. I should thank you.”
“Oh, how wonderful! Based on the glowing reviews of the bride’s mother, I think you’re in the right market for that. I know the bride was difficult, to say the least. Her mother said you handled everything with class. She even acknowledged how difficult her daughter was being.”
Kelly blushed. “Yeah, I just need to decide how to tell my family.” At the quizzical look from Karen, she continued. “My family owns a bookstore and coffee shop in Storyville, Colorado. I’m currently in charge of the event scheduling for the store. I just feel like I’m letting them down if I do my own thing.”
Karen and James exchanged a look. “I don’t know your family, but I wouldn’t think they would want to hold you back from your dreams,” Karen said. “If any of our kids wanted to do their own thing, we would understand.”
Kelly laughed lightly. “You’re probably right. I haven’t talked to them about it. My sister, Michelle, has been champing at the bit to take over my job there. There really isn’t enough work for all of us. It’s just that being the only one to branch away from the family business seems like a big step.”
Karen nodded. “That makes sense. I think you should talk to them. You might be surprised.”
Kelly smiled. “Yeah. I think I will.”
