She frowned. What could she owe him gratitude for?
“If I wanted reimbursement for the property, I’d have to involve the police.” He steepled his hands together, pressing the fingertips against his chin. “You’d be in trouble for trespassing and held liable for the fire.”
She hoped he was only thinking out loud. A legal issue was the last thing she needed. “I didn’t start it,” she said.
He pushed back his chair. “Whenever you want to tell me what happened, you don’t need to worry about repercussions. I wouldn’t be upset about an accident. I wanted a blank canvas. An intentional blaze, however, would change things.” He strode around the table to lean against it, standing close and staring down his nose at her.
“I love the lighthouse. You know that.” Her voice and words were weak. She loved many things but had proved capable of blowing those up with the right motivation.
“Regardless of the lighthouse, you have to get going for your first job.”
“I do?” She frowned.
He nodded. “The first sheet on the left pocket is a schedule for you of various jobs I’ve assigned you. You’ll need to get started. You might want to change into jeans.”
She opened the folder and scanned the page he mentioned, fighting the urge to roll her eyes. Concessions at the afternoon movie? She’d swap her heels for flats, her only compromise. She could do everything he did but better. She’d show everyone.
Shutting the folder, she interlaced her fingers on her lap. “Not today. Whatever you’ve assigned can start later. I have somewhere I’d like to go right now.”Start the way you intend to finish. Dad’s old advice rang through her mind.
“Already giving up?”
She snorted. “Hardly. If I’m back in time, I’ll stop by the matinee and help.” She stood and, with one quick nod, spun towards the door and left.
She was the one to exit first. Every time.
* * *
Christopher gritted his teeth as the door shut.
She was careful not to slam it behind her as she flounced away.
Giving up? Already?He’d barely given her a checklist, and she hightailed it out of the room. Rolling his neck, he rubbed the base of his skull just above his spine. He wasn’t being fair. He hadn’t asked for details. Now that she was officially back, she probably had places to go and people to see.
Who?He wasn’t a jealous type. If she’d moved on during the past ten years, could he really be that surprised? Out of sight, out of mind?
He powered up his laptop and glanced at his inbox. A message from a friend he’d met at a hotelier conference a few years ago popped up on the top of the to-be-read queue. The subject declared,Don’t say no immediately.
Tom Lavande ran a resort on the Big Island of Hawaii. Roughly the same size as the Inn at Loon Lake, Hotel Lavande catered to high-end clientele with Tom’s trademark French hospitality. Closer in age to Xavier than Christopher, Tom had hit it off with both men and jokingly tried to steal Christopher away from the Inn. While Christopher had never had the chance to visit, he’d felt a twinge of envy at the beautiful images of sun-soaked lanais off every room, an open-air lobby that led to the beach beyond, and a truly spectacular restaurant for viewing the sun dip below the ocean at dusk.
He clicked on the email.
I have sent you information and have a room ready. I would very much like to discuss selling Hotel Lavande to you. Sincerely, Tom Lavande.
Christopher stared at the screen. Tom offered paradise on a platter. Only a fool would turn down the offer, especially with the uncertain ownership of the Inn. Moving to one of the most remote islands in the world promised the ultimate escape. Christopher would have to take out a loan to make a purchase but would earn the money back in no time. He could start over somewhere new. He could leave everything behind.
He pushed away from his desk. Leaning against the windowsill, he angled toward the sunlight. If that happened to be the same direction as the main entrance, who cared? She’d have to be racing out of the Inn to make it through the lobby in the next few minutes. He still had plenty of time to observe where she was supposedly heading on her important errand.
Just don’t date Zach Jenkins.If she moved back and settled here, she’d live her life in full view. He couldn’t handle watching her move on with his enemy. Loon Lake didn’t have many eligible bachelors. With slim pickings, Zach probably rose in any woman’s estimation. Steve Prim might even be a candidate. Hadn’t he had a crush on her years ago in high school? Sending her flowers on Valentine’s Day before Christopher made his feelings known?
Christopher hadn’t glanced at anyone else. Ever. To even consider dating again was ludicrous. Besides the fact that there were fewer eligible bachelorettes than bachelors in town, the very idea was ridiculous. How could he look at another woman? He’d held a diamond. He wasn’t going back to rhinestones or sequins.
She drew every eye with her friendly, flirtatious personality. She was charming and endearing. She never met a stranger and seemed taken aback whenever she received a compliment or a phone number. She was a rare jewel.
Where could she head off to on some sort of all-important rendezvous that didn’t involve another man?If I consider Tom’s offer, I wouldn’t have to watch.
He scrubbed a hand over his face, tension building in his temples. Leaving Loon Lake had never been a possibility. The community knew him from birth. Starting over was a shocking consideration.
However, he couldn’t write off the idea. He had to consider everyone’s best interest. Packing up and moving on would simplify everything. He didn’t have generational ties to Loon Lake. Unlike Ashley.
