Chapter Thirty-Two
Clara pulled a tray of cranberry bran muffins from the oven and set them on a rack to cool. “Zane’s gone.” Her heart weighed heavy in her chest as tears threatened to fall from her eyes.
“Gone where?” Honey exclaimed.
“He left. Said he was going back to the city.” Clara couldn’t stop the tears from falling. The pain in her chest squeezed them out. She sniffed and tried to gain control of the waterfall. She twisted her hands together, unlaced them and pressed her palms to her eyes to block her tears.
“He checked out. Just like that? Why would he do that? Isn’t he here until the new year? Men!” Honey smacked a fist into her palm. “Why are they so stupid?”
“No. He’s coming back. He didn’t even take a bag. He came into the kitchen this morning and said he was going to the city. He took the presents he bought at the craft sale and left. He climbed into the truck and drove away without looking back. Not even a glance.” He’d taken her heart with him. She didn’t want to love him, but she did. She’d gone and let herself fall in love with the one man she couldn’t have. The one she didn’t deserve.
“Well, if he’s coming back, there’s hope for you guys. Maybe he had shopping to do. Maybe he was delivering those presents. There are a million reasons to go to the city. He left his stuff. He. Is. Coming. Back. For you.”
“He can’t have me. I can’t have him.” She gave a hiccupping sob.
“Why not?” Honey stood, hands on her hips, glaring at Clara. She strode forward and threw her arms around Clara in a warm hug. “Youcanhave him. Maybe there are bugs to work out of your relationship. Trust me on this. I’ve lived it. If two people care about each other, they can work through their differences.” She gave Clara a little shake.
“When he comes back, you just have to start pursuing him. For real. Seriously. Chase him down like a cop after a criminal.” She paused. “I can’t believe I spit out that stupid analogy. What I’m trying to say is that it is obvious you and Zane care for each other. Everyone can see it. A blind person could see it. Go for it. Take the risk. He’s yours for the taking.”
A glimmer of optimism shone in Clara’s heart and faded. “What if you’re right? What if he likes me? Maybe he loves me. That doesn’t change the fact that he’s so smart and I’m … well, I’m not.”
Honey gave Clara a little shake. “Listen to me, girl. Listen hard. You aren’t stupid. Not even close. Maybe you’re not a Mensa candidate, who is? Not me. Not Ira. Not even one of your cousins. Maybe Sue, she’s scary about knowing things she shouldn’t, but I expect she’s just good at reading people. Sorry. I got off topic. Look at yourself. Take a long hard look. You’re running a successful inn, booked to capacity. You’re making money selling musical scores. You walked away from a troubled career and made a new life. You were smart enough to sell what needed to be sold in this place and ditch the junk. You’re bringing new ideas and new life to the Christmas charity drive. A stupid person doesn’t do that. All these things take brains and common sense. So, he’s got a university degree. Not all intelligent people get them. They aren’t the be all and end all of brains.”
Clara almost smiled. For a second, she believed Honey’s words.
“You are smart. More than smart enough for Zane. He’s an engineer. So what? Who gives a crap? If he loves you, and he does, I guarantee it, he loves who you are right now. Not who you think you should be. He loves Clara Everett, innkeeper and pianist. You. Are. Enough.”
Honey punctuated the last three words by stamping her foot.
“I don’t know. Maybe.”
“I do know. Why don’t you take a minute and make coffee? I need to make a quick phone call. We’ll drink coffee and eat ice cream. Drown our sorrows in empty calories.” She turned Clara toward the coffee pot and hurried out of the kitchen.
Clara breathed a sigh of relief. Honey was a whirlwind of positivity. She’d never seen her down and blue. She almost gave Clara hope.
Fifteen minutes later, they were sitting at the table drinking coffee and eating brownies when Sue strolled into the kitchen. Amy, Jenn, Candice and Tricia hot on her heels. The only one missing was her cousin Beth who was out of town.
“What are you doing here?” Clara glared at Honey knowing she was behind the visit. “Shouldn’t you guys be at work?”
“At work during a family crisis?” Tricia declared. “I got the principal to take over my class until a substitute arrives. Candice and Jenn don’t work until this afternoon and Robert will be fine without Mom, Sue, until we’re finished with her. It’s all good.” She thumped a bag onto the table. “Ice cream for all.”
“I brought cake,” Sue piped in.
“Fudge,” Jenn added.
“Trail mix,” Candice added with a grin. “You can’t survive only on junk food. The body needs nutrition too.”
“Pfft.” Sue disagreed. “This is a crisis, and that requires junk. You’re such a green geek and half hippy.” The words were in good fun. Candice with her petite form and cotton fatigue pants was the family eco-warrior. The family might tease her, but they loved her the way she was.
“You know it,” Candice agreed. “I love the earth almost as much as I love you guys.” She grinned at them.
“Let’s go to the common room,” Honey said. “I’ll grab dishes. Someone grab a carafe of coffee.” She made a waving gesture, and everyone scattered.
Sue took Clara’s arm and led her through the dining area. “Come now, darling. Let’s solve this mess. When I get my hands on that man, I’ll wring his neck.”
Sue eased Clara onto the couch and sat beside her. “Good morning. Zaria, can you finish cleaning in here later? We’re going to need the room.”
“Sure. Whatever you need, Mrs. Flint.”
