The story is falling into place. Her ex was a cheater. Now he’s trying to atone for his sins. He must be thrilled he gets to stay with her and Lara while he helps her rebuild the retreat. What a perfect opportunity for him to win her back. “It’s good he can come here and spend time with Lara.”
She nods.
The sound of bathwater draining through the pipes fills the silence. “I’d better get going so you can tuck Lara in.”
“Yeah, it’s getting to be bedtime.”
I grab the tablet and my jacket. Sammy meets me at the front door. “You make a pretty mean garlic bread,” she says after I step onto the front porch.
“Lara was very particular about the order of ingredients.”
“Butter, garlic, olive oil, then cheese.”
I find myself laughing at her perfect imitation of Lara.
She looks down at the wooden porch slats, then up at me. “We’d love to have you back for dinner.”
“Sure, I’d like that,” I say automatically. But would I? Staying away from Sammy is starting to seem like the best way goingforward. “I’ll see you around.” I wave as I head toward the Telluride.
“Goodnight, Brady.”
“You too, Sammy.” From the corner of my eye, I catch her watching me get into the SUV and pull out of her driveway.
I’ve got to stop being hung up on her. Whatever attraction exists between us is no match for what she’s got with her ex. He’s coming to stay with her. He’s helping her rebuild.
She doesn’t need me. I’ve got to make myself scarce in Sammy Lane’s world.
Chapter Five
Istopinthemiddle of the retreat’s pier on Bearclaw Lake. Ducks weave through the wood pilings in a competition for the best morsels. I turn around and survey the space where the B&B used to be.
It's been over two weeks since the fire, and nature is creeping back. The piles of dirt where the B&B stood now have little green shoots making their way through the soil.
Mark and Josh Iverson stand beside the dirt piles. Lord only knows what they're talking about. Architects? Contractors? Materials and equipment? The rebuilding is proceeding at breakneck pace. Every time I turn around, there’s another decision that needs to be madethis very secondabout the size of the lake-facing exterior or another tree removal.
The insurance adjuster and the contractors are optimistic about getting the foundation laid before the winter freeze. They say the retreat should be ready to accept guests this time next year.
Mark says something and Josh laughs like it’s hilarious. I had no idea Mark had a family connection to the owner of the most popular digital detox resort in the country. Turns out their fathers were in the same frat at Stanford. So, Mark felt comfortable ringing Josh out of the blue. A week later, Josh arrived on a private jet to check out the little corner of the world where I want to start a humble retreat.
Lucky me.
Josh has plenty of opinions about how the retreat should be set up, and it sounds like these ideas would turn my retreat into a luxury resort like he has in Virginia, which is not what I want.
I’m not interested in recruiting a Michelin-starred chef or hiring a sommelier. I want to keep it simple. Give people a stocked kitchen where they can make their own meals. We’ll have on-site workers to take care of the property and a concierge who can assist guests who want to explore the area.
I’m not catering to the top point-one percent of the population. I want to make the retreat reasonably affordable.
The two guys walk toward the area of recently cleared trees where Josh thinks I should install a putting green.
More food for thought.
I turn toward the lake and walk down the pier, loving the feel of the wind against my face.
Since Mark arrived, he’s been doing savior duty, which he’s fundamentally good at doing to a point.
At first glance, he seems incredibly generous. He’ll part with money, advice, and affection like it’s second nature. But that’s not really how he works.
Once something becomes inconvenient, like his marriage vows when he wants to sleep with his assistant, he’s no longer interested in being the good guy. He was the good guy when he offered me an interest-free loan to purchase the propertyin Santa Barbara for the digital detox retreat. But not for the Bearclaw Lake property. That wasn’t convenient for him.
