Page 21 of Inn To You

Tessa gnaws at her lower lip, fighting a grin while struggling with something in her head.

“With Jonas around—”

“I understand,” I interject before she can reject me completely. Her son is the perfect excuse for why kissing her is a bad idea. I don’t want to confuse her or put crazy thoughts in her head. I won’t be sticking around.

Then again, those crazy thoughts—like family and future—are creeping into mine.

And her rejection is the reminder I need that Lakeside is not the place for me.

+ + +

“Thank you so much for letting Jonas play in the tree house. That was really sweet of you and made his day.” Tessa smiles up at me once we return to the inn. We both have the day off, which shouldn’t be the case. One or the other of us should be working, but the weekends might be difficult for her. Spending time with her son is important.

“What are you guys doing for the rest of the day?” What am I asking? Why? Why can’t I walk away from her? We had our morning together. However, the thought of returning to the condo in town alone and spending the day searching for a place to live feels daunting and sad. Spring is in the air, so I want to be outside.

“We’re going treasure hunting,” Jonas declares. He’s a little character like his mother, telling us all the things he saw on the lake which couldn’t possibly exist. Like a giant purple octopus and a white whale, and a ghost ship in the middle of the day.

“Treasure hunting?” Playing in the tree fort really has his imagination running.

“It’s… well, it’s difficult to explain.” Tessa sheepishly lowers her gaze toward her feet. “It’s more like finding hidden treasure. Only not hidden.”

When she glances up at me, she must see the confusion on my face. I have no idea what she’s talking about.

“We look for inspiration pieces in nature…for art.”

I’m still puzzled.

“You know, sometimes you’re walking along and find a rock shaped like a heart. Or see a face in a tree trunk.”

I continue to stare at her beautiful eyes, wondering what the hell she’s talking about.

“Anyway, we collect items or capture the image on film.” She gazes fondly at her little man and smiles, scooping her hand over his helmet-mussed hair. “But first, we need lunch.”

“Macaroni and cheese,” he states, clasping his fingers together and batting his lashes at his mother.

“Again?” She laughs, the sound light and easy compared to the normally tense woman running this inn.

“Please.” He puckers his lips. Damn, he’s good.

If I beg like that, will his mother kiss me again? The thought straightens my spine. “Okay, well, you guys enjoy lunch. I’ll just…” I hitch my thumb, pointing over my shoulder.

“Do you like macaroni and cheese, Noah?” Jonas asks.

“I—”

“Mom makes it from this blue box, and if you like M and C, maybe she will make it for both of us.”

“M and C?” I chuckle.

“Like a PB and J,” Jonas clarifies.

“A PB and J without the J?” I arch a brow, recalling the disagreement from the first minutes of meeting Tessa.

Tessa scoffs, shaking her head. “Okay, okay. No need to drag Noah into your ploy. I don’t think Noah is a macaroni and cheese kind of guy.” Her gaze lands on my belly and lingers, and I can’t help myself when I pat my firm stomach.

“And just what kind of guy am I?”

“Not M and C,” she mutters, her voice a sigh, her lips pursing.