Page 40 of Inn To You

“Go away, Noah. The Caribbean is calling you.”

I sigh, digging my shoe-covered toe into the sand. Slipping my hands into my pockets, I lower my head. “Actually, it’s not.”

Tessa doesn’t respond.

“I didn’t plan on taking the job until my boss fired me about a half hour ago.”

Tessa turns. Her eyes are red-rimmed. Her cheeks ruddy from the wind and tears. “What?”

Reaching for her neck, I place my fingers along her pulse point. “As soon as I left here, I had a feeling the Caribbean wasn’t going to be what I wanted. All that bright sunshine. The heat. The sand.” I shiver while offering her a weak smile.

“There’s sand here,” she says, and I glance down at her bare toes.

“Aren’t your feet cold?”

“I think I’m numb.”

“Tell me what happened.”

“You finish telling me about Punta Cana.”

“Okay. Well, the resort is open air and tropical, but I was missing dark wood and cloudy windows.”

Tessa looks away, but I catch her chin and turn her face back to me. “I knew working there wasn’t going to be the same without you. And you belong here.”

“I don’t belong anywhere.” Her lip trembles. Her eyes water again.

“Tell me everything.”

So she does. The back taxes. Her uncle’s plan. Her suspicion about Isaiah and the need for an investigation.

“I can’t buy the inn as is. And Joe still wants to sell.”

“No one is going to buy this place with a lien on it for taxes.”

“I don’t even know what that means.” Tessa huffs. “How can I know so little about running an inn other than folding towels and storing toilet paper?”

“You know everything about running an inn, like making it comfortable for the guests and caring about the place. You’re passionate about the Bluebird Hollow Inn.” I take a deep breath. “And I realize that’s what I’ve been missing in my life. I’m not passionate about any place or anyone.” Cupping her jaw, I hold her face and lock onto her eyes. “Until now.”

“What do you mean?”

“You and Jonas. I want to be a part of what you have. We’ll figure out the inn. We’ll figure out a way to run it together.”

“Noah. You said yourself you’re more than fixing faucets and babysitting a kid.” Her eyes shift, but I tug at her chin.

“I’m sorry I said that. I didn’t mean it.”

“Noah, please. We both know you’re better than here.” Hair blows across her face, and she tips her head.

“And you’re a better person than me. I want to be here. I want to learn from you. I want to share everything with you.”

“I’m a package deal, Noah. Jonas and I come together. Take it or leave it,” she flippantly states.

“I’d like to take it if you’ll give me a second chance. Being here in Lakeside, at the Bluebird, is my second chance, Tessa. You aren’t my plan B. You’re the only plan.”

A tear seeps from the corner of her eye, and I tug her to my chest, wrapping my arms around her like the blanket she needs. Or maybe I need the comfort of her in my arms. Pressing a kiss to her head, I whisper, “Let me take your worries.”

“Kisses can’t solve them,” she mutters to my chest.