Page 76 of Just One Chance

Our inn was just another notch on her belt, something to put in her portfolio. We weren't special. I should've admired her tenacity, but it hurt at the same time.

She was too big for us. I should let her go. That would be the right thing to do. It wasn't fair for me to hold her back, to beg her to stay because I was in love with her. She'd already made a mistake with one guy; she shouldn't make a second with me. Her business should come first.

What was it that Beck said? At some point, he reevaluated what he wanted, and his love for Clara outshone everything else. He used to travel all the time for work, but now he rarely did because he didn't want to be away from Clara.

But was it fair for me to ask Kennedy to stay in town when her star was just starting to shine brightly? I was fairly sure everyone would agree that I should let her go. She deserved so much more than this tiny slice of Colorado.

Clara was right when she said Kennedy was too big for this place. When the time came, I'd let her go.

Callum nudged me. "What's up with you? You seem quiet."

"It's been a busy few weeks, showing Kennedy around and making the furniture for the snow room and the brewery. I'm looking forward to sleeping." I didn't mention that there were a lot of late nights and early mornings with Kennedy in my bed.

I hadn't shared that little fact with anyone but Beck. My brothers wouldn't understand. They'd think that I was crossing a line, and they wouldn't be wrong. Unfortunately, I was too far gone to come back now. I'd screwed things up royally, and I'd be the one to deal with the fallout when Kennedy left for better things.

"I'm looking forward to renovating the rooms at the inn. Ever since the restaurant opened, I've been hoping for a new challenge."

"You want to take the inn over from Mom and Dad." It wasn't a question. He'd been waiting in the wings for a long time to start making the decisions.

He sighed. "I'm not going to lie. It's more fun when you're in charge. I think that's why Malcolm volunteered to open the restaurant. Now he has autonomy and control over his business. I'm still second, or heck, maybe third in command. No one listens to me."

"I'm listening to you," I teased.

He rolled his shoulders back. "I'm bored. I want to test my business acumen. Mom said something about traveling during the renovation, and I can't help but think this is my chance to be in charge."

"I can help you with whatever you need."

"Everyone has their niche on the property, and the inn is mine. I've been waiting so long to get some ownership in the way it's run."

I nodded, understanding how he felt. "You're going to do a great job. I can't wait to see how you handle things."

He glanced over at Kennedy. "I know you were upset that Mom and Dad hired Kennedy, but I was relieved because it meant they were finally considering retirement."

"You're right about that." And I got over Kennedy being here a while ago. It had a lot to do with how I felt about her as a person. But I also respected what she did. If her presence helped my parents feel good about retiring, then it was worth the broken heart.

Clara leaned forward and said, "Mom said something about hiring someone to help with the renovation who could oversee the deliveries and the schedule."

Clara and Kennedy must have been listening to our conversation because they were both now watching us.

"Why can't I do that? I'm the manager, after all, or at least, I will be once they retire," Callum said, clearly more than a little offended by the suggestion.

He felt how I did when Mom and Dad said they'd hired Kennedy to consult.

Clara patted his hand. "It's not because she doesn't trust you. She just knows how big of a job it will be to renovate the inn while also entertaining guests."

Callum was stiff next to me.

He hated the idea, and I didn't blame him. He was so close to finally taking over the inn, and now Mom and Dad were going to hire someone to micromanage the renovation? "Is it really necessary though?"

Clara shrugged. "Running the inn is a full-time job, and they feel badly about traveling while it's going on."

"I can handle it. I don't need an outsider telling me how to do my job." Callum glanced over at Kennedy. "No offense."

She chuckled. "None taken."

"We're going to grab another drink. Anyone want anything?" Clara asked, and Kennedy joined her.

A few of my brothers called out the drinks they wanted, and the girls went to the bar to order.