Page 47 of Dumped for a Christmas Tree Farmer

“Mom’s business took a hit when she got sick. Things slipped, and it reflected in the reviews we got. Money was so tight, it wasn’t until after her funeral that I got a kind of angel investor. It covered all the debt, and there was room for some renovations and to hire Henry. I didn’t want her legacy to fall apart. I wanted to make it something she would be proud of. I wanted to build it back to what it was before she got sick. The town relied a lot on the tourists the B&B brought in. People would come back year after year. Some regulars even sent flowers when they found out my mom had passed.” She sucks in a deep breath. “They loved her; everyone did. And it didn’t feel right to up and leave right after she died.”

I hum an acknowledgment. “And now?”

“And now what?”

“And now, how would you feel about leaving . . . moving somewhere else?” I run my fingers through the strands of her hair as she shifts her head to look at me. I keep my eyes fixed on her loose curls, avoiding the rejection. I can hear it, but I can’t bear to see the look in her eyes as she works out how to let me down gently.

“If I could find someone to buy the B&B, someone I trusted, I would move in a heartbeat.”

My heart thuds against my ribcage as my eyes snap to hers. Her hand presses against my chest, right above my heart. She must feel my pulse racing because I can feel my blood racing around my body. We could do this. She could move to Seattle; we could be together.

“But, Mav . . . it’s my mom’s business. I’m not going to sell to just anyone. I couldn’t do that.”

“I know, I know. I’m just thinking out loud. You feel this too, right? Me and you?”

“Mav, the moment I met you, I felt this. From the start, you’ve been showing me piece by piece how I should be treated, how I should be valued. How I shouldn’t hide parts of myself because of what others might think.”

And because my heart is daring to fulfill a lifelong search for something I never thought I wanted, it starts to hope. What an abomination of a word, of a feeling. It creeps into your bones when you aren’t looking. Because despite that shiny glimpse of light, I’m still deep in the tunnel. The tunnel I can’t get out of because to even find someone that would be good enough to take over Indy’s mom’s business is a long shot.

“Would it be okay if I made some calls? Do some research? I don’t want to take over and push you into anything you don’t want to do. I just . . . I want you to have everything you’ve ever dreamed of having. Be everything you’ve dreamed of being.” I pause, swallowing hard because the thudding in my chest and the words spilling from my lips are the closest to a declaration that I’ve ever come. “You deserve to have options, Indy. And I want to help you find those options.”

Tears well in her eyes, and she blinks them away rapidly, nodding as she disguises her emotion by clearing her throat.

“I would like that. I’ve never really known where to start.”

I kiss the top of her head, leaving my racing thoughts to outrun my racing pulse. I’m not one to shy away from a challenge. I built my company from the ground up with no support from family. My parents are God knows where. Probably still in Gravesend. I assume they have no idea who I am; otherwise, they would have hit me up for cash years ago. But this seems even more unlikely. Finding Indy was a miracle. Keeping her? It’s going to be close to impossible.

◆◆◆

Charlie sits in the foyer of the B&B, tapping away on his phone as I approach the empty checkered armchair to his right, a plan formulating in my mind. Indy belongs in the city with me. She deserves everything she wants, including a big life, including leaving her mom’s legacy in the hands of someone she trusts. I run a hand over my mouth as I acknowledge to myself how insane I sound. I came here for Holly. I’m leaving with the intention of bringing Indy back with me. And I have to explain it to my lawyer, who is already concerned about my recent property purchase. But first, a plan.

Initially, I thought of Hugh Honeyford. He has the money, the experience of investing in property, and a fondness for Indy that I believe would surpass any business sense. Although beyond her being his daughter’s ex-best friend, the reason for his fondness is puzzling me. A niggle in the back of my throat thought maybe the older Mr. Honeyford had a crush on Indy. I couldn’t blame him for that, not for a second, that is, unless this crush began when Indy was underage.

The second thought was that I could buy the B&B with a stipulation that all managing decisions must be authorized by Indy herself, but a part of me believes that she wouldn’t like the idea of owning it and leaving the responsibility to someone else. She’d be half here, half in Seattle. I wouldn’t expect her to cut ties; this is her home, her childhood, where her mother lived. But I want her to have the life she wants, and if she’s tethered to something here with a sense of obligation, I don’t think she'll truly feel like she left.

The third option eludes me. Spindles of thread loop around my brain, but the picture hasn't come to life yet. It’s like I’m missing a big piece of the reveal. I approach Charlie’s seat and plonk myself down in the chair next to his. The heat of the fire warms my cheeks.

“Charlie.”

“Mav, how’s it going?” He has the biggest grin on his face, and I bet I can guess in one word why that is.

Dungarees.

“Enjoying your time in Bear Hills?”

“It’s been eye-opening . . .” He returns to his phone, sending off a text message and pocketing it.

“To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“I want this place valued,” I say.

“The B&B?”

“Yes, minus the cottage—that would need to be kept separate from any property sale that may or may not occur.”

No way would Indy sell her mom’s cottage. And besides, we’d need somewhere to stay when we come back for the holidays. Am I being reckless? Thinking too far ahead for my own good?

I twist my neck over the top of the wingback and watch as Indy animatedly greets a guest at the front desk with Henry, who is the picture of professionalism.