AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I let my head fall back. “Oh my gosh. Yes.”
He worked his magic on my shoulders and upper back until I practically melted onto the stool.
“Come sit on the couch.” Mac had moved it into the space shortly after I moved in. He said it was for me to relax on nights when I needed a break from the owner’s suite.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do once guests start arriving. I won’t be able to enjoy all of this by myself anymore.”
“You can block out time for you to have off or go on a vacation with Delaney.”
I closed my eyes as I rested my head on the back. “I don’t see that happening for a while yet. I need the business.”
“My dad said you always overwork at the beginning of a business, stressed you won’t turn a profit. But he wished he’d relaxed. That was when we were young, and Mom was overwhelmed with raising us. It was a tough time for them.”
“I can imagine,” I said, opening my eyes to observe him while he talked.
He grabbed a wineglass and a bottle of wine. I’d bought it to relax on evenings like this but was always too exhausted to uncork it. Besides, I couldn’t drink the entire bottle by myself. It was better when you had someone to share it with.
He returned with two glasses, handing one to me, raising his for a toast. “To finishing the renovations and taking your first reservation.”
“I’ll drink to that.” I touched my glass to his.
We each took a sip, and I wondered what we were doing drinking wine together.
“Why are you up so late?”
“I was trying to figure out how to advertise a construction zone.”
Mac winced. “That’s tough. You can’t wait until everything is done?”
“I need to start taking reservations soon. I need to know that I’ll have customers. I’m freaking out a little. Is doing this completely crazy? I’ve never owned a business or run a B&B. I’ve never even worked at a hotel before.”
Mac gave me a look. “I told you what I think. What you’re doing is brave. But it’s also smart. I don’t think you’ll have any issues booking this place. It’s right on the main drag. It’s charming, and Sam’s going to create that amazing outdoor space.”
“I can’t believe he’s doing that for free.”
“It’s an investment into his business. It’s the same thing you’re doing here. You’re believing in something that isn’t finished yet.”
“That’s the hard part.” How did people know that everything would work out? I didn’t think I’d survive the stress.
“It’s called faith.”
Something passed between us then, an understanding. “I just need to believe it will work out, even when I can’t see it yet?”
“That’s exactly it.”
“Have you ever had to do that?” I asked, curious to know more about him.
He drained his glass and looked away. “There’s an opportunity, but I haven’t taken it yet.”
I wanted to know what he was talking about, but something told me it was personal.
He stood and left his empty glass in the sink. “I should go. I just wanted to drop off the boxes so we had them in the morning.”
“Thank you for stopping by,” I said, following him to the front door.
With his hand on the doorknob, he reached out to gently tuck my hair behind my ear. “It’s all going to work out. Don’t worry.”
Tingles danced under the skin where Mac had touched me, but before I could respond, he’d opened the door and walked through it. I heard his distant, “Night, Natalie.”
