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NATALIE
The work Sam was doing in the yard was loud. I couldn’t escape the constant pounding. But when I looked out the window, Sam and Mac were working side by side. I was transfixed when Mac lifted his shirt to wipe the sweat from his brow. His abs were defined. My fingers itched to touch him, to erase the pain I’d seen in his eyes earlier today when he’d found me sitting with Carter.
What Mac didn’t understand was he was the man I wanted for my future. He was strong and confident when it came to business, and he’d been knocked down in relationships, but I was hopeful that he’d regain his footing. I just had to be patient and show him I had no intention of getting back with Carter. Surely, he’d see that.
Needing a break from the work going on outside, I headed to the front counter just as Alice came in with a box.
Hurrying over to her, I asked, “Do you need help?”
She kicked the door closed with her foot. “I’ve got it.”
“Let me open your door for you.” I had the key to her store in my pocket, so I pulled it out and fitted it into the lock.
Alice moved past me and dropped the heavy box on the table.
“More mosaics?” I asked her.
“These are the shapes I’m using for my next workshop.” Alice made these beautiful glass mosaics and loved teaching others how to make their own. They usually didn’t come out as amazing as hers, but she said art was about the process, not the end result.
“How are things going with the B&B?” Alice asked as she started taking the various shapes out and displayed them on the table.
“Sam just started on the outside.”
Alice paused to smile at me. “It’s going to be amazing when it’s done. You should go on a vacation before you open. It’ll probably be your last chance for a while.”
I laughed. “How could I go on vacation with the renovation incomplete?”
“You said yourself they’re almost done. Do you really need to be around for that? I think it’s the perfect time to take a break.”
“Where would I even go?” I asked, my mind racing with possibilities.
“Does Delaney have any time off school soon?”
“They have a three-day weekend next week. It’s the end of the marking period.”
“Perfect. Because I know just the thing.” She pulled her phone out of her pocket and pulled up a site. She tipped the screen toward me.
“Juliana’s B&B? But this is in Annapolis, Maryland,” I said, reading the information on the page.
“You know I sell my crab mosaics to a store there, right?”
“I remember,” I said, handing her phone back to her.
“I visited Annapolis to meet the owner and to get a feel for the area. It allowed me to come up with more shapes that fit the town. Like anchors.” Then she shook her head. “Sorry, we were talking about you, not my endless ideas for mosaics.”
“It’s okay. I love hearing where you come up with your ideas.” I sat in one of the chairs at the table as she slowly pulled out new shapes and set them on the table.
“We stayed at that B&B.” She nodded at her phone, which was resting on the table. “The owner is so amazing and sweet. Juliana could give you advice on opening your B&B. She never lived on-site, so she could give you some pointers.”
“I live on-site, though.”
Alice frowned. “I thought you were worried about having a life being so close to the guests.”
“It’s a concern, but I can’t back out of my plan now.”
“Go and talk to Juliana. See how she runs her place. Get some inspiration and take some time off. You’ll love Annapolis. If you stop by Lavender, tell Savanah I said hello.”
“It sounds great.” I flipped through the pictures on the website. There were only a few rooms, but they were luxurious. She even held weddings and receptions in the backyard. I hadn’t even thought about holding events, but with Sam’s addition, it would be a possibility.
