AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Josie inwardly groaned as her whole family turned in her direction. Her mother arched a brow. Josie might have left this part out when she’d told her parents she’d inherited half of the inn.
“I know. I didn’t mention the sale,” Josie said. “I was waiting until Lane and I worked things out.”
“How’s the partnership going?” her father asked Lane.
Lane cleared his throat. “Not very well. Your daughter is intent on keeping the inn. And I’m set on selling it and getting back to my life in San Diego. I know that’s probably not what you were hoping I’d say, but I’m not going to change my mind.”
Everyone around the table was quiet. Josie could see the worry lines on their faces. They knew how much she loved the inn. This was one of the reasons she hadn’t told them about the conflict.
Her father leaned back in his chair, glancing at her mother. It was as though they could read each other’s minds because the next thing Josie knew her mother was nodding her head as though her father had asked her a question without opening his mouth. Josie wondered what it’d be like to be that close to anyone.
She’d hoped to develop that sort of relationship with her last boyfriend. She’d never been so wrong. He was only getting close to her in order to steal a promotion right out from under her. Since then she’d avoided any serious relationship.
Her father cleared his throat. “Lane, we have some money saved up. How much are you asking for your portion of the inn?”
The heat of embarrassment scorched her cheeks. This was the other reason she hadn’t told her parents about Lane’s desire to sell. “Dad, stop.”
Her father waved her off as he continued to stare at Lane. “How much?”
Lane took a drink of his coffee before returning it to the saucer. “Well, sir, I don’t have an exact amount yet.”
“Just a ballpark will do for now.”
“Dad, this isn’t necessary,” Josie said. “This is my problem. I’ll figure it out.”
Her father once again waved her off as he continued to stare at Lane. She didn’t like it when her father or brothers decided she needed to be protected.
She got to her feet. “That’s it. This is over. Come on, Lane. We have to go. Now.” She lifted her gaze to meet her mother’s. “Thank you for dinner. The cake was delicious as always, but I don’t need your help with the inn.”
When she glanced over at Lane, she was relieved to find he was already on his feet. “Thank you for dinner. It was delicious.”
Josie led the way to the door while her parents and brother sat quietly at the table. She didn’t know what they were thinking, and perhaps that was for the best. But whether she kept the inn or lost it, that was on her. Sometimes they forgot she was all grown up and could handle her own problems. Apparently, Sandra agreed with her or else she wouldn’t have left her portion of the inn for Josie to watch over.
Once they were in the golf cart, a strained silence settled over them. The darkness of the evening wrapped around them. But they were never really in true darkness because all of the roads in Bluestar were illuminated by street lights.
She had to say something. It was best to get it over with now. “I’m sorry about my family. I didn’t mean for things to get awkward tonight.”
“Don’t apologize. You’re lucky to have parents that care that much.” There was a note of emotion in his voice. Was it sorrow? Or longing?
She wanted to know more about him. She lifted her foot ever so slightly from the accelerator. “What were your parents like?”
“They were different from yours.”
He certainly wasn’t a man of many words. She knew if she didn’t try harder, she would never know anything more about him than his name. She told herself that her curiosity was linked to her desire to change his mind about selling the inn. And so she tried again.
“Where did you grow up?”
“Outside of San Francisco.”
Okay. So that was a beginning. “Does your father still live there?”
“No. He died.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be. He wasn’t a nice person.”
His words caught her off guard. She didn’t know what to say in response. She ached for the little boy that appeared to have a traumatic childhood. It helped explain why Lane was grumpy and didn’t want a connection to the inn.
