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He wasn’t sure it was a great idea to let on just how tightly he was wrapped around her little finger just yet.
Thirty minutes later,they’d touched base with everyone they needed to.
Their people in Autre hadn’t even known there was a storm in North Carolina, of course, but were happy to know they were safe and sound.
His parents were too and knew better than to think he and Savannah would be dug out in time to get to their house for Christmas. He promised to call Christmas Day.
The Monroe family at the Christmas farm Savannah had been planning to visit likewise completely understood. They’d shut down early in the day when the snow had started and didn’t expect to be open on Christmas Eve day because of the roads.
Savannah flopped back on the bed. “Dammit.”
“Your boss can’t be mad,” Theo said from where he was propped up against the headboard. “This storm isn’t your fault.”
Savannah rolled to her side and looked up the bed at him.
They’d both changed into warmer, more casual clothes.
He’d pulled a flannel shirt over his Henley and had put on black joggers.
She was now wearing black leggings that hugged her hips and ass and a dark purple pull-over hoodie that covered her ass when she stood up. However, when she was lying on the bed, it pulled up, showing him all the curves he loved so much. She’d put her hair up in a messy bun and she was wearing thick fuzzy slipper socks.
She looked so…normal. So approachable. Soft. Cuddly.
“He wasn’t going to go for the farm anyway,” she said. “I know that. I think it would have led to the conversation I’ve known for a while he and I need to have and…I probably would have ended up quitting.”
Theo set his phone aside. He’d been playing one of the games he enjoyed when he was killing time while she made her calls. He figured they could always go out and charge their phones in the car if need be. “Really? Quitting? You wanted to visit this farm anyway?”
She nodded and rolled the rest of the way onto her stomach. “I’ve been thinking. I initially liked the job because it allowed me to help create spaces where people would go and enjoy down time, vacations and trips away from their usual world. I liked the idea because I like the idea of people seeing a new place, learning something about the world that’s outside their bubble.”
Theo shifted. He knew Savannah thoughthewas stuck inside a comfortable bubble he didn’t want to leave. Which wasn’t entirely true. But it wasn’t…untrue. He couldn’t imagine living anywhere but Autre, Louisiana. But he could admit, he didn’t know what else was out there. Not really. A stubborn, loyal, home-based part of him believed nowhere was better for him. But even in the few short hours of being in North Carolina, he was seeing the appeal of visiting other places. The snow was amazing. Sure, they were stuck here at this lodge completely undoing every plan they’d made, but…he was happy about that.
“And the more of these places I go,” Savannah went on. “The more times I look at a building and think about how we could make it more lavish and upscale, I think…how boring. You know? The inns and hotels and lodges Steve’s taking over are all starting to look alike. He wants them to be luxurious and polished and I understand that. That’s his brand. But I’m looking atthislodge, for instance, and thinking that I wouldn’t want to change a thing. Part of the experience of a new place is getting a feel for how people live, the traditions, the history. And IknowI wouldn’t have wanted to change anything about the Monroe farm. It’s so great as it is. Reindeer and Christmas trees and the whole Santa’s village and…everything.” She let out a happy sigh. “You can paint over things, buy expensive towels, pump in purified cherry blossom scented air. You can make…and even fake…luxury. You can’t make or fake charm and tradition.”
“So you are more about the experiences and the place and people than you are about the buildings,” Theo said.
She nodded with a smile. “Yes. I’ve realized that the reason I want to help people travel is because I want them to experience places as they are and learn to appreciate them that way, rather than just creating fancy get-aways that require the area to conform.”
Theo leaned over, propping his elbow on the pillow beside him. “Are you saying I was right? About the bayou cabins? That bringing cabins in there, changing the environment to accommodate the cabins, was the wrong move?”
She narrowed her eyes but nodded. “Yes. I’d had a niggling in the back of my mind telling me I wasn’t happy doing what I’ve been doing for Steve—going in to places that have established inns and bed and breakfasts and changing them. But we’ve just been taking over already existing buildings. Now that he wants tobuildnew things or wants to completely renovate what the placedoesfor the community, I’ve definitely been having second thoughts. The bayou cabins drove that home.”
Theo gave her a smug smile because he knew she expected that, but he really was pleased. Not because he’d “won”, but because he’d been a part of helping Savannah figure something out about herself. Something he knew would lead to more happiness and satisfaction forher.
“If you quit, what would you do?” he asked. Then his heart started pounding. Fuck. She might move away. She wasn’t tied to Louisiana. She could find a job anywhere. She loved to travel. She would be open to living somewhere else.
“I’ve been thinking about that,” she said, thoughtfully. “You know I’ve thought about being a flight attendant.”
He nodded. “But…” This wasn’t really his business. She hadn’t asked for his opinion.
But he wanted it to be his business.
That realization wasn’t nearly as shocking as it probably should have been.
He wanted Savannah’s plans, ideas, and her future, to be his business.
“But what?” She pushed up and swung her legs around to sit crisscross on the comforter.
“I just…think that you wouldn’t actually be happy doing that either.”
