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Maureen tucked the precious letter that was still on her lap back into her purse and nodded, grateful for the distraction to collect her thoughts.“Of course.I’ll be right back.”
It was almost dark outside now, but the lobby of the inn still managed to feel warm and welcoming with the light from the fire and all the candles and lanterns that had been set out.Maureen made her way to the drink cart and set out two cups with chamomile tea bags.Right as she was pouring the boiling water, the room was once more filled with light.
A small cheer went up from the staff and a few of the guests groaned, making Maureen grin.She had to admit, the candlelight had been nice and provided a nice backdrop to the story she was telling Elise.But maybe if the lights had come back on, there was a chance that the roads would open.
Holding on to that little bit of hope, Maureen took the two cups of tea and made her way to the front desk.
“Sorry to bother you.I’m sure you have your hands full with—”
“Mrs.McCormick.”Lucy’s head shot up and if she was frazzled in any way, it didn’t show on her kind face.“You’re no bother at all.What can I help you with?”
“The power’s back,” she stated the obvious.“And I was hoping that meant that maybe…”
“It’s just the backup generators.”Lucy pressed her lips together.“It took longer than expected to get them up and running, but unfortunately we don’t expect the power back on for another few hours, maybe even a few days depending on how bad the storm is.”
“A few days?”
“Not to worry,” Lucy said quickly.“The backup generators will be enough to handle our needs here.”
She didn’t seem to realize that it wasn’t the power that Maureen cared all that much about.Then again, how could she?“What about the roads?Are they open yet?”
“Not that I’ve heard.”The innkeeper shook her head.“Which is probably a good thing.”
Maureen was startled.“How could that be a good thing?”
“We had to adjust our bookings because of the storm,” the woman patiently explained.“It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, we often have to extend some reservations for guests who can’t leave.It usually all balances out with the guests who can’t make it through the storm.With such a small inn, and only sixteen rooms, it can be a bit of a shuffle sometimes.”
“Wow.I guess I never thought of that.”Maureen moved to leave.“You’re all so busy.I’ll let you get back to work.”
“Like I said, it’s no problem at all,” Lucy said gently.“Is there a particular guest I can check on for you?”
The woman’s question took her off guard, and Maureen’s face heated with a blush.She hadn’t mentioned that she was meeting anyone at the inn when she’d arrived.Mostly because it felt a little bit illicit and she’d never done anything so reckless before that she wasn’t entirely sure how to handle the situation on any level.Although she was quickly growing weary of worrying about anyone else’s opinions on the situation.
“Was it that obvious?”
Lucy chuckled a little.“It really is none of my business who you are waiting for, or why.But if I can help you in any way, I’d be happy to.”
She’d hesitated to ask after Adam because there was a part of her that was afraid of the answer.She already knew he wasn’t coming.But what she didn’t know was whether it was because of the storm or because of some other reason.What if he got cold feet?What if, after all these years, he’d never intended to meet her?What if he’d decided to stand her up?Again.
She’d have her answer with one simple question.But what if she didn’t like that answer?
Maureen glanced behind her at Elise, who’d picked up her crocheting again.Talking to the older woman had been a nice surprise, and for the first time in a long time, she’d been able to talk about him with an impartial person.It felt good.
“No.”She made her decision.Some things were better not to know.Or at least, to postpone the knowing.“Not right now.”
Nine Months Ago…
March
“Don’t you think the anticipation is the best part?”Milena, Cal’s fiancée, who Maureen always thought was the most romantic of all of her daughters-in-law, leaned forward on the table and put her chin in her hands.
“The best part?”Jade lifted her head from the baby at her breast.“It would be torture.”
“I think torture is a little extreme.”Gwen, her eldest son’s fiancée, joined them at the table with a tray of cookies.“But I definitely don’t think the anticipation would be the best part.”She shot Milena a look.“I can’t believe you haven’t even heard his voice yet.”
All eyes were once again on Maureen.She wasn’t sure how the conversation had focused on her in the first place, and she wasn’t entirely comfortable discussing her…situationwith her son’s fiancées and wives.Not that the women had any compunction about talking about it with her.From the moment she’d stepped foot into Jade’s kitchen, she’d been the topic of discussion.
“I don’t think that—”
