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Sebastian exchanged a look with Hanna. “We can do that.”
We made our way up the grand stairs to the second floor, where every room had a wreath hung on the door. I never thought I’d own and run an inn someday, but it felt right, like I was honoring Gram and keeping her memory alive, not just in our hearts, but in this building.
I knew she was looking down on us tonight, and she was happy.
As we approached the stairs to the third floor, the sounds of a stringed instrument drifted around us. Ireland had hired Alex St. James, a local cellist to play.
When we entered the room, a few couples were dancing, and a larger crowd surrounded the makeshift stage where Alex was playing his electric cello, completely absorbed in the music. His eyes were closed, and his head moved in time with the beat.
“He’s amazing,” I said.
“He was invited to play the national anthem at Madison Square Garden,” Ireland said.
“Do you want to dance?” Emmett asked Ireland, and then Knox asked Sarah.
“You should dance with Daddy so he’s not alone,” Ember said to Hanna.
Hanna grinned and asked, “Is that so?”
Sebastian held his hand out to her. “You don’t want me to be lonely, do you?”
Hanna smiled, taking his hand. “We can’t have that.”
“I’m going to check on the food,” Lori said.
I wrapped my hand around Heath’s elbow, content to be here with him tonight, celebrating my family’s legacy. Something I never thought I’d do. For the first time, I felt like I belonged and that my family’s history was significant instead of something to be ashamed of.
When my mother showed up at the inn a few days ago, I handed her a piece of paper, signing away her rights to contest the will in exchange for a lump sum of money. It was Alan’s suggestion. Heath was against the idea, but it felt powerful for me to make that move.
Now I could move on without any guilt or shame.
“Would you like to dance?” When Holly hesitated, Talon said, “Surely, you can dance with me for one song.”
Holly sighed and placed her hand in his. “I can do that.”
When they walked away, Heath said, “Maybe there’s hope for them after all.”
“I hope so. If it eases the tension between them, then it’s worth it.”
“I’d ask you to dance, but I have a surprise for you, and this is the perfect opportunity to sneak out,” he said as he took my hand and led me down the stairs.
“Does the fridge fit?” The original fridge wouldn’t fit snugly against the wall and in line with the cupboards. Heath had been on a mission to find the one that would.
He glanced over at me. “Not yet. But I’ll figure something out. Even if I have to tear everything out and start over again.”
“Please don’t do that. I’m fine if the fridge isn’t flush with the other cabinets. I just want a functioning kitchen.” The fridge worked; it just stuck out a little bit. It didn’t bother me as much as it did Heath.
Heath’s jaw tightened. “This is the first job I did on my own. It has to be perfect.”
“Sebastian’s house was your first project, and it is perfect.”
Heath grunted in response and led me outside onto the porch.
The layout of the circular driveway with the fountain made the house more regal. The columns of the house were wrapped in lights, and every window was adorned with a wreath and a bow.
It was quiet, but we could hear the laughter and music filtering down from the upstairs windows that had been cracked open for fresh air.
“What’s the surprise?” Had he been working on something behind my back?
