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“I don’t want to keep you. I know you’ve got your hands full here.”
Nolan rested a hip against the counter. “I love spending time with my kids.”
I cleared my throat, a little uncomfortable with his easy expression of affection for his family. I worried about my family, but it wasn’t like having children of my own.
Nolan shook his head. “Now, what were we talking about?”
“The renovations for Matthews Inn.”
“That’s right.” He gestured for me to keep going.
“It’s mostly cosmetic, new trim, paint, refinish the wood floors, but I’d want to replace the windows. The windows were impossible to open. The original owner kept up with maintenance—the electrical was fine, the furnace new.”
“What about the roof?” Nolan asked, all business now.
“I’ll have someone come out and inspect the roof and the fireplaces.”
Nolan leaned forward slightly. “Did you say fireplaces? Multiple?”
“The place has ten bedrooms.”
Nolan whistled. “You’ll enjoy working on that one. You give any more thought about going out on your own?”
“You trying to get rid of me?” I asked, tension building in my neck.
“You’re too good to be working under someone. You should be working on the projects you want. You’ll need to get some guys who can work for you.”
“I wouldn’t want to take yours.”
“You have a team. If they want to go with you, you’re welcome to them.”
“Are you serious?” I couldn’t believe Nolan was so supportive about this. Most business owners wouldn’t be.
“Cade allowed you to work with me while you dealt with your family stuff. You’re our best foreman but we both know it’s time for you to do your thing. You were never meant to work for someone else.”
“I really appreciate your belief in me.”
“You’re talented. I knew it when you applied to work with me, and I’m lucky to have had you for this long. But we both know you’re destined for more.”
That made me wonder if I was destined for more in my personal life, too. One big change at a time. I was dealing with an old love from the past, and I couldn’t do anything that would jeopardize my relationship with her brother, my friend. “I appreciate your support.”
“The inn is yours. If it doesn’t work out, then you always have a job with me. If you have any questions, I’m happy to help.”
“I appreciate that, too.”
Nolan checked on Charlie, who was watching cartoons, and returned to ask, “You dating anyone?”
“No,” I said, even though it felt like a lie. Seeing Marley again made me want to rekindle what we had before, despite all the reasons it was a bad idea.
“One day, you’ll meet someone, and your entire perspective will change. In a good way, of course. You’ll realize all the things in life you were missing out on when you were focused on work.”
“I suppose that’s what happened to you?” I asked, a little uncomfortable having a personal conversation with my boss.
“I never thought I’d fall for a woman with kids, but it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
“Love and family look good on you, but I don’t think I’m cut out for it.” Not when the only woman I’d ever loved was my best friend’s younger sister.
“You’ll know when it happens.”
