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I preferred to build the closets myself. I enjoyed doing this kind of hands-on work. The house itself was quiet, and I could imagine Marley as a little girl, running from room to room, playing with Aiden.
I hated that the place would be sold soon and not in her family anymore. But maybe she’d always seen it as her grandmother’s place, and not her legacy. I knew she didn’t feel like she fit in, and maybe this was an extension of that.
I had just cut the boards for the first closet when I heard the click of a heel on the floor. Marley’s realtor was a man, so I was confused as to who would be in the house. I wondered if it was a buyer interested in the property or another realtor eager to get an early look.
I set my tools down and walked into the hallway.
Marley stood at the top of the stairs in white jeans, a flowing silky red top, with silver heels. Large hoops hung from her ears, and her face was more made-up than I’d ever seen it.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, more than a little confused by her sudden presence.
“This is still my place.”
I shrugged. “I wasn’t expecting you. That’s all.”
“I needed to meet with Gram’s attorney and close out the estate.”
“I hope your meeting goes well,” I said, not sure how to respond.
Her face pinched as she said bitterly, “I want to get it signed before my mom and dad show up, expecting a share. Gram specifically didn’t leave them anything. She always said they were worthless as parents and human beings.”
I took a step toward her. “I’m sorry.”
Marley shook her head as if to ward off my approach. “I haven’t heard from them. They didn’t ask about a funeral service or anything, so I don’t think they’ll show up.”
“It still has to hurt that they aren’t here for you,” I said carefully, not sure she even saw it that way.
Marley blinked, her eyelashes impossibly long. “I gave up on expecting anything out of them years ago.”
I wasn’t sure how to navigate this Marley, the one that was strung tight and ready to detonate at one wrong word.
She nodded toward the room I was working on. “I see you’re working on the place now.”
“Yeah, I left several messages and emails.” I’d sent our proposed timeline, the start date, and the work to be completed, but she hadn’t responded.
“What are you working on now?” she asked, moving into the room.
“The closets. When we’re closer to completion of Sebastian’s cabin, we’ll start in earnest here, tearing out the bathrooms and the kitchen.”
“Alan’s been itching to get it on the market.”
“It was his idea to renovate first.”
“Right? He can’t complain.”
“You could have found a contractor who could do it sooner.”
Her lips pursed. “I wanted you. I don’t want to deal with someone I can’t trust while I’m in California.”
“I’m glad you feel that way. We’ll do right by this place and you.”
“You loved this place as much as Gram did.”
“As much as you do,” I reminded her. She adored the inn and the guests that would come. I think it gave her hope that she’d leave one day and have a life of her own.
“I created a different life for myself. I don’t want to come back here.”
That stung even if I was the one to break things off. “I researched your business after you left. It’s impressive. You’re impressive.”
