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“That’s right. He has to decide whether he’s going to re-up his contract or not.” Heath turned slightly to lean against the table and crossed his arms over his chest. “Do you know what you want him to do?”
“I’ve resigned myself to the fact that he’s a lifer. I’d never tell him what I really want.”
“And what’s that?”
My throat tightened. “I worry about him when he’s gone. I’d like him to come home. But I know he’d never be happy here. And we won’t even have a home. The trailer’s gone. He hasn’t lived here since he was eighteen.”
“You don’t think he’d want to run the inn?”
“He didn’t even care that I was the one who inherited it. When I told him, he just nodded as if it made all the sense in the world. But it didn’t. Not to me. Gram should have sold it to someone who could handle the responsibility.”
“I’m sure Aiden would help you if you asked.”
“What can he do? I wouldn’t bother him with stuff going on here.”
He tipped his head to the side. “Do you ever think he wants to be bothered?”
“He has enough going on. He doesn’t need to worry about me.”
“Then who does?”
“I take care of myself.” It was something I’d said to myself since I moved away. I take care of myself. Always.
I didn’t depend on anyone else. I worked until I had enough money to buy my own place. It was important to me that I own the place where I lived. But now that I owned the inn, it didn’t feel right. It wasn’t meant to be mine. Or at least that’s what I kept telling myself.
“I can’t help but think that I look out for my brothers and my mom, and they look out for me, too. But you don’t have anyone.”
I stiffened. “Aiden looks out for me.”
“How can he when you’re not honest with him about your fears and struggles?”
“Like you’re always honest with your brothers?” I shook my head. “It’s different. He works a dangerous job. He can’t afford to be distracted.”
“I can understand why you’re afraid to confide in him, but I think he’d want you to.”
“I don’t need anyone—”
Heath shook his head. “You’re a strong, independent woman. It doesn’t mean you don’t need someone to lean on from time to time.”
“I’ll forever be grateful for you and your family’s help when I visited last time.”
Heath dipped his chin slightly. “I just wish you had someone in California that you could rely on.”
“I have friends.” I had acquaintances, people who wanted to be around me because of my success. I wouldn’t say any of them were true friends. But then again, I wasn’t sure I’d ever had any of those.
“Did any of your friends know that your grandmother died and what she meant to you?”
“I’m sure I mentioned it.” I was positive it was in passing, and no one asked any follow-up questions.
His eyes narrowed on me.
I threw my hands in the air. “I didn’t grow up in a tight-knit family like you did. I’m not built the same way.”
“You’ve got us now. Whether you want us or not,” he teased, lightening the mood.
“Show me what Talon made. I’m excited to see his creations.”
He led me through the shop, pointing out the pieces and then showing me where on the diagram they would be placed. He had a section for traditional Christmas decorations and nursery rhyme stories.
