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“Every day, I reach new women and empower them to reach higher, to set unrealistic goals, and I get messages daily from them saying they did the impossible. It’s so satisfying.”
“What exactly do you do? Lila said you had a successful online business, but she said it was like life coaching or something. I didn’t understand it.”
“It started out as coaching, but that was exhausting. I imagine it’s like being a therapist and listening to people’s problems all day long. If you’re not careful, it will suck up all your energy. Eventually, I wanted an easier way to earn money but still get my message out there in a way. I finally landed on a digital course, teaching about money and confidence. People have all these negative beliefs about themselves, their success, and money. I help them clear those limiting beliefs and see life differently. I like to think I give them the confidence to reach their dreams. It’s miraculous what they’ve done with their newfound confidence.”
Heath cleared his throat, his expression full of awe. “That’s impressive. I love my work, but I don’t reach people in the same way you do.”
I frowned. “Don’t you? You see something in their homes that maybe they don’t, and you bring it to life. I bet you inspire those who live there to do more with their lives, too. They might just not tell you. I’m lucky that the women I’ve helped will email me and let me know how my course and my words inspired them.”
“I think it’s impressive. Although I never would have thought of that as being a career.”
“I didn’t either. There were tons of coaches online when I started out, and I doubted myself. But sharing what I knew was magical. I was helping people reach their dreams and making them see their potential. It was so satisfying.”
“I can tell you love what you do.” His voice was low and gravelly, and everything fell away, the memories and history of the room, the inn, until it was just us.
“I do.” I licked my lower lip, and he stepped close, running a hand through my hair. Tingles erupted over my skin at the contact, and I swayed in his direction. He smelled as I remembered, like pine and spice. I kept a candle with an evergreen scent in my apartment and pulled it out when I was feeling homesick.
I associated the inn and Gram with home. But Heath was part of the reason why I felt grounded and connected to this place.
“I can’t believe you’re here after all these years.” His gaze caught and held mine, his eyes darkening with what I could only describe as pure heat.
My skin flushed, and my nipples pebbled, but he didn’t move closer. I sucked in a deep breath and forced myself to take a step back. I was only home long enough to get the renovation started, then I was heading back to California.
His hand dropped to his side, and he moved to grab his pencil and pad.
I let out a breath. My lungs ached as if I’d been holding it in this whole time. Would he have kissed me if I hadn’t moved? I’d never know, but I’d think of that moment later when I was alone.
He tucked the pencil behind his ear and asked, “I assume you want to keep the general feel of the place but freshen it with new paint and refinished floors.
I walked into the hallway, needing some fresh air. “The setup is nice. I don’t think we need to knock down any walls or do anything drastic.”
“I agree. Unless you want to move the laundry room upstairs, or something like that.”
“It would be nice, but I don’t want to take up one of the guest rooms for laundry. Whoever buys the property will want every room available to rent.”
We continued moving from room to room, commenting on things that needed to be fixed or repaired, and he made notes in his notepad. I was impressed with his thoroughness and felt confident that he’d do right by this place.
When we were finished, he said, “I’m not sure who will handle the property. I’m filling in for Nolan this morning. He might want to take it on.”
“No,” I said, surprising even myself.
“What do you mean, no?” Heath asked, his brow furrowed.
“I’ll hire Morrison Construction if you’re the lead contractor. I want you to take care of this place. I’m going to be in California, and I need someone I can trust taking care of things here.”
“You’re not staying?” Heath asked, and I couldn’t gauge whether he was upset about that.
“I need to be home. This place holds too many memories for me.”
Heath’s jaw tightened. “So, you’re going to renovate it and sell it from California?”
“That’s the plan.”
Heath shook his head. “I would have thought you’d want to keep an eye on this place and take care of your grandmother’s things.”
“I’ll go through her stuff.” Pain shot through my chest at the idea.
“Then you’ll sell?”
