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“We’ve got a long way to go before I convince her to give this a shot.”
“That what you want?”
“Yep.”
“What changed your mind?”
“I met with Erica, who my father dated while I was a teenager. She lived with us and was the only person I could ever call a mom. I think I needed to make sure she didn’t see the shit in me that lived in my father. Never want to do to a woman what my father did to the ones in his life.”
“That’s not in you.”
“She said the same. So did Jane.”
His eyebrows raised. “You told Jane you were afraid of that?”
“Yeah.” I grinned. “Told her everything, brother.”
His smirk told me without words that he knew what that meant. Shit hadn’t been easy for him and Josie, and when he finally got to show her how he felt, it changed his life. I think he saw the same thing happening to me. I probably wouldn’t have reached out to Erica if it wasn’t for how I felt about Jane, and because of that, I wouldn’t have known this feeling of freedom to love her and not be afraid I could hurt her.
I hadn’t had a chance to talk to Bear about the hotel yet, but this might be a good time to put the thought in his head. “Not sure who’s managing the hotel staff, but Erica has been a hotel manager for a long time for a swanky hotel in South Carolina. She said they’re under new management, and she may be one to get cut if they don’t have a need for her. Told her I’d mention it, see if we know how our hotel will be staffed. She said she’d consider a position if it was available.”
Bear looked over my head, and I knew he was thinking, so I waited patiently until he spoke again. “It would be nice to have someone with experience to get shit moving. I’ll talk to Ben, and if he agrees, he can get some references and check her out.” When I nodded, he continued. “You want her close?”
“I missed her,” I admitted. “Didn’t know I did until I saw her again. She gave me pieces of a normal childhood I wouldn’t have had otherwise. Feel like I owe her, but I also feel like I want to get to know her a little better. She stayed in an abusive relationship for me and my brothers. They don’t give a shit, but I do.”
Bear slapped his hand against my shoulder. “Then we’ll get her here, brother.”
“I’m headin’ out.”
Bear smirked. “See you tomorrow.”
It was Sunday, almost eleven in the morning, and I wasn’t going to work. I loved working and usually preferred being in the garage. Hell, I hadn’t taken off weekends since I moved here.
Never had a reason to.
And now I’ve done it twice.
One woman was changing everything.
And giving me the chance at a life I never thought I’d have.
33
JANE
Bree turnedaround in the middle of the living room and smiled. “This place is really nice.”
Looking around, I smiled and nodded. “I think so too.”
Bree put her hands on her hips. “I know you said you wanted to live in Cranberry, and this house is in Cranberry, but only barely.”
I laughed because she was right. This house was just on the other side of the line separating New Hope from Cranberry. I hadn’t meant to find a place this close to New Hope, but I had, and it was perfect. “I know, but it’s perfect.”
“It is.” Bree pointed out the living room window. “It even has a white picket fence.”
It did, and I really loved that about it. It felt cozy, and the first time I walked it with the real estate agent, I felt like I was home. I could imagine putting my stamp on every room in this house and was excited to do just that.
“Are you gonna miss your townhouse in Riverton? You put a lot of work into making that your own.”
