"I am a people person, but I need time to myself, too. I actually started running with my brother, Nathan. He ran track and field in high school, and he'd let me come with him on his training runs. Since my siblings often left me out, I was thrilled to have someone who was fine with me tagging along."
He smiled. "Adam told me that you were always up for anything."
"Mostly because my brothers and sister were usually trying to ditch me," she said dryly. "Chelsea wasn't as bad as the boys, but then she got so into her music that that separated us a bit. Did you run with your brother?"
"No," he said shortly. "I always ran on my own. It was a good way to burn off my emotions."
"So, you do have emotions," she teased.
"Sometimes unwanted and unnecessary," he admitted.
"That's part of being human. Unless you'd rather be like one of your robots."
"That wouldn't be so bad. Robots are built on algorithms, logic, and math. No messy thoughts or feelings to wreck a perfectly executed program."
"But also no unexpected joy or surprise," she pointed out. "That's part of life, too. Unpredictability can be exciting."
"Or just bad."
"Why do you say that? You're a risk taker, aren't you?"
"I take risks, yes, but I'm usually in control of most of the variables."
"But I have to ask again, what about surprises? If you control everything, then there's no room for an unexpected beautiful moment."
"Most surprises aren't that good."
"But they can be. I love surprise parties, gifts, random acts of kindness, like the one you did yesterday when you gave up your room to Patty. That really surprised me, in a good way."
He acknowledged her point with a tip of his head. "Okay, once in a while there's a good surprise. But then there are also broken heaters, high interest rates, employees who slack off or quit, earthquakes, tornadoes. In my mind, the bad surprises usually outweigh the good."
"Well, I prefer to be optimistic."
"Big surprise," he said with a laugh. "Were you a cheerleader in high school?"
"I was the mascot, which happened to be a lion. I spent a lot of my time sweating in that lion costume. But I'd make the other kids laugh, and that was fun."
"So, you were still cheering, just not in a short little skirt. Too bad for the boys."
She grinned. "I wore short little skirts plenty of other times."
"Did you have a high school boyfriend?"
"I had one every year. Dave, when I was a freshman—he lived on my block so we kind of grew up together. Once we got to high school, we started dating, but mostly because it was comfortable. Sophomore year, I was all about Brian. He was a soccer player and was super cute, but he never liked me as much as I liked him. We went to a dance together; that was about it. Junior year was lots of different guys but no one serious, and then senior year, it was Rick. We dated for almost the whole year. But he went out of state to college, and that was the end of that. What about you? Were you popular in high school?"
"Not even a little bit."
"I find that difficult to believe. Unless you turned into all this years later."
He grinned. "All this?"
"You know what you look like. Let's just say you're not ugly."
"Wow, high praise."
"So why no girlfriends in high school?"
He shrugged. "Who knows? I guess I wasn't a good date."
"This is why I think you have secrets. You get very vague when I ask about your past."
"And you get really chatty."
"I did tell you too much, didn't I?" She made a little face, then shrugged. "It's what I do. Unlike you, when people ask questions, I answer."
"Speaking of questions, I have another one for you."
"What's that?"
"Are you considering selling the inn?"
"I've been trying not to think about that. The inn is my dream."
"But?"
"There's no but."
"Isn't there? Isn't that why you got upset, Lizzie?"
She looked into his perceptive gaze and reluctantly nodded. "You're right. There's a part of me that wonders if I shouldn't look at the offer. The heating repair was quite high, and I was already in a bad spot. There have been a lot of unexpected expenses this year. I don't want to sell, but I also don't want to fail and have everyone who believed in me and trusted me with their money to lose, to be disappointed."
"Why not look at her offer?"
"I'm afraid it will tip the scales even more."
"If it's a good offer, you could end up making a lot of money, paying everyone off, and perhaps you could still run the place. Sometimes buyouts work that way."
"Paula said something about that. But it wouldn’t be mine anymore. I couldn't just do whatever I wanted."
"Nope. But can you do whatever you want now?" he challenged. "With a new owner, you might have more funds to start your dinner service and other things you can't afford."
She gave him a thoughtful look. "Do you think I should sell?"
"I have no idea. I'd have to look at your financials before I could give an informed opinion."
The last thing she wanted to show anyone was her financial records. "I just wish the offer hadn't come now. I've only been open for two years. It takes time to build a business. Whisper Lake is also growing. There will be more opportunity down the road, if I can hang on."
"Would you consult your investors before making a decision?"
Another idea she didn't really want to consider. "Let's talk about something else. Actually, we should run back to the inn. You have a sail to get to."
"I almost forgot about that, which is unusual, because I rarely forget about anything. But since I've been in Whisper Lake, I'm a lot more distracted."
"Maybe because you're having fun."
"I could be having more fun," he said pointedly.
"You really don't give up easily."
"If I did, I wouldn't get what I want. And it doesn't sound like you give up easily, either."
"No. Sometimes I wonder if I hang on too long."
"If you ever do want to bounce off some ideas with me, I'm game. I might be able to help."
"You probably could, but I'm afraid your emotionless, robotic thinking will only look at the financials and not the feelings. And I have big feelings."
He gave her an understanding smile. "Believe it or not, I'm not unfamiliar with having feelings about a business you've created. I'm personally invested in mine as well. But you still have to be able to look at the numbers."
"Looking at numbers is not easy for me."
"You have to take the emotion out of it."
It wasn't just the emotion that made the numbers hard, but she didn't need to say anything more. She'd already shared far too much with Justin. "Shall we race back?" she asked as she put in her headphones and turned on her music. While he was fiddling with his earpiece, she took off, figuring she might as well grab a head start. He caught up with her in less than a quarter mile, giving her the cocky grin that made her heart flutter every time she saw it. And then she was looking at his back the rest of the way home.
Justin was stretching on the porch when she got back to the inn, feeling more breathless than she usually did. He had pushed her to her limit, and that felt both great and exhausting. As she reached the steps, her phone buzzed. Justin reached for his phone a second later.
She took it out and saw a group text from Justin's grandmother to her and Justin. Marie wanted to let them know that Ben had had an allergy attack during the night, and they both wanted to sleep in. Since she'd already paid for the sail and didn't want Justin to go alone, Marie was hoping that Lizzie might go with him.
Justin lifted his gaze and met hers. "What do you think?"
"Mornings are busy," she said.
"But you like to keep your guests happy, and this is what my grandmother wants."
"And you keep telling me I can't make everyone happy."
"T
rue. You can tell her no. I don't need to go on a sail. I can just do some work."
He would probably be just as happy working, but he would miss out on a great trip, and she'd be letting down one of the nicest women she'd ever met. It was just a ninety-minute sail, and Naomi and Victor could handle breakfast. Shay would be back by eleven. And they didn't have a lot going on today.
"Well?" Justin prodded. "What should I tell her?"
"It's really beautiful out on the water, and no trip to Whisper Lake is complete without a sail. You should go."
"By myself? That doesn't sound like fun."
She saw the gleam in his eyes. "You've told me more than once that you're happy on your own."
"True, but I'm also happy working, so if I'm going to be on my own, I might as well do that."
"You know your grandmother wants you to go."
"With you," he said pointedly.
"All right. I'll go. I'll take a quick shower and meet you back here."
"You really are dedicated to your guests' enjoyment."
"Happy guests usually lead to five-star reviews. I'll be expecting one from you."
"We'll see just how happy you make me," he teased.
She smiled back at him. "I'm only agreeing to a boat trip."
"For now."
She ignored that, heading to her first-floor apartment as Justin jogged up the stairs. She hoped she wasn't making a big mistake spending more time with Justin, but there was a good chance she was. But she wasn't going to worry about it. She actually loved going out on a boat on the lake, and it had been too long since she'd done that. Maybe a little time off would be good for her, too. She could use a little perspective on her life and being on the water might be just what she needed.
Chapter Eleven
Being out on the water was more than a little fun, Justin thought, as they sailed around the lake. The captain, Mike Olenski, was a grizzled, weathered-looking man in his early fifties, who had a crooked grin and loved chewing on the toothpick hanging out of his mouth. Since they were the only two on board the fifteen-foot motorboat, Captain Mike, as he liked to be called, was happy to follow Lizzie's suggestion that they head north and then come back around the eastern shore.
Lizzie had brought along a picnic basket with bottled waters, orange juice, and some fresh scones, of which Justin had had several. They hadn't talked much but the quiet between them had been friendly and easygoing. Lizzie was a talker, but she seemed to be in a more reflective mood now, and he liked seeing that side of her, too. He was beginning to realize how much of her day was spent being on and ready to help someone else. He was also beginning to realize how long it had been since he'd taken even this much time off. It was a Thursday morning. He never just sat and did nothing for an hour and a half on a weekday. But he was having a good time. He was starting to feel like this obligation might be turning into a vacation.
As the boat took a fast turn, water splashed over the side, and Lizzie laughed in complete and utter abandon. No worry for her about getting her hair wet or her makeup washed off—if she even had any makeup on. She had a natural beauty. Her cheeks were warmed by the sun, her green eyes bright in the sunlight, her long hair flowing out behind her in silky waves. He found it impossible to look away from her. When she turned to him and met his gaze, his gut clenched with desire and another, more unwelcome emotion.
He was happy with the lust factor between them. He wanted to sleep with her. But he didn't want anything else coming into the picture. They lived in very different worlds, and while those worlds were intersecting for a short time now, that intersection would be gone soon. He didn't want to hurt her. Nor did he want to have any regrets himself. And while he'd always, always been able to walk away without regrets, he had this odd feeling that he'd never quite met anyone like Lizzie before.
"Are you enjoying yourself?" she asked.
"How could I not?"
"The lake is beautiful, isn't it?"
"So are you," he murmured, the words slipping out before he could stop them.
Her eyes sparkled. "Don't flirt with me, Justin."
"I'm just stating a fact. Whatever you might think about me, I never lie. In fact, I've been told I'm ruthlessly honest."
"I can believe that," she said dryly.
"I don't bury facts or look the other way. No good ever comes of that."
"Ah, another clue to the secrets of Justin Blackwood," she said. "Something happened. And it involved a lie."
"Or maybe just an avoidance of the truth."
"Care to explain?"
"No."
"Maybe another time."
"I don't think so."
"I can be just as persistent as you, Justin."
He smiled. "You like to compete, don't you?"
She was saved from answering, as the boat hit the wake from the Whisper Lake ferry and took a big bounce. Lizzie instinctively grabbed his arm as she practically fell into his lap. She laughed again as she smiled up at him.
His hands tightened on her arms, and he couldn't help but kiss her. She was too close. And he'd never been one to miss an opportunity.
She stiffened for a split second, but then gave into the attraction between him. He could taste the sugar from the scones on her lips. Or maybe that was just her sweetness. Whatever it was, he wanted to go on tasting her forever, but the boat bounced again, and she pulled out of his arms, looking quickly toward Captain Mike.
"He's not watching us," he assured her.
"I know." She tucked her wild hair behind her ears. "I just really wish you weren't such a good kisser."
"Right back at you. You're hard to resist, Lizzie."
"So are you." She cleared her throat. "But we need to keep trying."
"Do we?"
"Yes," she said firmly.
"Okay," he agreed, but he suspected they would end up in each other's arms before the week was done. "However, we may get thrown together again. You do realize that my grandparents set this up, right?"
Her gaze widened. "You and me? This is a setup? Are you sure your grandpa doesn't just have allergies?"
"I'm positive that that is not the reason they bailed on this trip."
"I can't imagine why they'd want to set us up."
"They like you. Hell, you might even be the reason they decided to renew their vows here at the lake."
"I'm sure I'm not the reason. They love the lake, and they invited their friends here. This isn't about me and you." She frowned. "Although, it is kind of weird that she canceled and wanted me to come with you."
He smiled. "Face it, you were set up."
"Well, you were set up, too, and you don't seem too upset about it."
"I'm not. I'm having fun. You were right, Lizzie. This lake is changing me. Or maybe it's you."
"It's the lake and the mountains and the people. It all gets into your soul. You don't even realize it's happening. You just feel better, more alive, less stressed."
"Do you feel better being out here?"
"Yes, I think I needed the break as much as you did. It's been a busy two years. And the last two months have been especially hectic. I feel like I have so many balls in the air, and I have to keep juggling or they'll all come crashing down. Did you ever have that feeling with your company? Did you ever have any moments where you weren't sure you could do it?"
"In the very beginning, yes. I had a lot of big ideas, but not a lot of big money. It took a lot of creativity to figure out how to fund what I wanted to do and then do it. I'm sure there were moments I came close to the edge of failure, but I just didn't stop long enough to let the fear take hold."
"That's how I've been moving along, but I'm afraid I won't be able to outrun all my problems."
"Don't worry about that now," he advised. "The problems will be there when you get back."
"That's true. I just want to enjoy the lake. It is pretty perfect, isn't it?"
"Yes. I had no idea I'd like it this much." He'd also had no idea he would meet a woman
at the lake who he liked this much.
"You should be careful, Justin. Once Whisper Lake gets in your heart, it's impossible to let go."
"But I will let go," he promised, knowing deep down he was talking about her as well as the lake. "Because my life can't happen here."
Her smile faded. "I know. But, hopefully, you'll have some lovely memories to carry with you."
"I'm sure I will," he said, wishing that wouldn't be the case. But he had a feeling that Lizzie would be a difficult woman to forget.
"This is going to be something I will always remember," his grandmother said, as he walked down Adams Street with her Thursday afternoon. After getting back from the lake, he'd worked for a couple of hours and then met his grandmother for lunch. She'd told him then that his grandfather wanted another nap after his sleepless night, so it would be just the two of them going antique hunting.
He'd really wanted to beg off, but he hadn't been able to crush the happy light in her eyes. So here he was window-shopping, probably one of his least favorite things in the world to do. He didn't even like shopping for his own clothes, much less trying to find treasure in what always appeared to be someone else's trash.
"We haven't found anything you've liked so far," he reminded her. "So don't get carried away."
"Oh, it's not about what we find; it's about you and me doing something together. I can't remember the last time. Can you?"
He wished he could. He wished he could say it hadn't been that long, but aside from a few dinners on various quick trips through Los Angeles in the past several years, he hadn't spent much time with her, and certainly not time like this.
Realizing she was still waiting for an answer, he said, "We can make up for some of the lost time today. I just hope Grandpa will feel better soon."
"Oh, he'll be fine. He just gets a little sneezy this time of year. How was your sail this morning? You haven't said anything about it."
He could see the gleam in her eyes, but he was not going to give her the satisfaction of thinking her little plan had worked. "It was fine. The lake was great."
"And Lizzie is wonderful, isn't she?"
"She's very nice," he agreed. "And very generous to step in for you."
Can't Fight The Moonlight (Whisper Lake Book 3) Page 13
