She couldn’t focus on that right now. Instead she let herself have a good long cry.
It was a long time later when she collected herself enough to text Nolan and ask if anything interesting had come across his desk lately. His answer made her spirits sink even lower. She set down the phone and fell back onto the bed.
thirty-seven
Mia walked hand in hand with Levi on the way back down Lone Creek Trail, loving the feel of his sturdy hand in hers. She’d worn her ball cap since it was the Fourth of July weekend and the path would be crowded with tourists. The inn was booked full for the holiday, and Levi only had a few hours to spare.
The past couple weeks they’d spent a lot of time together. They’d gone shopping again in Asheville, hiked a few times, and on days when the inn was quiet, they’d played cards or games with his sisters. Mia loved Levi’s family. Grace and Molly were becoming like the sisters she’d never had.
And Levi . . . He was becoming so much more. A lot had happened to her in the past month. Losing the role had been the final emotional straw, and Levi had been such a rock for her. She was so used to putting on a brave face. What a relief to have someone she could really talk to. It was hard for her to put herself out there, but Levi had a way of making her feel safe.
He helped her over a fallen log. “Have you had a chance to look at the new scripts your agent sent?”
Mia was still a little heartbroken about losing the role of Fiona. “They’re pretty good. Solid plots with compelling characters.”
He gave her a wan smile. “You don’t sound very excited.”
“They’ll probably be commercially successful with the right actors. But yeah. They don’t exactly grab me by the heart. On the other hand, I need to keep working. I’ll talk it over with Nolan.”
“You must trust him a great deal.”
“He’s been on my team from the beginning. He knows what he’s doing.”
Levi was quiet a minute. “It’s just . . .”
“What?”
They reached the trailhead and started walking toward the car. “I don’t know. You had so much passion when you talked about Fiona. I’d hate to see you settle, that’s all.”
“That’s really sweet. But I have to put Fiona behind me. They can’t all be passion projects. Look at you and your inn. This isn’t what you want to do long term, but it’s a responsibility you’ve taken on, knowing you’ll get back to what you love later. I’ve taken a lot of roles just because I thought they’d be good for my career.”
Levi opened the car door for her but paused to place a kiss on her lips. “I’m sure you’ll do what’s best.” His gazed at her steadily, his eyes saying so much as they roved her face.
Something in his eyes shifted. His lips parted, and Mia got the idea he was about to tell her he loved her. The last few days he’d been saying it with his eyes, with his touch.
Her heart palpitated in her chest. She forgot how to breathe.
Then he tipped her face up and set a kiss on her nose. “We’d better get back.”
* * *
Levi wondered if he should’ve let the moment pass. A declaration of love had been on his lips, but was it the right time? He was sweaty from the hike, and they’d been standing in a parking lot. Mia deserved better. Maybe he’d plan something special next week when the inn wasn’t so busy. Now that she wasn’t due on set in a couple weeks, they’d have more time together.
On the way back to the inn they grabbed a quick meal at a drive-through and Levi found a shady picnic table in Pawley Park where they could settle with their food.
Levi said grace. Then they tucked in. As he watched her gaze out over the lake his mind flashed back to a scene in Into the Deep. She’d been spellbinding in that role.
“What?” she asked when she caught him staring.
“Nothing, I just . . . I watched your movie—Into the Deep. I Netflixed it a while back.” He scanned her features. “You’re really good. I was impressed.”
She returned his smile. “Thank you. That means a lot to me.”
“What’s it like, being a Christian in Hollywood? It must be hard.”
“Sometimes. I’m careful about the parts I take, the people I hang with.” Her eyes fell to her salad. “If I’m honest, my faith life hasn’t been that great lately. I mean, I go to church and all, but . . . the depth of it has been lacking.”
He liked her honesty. “Why do you think that is?”
“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about that. I think things kind of got derailed when Wes broke up with me.”
“How so?”
She shrugged as she chewed a bite. “Maybe it was a trigger of sorts—the whole abandonment thing. Even though my dad left when I was young, it had a big impact on me.”
“Of course it did. What do you remember about him?”
Mia stared off through the trees, a wistful smile forming on her face. “I remember him pushing me on a swing set. I remember helping him in the kitchen—I think we were making pancakes. I have a fuzzy memory of being on his shoulders at a parade or something.” Her smile fell away. “Then one day my parents were arguing in their bedroom, and I didn’t want to hear them so I went out to the porch. It was raining. Dad came barreling out of the house with a suitcase, and he just . . . got in his car and left. Didn’t see me. I watched his car disappear down the road. I waited a long time for him to come back, but he never did. The smell of rain still reminds me of that day.”
His heart squeezed for her. “I’m so sorry. That’s a big loss in a little girl’s life.”
She was quiet for a minute, working on her salad. Then she said, “I hired a PI to find him when I was eighteen. I’ve always kind of longed for family. For real roots like other people had. Grandparents and history. My mom always kind of scoffed at that. But she had those things, and she chose to give them up. I think that’s why I went looking for my dad. That and answers. I wanted him to look me in the eyes and tell me why he left. Why he just abandoned me.”
His heart squeezed. “And did you find him?”
“Yes.” She took a sip of water. “He was living in Las Vegas at the time. I drove all the way to his house.”
Levi waited through the long pause, giving her time to tell a story that was obviously difficult.
“He lived in a regular middle-class neighborhood. Nothing special. There was a small SUV in the drive. I sat in front of his house for a long time trying to get up the nerve to go to the door. After a while a woman came out and then my father, followed by two little kids, a boy and a girl.” Her eyes teared up. “A little family. I felt . . . so replaced. The girl was about the age I was when he left. I wondered if he pushed her on the swing now, made pancakes with her and lifted her up onto his shoulders.”
Levi wanted to wrap her in a hug. “Oh, Mia.”
She pushed the salad bowl aside and met his gaze with a look so vulnerable his heart nearly cracked in two. “Sometimes I wonder if it was . . . you know. Me. If I was the reason he left.”
Levi reached out and thumbed away the tear that rolled down her cheek. “It wasn’t you. Kids often blame themselves, but it’s never their fault. You were only five, Mia. If you weren’t the center of his world, the fault lies with him.”
“I know you must be right. But sometimes the truth is hard to believe.”
Lord, heal her heart. “Well, now I know how I can pray for you.”
She cleared her throat and gave a nervous chuckle. “Well, that turned serious in a hurry, didn’t it?”
He squeezed her hand, amazed by her bravery.
“I’ve never told anyone all that before.”
“I’m honored then. Thank you.”
“Tell me something you haven’t told anyone.”
The first thing that came to Levi’s mind was the inn’s financial condition. The weight of it had been like cement blocks sitting on his shoulders. “I haven’t been forthcoming with my sisters about our financial situation.”
She tilted her head, her ey
es searching his face.
“It’s not good. We’re in debt, and my credit cards are maxed out. Things are starting to turn around, but we have a long way to go to get ourselves out of the hole.”
“Oh, Levi. I’ve noticed you seem stressed out sometimes. Is that why you have so many headaches?”
“Probably.”
“Levi . . .” Mia’s eyes sharpened as she leaned forward. “Let me help you. I can give you whatever you—”
“No, Mia.” That was the last thing Levi wanted. “That’s nice of you to offer, really nice. But that’s not why I told you.”
“I know that. But a temporary loan might be all you need to—”
“Thank you.” He squeezed her hand. “Really, I appreciate it. But no. We need to do this on our own. And as I said, things are turning around. Reservations are up, and the rate increase has helped.” He tried for levity. “Your stay has brought us some much-needed attention. Consider that your contribution to the cause.”
She gave him a long, steady look. “If you change your mind . . .”
“Thanks. I appreciate the offer.”
“We should keep looking for that necklace. Imagine what that would do for your financial situation.”
“I don’t know where else we’d look.” It had been all but forgotten lately because they’d been so lost in each other. Levi had never experienced this all-consuming love. No wonder Molly had been AWOL so much when she was falling for Adam. Levi hadn’t been prepared for this depth of feeling.
Mia made him deliriously happy. There. He’d said it. He wasn’t sure exactly what made them work so well. On the one hand, they were very different, led such dissimilar lives. On the other hand, they were both realists, they shared a faith, they were resilient in the face of trials, and they worked well as a team.
When they finished eating they headed back to the inn. On the way home, as they passed the marina, Levi glanced at Mia. She’d really opened up to him today. And he’d opened up to her. That gave him hope for a future with her.
When they reached the inn he took a parking slot in front. He had to work the front desk soon. Molly and Grace were still here, but judging by the empty spaces, most of the guests were gone. The sun hadn’t set yet, but everyone liked to save a good spot for the fireworks.
Levi wished he’d thought ahead. A boat on the darkened lake with the fireworks blooming overhead would’ve been the perfect time and place to tell Mia he loved her. But one of the guests had their boat for the night, and chances of borrowing another one at this late date were slim to none.
He assisted Mia out of the car and held her hand as they walked up the porch steps. He grabbed yesterday’s mail from the box and opened the door for her.
Molly was at the front desk on the phone, taking a reservation.
“I’ll grab our bag,” Mia said.
“I’ll bring the chairs later so you don’t have to carry them.”
“Sounds good.” At the turn in the stairs she sought out his gaze and winked at him. Maybe he’d tell her tonight anyway. He could think of worse settings to declare his love than a beach on the Fourth of July.
“Somebody’s completely smitten,” Molly whispered with a haughty grin.
Levi tore his eyes from where Mia had disappeared, wiping what was probably a dopey look from his face. “Anything I need caught up on?”
Molly gave him a look that said I know you’re changing the subject, and I’m letting you get away with it. “Our guests are out enjoying the festivities for the moment. Reservations are looking good for the next few weeks. In fact, every weekend is booked through the rest of the summer, and our weekday reservations have picked up. I have to hand it to you, Levi. Your marketing plan seems to be working, and the rate increase hasn’t harmed us at all.”
Levi gave a smug grin. “Go ahead and say it.”
“I don’t want to.”
“Say it.”
“Fine. You were right.”
“About . . . ?”
“Everything. You were right about everything. Happy?”
His lips twitched. “Actually, yes, I am.”
“Everything’s on schedule for the wedding party to arrive next week. I’ve ordered flowers for the bride’s room and talked to Miss Della about the extra pastry selection they requested.”
Levi slipped behind the desk. “Great.”
“Oh, and I replaced the Keurig in room three.”
He sorted through the mail. “Thanks.”
Mia came down the stairs, the beach bag on her shoulder, looking like a patriotic angel straight from heaven in her red, white, and blue. After stopping to chat a moment she said good-bye, waggling her fingers at Levi before she slipped out.
Grace tramped down the stairs next, dressed in a pair of white shorts and a blue T-shirt, her blond hair in a high ponytail. As she and Molly talked about their evening plans, Levi’s eyes caught on a large white envelope in the stack of yesterday’s mail.
“Grace . . .” A grin tugged his lips as he held it up triumphantly. “Look what came in the mail.”
“What is it?”
“It’s from UNC at Charlotte.” He was so excited for her. “And it’s thick, so that means it’s good news. You got in, Grace.”
“Well . . .” She shifted. “We don’t know that yet.”
“Open it and find out,” Molly said.
Grace took the envelope and slid a finger under the flap. She seemed to be working in slow motion. Finally she slid out the sheaf of papers and began reading.
A moment later she looked up. “I got in.”
Molly whooped.
“Yes.” Levi held his fist out to Grace.
She met his fist bump with all the enthusiasm of an inmate headed to death row. He studied her face. Her frown lines, her unsmiling mouth, her slumped shoulders.
Dread coiled in Levi’s gut. “What’s wrong? Isn’t this what you wanted?”
“Are you hoping for one of the other schools?” Molly asked. “Don’t worry. I’m sure you’ll get in both. Their acceptance rates are higher than UNC.”
Grace looked between her siblings, a heavy sigh finally escaping. “That’s not it. I haven’t been entirely up front with you guys. It’s just that . . . I don’t want to go to college.”
Levi blinked. This couldn’t be happening. Sure, she’d dragged her feet on the applications, but she was just a kid. Teenagers were known to procrastinate.
“Grace . . .” he said intently. “You have to go to college.”
Her eyes sharpened on him, and her chin thrust forward. “No, Levi. Actually, I don’t. Not everyone has to go to college, you know.”
“Everyone gets a degree these days, Grace!”
“That’s right, and they come home and get hired as baristas because all the good jobs are taken.”
“She’s got a point,” Molly said.
Levi shot Molly a dark look. “You’re not helping. Grace, this is ridiculous. What are you going to do with your life? You said you wanted to study business.”
“Because I didn’t know what I wanted to do. But now I have a plan.” Her gaze went between the two of them, finally stopping on Levi. “I want to open an outfitters business, and I already know everything I need to know.”
“Grace, we’re already struggling to run one business!”
“This would be my venture, not yours.”
“Fifty percent of businesses fail in the first five years.” A statistic that kept him up at night. “Even if that’s what you choose to do eventually, a degree will give you credibility, and you need a backup plan just in case—”
“No, I don’t. I can start small and run it right out of the inn. I don’t want to be saddled with college loans like all my friends.”
“We’ll be able to pay them off when we sell this place.”
“Or I can put the money into my business instead.”
Levi palmed his neck. A headache throbbed at the back of his skull. “If you don’t want to go far fro
m home, you can go to the Asheville campus. You can still come home every weekend. You could even live here if you wanted to.”
“He’s not even listening to me,” Grace said to Molly, then gave Levi a withering look. “That’s not what this is about.”
Levi leaned forward, his palms digging into the counter. His head dropped between his shoulders. His heart was beating too fast, and he could feel his blood pressure shooting up.
He didn’t want to do it, but she was giving him no choice. He raised his head, drilling her with a look and taking great care to keep his voice steady and calm. “You know Mom and Dad wanted you to go to college, Grace.”
Her eyes went glossy. “That’s not fair. Stop guilt-tripping me.”
“It’s the truth.”
Grace glared at him, tears clinging to her lashes. “I told Mia you wouldn’t listen!” She whirled around and stormed out of the house.
He winced as the door slammed shut.
Mia knew about this? Levi’s head was spinning. He felt a little dizzy.
“Let’s talk to her later after she settles down,” Molly said.
“She’s obviously felt this way a long time. But she has to go to college. We’re on the same page here, right?” He realized his tone left little choice, but he didn’t care. He knew he was right.
“Why don’t we talk about this later? Nothing has to be decided tonight, and I’m due at Adam’s.”
“Yeah.” He ran his hand over his face. “You’re right.”
“But Levi . . .” Molly squeezed his arm and held his gaze for a long moment. “Next time you might consider doing a little less talking and a lot more listening.”
thirty-eight
What a night. Molly was ready for some quiet time with Adam. She sat beside him in the pontoon boat as he guided it quietly through the choppy water. The sun had set and darkness crept across the sky. Already a few stars twinkled on the cloudless palette.
Boats crowded the lake, all headed toward the main basin, which would offer the best views of the fireworks. The boats’ navigation lights reflected off the water, and the quiet strains of a country tune carried from a nearby radio. A mild breeze drifted across the lake, already carrying the flinty smell of fireworks.
Carolina Breeze Page 21
