They were both busy jotting down notes and taking photographs. Until they finished their surveillance, everything was still up in the air.
Sierra sat nervously downstairs, butted up close to Braxton.
He put his hand over hers, trying to calm her. She looked up toward the mezzanine, straining to hear.
She watched the men scurrying from room to room, measuring tapes in their hands. Braxton was pretty sure they could make this happen, but the cost was an unknown entity.
Sierra might not want to go to all that expense.
What seemed like a lifetime, but in reality, was only an hour or so, the two men reappeared. Both held notebooks in their hands and appeared to be studying them.
“It’s possible,” the architect suddenly said, startling Sierra. “I’ll do the drawings, then confer with our builder here,” He indicated the man standing next to him. “Then I’ll get back to you. It will take a few days at least.”
His outstretched hand was the first indication the conversation was over.
“I’ll call you when I’m done,” he said, handing her a business card. “You have a beautiful place here,” he said. “It would be a shame to see it go to waste.”
Before they knew it, the two men were gone.
“Phew, that was intense, and he gave nothing away,” Braxton said. He watched as Sierra let out the breath she was holding. “Now we wait for the results.”
Sierra stood, scrutinizing the room. “I can picture it now. This would make a wonderful guest lounge.” She indicated the room they were currently in. “The kitchen would need to be renovated, especially if I decided to have the option of chef prepared meals.”
He followed her as she flounced out to the kitchen. “It is a bit, shall we say, drab?” It had definitely seen better days. “Even if you sold the place, you’d probably need to update the kitchen first.”
She nodded. “You’re right, of course. No one would buy this place as is. It hasn’t been painted or renovated in decades. Gran loved it as it was.” Her voice cracked as she spoke.
He moved toward her and pulled her close, putting his arm around her shoulders. “I know,” he said softly. “It’s an amazing house. But either way, it needs updating now.”
“Yeah, I know,” she said equally quietly.
She followed him to the large entrance hall. “This,” he said pointing to a spot on the side. “This could be your reception desk.”
He could picture it all in his head, and was certain she could too, working in that industry.
“It would have to be era appropriate,” she said excitedly, almost bursting at the seams.
He grinned. She was finally warming to his idea.
Now all that needed to happen was have the costs within her financial reach.
“I’m exhausted,” she said. “Not that I’ve done much, but this is all mentally draining.”
He totally understood. He was heading that way too. He’d done very little on his property since Sierra came back, relying instead on his workers. They were all more than capable of continuing without him for a few days while he helped her.
Austin had been with him from the very beginning, and he’d left him in charge. Besides, if anything urgent came up, Austin would call him.
“Let’s go for a walk, then coffee,” Braxton suggested. “Then we’ll come back and sort out more of Evelyn’s stuff.”
It broke his heart each time he mentioned Evelyn. Sierra seemed to grieve a little more every time she was mentioned.
“Sure,” she said, grabbing his hand and heading for the front door. “We both need a break.”
It felt like each time they were together, they became a little closer. It was reminiscent of their teenage years, only they weren’t teenagers any more. And this wasn’t just until they’d had enough of each other.
If Braxton had his way, this would be their forever. But he still wasn’t convinced any of it would happen. It took an awful lot of money to make major renovations to any place, let alone an old building such as this one.
He was more than willing to lend Sierra a substantial amount of money to see this through, but would she accept his offer?
It felt as though his heart died a little just thinking about it. No matter what, he would put on a brave face, and wondered whether Sierra felt the same way he did.
If she did, it certainly wasn’t showing.
Chapter Seven
It had been an excruciating few days waiting for the architect’s report.
They sat together going over it. They were yet to look at the bottom line – the cost.
Sierra sat stiffly, leaning forward on the chair with Braxton close beside her.
He could see she was eager with anticipation but terrified at the same time. Together they read the suggestions – give each bedroom its own ensuite bathroom, making the accommodation more appealing.
Both existing bathrooms were extremely large, so they could also be turned into private rooms with their own ensuite, giving the house an additional two rooms to rent out. These would be much larger rooms and could become the wedding or executive suites.
Sierra had called and asked the architect to add a new kitchen into the quote. He’d visited a couple of days earlier, again with his builder, so they could incorporate it into the same quote.
They both thoroughly read the report. They scanned over the drawings of the changes, then looked at each other enthusiastically.
Braxton reached over and brushed some stray hair behind her ear. “Are you ready?” he asked, referring to turning the page to see the dollar figure.
She nodded. “I think so,” she said quietly, her voice breaking from anticipation.
He leaned back. “Before I do,” he said, sucking in a big breath. “I want you to know I’m willing to lend you whatever you need.”
She waved a hand in the air. “Thanks, Brax, but I don’t need your money. If it’s that much, I won’t do it.” Disappointed flittered across her pretty face.
“We’ll talk more later.”
He turned the page and his eyes skipped the summary of expenses, down to the bottom of the page with the final figure.
It was big, a little more than he’d anticipated, but not a lot. Overall, it was reasonable. He hoped Sierra thought so too.
He glanced across at her, trying to gauge her reaction. She simply sat staring.
His heart thumped. She wasn’t going to go ahead. She looked… he wasn’t sure what she looked, but it wasn’t happy.
He sat back against the sofa. All his plans for their future together suddenly fell in a heap. She was going to leave here in three weeks, and he’d never see her again.
He felt lightheaded with disappointment, with the sheer horror of it all. He couldn’t begin to contemplate his life without Sierra. He’d spent the past ten years trying to get her out of his head. It didn’t work, had never worked. He didn’t want to go through that again.
Ever.
He licked his lips – his mouth had gone so dry. His heart was pumping so fast, he felt giddy.
“So… what do you think?” He tried to sound normal but didn’t recognize his own voice. Would she notice?
Her head shot around to face him.
He wondered if she felt the same way as he did.
“I,” She looked down to the figure once more. “It’s doable,” she said softly. “My unit in the city is worth way more than this. And I have some savings – you don’t spend much when you’re working sixty hours or more every week.”
His heart soared. She was staying! She would be here for the rest of her life.
“I can’t believe it! You’re staying.” His breath came out in a whoosh.
Now she looked annoyed. “I didn’t say that,” she said sharply. “I didn’t once say I’d stay here if I turned this into accommodation.”
What was she saying? Did he misinterpret everything she’d said, the way she’d acted toward him?
“I could easily install someon
e here as manager,” she said quietly.
His heart shattered all over again. It was deja vu from ten years ago.
“So you’re leaving after all,” he asked quietly, his voice cracking. This was not how it was meant to be.
“I didn’t say that either,” she snapped. “I need to take this all in and crunch some figures. Then and only then will I make a decision.”
Why did she go through the process of getting an architect to do the report if she had no intention of staying and running it herself?
He felt as though he’d been sucker punched. He sat in stunned silence until Sierra’s voice broke through the fog.
“Brax, are you okay?” Her voice seemed a thousand miles away.
He shoved his fingers through his hair and nodded. “Yeah, sure. I just thought…” He stared into her face. The beautiful face he loved so much. “It doesn’t matter what I thought. I need to go. Catch you later.”
He kissed her forehead, then left before things got too intense.
* * *
Sierra had been trying to work out the sums in her head when Brax broke into her thoughts.
He’d taken her off-guard when he’d blurted out about her staying. Sure, that was her intention, but until she crunched those numbers, she couldn’t say for sure if she’d go ahead.
She also needed to make some calls and find out how much she could feasibly charge guests to stay here.
There were a few other motels within a reasonable distance of town, but none here. She hoped Oakdale, their unique town, and the beautiful old building would be a big drawcard.
Tourists came here all the time, just to see their amazing old buildings. But would they be willing to stay overnight? Or to eat at her hotel if she went ahead?
They were the million-dollar questions.
Brax made it sound so simple. He had no idea, but she did. The last ten years had been spent studying the hospitality industry, going to university and studying. She’d worked her way up the corporate ladder until she’d become the best in her industry and managing one of the largest hotels in the state, if not the country.
She’d not only met with every day tourists but had dealt with some of the biggest celebrities in the world. Personally taking care of their specific needs – because that’s what you did to keep your guests happy.
There was so much more involved than just renovating a building and opening the doors.
She sucked in a cleansing breath, then let it whoosh out again.
Sierra found a notebook in one of Gran’s drawers, and sat down with her calculator and pen and started crunching those numbers.
When she’d done that, she made those phone calls, pretending to be potential customers looking for a room.
She’d called the local Manchester store to get a quote on linen, pillows, and towels, then did some more number crunching.
She’d need to have curtains or blinds custom made, so that would be another expense she’d need to include, once she organized that extra expense.
She called a well-known real estate agent in the city to get a tentative quote on what her unit was worth and checked the balance of her bank account.
She would also have to factor in staff costs, because even if she did stay, she couldn’t do it all alone. If she didn’t say, that was even more expense for staffing.
Before she knew it, darkness was beginning to set in. She was near exhaustion and knew she had to call it a day.
She picked up her cell phone and dialed. “Brax, have you eaten yet? I’m starving.”
* * *
When he’d walked out, he was sure it was the end for them.
He’d glanced across as he opened the door and saw the hurt look on her face. He did that to her. How could he? How could he hurt the woman he loved?
He felt like a heel. He hadn’t meant to do it, but he’d felt hurt himself. He hadn’t considered what she’d been going through at that moment. Or how she would be feeling.
He’d only been thinking of himself. What a jerk he’d been!
Somehow, he had to make it up to her. He’d considered calling and inviting her out to dinner, but she was probably too mad at him.
And he wouldn’t blame her, not one little bit.
His cell phone rang. “What?” he screeched into the phone, madder at himself than anyone else.
“Well hello to you too, dear cousin.”
Mel. That’s all he needed right now. “Yeah.” He didn’t want to talk to Mel. She’d just increase his blood pressure more.
“I just wanted to make sure you’re still okay for Saturday night.”
He sighed. As if he’d forget – Mel wouldn’t let him. “Saturday night? What’s on Saturday night?” He knew damned well what she was talking about, but if he was annoyed, he was damned sure she would be too.
“Braxton!” she screeched down the line. “You better been there – the flyers…” She stopped cold.
He frowned. Now he knew she was up to something and wondered again what it was. “Flyers, huh?”
“Uh, no. You must have misunderstood.” She suddenly went quiet.
No, he didn’t. He was one thousand percent certain of it.
She rattled on for another twenty minutes about nothing, reiterating his availability on Saturday night before hanging up.
Flyers, eh? If he could find them, he might get to the bottom of Mel’s scheme.
He’d just settled back down when his cell rang again. “What now?” He practically screamed down the line. He’d had more than enough of Mel’s antics for one night.
“Is it a bad time?” Sierra’s gentle voice carried over the line. Now he really felt like a jerk.
He sat up straight and answered as calmly as he could. Not that he was mad at Sierra; Mel was the one who deserved his wrath right now. “Sorry, I’ve just had a bit of a run-in with Mel.”
The line was silent.
“I’m sorry about before,” he said quickly. “It’s not your fault I assumed.”
But it was certainly his fault. He thought if he could find a way for her to stay, she would stay. He should have asked her what she wanted, and not gone on what he wanted.
“Have you eaten,” she asked, totally ignoring his statement. “I’m famished.”
“Angel’s Kitchen or somewhere else?” he asked, grabbing his hat on the way out the door as they continued to chat.
“Sounds great,” she said. “Meet you there?”
“You’re on.”
He disconnected the call and whistled as he strolled toward his truck.
Joyce, the owner of Angel’s Kitchen, guided them toward a secluded booth in the back corner. “You love-birds check out the menu, and I’ll be back.”
Braxton couldn’t help but grin. He didn’t generally like it when people assumed, but in this case, he had no problem with it.
Sierra raised her eyebrows at him. “Love-birds, eh? And I see you didn’t correct her.”
He slid a hand across the table to cover hers. “I’m sorry about earlier,” he said, apologizing once again. “I’ll try not to be such a jerk in future.”
He couldn’t help himself – he grinned again.
“You look really sorry, too,” she admonished him. “But you’re hard to stay mad at.” She smiled.
He’d missed that too.
He squeezed her hand. He’d really missed their easy banter and touching her. He’d always loved to touch her; it gave him such a thrill.
Joyce brought over a jug of water and two glasses, then filled each glass. “You two look really cozy together,” she said. “Like you were made for each other.”
She winked at him then slinked away. “I’ll come back later, when you’ve had a chance to check the menu.”
“Everything looks great,” Sierra said, peeking over the top of the menu. “If last time is anything to go by, it will all be delicious.”
They made their decisions, and Joyce suddenly reappeared. “What are you having?” she asked Sierra, t
hen wrote down her order. “What about you, Sonny? You look like a steak and fries kinda man.”
He was indeed, and he couldn’t help but smile. Sierra chuckled.
“You two were in here last week, if I recall?”
“We were,” Braxton said. “The food was so delicious we decided to come back.” He extended his hand. “Braxton Chalmers, and this is Sierra West.”
“West? You any relation to Evelyn West?”
“My grandmother, but she was more like a mother. Brought me up. I’ve come back to sort out her affairs.”
Joyce nodded solemnly. “She was a great woman. I’m sorry for your loss,” she said warmly. “What’s happening with the house? Is it going up for sale?”
Sierra glanced across at Braxton. “I’m not sure yet. I’m trying to find a way to keep it in the family.”
Joyce leaned in and hugged Sierra. “I’m glad,” she whispered. “Evelyn would have wanted that.”
Moments later she was gone, and Sierra stared after her.
Suddenly she was all business. “After you left, I spent hours crunching numbers and making phone calls,” Sierra said, looking down at her hands and avoiding his eyes at all cost.
He didn’t want to ask the question for fear of upsetting her, but he couldn’t stand the wait. “Have you come to a decision?”
Her eyes met his.
“First of all, I need to tell you something. Don’t take it the wrong way.” She looked down at her hands again.
His heart thudded in his chest. She was leaving. Or she was leaving him. Either one was catastrophic to him.
“Whatever I do, it has to be a business decision. Making business choices based on the heart never work out.”
He nodded, terrified to say a word in case it influenced her.
“I honestly don’t want the house to leave my family’s hands. And as you know, I’m the only family Gran had left, so that means it’s up to me to do everything in my power to keep the house.”
He nodded again, his heart pounding endlessly, waiting for the bottom line. Was she renovating, or selling up?
“There are still a few things I need to look into, but I’m hoping to keep the house.” She smiled tentatively.
A Bride for Braxton Page 5
