Autumn Skies: 3 (A Bluebell Inn Romance)

by Denise Hunter

  “I meant the bruising.”

  “Relax, Romeo, I knew what you meant. Just wanted to see you squirm a little.”

  He gave a wry huff, then shook his head.

  She was relieved that after being apart since Saturday their camaraderie was still there. “Is there something you needed? Extra pillow? Afternoon snack? Guided tour of the lake?”

  “That last one sounds intriguing. But I was actually hoping to enlist your help with that map at the library. I had a look at it today, but . . .”

  “Yeah, it wouldn’t be very helpful if you don’t know the topography of the area.”

  “I tried to check it out, but the librarian seemed to have mistaken it for the Holy Grail.”

  “Hildy’s a little protective of the library’s assets. In her defense, it is a one-of-a kind map. But I could go with you tomorrow morning and have a look if you’re free then.”

  “That’d be great. Thanks.”

  They reached the back of the inn, and he opened the door for her. “I’ve been resting my shoulder, but I’d like to get back out there later this week.”

  “We’re expecting good weather.” Grace wasn’t sure if he was just mentioning his plans in passing or hinting for help. They reached the front desk and she turned. “Well, if you need any help, I’m off Thursday.”

  “I might do a little looking on my own till then, but I’d love your help if you’re willing.”

  Grace met his steady gaze with one of her own. “I’ll be ready to go bright and early.” They set a time in the morning to leave for the library, and Grace tried not to stare as he slipped out the door and headed for supper.

  * * *

  Wyatt spread the map on the same back table he’d used the day before. The smell of books permeated the air, the hush of the space broken only by the soft flutter of turning pages.

  Beside him Grace leaned over the map, her shoulder brushing his.

  “So I know this is the area we covered last time.” He drew his finger along Lone Creek heading east. “But I’m not sure exactly where we cut over.”

  Grace leaned closer, her hair falling over her shoulder. He caught a whiff of her sweet shampoo.

  “It’s right here, Cut Away Road,” she said. “And this is the bridge that was out. We backtracked here and took this road down the mountain. Do you feel we went far enough up Lone Creek, or do you think we should continue up into the mountains?”

  “What’s the topography like farther up the creek?”

  “It’s high land with lots of pine trees. It sounds like the type of terrain you described to me, but I don’t know how far from town you want to go.”

  He thought back to the trip he’d taken with his mom. He wasn’t sure where they’d started from exactly, and the trail had seemed cut back and easier, not like the last part of their hike. But his memory was unclear, and a lot could change over that many years.

  “To be honest, I’m not sure we went far enough.”

  “Well, let’s pick up from there then. We can drive up this road here, cut over to the creek, and start where we left off. If we don’t find the spot we can tackle Pine Creek next. It’s right here. There’s a good path that runs all the way to here. And this area is much like the terrain you describe. You can see the tributaries running into it along the way, but most of those are very small, not likely to be the creek you remember.”

  Wyatt stared at the huge map with its miles of mountain range and creeks and tributaries that had in all likelihood changed over the years. The truth was he couldn’t even be positive they’d gone east. It was just an impression he had. There were miles and miles of mountains around Bluebell. What if this was a lost cause? Maybe he’d never find the spot. Never get closure. Never feel okay about what he’d done.

  Maybe he needed extensive mental health counseling, or maybe this was just his crutch to bear. But how could he deal? How could he sleep with all the nightmares? How could he maintain his job without sleep? He was so close to his dream job. Hopelessness rose inside him, dark and threatening, like a storm cloud.

  Grace touched his arm. “Hey.”

  He blinked away his thoughts and focused on her clear blue eyes. On the whisper-soft touch of her hand.

  “We’ll find it, Wyatt. You know what you’re looking for, and you’ll know it when you see it.”

  “Grace . . . I can’t even be sure it was east of town. I was just a kid, and I was following my mom.”

  “But you have a good sense of direction. Trust that. We’re going to find it.”

  “I’ve been here a week already.”

  “And look, you’ve ruled out this entire area.” She swept her hand over a small region. “We’re making headway. Don’t lose hope.”

  He soaked in the confidence behind her words. He was used to teamwork. His job required it. But he’d always carried this particular burden alone. It felt nice to have someone alongside him. It felt good to have Grace alongside him.

  She was studying his reaction. “All right?”

  She definitely wasn’t the cheerleader type, though she looked the part. But she’d known just what to say to encourage him, and he appreciated that more than he could say. “All right.”

  * * *

  Grace parted ways with Wyatt and headed back to the inn. Now that there was a showing tomorrow, it was all hands on deck. The grass needed mowing and the public areas needed a thorough cleaning, and that was on top of their regular duties.

  When Grace walked into the inn, Levi was at the front desk, and she heard the vacuum running upstairs. “How’s it going?”

  “Guests are gone for the time being, and we almost have a full house tonight. It’d be nice to get some of the cleaning done while our guests are out.”

  “I’m on it.” Grace gathered the cleaning supplies and went to work in the living room, polishing the furniture.

  She and Molly had begged Levi to hire a once-a-week cleaning service, but even though they could afford it now, Levi wasn’t quite reformed from his penny-pinching ways. The only thing that kept Grace from arguing the point was that the money they saved would eventually fall into their pockets—and into Grace’s new business.

  The floor needed a good shine, and the drapes needed washing, she noted as she dusted. They were going to get this place so pristine the Farnsworths would make an offer on the spot.

  Molly should make sure the couple enjoyed at least one meal in the dining room. Miss Della had already said that if she was needed she’d like to stay on once the inn was sold. Her continued services were a huge selling point. The Farnsworths needed to know what a jewel she was.

  In the dining room, the menus, salt and pepper shakers, and condiments needed to be wiped down. The wood tables were starting to show a little wear and tear. Maybe they should buy tablecloths. Class the place up a bit.

  The inn’s windows needed to be cleaned, inside and out. It was a little overwhelming. But once Molly was done cleaning the rooms upstairs, they’d make better headway.

  Grace was polishing the coffee table legs when Molly trotted down the stairs. “All right, guys, the rooms are cleaned, so I’m off.”

  Grace straightened on her knees. “Wait. Aren’t you going to help clean?”

  Molly peeked through the open French doors. “I told Adam I’d proofread his chapters. But I have the front desk tonight. Maybe I can get some cleaning done then.”

  “There’s a lot to do before tomorrow, Molly. All the windows need cleaning, inside and out.”

  “I’m sorry, but they’re not coming till tomorrow afternoon. We still have time.”

  “We have to clean rooms in the morning, and Levi has the desk. When will we have time?”

  “Grace, the place looks great. The windows aren’t that bad.” Molly cast Levi a glance. “If you really think it needs to be done, we could always hire a service.”

  “You know I don’t like to do that.”

  “Jeez, Levi,” Grace said. “It won’t kill you to hire it out for o
nce. We need to put our best foot forward here.”

  He looked between his sisters. “Fine, but just this once.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Grace walked along the sidewalk in front of the bungalow she hoped to buy soon. The For Sale sign was still propped proudly in the yard, and the house was locked up tight.

  Please, God, if You could just keep people away till I have the money to buy it.

  She checked her watch. Molly was showing the Farnsworths through the inn this very moment, and Levi was working the front desk. They’d agreed they shouldn’t all be hanging over the Farnsworths’ shoulders, so Grace had slipped out to run a few errands. And of course she visited her little house and did a little daydreaming.

  And PS, God, if the Farnsworths are completely taken with the inn today, that would be terrific.

  It was too early to return to the inn. They had it all planned. If the couple liked what they saw on the tour, Molly would take Levi’s place at the desk, and he’d sit down with the couple and go over the inn’s impressive financial statements. The couple would then have supper in the dining room—the coup de grâce, so to speak.

  But that was at least another hour away. Grace turned away from her dream home and headed toward the coffee shop. A frappé would be a delicious way to pass the time. On her way she texted Sarah and told her about the bungalow. Her friend responded immediately with lots of enthusiasm.

  Minutes later Grace approached Firehouse Coffee. The garage doors of the old fire station were up, and the patio tables were half filled. She opened the front door for a young mother with a baby, then breathed in the energizing aroma of freshly brewed coffee.

  After receiving her vanilla bean frappé, Grace scanned the shop for a place to settle. Her eyes stopped on a familiar set of shoulders in the back corner, facing the patio.

  She headed that way and slipped a hand over his eyes from behind. “Guess—?”

  A hand clamped over her wrist as he whipped around.

  She squealed, sloshing her drink.

  He dropped her hand. “Sorry. Sorry.”

  Grace’s heart was thumping like a bass drum. It had all happened so fast. She glanced around, but no one seemed to have noticed the commotion that was over almost before it had begun.

  “You all right?” he asked.

  Grace sank onto the seat across from him, resisting the urge to rub her wrist. “Remind me not to sneak up on you again.”

  “Sorry. Occupational hazard.” He took her hand and rubbed his thumb across her wrist. “You okay? I didn’t hurt you?”

  Grace felt the brush of his finger all the way down to her toes. “I—I’m fine. You just startled me, so I guess we’re even.”

  “I’m batting a thousand, huh? That’s twice I’ve hurt you.”

  “You’re a real hazard to my health.”

  He gave her that guilt-ridden look she was coming to love.

  “You need to lighten up. You’re on vacation. Sort of.”

  Wyatt’s gaze swung up and past Grace, and he straightened as he stared at something behind her.

  Grace turned just as her ex-boyfriend Nick reached their table. His brown hair was neatly clipped and swept to the side. He was in his usual uniform, a button-down and khakis. “Hi, Graceful. Fancy running into you here.”

  Grace winced at the nickname. “Hi, Nick. I didn’t see you out there. How are you?”

  “Not bad.” Nick glanced at the center of the round table where Wyatt’s hand still rested on her wrist. His eyes darted to Wyatt before returning to Grace. “I was taking a short break from work and saw you come in.”

  “Um, Nick, this is Wyatt,” Grace said into the weird tension hovering over the table. “Wyatt, this is Nick, a friend of mine.”

  Nick stuck out his hand, forcing Wyatt to let go of Grace.

  “Pleasure,” Wyatt said, then placed his hand right back on Grace’s.

  Heat inched its way up her neck and into her face, but she kept her smile steady on Nick. “So, um, how’s your mama? I didn’t see her at church Sunday.”

  “Her lupus is flaring up, I’m afraid, so she hasn’t gotten out much. She’d love to see you sometime.”

  “I’ll have to visit her soon. I owe her a game of Scrabble.”

  “I could meet you over there, bring supper.”

  “Sure. That’d be great.”

  “How’s your business going? I saw your ad in the Bluebell Beacon.”

  “It’s going well. I’m actually hoping to move out on my own sometime soon. The inn’s up for sale now.”

  “I saw the sign out front. I hope it goes fast. I’ll help spread the word if you’d like. I could put up a flyer at the marina if you have one made up.”

  “Thanks. I’ll print one out and get it over to you.”

  Nick’s eyes flitted to Wyatt, who sat quietly, staring at Grace. A long, uncomfortable moment passed.

  Grace sipped her frappé.

  Nick shifted. “Well . . . I guess I’d better get back to work. It was good seeing you, Grace.”

  “You too, Nick.”

  “I’ll check with my mom and give you a call.”

  “Okay, great.”

  He gave Wyatt a polite nod and slipped out the door.

  Wyatt watched him leave, then turned back to her as the door swung shut. “Graceful?”

  “I didn’t pick it.”

  “I thought you said he works at the marina.”

  “He does.” Grace took another sip. “Office manager.”

  “You run into him often?”

  “Have you seen the size of this town?”

  “Fair enough. Is it always that awkward?”

  “Um . . .” She looked pointedly at his hand still on hers, then gave him a look. “It was only awkward because of you.”

  He pulled his hand away, drawing his mug to twitching lips. “I was just testing a theory.”

  “And what theory would that be?”

  “You said the breakup was mutual—and I call baloney, Grace Bennett.”

  Warmth trickled into her cheeks. “Maybe I was the one who initiated the conversation, but he agreed with me.”

  “He was saving face. I don’t know how to tell you this, but that man still has the hots for you.”

  “He does not.”

  “Did you see the look on his face when he saw our hands? Like someone killed his puppy.”

  “That’s ridiculous.”

  “Please visit my mom so I can have an excuse to see you. Let me help sell your inn, Graceful. I’ll call you soon. You’re still on speed dial.”

  She chuckled. “Stop it.”

  “You know I’m right.” He took another sip of his coffee. “Not that I can blame the poor guy. It’s never fun being friend-zoned.”

  “Like you’ve had so much experience with that.”

  He let the comment pass, and the subject shifted to the goings-on around town. Then Wyatt caught her up on the areas he’d hiked this week. Grace told him about the little house she was hoping to purchase and about the prospective buyers now touring the inn.

  The next time Grace glanced at her watch, over an hour had passed. The Farnsworths were probably sitting down to supper. It was possible they’d discuss things over the meal and have an offer tomorrow before they left—or even yet tonight.

  “I should get home.” Grace stood and grabbed her empty plastic cup. “I’m dying to see how it went.”

  “I hope there’s good news waiting for you.”

  “Me too. It was nice chatting—even if you did attack me again.”

  He winced, making her laugh again.

  “See you, Wyatt,” she singsonged.

  “See you, Grace,” he singsonged right back.

  She left with a smile and it lasted the whole way back to the inn. Wyatt was so easy to talk to. That guardedness he wore like a shield came down when it was just the two of them. She wished he’d ask her on a date, even though she knew nothing could come of it. Her life was here, and his
was . . . wherever duty called him apparently.

  She was eager for their hike tomorrow though. Her heart squeezed tight when she remembered the look that had come over his face yesterday at the library. He seemed so deflated as he stared at the hundreds of miles represented on the map. She would make it her mission to help him find the closure he needed, whatever it took.

  When she reached the inn she opened the door to find Molly assisting an elderly couple with restaurant recommendations. Grace waited patiently while they went through virtually every Bluebell dining option. Finally they headed out the door.

  Before Grace could blurt out the question, Levi came down the stairs toting his toolbox. “Hey,” he greeted Grace, then turned to Molly. “The shelf in room five is officially fixed and ready for the Farnsworths. How’d the tour go? Are they having supper now?”

  Molly bit her lip. “Um, no. They actually left already.”

  “They went out for supper?” Grace asked.

  “No . . . they left, left. As in, back to Tennessee.”

  “What?” Grace frowned. “Why?”

  Levi set the toolbox on the floor. “I thought they were spending the night.”

  “I did too. I don’t know what happened. We did the tour, and I talked up the unique history and the inn’s features, and they seemed interested. But when we were finished they just thanked me and said it wasn’t quite what they’d had in mind and they were going to head home.”

  Gravity pulled at Grace’s shoulders, her stomach deflating like a week-old party balloon. “You’re kidding me. ‘Not what they had in mind’? What does that even mean?”

  “They didn’t offer a better explanation.”

  “Maybe this is just a buyer’s tactic,” Levi said. “To make us think they’re not interested, and then they come in with a lowball offer in a day or two.”

  Molly shook her head. “I didn’t get that vibe. They were pretty straightforward people. And we definitely shouldn’t take a lowball offer. It’s priced fairly, and we’re not in a huge rush. I did give them my card and told them if they changed their minds to give me a call.”

  Grace sighed. “That’s not likely if they weren’t even interested enough to spend a night. I thought for sure . . .”

  “I told you not to get your hopes up,” Levi said. “This is a huge financial investment. It might take a while to find the right buyer.”