But he did. And there was only one thing he could do about it.
Talk Carly into coming to Denver with him.
Chapter Seventeen
Carly never imagined there would be so much to do by simply moving back into her own home. But while most of Granger House remained the same, the heart of it, the kitchen and family room, was a complete do-over. Even the simplest things were gone, and it hadn’t crossed her mind to add them to her inventory list. Things like a paper towel holder, dishrags and containers to hold flour and sugar. Probably because she’d had those things at Livie’s house. Whatever the case, she was looking at either another shopping trip or more boxes arriving at her door.
For now, she’d started a list. Something that was likely to be ongoing as she worked to make her house a home again and an inviting retreat for guests.
Taking a sip of her second cup of tea from the Adventures in Pink Jeep Tours mug Blakely had given her from her tour company, she leaned back in one of the padded bar stools at her delightfully large island and admired her new kitchen. Yet as magnificent as it was, it couldn’t dim the memory of Andrew and his kiss. His kiss.
Looking back, she sheepishly realized that she was the one who’d made the first move when they’d kissed before. But not last night. That was a curl-your-toes, make-you-sigh kind of kiss.
The mere memory had her cheeks warming.
Banishing the wayward thoughts from her mind, she focused on today. Since tomorrow was Easter, this was the perfect opportunity to break in her new stove. She’d have to boil some eggs to be colored later, decide on and make the dessert—maybe a fluffy coconut cake—and bake the ham. Even though she still had plenty to get back in order before she could host any B and B guests, she’d invited the Stephens men to join her and Megan for dinner tomorrow. Plus it would give Andrew the opportunity to show them all what he’d been working on this past month.
A few silent moments later, she discovered the best thing about sitting at her new island. From this vantage point, she was able to catch that first glimpse of her sleepy-headed daughter as she shuffled into the kitchen in her pajamas, rubbing her eyes, unaware that anyone was watching her. Like when Megan was a toddler. Only her blankie was missing.
“Good morning, sweetie.” She hugged Megan, assisting her as she climbed onto the next stool.
“Morning.” She yawned. “What’s for breakfast?”
“I don’t know. Cereal, may—”
A knock sounded at the back door.
Turning, she saw Andrew on the other side, waving.
“Anybody in the mood for some hot, fresh cinnamon rolls?” he asked as she swung open the door.
She glanced back at Megan. “Guess that answers your question.”
Carly pulled three new plates and forks from the dishwasher and set them on the other side of the island as Andrew served up the rolls.
Finished, he licked the icing from his fingers. “There’s a great doughnut shop just down the street from my place in Denver. Their doughnuts are so light and fluffy they practically melt in your mouth.”
“I like doughnuts.” Megan turned to Carly. “Don’t you, Mommy?”
“On occasion. I much prefer one of Celeste’s cinnamon rolls, though.”
After breakfast, while she cleared off the island and counters on either side of the stove so she could start cooking, Andrew brought in the boxes from the garage. Items they’d salvaged from the fire, things like casserole dishes and cast iron skillets, as well as other belongings that had been stored there while the house was being worked on.
“You know, since reworking your kitchen—” he dropped another box on the long counter in front of the window “—I’ve been thinking about expanding Magnum Custom Homes.”
“That’s your new company, right?” She filled the large pot with enough water to cover the eggs and set it on the stove.
“Yes.” He grinned. “Or will be in a few days, anyway.” Approaching the island, he continued. “But what if someone doesn’t necessarily want a new home? What if they just want to improve the one they’re in?”
Eyeing two glass casseroles that needed to go into the dishwasher, she crossed to get them. “Like remodeling?”
“Sort of. But we’re talking luxury homes—” his eyes followed her as she returned to the sink “—so let’s call it...reimagining.”
“Catchy.” She added the items to the dishwasher.
“Right? So what if, in addition to new homes, we offer custom redesigns to help people reimagine the home they’re in? And we wouldn’t limit ourselves to just kitchens and baths. Not when there’s so much more out there. Theater rooms and outdoor spaces are hot right now.”
She closed the door to the machine, giving him her full attention. “Sounds like a good way to increase business.”
“I know it’ll take time to get things up to speed and on the path to growth, but I’m used to that. Trying new things is part of the freedom that comes with owning my own business.”
“Kind of like when I try a new recipe for the B and B?”
“That’s right. If they work, great. If not—” he shrugged “—we move on to the next idea. That’s how I was able to grow Pinnacle Construction so quickly. I kept challenging myself to do things better than the other guy.” The excitement in his voice had her feeling somewhat dismayed.
Listening to him, she realized how little she really knew about his world outside Ouray. He wasn’t some small-town builder. He’d grown a major construction company from the ground up and then sold it for more money than she could imagine.
And hearing him now, she had no doubt he would put every bit as much of himself into this new business. Leaving little time for anything else.
An ache filled her heart. Which was foolish. There were no promises between her and Andrew. No commitment. She knew all along he’d be leaving.
As the day progressed, she tried not to think too much about that aspect of things and simply focused on her house and savoring what time she and Megan had left with him. They all colored Easter eggs, each of them trying to outdo the other two when it came to color and style. She genuinely enjoyed Andrew’s company and the way he made her feel as though she could do anything.
Yet the more he talked about Denver and all it had to offer, the more she realized how much she’d come to hope he would stay. But that wasn’t going to happen. No matter how badly she and Clint wanted it to.
For the second night in a row, Andrew joined her on the couch in the family room after Megan went to bed. Though for Carly, things didn’t feel near as cozy as they had last night.
“You know, I’m going to have to leave Monday to head back to Denver,” he said.
She nodded, not wanting to face reality. Why had she allowed herself to believe that maybe this was their second chance?
Taking hold of her hand, he faced her. “These weeks with you have reminded me how good life can be.” His dark gaze bore into hers. “I don’t want to lose that.”
Her heart leaped for joy, excitement spreading through her entire body. This connection between them hadn’t been all in her mind. He felt it, too.
He looked at their entwined fingers, his thumb caressing the back of her hand, before he smiled at her. “I’d like you to come to Denver with me. You and Megan.”
Just as quickly as her spirits had taken flight, they crashed and burned.
Did he even realize what he was asking? What about Granger House? What about Megan’s school? She couldn’t just uproot her, take her away from everything she’d ever known.
She thought back to that first and only semester she’d spent in Denver. All those lonely nights in her dorm room while Andrew worked. He said he was saving for their future. What kind of future could they have if they were never together?
None.
/>
I know it’ll take time to get things up to speed and on the path to growth, but I’m used to that.
Andrew might be used to devoting himself to his work, but where did that leave her and Megan?
Playing second fiddle, that’s where. Just like they had with Dennis. And she’d vowed she would never put herself or her daughter through that again.
Slowly withdrawing her hand from his, she tried hard to keep the tears that threatened from falling. “I’m sorry. I—I can’t do that.”
He looked confused at first. Then upset. “Can’t or won’t?”
“Andrew, running your business is your top priority.”
“Of course it is. It has to be.”
“And I get that. But what about my business? Granger House is important to me.”
His gaze searched hers. “But, I—” He shook his head. “Then where does that leave us?”
God, give me strength.
“There is no us.” She stood, unable to look at him for fear she’d break down and cry. “We’re too different, Andrew. You’re driven to succeed. And I refuse to take second place in someone’s life ever again.”
He was silent for a long time, just sitting there with his forearms resting on his thighs, his head hung low. She’d hurt him. But what was she supposed to do? He hadn’t even said he loved her.
“I guess it’s time for me to go, then,” he finally said.
She drew in a deep breath as he stood. “I’ll walk you out.”
They moved silently through the house and out onto the front porch. The night air was unusually warm, but she was chilled nonetheless. Still, there was one more thing they needed to discuss.
“So, what are we going to do about your grandmother’s?”
“I told you, I’m not selling, Carly. Not to you or anyone else. However, my offer still stands, if you’d like to reconsider.”
“But that would mean giving up my dream of expanding.”
He shrugged. “The choice is yours.” He stared at her for what seemed like forever. There in those eyes she loved so much, she could see her own pain reflected.
Then, as though resigning himself, his body drooped. He stepped toward her, cupped her right cheek, then kissed the other. “You’re the only woman I’ve ever loved.” His words were a whisper on her ear, but they echoed through her heart and mind like an agonizing shout. He did love her. It didn’t matter, though. He’d made his decision.
“Goodbye, Carly.”
Arms crossed over her chest, she managed to keep her feet riveted to the porch until he pulled out of the drive. Once he was out of sight, she hurried inside, collapsed on her bed and cried until she fell asleep.
* * *
The first time Andrew lost Carly, he started Pinnacle Construction and threw himself into his work. When Mama died, he was too busy living his dream to be there to tell her goodbye. The ache of what he’d done nearly killed him. Instead of pulling back, though, he worked even harder, trying desperately to forget. But it was impossible.
Then Crawford Construction made him an offer. He figured God was trying to tell him something. To slow down. So he came back to Ouray and, for the first time, experienced firsthand all that his life had been missing.
Now here he was again, about to embark on a new business with a busted-up heart throbbing in his chest.
Driving back to the ranch, he swallowed the bitter taste stinging the back of his throat. He’d wanted to argue his case against Carly’s protests. Yes, he was driven. Yes, he was a hard worker. But he wasn’t her late husband. And if there’s one thing he’d learned, it was how important family was to him. He’d never squander that.
Yet he’d heard the pain in her voice, seen it in her eyes, when she talked about her marriage that day over lunch. He could have made her all the promises in the world tonight and she still wouldn’t have believed him.
He needed to get away from Ouray. Go back to Denver, close the deal with Magnum, throw himself into his work and forget about love, because it obviously wasn’t meant for him.
When he pulled up to the ranch house, there was a white SUV parked beside his father’s dually. What would Hillary be doing here this time of night? It was almost ten o’clock.
He heard laughter coming from the kitchen as he entered the mudroom. Following the voices, he spotted his father and Hillary sitting at the kitchen table.
If he was quiet and kept moving, they’d never notice him.
He started through the family room.
“Hello, Andrew,” said Hillary.
He cringed.
“Pull up a chair and join us, son.” Dad scraped the wooden chair closest to him across the vinyl floor.
The last thing Andrew was in the mood for was conversation. Though he was staring. While he knew there was nothing romantic going on, seeing his father sitting across the table from a woman other than Mama was downright strange.
“I had dinner at Granny’s Kitchen tonight,” Dad continued, as though he’d read Andrew’s mind. “Ran into Hillary, so we decided to come back here for some coffee.”
“Thanks, Dad, but I’m going to go pack. I need to leave in the morning.”
“In the morning? But it’s Easter. We’re supposed to have dinner at Carly’s.” His father stood, his voice holding both surprise and disappointment. “Are you sure this is what you want to do, son?”
“Yes, sir.” If only his heart was as certain as his head.
“Did the two of you decide what you’re going to do about Livie’s house?”
“No. No decision yet.” He could only pray Carly would accept his offer, because as long as they both owned that house, they’d be connected. And right now, he wasn’t sure he could handle that.
“You like living in Denver?” Hillary peered at him over the rim of her coffee cup.
“Yes, ma’am. I’ve built one successful business and am about to close on another. Guess you’d say I’m living my dream.” At least that’s what he used to think. Until Carly came back into his life.
“Or having fun chasing them, anyway.” She smiled.
Had he heard her correctly? “I’m sorry. What?”
She stood now, rounded the table. “I was like you. Growing up, I couldn’t wait to get out of Ouray. Vowed I’d never come back.” Arms crossed, she leaned against the counter. “I wanted to travel the world and be somebody. You know? Successful. And that’s exactly what I did.”
“Oh. I guess I was under the impression that you lived in Ouray.”
“I do. Now. But I should have done it a lot sooner. I was just too hardheaded and stubborn.”
“You, stubborn?” His father sent her a curious look.
“Oh, you hush, Clint.” She turned her attention back to Andrew. “I had a beautiful home, a nice car, expensive clothes and more money than I could possibly spend. But I was alone. And it was the pits.”
Why was she telling him this? He glanced at his father. Or, what had Dad been telling her?
“Well, I’m glad you’re here now, Hillary.” He pointed toward his father. “This guy needs a good sparring partner.”
After bidding them good-night, he went to Daniel’s room and closed the door, grateful his brother was nowhere to be found. He didn’t feel like talking. Yet as he crawled into the second of the two twin beds, sleep evaded him.
But what about my business? Granger House is important to me.
He understood Carly’s commitment. It’s one of the things he admired about her. But his hands were tied with Magnum. He was contractually obligated to move forward with the purchase or risk being sued. Leaving him no choice but to go back to Denver. No matter how much he wished he could stay.
He tossed and turned most of the night, thoughts of Carly plaguing his mind. By morning, he knew what he h
ad to do.
He said goodbye to his father then headed into town before the sun topped the Amphitheater, the curved volcanic formation on Ouray’s eastern edge. While daylight invaded the sky, Ouray would remain bathed in shadows until the sun topped the mountain almost an hour from now.
Pulling into his grandmother’s drive, he couldn’t take his eyes off Granger House. From here he could see through Carly’s kitchen window. The two pendant lights over the island glowed, telling him she was awake.
He drew in a deep breath as he exited his truck and made his way to her back door. God, I know this is the right thing to do. Just please help me do it.
He climbed the few steps and gently knocked on the door.
When it opened a moment later, Carly stood there in her fuzzy robe, mug in hand, her curls going every which way. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. What he wouldn’t have given to wake up to that every morning.
But that wasn’t going to happen.
“Andrew.” She ran a self-conscious hand through her hair.
“I’m on my way back to Denver. But there’s something I need to talk to you about.”
“Okay.” She moved out of the way, holding the door so he could enter.
He took in the space he’d worked so hard on, hoping to make Carly’s dreams come true. And he believed he had. If only he could be a part of those dreams.
“I won’t keep you,” he said. “I just wanted to let you know that I’m giving you my half of my grandmother’s house.”
Her blue eyes went wide.
“You can do with it as you please. Renovate it, use it for the B and B or whatever, with the stipulation that if you ever decide you no longer want it, you will give me back my half and let me purchase yours.”
“Wow. That’s...that’s very generous of you. But...why?”
He gazed at her, unable to deny the longing in his heart. “Because I can’t think of anyone who would take better care of it.”
Their Ranch Reunion Page 17
