"You're right. This is my fault, Cole. I got tired of running the hotel and ran off to see the world and let the business decline. I've let the family down."
"You can salvage the business. You've caught Harry before he can do real damage."
"I hope so."
"If you're tired of running the hotel, why don't you give it up? I'm sure the family could put someone else at the helm."
"I hate to be a quitter. And I do love the Stratton. I like living here, and I'll like it even more once my bedroom is redone. I enjoy the guests and the events and meeting new people. I just don't know that I want to be super involved in the daily operational details. I thought I could trust Harry, but that was a mistake."
"I'm sure you could find another manager. But you need to do what makes you happy. If it's this hotel, great. If it's not, then do something else. Life is short."
She smiled. "I think I was the one who first said that to you."
"When Carole and I split. You were right then, and I'm right now. I don't want you to feel trapped in your life. I know what that feels like. It's not good."
"I don't want to feel trapped, either, especially now that Antonio and I have met. I know it's only been a couple of days, but sometimes you don't need any more time than that."
Her words hit close to home. Maggie felt right to him, but he didn't want a relationship, particularly not with a woman who wanted a home and roots and all the things that had trapped him before. He wanted to be free to roam, to do whatever he wanted.
"What do you think I should do now?" Ida asked, drawing his attention back to the matter at hand.
"Call our attorney and fill him in, so we make sure we follow the proper steps to terminate Mr. Stone's employment. We also need to get a forensic accountant to go through the books in great detail. It's possible the hotel accountant was working with Harry. We need to know if anyone else is involved in skimming money from the hotel."
She sighed. "Such nasty business."
"If you want me to make the calls with you, I will."
"I would like that, Cole."
"We can do it in the morning."
"I'll call the attorney now. He's a friend. He'll pick up."
"Great. The sooner the better."
She nodded as she reached for her phone on the side table. "You know, Cole, I might need an interim manager at the hotel until I can replace Harry. You would be perfect for the job."
"I don't run hotels, Aunt Ida."
"You could run any business, Cole—you know that."
"I don't want to run a business. I don't do that anymore."
"This would only be temporary. It would give you more time with Maggie."
As much as he wanted more time with Maggie, it would be better to cut the ties now before he fell in love with a woman who felt right but was absolutely wrong for him.
* * *
Friday, around noon, Maggie was on her knees, digging in her garden, taking out her frustration on a pile of weeds. Cole had called her the night before to tell her to hang tight and not panic, that he would fix everything. She hoped that was true. She really wanted to get her job back. But she'd hoped she would have heard something before now.
She looked up as the roar of a motorcycle came down the street. Cole turned into her driveway and got off his bike. She stood up, as he took off his helmet and walked toward her. She wondered if there would ever be a time when she didn't get goose bumps at his arrival.
She pulled off her gardening gloves. "I hope you have good news for me."
"I do," he said with a smile. "You better get cleaned up. You're back to work today at three."
Relief ran through her. "What about Mr. Stone?"
"He's been terminated."
"Really?" She was shocked it had happened that fast.
"Yes. He's been skimming money from the hotel for at least a year. My aunt and I confronted him, along with the hotel lawyer, this morning and he broke down and admitted what he'd done."
"I'm surprised he would admit it."
"My aunt got it out of him. She was both charming and forceful. I was impressed." He paused. "I'm sorry you got caught in the middle, Maggie. I wish I could have been completely honest with you, but my aunt asked for confidentiality. She'd seen some anomalies in the books, and she needed an objective opinion. I've done the same thing at a couple of other family hotels, not because of theft but because of inefficiency or a drop in bookings."
"So you're not just a gypsy?"
"Mostly I am, but occasionally I pick up a job here and there to help out the family."
That made sense. She'd always felt that Cole was holding something back; now she knew what it was. She wished he would have told her earlier, but she could understand why he hadn't. She licked her lips as she forced herself to ask an important question. "Now that you've figured out the problem, are you leaving?"
He slowly nodded. "Later today."
Her heart sank. "That's fast."
His lips tightened. "I think it's best. A few more hours would only make our good-bye harder."
She was disappointed that they had to say goodbye at all, but there was nothing she could do about it. He'd never lied to her about who he was and what he wanted in life. She couldn't do anything but wish him well. "Where will you go next?"
"I'll probably drive up the coast to Mendocino and spend some time on the water."
"That sounds nice." She drew in a deep breath and stuck out her hand. "Good-bye, Cole."
He ignored her hand and leaned over to kiss her. She soaked up every bit of that kiss, knowing it was the last one. When they pulled apart, she felt incredibly sad and had to fight back the tears. She wasn't going to cry in front of him. "Safe travels."
"Thanks," he said, dark shadows in his eyes. "Maggie, if I'd met you at a different time…"
"I know. I get it. I want you to be happy, Cole. You deserve it."
"So do you. I hope all your dreams come true."
"Yours, too. I better get dressed for work." She ran into the house as the first tear slipped out of her eye.
She shut the front door behind her and leaned against it. She wanted to hear the roar of his engine so that she would know he was gone. But she also wanted to hear his footsteps on the porch, hopelessly wishing one last time that he'd say he'd changed his mind and would stay with her forever.
Her tension increased with every quiet second, and then she heard the rev of the motorcycle engine. It was loud and then faded away. Cole was gone.
It was okay, she told herself determinedly. She had her job back and she would get her house. Her life was going to go exactly according to her plan. She would forget Cole. He would be just a good memory one day, wouldn't he?
Chapter Fifteen
Five weeks later, Maggie started her Friday morning shift at seven with a sad pit in her stomach. She missed Cole. Since he'd left, she hadn't been able to escape the deep feelings of loss and regret, which she tried to tell herself was silly. She'd known him a week. He shouldn't still feel so important to her, but somehow he did.
She thought about him every night when she went to bed and every morning when she got up. Every time she saw a motorcycle, she expected to see his sexy grin, his dark brown eyes, and his tight jeans. But it was never him; it was always someone else.
She looked up as Karen came out of the office.
"Here's your paycheck," Karen said, handing her an envelope. "This is the one, right? The one that puts you over the top?"
"It is." She took her check, feeling a wave of emotion. She finally had her down payment. As soon as she handed the money to Antonio, she would initiate the official purchase of her home. It would finally be hers. She wouldn't have to move ever again.
"You don't look as happy as I thought you would." Karen gave her a quizzical look. "But then you haven't looked happy in a while, which doesn't make sense, because so much around here has changed for the better with Mr. Stone out. We have a new manager who is very positive and
supportive. Business is booming, and you're about to get the house you've been working toward for so long. So what's going on, Maggie? Is it Cole's absence that's putting those lines around your eyes?"
She hadn't shared much about Cole with Karen, but her friend was smart enough to know that something had happened between them, especially after Marti had spread their laundry room escapade throughout the hotel staff. "I am happy." She forced an energized note into her voice. "I'm just tired. I didn't sleep well last night. But everything is good."
"I hope so," Karen said, doubt lingering in her eyes. "You know, it wouldn't be a crime if you'd changed your mind about tying yourself to a mortgage. It's a lot for a young, single woman to take on. Money is going to be tight for you for a long time."
"I can handle it."
"Okay, if you say so. When it's official, I'll throw you a housewarming party."
"That sounds like fun."
As they took up their positions at the front desk, Karen added, "Maybe Cole will come back."
"I don't think so. But even if he does, it would only be for a few days to visit his aunt. Napa is not his town; it's mine."
"Sorry, Mags. I know you liked him."
"Too much," she admitted. "But I don't need a man to make me happy; I have my house." That was all she needed, wasn't it?
* * *
He was never going to sleep again, Cole decided as he got up at eight o'clock Friday morning after another sleepless night. It had been five weeks since he'd left the Stratton Hotel, and since then he'd spent three days in Mendocino, worked his way up the coast through Oregon and Washington, ending up with two weeks in the San Juan Islands. Despite the amazing views he'd encountered, he hadn't been able to get Maggie's face out of his mind.
Kicking his feet up on the coffee table, he popped open a beer and looked around his Los Angeles apartment. He'd arrived home late last night to find a fine layer of dust over everything that he owned, which wasn't much. He'd stripped down to bare essentials a few years earlier, and his apartment was as sparse and impersonal as the hotel rooms he spent most of his nights in.
He'd been happy to get rid of all his baggage—both emotional and material—to travel light, dance to his own tune, go wherever he wanted, until he'd met Maggie.
He'd missed her every second they'd been apart: her warm smile, her sparkling eyes, her crazy passion for pumpkins and pies, her genuine sense of kindness, and mostly her friendship. He didn't just miss making out with her, although he did miss that, but he missed talking to her, sharing his days with her. What the hell was wrong with him? He should have forgotten about her by now.
But as his gaze drifted to the calendar hanging on his wall, he couldn't help noticing that Thanksgiving was coming soon. Maggie had wanted to bring her family all together for that holiday, but no one had been cooperative. He hated the thought of her being alone, although she probably had her house by now, so she'd be happy about that. He just didn't know if it was enough. She thought it was, but he had his doubts.
A knock came at his door and his heart leaped into his throat. He jumped up off the couch and practically ran to the door, wondering, hoping...
His momentary excitement faded as he saw the plump, round face of his landlady. Of course it wasn't Maggie. She wouldn't be in Los Angeles. She wouldn't come to see him. She had her life, and he had his. "Hello, Mrs. Riley."
"Mr. Hastings. I saw your motorcycle in the garage and realized you were finally back."
"I returned yesterday. What can I do for you?"
"I wanted to remind you that the rent is going up two hundred dollars on the first of the month. I sent you an email about it a few weeks ago."
"I remember."
"I know you're not here very often, but the owner of the building is raising the rent on all the units. You left me a year's worth of checks, and I still have two more to go, but I'll need you to rewrite them to make up for the difference. After the first of the year, we're going to set up an electronic deposit system finally, but until then, I'll need a new check to cover December. Or if you'll be in town, you can pay me on the first."
"I'm not sure of my plans. I'll put a check in your mailbox later today.
"That will be perfect. I hope you had a good trip."
"I did."
"Must be nice to be so carefree. Sometimes I feel like I drive the same five blocks every day. You're living the dream."
"I guess I am," he said, wishing he felt more confident in his answer. He told himself he was just tired. He'd bounce back. There were a million more places to go. The world was a big place. There was no danger of running out of new adventures. He was just beginning to wish he had someone to share those adventures with. But that definitely wasn't Maggie. Her adventures began and ended in the same city.
* * *
"Maggie?"
Maggie started, realizing she'd been staring into space and not paying any attention to Mrs. Stratton who had stopped in front of the desk just before the end of her shift. "I'm sorry. What did you say?"
"It's my understanding that today is the big day. Antonio says you're going to hand him a check this afternoon."
"Yes, I am, just as soon as I finish my shift and get to the bank."
"Congratulations, dear. You've worked hard for this."
"Yes, I have." She noted the sparkle in Ida's eyes. "How are you and Mr. Pastorini doing?"
Ida gave her a big smile. "We're doing well. Antonio and I are going up to Lake Tahoe tomorrow morning, and we'll be staying there through the Thanksgiving holiday. Antonio has promised to cook me a turkey dinner in our own private cottage."
"That sounds lovely."
"What are you doing for the holiday—besides enjoying your new house?"
"I haven't decided yet. I may go ahead and work. Karen is scheduled, but if she has plans, and I don't, I'll take over for her."
"That's very generous. What about your family?"
"They're all gathering in Germany this year. But I'm still hoping they'll come to Napa for Christmas."
"I'd like to meet them some time."
Maggie wanted to ask her if she'd heard from Cole, and what his plans were for Thanksgiving, but she'd promised herself the day Cole left that she wouldn't pester Ida for details, not just because it was unprofessional, but because it would probably hurt worse to know more about his life than less. "Are you and Antonio going to ski? I think the mountains are getting snow later in the weekend."
"I don't ski anymore. Antonio likes to gamble, so we may play some blackjack—if we have time. We have some other things we want to do while we're there."
The sparkle in Ida's eyes put a crazy thought into Maggie's head. "You're not thinking of visiting one of those quaint wedding chapels in Tahoe, are you?"
"It's a possibility." She looked at Karen, who was busy with a guest and lowered her voice. "I'm so happy, Maggie. I never thought I'd feel this joyful again. You go through life thinking that you're just going to play out the cards you have, and then someone suddenly throws in an ace of hearts. The game changes and you're a new player. You have options you never thought you'd have."
Maggie swallowed hard. Cole had thrown some new cards into her deck, but she'd thrown them out as quickly as she could, not wanting to change her game. Had that been a mistake?
"I really have to thank you and Cole for introducing me and Antonio," Ida continued.
"I'm glad it's all worked out. I'm very happy for you both."
"Oh, look, there's Antonio," Ida said, waving him over.
"Ida," Antonio said, love in his eyes as he placed a kiss on her cheek. Then he looked over at Maggie and smiled broadly. "Today is the big day, yes?"
"Yes. I have to deposit my paycheck first, but then I can write you a check for the down payment."
"I have the papers all ready for you to sign. We can meet whenever you're ready. If it's not today, then we'll have to do it after Thanksgiving as Ida and I have plans."
"I heard. Congratulations."
"Thank you. I love this woman more than I could ever say."
"And I love you," Ida told him.
Antonio kissed Ida without a care for who was watching. The love in their embrace sent a wave of envy through Maggie, followed by anger. She'd felt what they were feeling now, but she'd shoved that feeling away. She'd chosen a house over Cole. What the hell had she been thinking?
"What time would you like to meet to sign the papers?" Antonio asked, giving her a questioning look.
She was going to say five o'clock, but she couldn't quite get the words out.
"Maggie, is something wrong?" Ida asked, her gaze narrowing with concern.
"Yes, I think there is something wrong."
"Can I help?" Ida asked.
She shook her head. "I have to go. I have to take care of something."
"When will I see you?" Antonio asked.
She grabbed her purse out of the drawer and paused. "I'm not sure. I'll call you later. I'll have to sign the papers after Thanksgiving."
"If that's what you want," Antonio said in surprise. "I thought you were in a hurry to put your name on the deed."
"I thought I was, too."
* * *
The adrenaline pumped through Cole's body as he turned off the freeway at the Napa exit and took the highway leading into town. The sky was suddenly bluer, the grass greener, and the air sweeter. He was in Maggie country, and he couldn't wait to see her. After his landlord had asked him for new rent checks earlier in the day, he'd realized that the last thing he wanted to do was pay for an apartment in a city he didn't give a crap about. So, he'd hopped on his motorcycle and made the six-hour drive to Napa.
He wasn't sure exactly what he'd do when he got there, but he knew he was going to see Maggie, and he was going to tell her that he'd been stupid to walk away.
Hopefully, she wouldn't be the one to walk away now. He had no idea what she'd been doing since he'd left. He'd tried to get some information out of his aunt, but Ida had been oddly quiet the few times that he'd queried her, simply saying that Maggie seemed fine. For someone who'd been so eager to introduce them he found it surprising that Ida wasn't pushing for him to come back and give their relationship a chance.
Falling Into You (Bachelors & Bridesmaids Book 5) Page 15
