Deciding to let her hair air-dry, she slipped into a thick, white bathrobe and stepped into her bedroom. Her pregnant sister-in-law was waiting for her on the bed.
“What happened with Joe?” she said, using the code name for Beau.
“We’re taking a break.” Just saying the words sent a surge of emotion through her. She bit down on her lower lip to stop it from quivering. “It’s good timing though, with me moving to Nashville and all.”
“You’re taking a break?” Addie shifted on the bed. “Like as in a temporary break or something more permanent?”
“I hope temporary.” Moisture blurred Ashlee’s vision. “It’s up to Beau to choose which option it will be.”
Ashlee relayed exactly what had happened, questioning her sanity as she did so. What if Beau walked away from her?
“I don’t even know if he really loves me.” She sniffed. “Heck, I don’t even know if he knows if he loves me.”
“Oh, honey, I’m sorry.” The bedsprings creaked as Addie got to her feet. “But I think you did the right thing.”
“I hope so.”
“I love you, Ash,” her sister-in-law said. “I’d hug you, but I can’t get my arms around you.”
“I love you too,” Ashlee said with a strangled laugh that was more of a cry. “Don’t say anything to Chase, okay?”
“But maybe he can talk some sense into Beau.”
“I doubt it.” She thought about Beau’s stupid pros and cons list. “Nothing will sway him until he’s factored in every possible scenario.”
“Men. Sometimes they are so annoying.”
“They are.” She gave her sister-in-law a tiny smile. “Although, you ended up with a pretty good guy. He chased after you and begged you to marry him.”
“He did indeed,” she said with a dreamy look in her eyes. “I thought I’d blown it big time, but everything worked out in the end.” She put a hand on Ashlee’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “Don’t give up. I have a feeling Joe is going to come to his senses.”
Ashlee had a horrible night’s sleep. Actually, she didn’t sleep. She was either checking her phone for a message from Beau or fighting the urge to text him that she’d accept whatever terms he wanted as long as there was a chance they could be together.
She finally fell asleep around three in the morning and slept in until afternoon. At least her extreme fatigue added to the validity for calling in sick so her mother didn’t ask too many questions.
“Are you sure you don’t want to come with us to get a pedicure?” her mother asked a couple of hours later. “You don’t have any other symptoms other than fatigue, right?”
“No, ma’am, but I really don’t feel like going.” She offered her mother and sister-in-law a wan smile. “Y’all go ahead, and I’ll play with Izzy when she wakes up.”
Chase was on the phone with Phillip Jacobs most of the day. In between calls, Chase told her that Phillip’s manager was putting an offer together and would talk to her in a few days.
Her brother suggested she go ahead and put in her notice, but Ashlee wanted to wait until she actually had all the details. She wasn’t that impetuous. Plus, she still held out hope Beau would be waltzing in like her Prince Charming and sweep her off her feet.
Not long after her mother and sister-in-law left, Izzy woke up. She wanted Ashlee to play princess dress-up with her. The only costume Ashlee had at home was her Rapunzel dress. She dressed her niece in her matching miniature-sized Rapunzel dress, and they had a tea party.
“Hey,” Chase said, sticking his head in the door. “You okay if I make a quick run to the S-T-O-R-E?”
“Sure,” she said, waving at him. It was funny how many things Chase and Addie had to spell out so their daughter wouldn’t know what they were saying. It prevented a lot of unnecessary tantrums.
“Need anything?” Chase asked after he thanked her.
She almost said yes and was tempted to tell her brother everything and then beg him to talk to Beau. “No, but thank you for askin’.”
After Chase left, Izzy got out the wooden box that contained four different puzzles. She watched Isabelle patiently fit the pieces together, occasionally helping her when she couldn’t figure it out. The quiet activity gave Ashlee plenty of time to think about Beau. Although it had only been a day, she hoped he missed her as much as she missed him.
“I can’t find it,” Isabelle said, looking around her. All of the puzzles were complete except for the last one. There was one piece missing in the middle of the puzzle, and it was greatly distressing Isabelle.
Ashlee knew exactly how the little girl felt. Without Beau, she felt broken and incomplete, like she had a gaping hole in the middle of her chest. She lifted the wooden box and found the lost piece was stuck to the bottom. “Here it is, sweetie.”
Izzy took it from her and turned it until it fit, completing the picture. “I did it,” the little girl said, clapping for herself.
“Good job, Izzy,” Ashlee said, clapping along with her niece. The little girl was so happy, and Ashlee wanted that same joy in her life. But the only one who could make her feel whole again was Beau. He was the missing piece.
“Ashwee,” Izzy asked, snapping Ashlee out of her thoughts. “I want Daddy.”
Hearing the quiver of emotion in Isabelle’s voice had Ashlee searching for something else do with the little girl. Once Izzy started crying for her mama or daddy, no one could comfort her except for her missing parents. She had to distract her before that happened.
“Hey, baby girl, do you want to watch a movie?”
“Okay, movie,” Izzy said as she jumped up from the floor and made a beeline for the TV cabinet.
Ashlee felt the gap in her chest widen when Izzy held up the movie she wanted. There was no way she could sit through the same movie she and Beau had watched last week. “How about this one?” Ashlee said, picking out another movie her niece favored.
“Don’t like that one,” Izzy said, shaking her head. She opened the case and pried out the DVD of Tangled with her chubby fingers.
Ashlee accepted the disc from Izzy’s outstretched hand. Her sweet little niece would pitch a huge fit if she tried to change the movie now. Ashlee loaded the disc into the player and then joined Izzy on the couch. The movie was hard to watch and she decided that once Chase got back, she would make him finish watching it with his daughter. Only Chase didn’t come back right away. He got a flat tire and then discovered the spare was flat too. He knew one of the guys working at the tire store. So they were helping him out, but it was going to be a while.
If only Izzy was one of those kids who got bored during a movie and wanted to do something else. Nope, she sat perfectly still with her eyes glued to the TV screen. About half way through the movie, Ashlee’s eyes started to feel sleepy. It was probably a natural defense mechanism. She didn’t want to see the moment when Flynn Rider falls in love with Rapunzel while they’re out on the boat with all the floating lanterns.
Knowing Chase would be home soon, she closed her eyes. She wouldn’t actually fall asleep, just rest them for a few minutes. Besides, Izzy would wake her up if she needed anything.
“Ashwee, it didn’t wook,” a tiny voice said from beside her. “Wake up. It didn’t wook.”
“What didn’t work, baby girl,” Ashlee said, opening her eyes.
Time slowed down as Ashlee saw the two things her niece was holding: A pair of scissors in one hand and clumps of long, blonde hair in the other.
She didn’t cry. She didn’t scream. She just sat there on the couch. Somehow, she managed to get the scissors from Izzy, but she refused to look in a mirror. She also refused to look down at the pile of her hair at her feet.
Chase finally got home. “Hey, sorry about the flat,” he said, from the doorway. “I just need to bring the groceries in.”
Too numb to speak, Ashlee just blinked. Chase left her alone and then about two seconds later popped back in the room. “Um, Ash, did you cut your hair?”
Her mouth was dry, so her words sounded all scratchy. “No, your daughter did.”
Chapter 28
The last forty-eight hours had been pure torture for Beau. His life had spiraled out of control, and it was still spinning. It had all started after Ashlee had challenged him to think with his heart and not his head. It had killed him to watch her walk away, but he needed time to process all that she’d said. It hadn’t taken more than a few hours to realize she was right. About the same time, he finally admitted to himself that he really loved her.
Yes, he’d been a little slow on the uptake. It still didn’t make sense on paper, but he was trying to think with his heart. And his heart was telling him that he loved Ashlee. It had been telling him that all along, Beau just hadn’t been listening.
It was crazy. Once he acknowledged how much he loved her, it was like a dam had opened up, and his feelings for her flooded every part of him. That’s when he knew he couldn’t live without her.
What’s more, memories of her over the years had filled his mind. He’d loved her back then, but it had only been as a friend. At first, he thought that would make things weird, but those earlier memories only added a richness to his feelings he couldn’t describe.
The next morning, he had literally walked out the door and was climbing into his car so he could go and talk to Ashlee when Trent Sessions, one of the partners at the architectural firm in Savannah, had called him with an urgent request. One of the architects had been in an accident that would have him laid up for at least six weeks. The work was piling up, and Trent had asked Beau if he could start earlier than planned.
The irony of the timing was pretty laughable. For a guy who already struggled with methodically making decisions, throwing this new request at him had set him back a few steps. Beau told Trent he needed time to rework his schedule and then time to talk to his girlfriend before he could give him a firm answer. He knew he couldn’t make this kind of decision without Ashlee.
Because of the potential change of plans, he’d spent the rest of the day completely moving out of his grandmother’s house. Everything, except for the blowup mattress he was sleeping on, had been loaded into the POD, ready to be shipped to Savannah as soon as Beau gave them the go-ahead.
The universe must be having fun with Beau, because Jackson had called him later in the day to tell Beau that Andrew Fredrickson had swooped in and signed a contract with the owner of the farmland surrounding his grandmother’s house before Richard Sterling’s attorney could draft a letter of intent. That had been his last hope to save his grandmother’s house and to avoid moving to Savannah.
After that, Beau was pretty much shut down. The phone calls he’d received earlier from both his grandmother and then Addie had only added to his stress.
Now, Jackson was calling him back. Beau tried not to let his imagination run wild, but Richard Sterling was a tenacious business man. What if he’d figured out another way to obtain the property?
“Hey,” Beau answered. “What’s up?”
“You ready for this?” The excitement in Jackson’s voice flowed from the phone into Beau, making his pulse leap with hope.
“I hope so.”
“The Ashlee Project was just given a lifeline.” As his heart rate took off like a soldier running for cover, Beau smiled at the nickname Jackson had given the historic housing idea she’d first come up with.
“Okay, here’s the deal,” Jackson said with a dramatic flair to his voice as if he were about to pass on classified information. “Richard’s attorney has been doing some more digging and found out Andrew Fredrickson is up to his ears in debt on his last housing development. He made some shady deals on building materials that have had disastrous results, leaving him short on funds. The contract he signed is only good for thirty days. The seller has had a lot of interest from more than our company, and he doesn’t want to tie-up the property too long. We just need to hold out for thirty days. Legal is positive Andrew won’t make the deadline, and the property will be open again for bids.”
“Wow, that is incredible news,” Beau said, as he paced around the empty kitchen at his grandmother’s house. He was still trying to wrap his mind around the part about holding out for thirty days. He couldn’t start the job in Savannah, and then quit thirty days later. It wouldn’t be ethical or fair to the company.
“Look, I know it’s a lot to think about with all the other stuff you’re trying to juggle.” Jackson gave a low whistle into the phone. “I’m sorry if it messes up your plans even more, bro, and I wish I could guarantee Andrew won’t come up with the capital, but there is always a chance he’ll pull it off.”
“It’s a lot to take in,” Beau said, trying to calm his pounding heart. Talk about not making sense on paper. It would take a huge leap of faith to back out of his job to see if things panned out with Richard Sterling. Plus, how could he even consider talking to Ashlee about their future when he’d basically be homeless and jobless?
“Listen,” Jackson said. “Richard has a couple of houses he needs to renovate so he can flip them. They aren’t historical homes, but it’s a job and he pays well. I’m pretty sure I can give the projects to you, if you’re interested.”
“I’m interested,” Beau said. He slicked back his hair with his hand, feeling the sheen of perspiration across his forehead. “I hate to ask, but how soon will you know if that’s a go or not?”
“I’ll see Richard in a half hour for a golf game. I usually come out the winner, which totally irks him, by the way. It kills him that someone from my class can beat the pants off of him in a game he’s played his whole life.” Beau cracked up at that. “Anyway,” Jackson continued, “I’ll throw this game for you. Richard will be in such a good mood that I’m sure he’ll say yes.”
“Thanks, Jackson. I really appreciate your help.”
“Sure, buddy. I’m stoked both my best friends will be back in Mitchel Creek.”
Beau could hear someone talking in the background. Jackson said something he couldn’t understand and then came back on the line. “Hey, Sydney just reminded me you don’t have a place to live. We want you to know you’re welcome to use our guest house until you can figure something out.”
“Thank you,” Beau said, feeling overwhelmed with all the decisions he had to make. “Just let me know what the rent is.”
“Good luck with that,” Jackson said with a laugh. “My wife’s in charge of it, and she isn’t going to let you pay.”
“I’ll figure something out,” Beau said, knowing Sydney wouldn’t accept a dime from him. Maybe he could offer to babysit the twins. Syd refused to have a nanny, even though her mother thought it was crazy to take care of children when you could turn them over to an expert caregiver.
“Hey, I’ve gotta run,” Jackson said. “I’ll let you know about the renovation work as soon as the game is over.”
“I appreciate your sacrifice,” Beau said.
“Only for a brother,” Jackson said before ending the call.
Beau stuffed his phone into his back pocket and then rubbed the base of his neck where another knot was forming. Where did he go from here? He couldn’t give Trent an answer until he talked to Ashlee. He couldn’t talk to Ashlee until he knew whether or not he had a temporary job with Richard Sterling. Even then, he was taking a huge risk. Andrew might default on the contract, but it didn’t mean Mr. Sterling would win a bid on the property.
Given all of that, Beau still felt obligated to talk with Chase. Having his approval would be awesome, but if he didn’t like the idea of Beau dating his little sister, it wouldn’t stop him from pursuing a future with Ashlee.
There were other factors he couldn’t deal with right now, like whether or not Ashlee was moving to Tennessee. If she was taking the job then they’d deal with it and figure out a way to be together. Tennessee needed architects too.
Pressing his fingers into the tight muscle, Beau decided that talking with Chase was the first thing he needed to get out of the way. He
pulled out his phone and messaged Addie that he was ready to talk to her husband. Her reply was immediate.
Already working on it. I’ll text or call with more info ASAP. She added a crazy-smiley face emoji at the end.
After reading through the message, he noted the time and realized he was already twenty minutes late for his lunch date with Nana. The invitation had been issued via a text message first thing this morning. Nana was probably still too upset with him to talk on the phone.
Somehow, she’d learned about the rift between him and Ashlee shortly after he’d come home to think. Suffice it to say, his grandmother wasn’t happy with Beau and had called to voice her opinion on the matter. It was unfortunate timing, because Beau was still wrestling with his feelings for Ashlee and hadn’t yet discovered how much he loved her.
Not wanting to ruffle any more feathers, he pulled his phone out and quickly typed in an apology for his tardiness and to let her know he was on his way. Digging for his keys, he hurried out to his car and climbed in.
On the drive over, Beau wondered what plan Addie was hatching. At least she wasn’t mad at him anymore. The first time she’d called him, he’d never heard Chase’s wife raise her voice, let alone use a few colorful words to help illustrate how stupid he was. She had called back a few minutes later and apologized, blaming her outburst on pregnancy hormones. But she reiterated he was still an idiot for walking away from Ashlee, minus the comparison of him to a donkey. Now, she was Beau’s only advocate and connection to Ashlee. He was worried about her, but Addie reassured him that Ashlee was holding up remarkably well under the circumstances.
Blue Moon Kisses: Georgia Moon Romance Book 3 Page 26
