by Lori Ryan
“But please know,” Maggie continued, “if you’d like to return some day, we could always use your help.”
Maggie and his mom might have missed the looks Ben and Emmett shot their way, but Jake and Aaron sure as hell didn’t. There was no getting out of this. They would all be coming home sooner or later.
Aaron gave a slight nod to his brothers then turned his attention to his mom, eyeing her with the look of a physician. “I’m not going to lie, Ma. I’m not sure you’re ready to take on all of this.”
“Nonsense,” Valerie said. “The doctor said I’m perfectly fit. And my stress test came back all clear. She said I have the heart of a thirty-year-old.”
“And the ass of a twenty-year-old,” Aunt Sally added. “High five, girl.” She held up her palm.
His mother slapped it. “It’s the yoga.”
The room rang with a collective groan. The last thing Emmett or any of his brothers wanted to think about was his mother’s ass.
Maggie ignored the sideshow and continued. “You’ll see we also have a Food and Beverage Department listed on the chart,” Maggie continued. “Once we make the first payment of our loan we want to expand that section.”
“That’s why Sally’s here,” Maggie said. “We’ll be talking more about that in the next few weeks, but just know that there are some ideas we’re throwing around and we’ll be coming to all of you for your opinions on that soon.” She glanced around the table. “I know I’ve given you a lot and it can be overwhelming but I want you all to know that I’m dedicated to this lodge, to seeing it succeed.” Maggie looked at his mother, her eyes glassy. “Your mother and father put so much trust in me five years ago when I had little experience to go on. It meant a lot to me, and I just want you guys to know I’m going to repay you for that confidence and trust someday.”
His mother reached out and squeezed Maggie’s hand. “You already have, Maggie.”
“This is a good plan, Maggie,” Jake said. “It looks solid.” If anyone would know about a solid plan it would be his brother Jake. Emmett just wished so much of the plan didn’t count on him and his brothers. Except Ben, none of them planned to stay in Canyon Creek long-term. Emmett hoped the budget could withstand it when they had to be replaced.
Maggie nodded and ducked her head, the room falling silent. Emmett knew she was thinking of his dad, and his own thoughts followed hers. He could almost swear he felt the presence of John Sumner in the lodge at times. Maggie and his mother had known his dad better than he had in recent years. A tight band squeezed his chest with regret from the realization.
“Are we done here?” Aaron asked, his strong voice cutting through the quiet. “I’m sorry to leave so soon but I need to head out for the airport if I’m going to make my flight.”
Jake nodded. “I’ve got to pack for my flight.”
His mother rose from her chair. “Yes, I know you have to go. I don’t want to let you, though” she said with a teasing grin, “but I will. We’re finished with the planning, for now.”
“What does for now mean?” Max asked as everyone else stood.
“We’re going to put these changes in place over the next few days,” Maggie said. “We’ll revisit them in four to six weeks to evaluate their effectiveness. Jake, would you be available for video conferences so we can evaluate the changes with you and get your input?”
“Absolutely,” Jake responded with no hesitation, even though his body looked like he’d fall over at any minute. Emmett wondered what was happening with the campaign that had his brother looking like this?
“Jake,” Aunt Sally said, “why don’t you come over to my house so I can fatten you up. You look like a train wreck. You’re eating too much sushi out in California.” She laughed as she slid her arm around Jake’s waist. “That state senator running you ragged?” She asked the question that had been on everyone’s mind.
“If I say yes, do I get apple pie?” Jake smiled down at his aunt.
“Lucky for you I just pulled one from the oven this morning.” Even if she hadn’t, they all knew she would whip one up in no time for her nephew.
“I’m in. As long as I don’t have to listen to Journey,” Jake said.
“You know I make my best desserts when Steve Perry is singing in my ear.”
His brothers groaned.
His mother and aunt had an epic feud about what ’80s rock band was better, Journey or Bon Jovi. Aunt Sally’s bedroom was actually plastered with posters of the leather-clad members of Journey, her band of choice. Their Aunt Lisa was just as fanatic about Van Halen. She’d once told Emmett that David Lee Roth’s ass was so hot, she never felt the need to defend him to her sisters-in-law.
Emmett cringed at the memory.
“Just don’t go into her bathroom,” Ben said.
“Why?” Jake asked.
Emmett and Ben shared a knowing shake of their heads. Jake hadn’t been home since Aunt Sally had redone the bathroom décor. Heaven help him, Emmett still couldn’t get the images out of his head. She’d plastered the walls surrounding her jacuzzi tub with posters of the band. It was…disturbing.
Aunt Sally swatted the air. “Don’t mind those boys.” She led Jake to the door. “You were always my favorite anyway,” she said in a stage whisper that could have been heard on the Noble side of the mountain.
Everyone began to file out of the room. Emmett hoped Maggie’s plan would work. Even though sales had grown steadily since he’d taken over the marketing, things weren’t where he’d like them yet. He had hoped to have more bookings for the wedding barn but it was hard to implement much of what he wanted to for the venue since the build-out wasn’t done.
If his plans for the marketing didn’t kick in as soon as the barn was ready, they could be in real trouble. He wasn’t at all sure he could pull this off as well as Maggie and his mom seemed to think he could.
“Emmett,” his mother called.
He glanced over his shoulder.
She crooked her finger with a raised brow.
Shit.
“Someone’s in trouble,” Max chuckled under his breath.
Emmett shot Max a middle finger behind his back as he slowly watched his safety net file out of the room.
“Have a seat,” his mother said, pointing to a chair.
Great. Now he needed to figure out how to tell his mom he wasn’t going to talk to her about Elle Noble. Ever.
Preview of Never Say Goodbye
Chapter Two
Emmett’s mother was tall but slender and he’d always thought of her as a little fragile. So why did she seem to tower over him right now?
What was really impressive was how innocent she made her next statement. “Why did you say that about meeting with Elle? I would have thought you would be happy to see her.”
Emmett’s stomach tightened. He was not going to share this story with his mom.
She tried again. “I know Elle left after graduation and there were some troubles between you.”
Troubles was putting it mildly, but it wasn’t graduation he had been thinking about. There was a lot his mom didn’t know. That no one did.
“But you two have been close since pre-K.” His mother pressed on.
Emmett coughed out a laugh. Elle and he had been close at one time, but it was funny his mom should mention pre-K. It seemed that long since things had been uncomplicated between him and Elle.
They’d once been as close as two people could be without becoming intimate. He’d considered Elle his soulmate, even though they’d never kissed until late in high school. He’d watched her date loser after loser and never said a word, only held her when they inevitably broke her heart.
He’d begun to think of her as more, to think that maybe they might have something real and lasting. Until the day she’d crushed him.
“That was a long time ago, Ma.”
She nodded. “I know, I just thought maybe now, since it’s been so long—”
“Look, Ma, you don’t know th
e whole story.” He glanced at the oak door, wishing he could escape.
“Then tell me.”
Hell no. Wasn’t happening. Emmett shook his head.
“I know she left after graduation and you weren’t able to say good-bye. You were heart-broken.”
Emmett wanted to laugh. He had been heart-broken, but that wasn’t the reason for his anger now. As far as his mom was concerned, the last time he’d seen Elle had been after high school. And as far as he was concerned, she could keep thinking that.
“There isn’t anything to tell, Ma. It’s in the past.”
“I asked Elle,” his mother said.
“You what?”
“She said it was a miscommunication,” his mother continued.
Emmett barked out a laugh. Miscommunication. More like flat-out lie, he thought.
“You know, something’s different about her now,” Emmett said. “When I saw her in the hospital, I could see it right away.”
“How so?” The tilt of his mom’s head made that silver hair swish around her face. She tucked a piece behind her ear in a gesture more like a teenaged girl than a woman in her later fifties, but it was a move he’d always associate with his mother.
Emmett shook his head, breathing deep. He didn’t know why he’d brought it up. Maybe because it had been weighing on him. He shrugged. He didn’t have words for what he was thinking, which was ironic, since he was a writer.
“You need to talk to her, Emmett.”
How the hell did his mother do that? She knew just where his thoughts had gone, and she went right where he needed her not to go.
He didn’t answer.
“I think it could be good for both of you,” she said. “She has some good ideas. Just meet with her, once, for me?”
Emmett raised his head and stared into his mother’s blue eyes. They were brighter now. She looked better than she had in weeks. He didn’t want to disappoint her.
“Really, Ma? You’re breaking out the for me card?”
She smiled, her eyes wrinkled around the edges as she nodded her head.
Emmett let out a low growl. “Fine. For you,” he said sarcastically.
“Thank you, sweetheart.” His mother stood and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “Thank you for staying and helping me. And believing in me.”
Emmett squeezed her back and nodded. His stomach lit with anger just thinking of meeting with Elle. He’d only seen her that one time at the hospital since he’d been home.
Except for her short hair, she looked exactly the same physically—tall and graceful, ice blue eyes, jet black hair, and skin so flawless it looked airbrushed. She’d been scouted by modeling agents in high school but Elle’s passion had always been dance. She was magic on the dance floor.
His mother released her hold. “Are you all right, Em?”
No.
“Yes,” he answered.
She eyed him suspiciously as she’d done when they were kids. Obviously believing he wouldn’t say more, her gaze cut to the watch on her wrist. “I told Elle you’d be there at three, so you better scoot.” She turned his chair away from the table and pushed on his shoulder.
“What? You set this up for today?” Emmett looked up at the ceiling, as if he might find patience there.
“Three o’clock with Elle. Shoo.” She pointed to the door.
“Ma,” Emmett growled.
She stood straight, her face void of any sign she’d been playing him this whole time.
“You have to stop with this matchmaking shit,” he said. “It isn’t going to happen with me and Elle.”
“Language, Emmett Daniel—”
“Sumner,” the both finished in unison.
“Yeah, that full name thing isn’t working on me this time, lady.” He stood.
“You might want to take a shower and do something with your hair before you head over to meet her.”
“Seriously, Ma? This isn’t a date. It’s not happening.” He’d never admit to his mother, or anyone, but Elle’s disappearing act had crushed him in high school, and it had destroyed him the second time she’d walked away. The time only he and Elle knew about. Emmett wouldn’t allow her to break his heart a third time.
His mother reached up and patted his cheek. “I might not know your history with Elle, honey, but I do know this. You two have a connection that doesn’t just go away. No matter how much you think you want it to.”
Her tone said his thinking was wrong.
“Business, Ma. This meeting is going to be about business.”
Her face fell and her hand slid from his face. “Okay, sweetie. Whatever you say.”
She turned to leave but Emmett saw the glimpse of a smirk. Heaven help the Sumner boys.
Want to keep reading? Get Never Say Goodbye here!
About the Authors
Hi! it's Lori here. We could do the boring old bio stuff here—and we will—but, first, I want to tell you about the two of us.
Me and Kay, Kay and me, we're besties and buddies and soulmates and the mostest of everything. We occasionally have to do some serious marriage-counseling-type negotiations when we get into creative differences, but most of the time, writing with Kay is a BLAST! I love, love, love what we create when we get together. When we first started talking about writing books together, I didn't imagine it would be this great.
I'm so dang proud of the books and series we've put together. The heroes are steamy and sexy, the heroines strong and powerful...and, maybe, a little goofy, like me and Kay. We hope you love the people of Canyon Creek as much as we do. We hope you love coming back to the town and visiting again and again. We hope you want to stay there forever. We do.
Now, here's the regular bio stuff I promised, along with links to each of our websites where you can find the stuff we write separately, in case you can't get enough of us!
Lori Ryan is a NY Times and USA Today bestselling author who writes contemporary romance and romantic suspense. She lives with an extremely understanding husband, three wonderful children, and two mostly-behaved dogs in Austin, Texas. It’s a bit of a zoo, but she wouldn’t change a thing.
Lori published her first romance novel in April of 2013 and has loved every bit of the crazy adventure this career has taken her on since then. She is a hybrid author, publishing both independently and through SilverHart Publishing.
To see what Lori writes on her own, visit her website at www.loriryanromance.com.
In addition to being an author, Kay Manis is also a wife and mom. She lives with her husband and daughter in the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin, Texas. In January of 2012, after listening to Kay blather on and on about the millions of book ideas floating around in her head, her daughter finally reached her limit and said, “Just write it Mom!” They were the four most important words to Kay's new career and a catalyst for everything she's done since. In other words, she owes it all to her daughter! If you ask Kay, she'll tell you she can’t thank her daughter enough for her motivating words and belief that Kay could do more with her talents.
To see what Kay writes on her own, visit her website at www.kaymanis.com.
