by Kay Correll
“Yeah, like lining his pockets with a bonus.”
“I don’t know, Jamie. I got the feeling he was really feeling torn.”
Jamie looked at her closely. “Mom, you don’t still have feelings for the guy, do you? After all he’s done?”
“No… I just… I think he was sincere with his apology yesterday.”
“Like that helps anything.” Jamie sighed. “Mom, please don’t let him sucker you in again. He’s bad news.”
“Don’t worry. I have my eyes wide open now.”
Jamie turned to leave and Susan sat staring at the computer screen. As if to mock her troubles, the computer abruptly shut down.
Just one more problem in a long list of problems.
Susan got up and walked out of the office. Dorothy came over to her and said in a low voice, “The fire marshal is here.”
* * *
Adam stared at the report Mr. Burns had just sent him. His boss hadn’t mentioned one tiny little detail to him about the project.
Mr. Burns intended to tear down the inn.
Completely.
That would devastate Susan.
Adam dropped the report onto the desk in his hotel room and paced the floor. Mr. Burns had originally said they planned on incorporating the inn into the resort plans. By incorporate it appears that the only part of the inn they planned on keeping was the land…
He let out a long whoosh of air and snatched his car keys from the desk. He had to get out of here and think.
Before long, Adam found himself back at Lighthouse Point. It was as if that small part of Belle Island had a magnet that drew him back. Or maybe it was because he had come here with Susan and had such a wonderful time. He’d only known her a short time, but he’d instantly felt comfortable with her.
Well, until he’d blown her world apart.
He stood at the edge of the sea and watched a pelican swoop down into the water and back up with his meal, just like Russell swooping down to take away Susan’s livelihood.
Adam was torn in two directions. His responsibility was to his family, to his mother, but everything Russell was doing to Susan was wrong.
He swooped down just like the pelican and grabbed a shell. “I wish I didn’t have to make this decision between Susan and my mother.” He threw the shell as far as he could into the ocean.
I wonder if there’s a limit of wishes you could make at Lighthouse Point.
He sank onto the warm sand and dug his heels in, making shallow troughs on the beach. He picked up another shell and ran his finger along the edge worn smooth by ages of tumbling in the waves.
“Adam.”
He looked up in surprise to see Susan standing above him. He sprang to his feet. “Susan, hi. I was just… thinking.”
“It’s a good spot for that. I figured a brisk walk might help me stomp off my anger.”
“Did it?” From the look on her face he was pretty sure the walk hadn’t helped much.
“Nope. We had an unexpected visit from the fire marshal. It wasn’t good. Two citations. It’s not like I don’t want the inn to be safe. I do.”
“I’m sure you do.”
“It wasn’t even the regular inspector. It was someone filling in for him. Our fire extinguishers in the kitchen expired yesterday. Jamie actually has it on his list to buy new ones tomorrow when he goes into Sarasota. Their expiration date is written on the yearly report, so I don’t think it’s a coincidence we were inspected one day after their expiration date. And, of course, they still work. He also found one malfunctioning smoke detector in the middle of one hallway. The regular inspector would have pointed that out and said he’d come back in a few days to make sure the corrections were done. This guy? He wrote us up.”
Adam didn’t know what to say to all this. It sounded suspiciously like Mr. Burns’ work.
“Oh, and let’s not forget the bad reviews up on the travel website.” Her eyes flashed with righteous indignation.
“Susan, I want to say that I didn’t know, but I’m always saying that to you. The fact is I should have known he would keep trying anything and everything to sway you into taking his offer. He’s probably not finished, either.”
“Probably not.” Susan’s voice didn’t sound quite defeated, but she did sound tired.
He looked out at the sea with its slowly rolling waves, then glanced at the lighthouse as if for moral support.
Suddenly, his decision was made.
He turned to Susan. “I’m going to quit my job.”
“You’re what?” Susan looked at him in surprise.
“I just don’t want to work for a company, for a man, who does his business like this. It’s not right.”
“You’re going to quit over this?” Susan cocked her head to one side and eyed him with doubt.
“I am. I’m going to call him as soon as I get back to the hotel.”
“I thought you said you had important reasons that this job needed to work out.”
“I did. Well, I do.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “But it’s just not worth it. I’ll find another way.”
How was he going to find another way? He had no leads on another job, this one had been hard enough to find. But there was no way he could live with himself if he continued on helping Mr. Burns destroy Susan’s life.
He reached out and took Susan’s hand. “I’m sorry for any part I played in this. Let me make it up to you. Let’s see if we can find a way to make Mr. Burns go away and find a different piece of property.”
“You’d help us save the inn?”
“I would. I’ve done some tough negotiations on business deals. I should be able to put that to good use. We need to try and stay a step ahead of Mr. Burns or find another way to thwart him.” Adam felt at peace with this part of his decision at least. “I need to settle some things first, but then we’ll see if we can figure a way out of the mess I got you into.”
Susan squeezed his hand. “It wasn’t really you who got us into this mess.”
“Well, I played a big part.”
“How about no more apologies, no more I’m-sorrys? And we would love to have your help and any ideas you have to throw Russell off his dog-with-a-bone grip on wanting the inn.”
“I have to leave for a day and check on… things. But I’ll be back. I promise.” He didn’t miss the look of doubt in her eyes. He wanted to kiss her and chase those doubts away, but he held back. He didn’t think she was ready for a kiss and she probably didn’t trust him yet. But he was going to make it up to her. He was.
“I’ll be back the day after tomorrow. I promise.”
Chapter 17
Adam went straight from the Atlanta airport to his office the next morning, gathered up a few of his personal items, and put them in a neat stack. He looked around the modern, magazine photo-spread worthy office and thought of it in contrast to the inn, with its cranky computer, friendly workers, and personable ambience. He liked the cramped office at the inn better than this cold, impersonal, gleaming one.
He took the elevator to the top floor and told Mr. Burn’s secretary he needed a moment with his boss. A few minutes later she ushered him into his boss’s office. The corner office had a view of the Atlanta skyline and was decorated with the best of everything, right down to the best bourbon on the well-appointed bar at the side of the room.
“Adam, I hope you come with a signed contract.”
Adam looked down at the paper in his hands. “Actually, I come with a signed resignation.”
Mr. Burns jumped up from his desk and planted his hands on the desktop, his eyes flashing. “What nonsense is that?”
Adam took the few steps to the desk and placed the single page on the desk. “I quit. I can’t be the one to take that inn away from Susan and Jamie, and I certainly can’t be the one to do it with underhanded tricks. I’ve had enough.”
“You’re making a big mistake.” Mr. Burns spit the words at him.
“No, I don’t think so. I’m making th
e best decision for everyone.” He only hoped it was true.
“Well, I don’t accept your resignation. I’m firing you.”
Adam sniffled a wry grin.
“And furthermore, I’ll make sure you don’t work anywhere in Atlanta again. Or anywhere in the state. Or with anyone I have the remotest connection to. You’ll get no recommendation from me, obviously.” Mr. Burns stood red-faced, leaning across the desk. “I can ruin you if I want.”
“Well, sir, you can try. But I’ll still have my integrity.” With that, Adam spun on his heels and left Mr. Burns’ office. His pulse thundered in his temples and his momentary sense of doing the right thing warred with a crushing panic.
* * *
“Mom, you here?” Adam dropped his suitcase inside the front door of his mother’s apartment. The apartment that was right down the hall from his.
“Back here, honey.”
Adam walked to the sunroom where his mother loved to sit. Sunshine streamed through the window as she sat in her favorite chair, working on a crossword puzzle. She did a lot of puzzles these days, saying they helped to keep her mind active. He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Everything going okay?”
“I’m fine. I wish you’d quit fussing over me.”
She did look fine, but he never knew when she’d have a bad day. She’d gotten lost once, but a stranger who he’d be forever grateful to stopped when he saw her looking confused and called Adam from the emergency contact on her phone.
“Where is Martha?”
“She left. I told her you were coming home today.”
“She was supposed to stay until I got here.” Adam knew his mother was alone some, but he didn’t like it to be for very long. He worried she’d leave something on the stove to burn, or who knew what. He constantly worried about her, even though he was pointedly reminded by her that she didn’t want him hovering.
“Adam, you were gone longer than you said. She did us a favor to come over the extra days.”
His mother was right, he owed Martha a great deal. She was always willing to help out. Now he needed to call Martha and see if she could stay over while he went back to Belle Island to fix this mess he made.
His mother looked up from her crossword. “Anyway, Martha was headed out of town today to go visit her grandchildren. I told her to get an early start before the traffic picks up.”
His heart sank. The only person that he’d carefully vetted to take care of his mother was out of town. Now what could he do? He’d promised Susan he’d come back and help her.
He looked at his mother, her gray-haired head bent back over her crossword puzzle, pen in hand. There was no way he was leaving her alone.
“Hey, Mom, how do you feel about taking a little trip with me?”
Chapter 18
Julie entered her small cottage at the end of a long day. She’d been staying at her house instead of at Reed’s bigger beach house while he was out of town. It felt more like home to her. She threw her purse on a chair, slipped out of her shoes, and padded into the kitchen to pour herself a glass of wine. She wanted to go up to the widow’s walk and sit and unwind.
She started up the stairs with her glass in hand, but paused when she heard a knock at her door. She turned around, a bit annoyed for the interruption.
She tugged the door open. “Reed.” She threw herself into his arms. He hugged her tightly.
“I thought you were going to be gone for another week or so.”
“I came back for a few days. I missed you.”
Julie smiled and pressed her cheek against his chest. His strong heartbeat thudded against her ear. He held her for another moment or two before releasing her.
“So, what have you been up to while I was gone?”
“I was just going to take a glass of wine up to the widow’s walk. Want to join me?”
“Sounds good. I could do with some unwinding.”
They went up to the widow’s walk and sat in the chairs on the walkway. Julie took a sip of her wine and looked over at the man she had fallen hopelessly in love with. Tally was right. She just needed to talk to him and tell him how she felt.
She sucked in a breath of courage. “Reed, can we talk?”
“Sure, what’s up?” He turned to look at her.
“I… well, you kind of blindsided me with buying your beach house without talking to me. I know you meant it as a wedding surprise, but I felt kind of… left out… left out of making a big decision like where we were going to live. I’m afraid you’re always going to make decisions like that without talking to me. I know I’ve struggled to have control over my life, and it just… all of a sudden I lost control over where I’ll live.”
Reed’s face twisted into a frown. “I’m sorry. I realized when I told you about it and saw your face that I had screwed up. We can sell it. That’s not a problem.”
She took another deep breath. “And part of it was that it made me realize I’ll lose this cottage. And I love this house. I bought it and it’s the first place that’s ever been all my own. It will be so hard to leave. I know it’s small and too cramped for both of us to live here. You’re used to living in really nice homes. I know that.”
Reed leaned over and took her hand in his strong one. “Don’t you know that I’d live anywhere with you? If this house makes you happy, we can live here. I’m fine with that. Honest. And we can sell the beach house, I’m fine with that, too. And I promise I’ll never make another big decision like that without talking it over with you.”
She looked him straight in the eyes, her heart overflowing with love for this man. “Well, how about we make a joint decision on a wedding date. I’m ready to set the date now.”
“Really?” Reed’s eyes flickered with happiness, and he snatched his phone out of his pocket. He pulled up the calendar app and grinned. “Well, look at that. It looks like I have absolutely any day free that you pick.”
Chapter 19
“So Adam quit his job with Russell? Because of us?” Jamie stood at the other side of the desk, staring at his mom in surprise.
Susan nodded. “He said he couldn’t work for a man like Russell. He left to go back to Atlanta and turn in his notice. He said he’d be back today, but I’m not sure he meant it.”
“Why is he coming back here?” Jamie wasn’t sure he liked the news that Adam was returning to Belle Island.
“He said he was coming back to help us find a way to stop Russell from interfering with us. He feels responsible for our troubles, though it’s not really his fault.”
“Well, he certainly didn’t help matters any.” Jamie scowled. “I think he should just stay in Atlanta and leave us alone.”
“I’m sorry you feel that way.”
Jamie spun around to find Adam standing right behind him in the entrance to the office.
“I… ah.” Jamie felt the heat of embarrassment flush his face.
His mother jumped up and crossed over to Adam. “You came back.”
“I said I would.”
Jamie didn’t miss the sparks flying between Adam and his mom. Adam took his mother’s hand in his and for a moment Jamie thought the man was going to kiss his mother.
“We’re going to find a way to stop Russell and fix the damage he’s caused.” Adam’s gaze hadn’t left Susan.
His mother seemed to have forgotten Jamie was in the room, too. It was like only the two of them existed for a brief moment.
“I have someone I’d like you to meet.” Adam’s face held a tentative look.
“Of course.” His mother’s gaze still hadn’t left Adam.
Adam led his mother out of the office and Jamie trailed behind them, not quite willing to let his mother out of his sight in Adam’s company. He still didn’t trust the man.
* * *
Susan followed Adam out into the lobby. He walked up to an attractive older woman standing in the lobby looking a bit lost. “Mom, I want you to meet Susan.”
The woman smiled and reached out to ta
ke Susan’s hand. “Adam has told me all about you and your son. I’m sorry for your troubles. I’m sure Adam will be able to help you.”
“Nice to meet you Mrs. Lyons.” Susan smiled back at the woman.
“Oh, please, call me Mary.”
“Mary it is.” Susan looked at the woman who had Adam’s same sky blue eyes. Or, she guessed it was really that Adam had his mother’s eyes.
“So, I guess we’ll need two rooms, if it’s okay that we stay here?” Adam looked at Susan.
“Of course it is.” Susan led them over to the reception desk. “Dorothy, do we have two rooms side by side, or how about the suite, is that empty?”
She turned to Adam. “The suite is two rooms with a sitting room in-between.”
“Ah, I… we’ll just take two rooms. Going to watch expenses until I find another job.”
Jamie walked up. “Dorothy, give them the suite. No charge.”
Susan was surprised at Jamie’s offer. She hadn’t missed that her son was none too pleased that Adam had returned.
“I couldn’t.” Adam shook his head.
“Yes, you can. You’re here to help us. We’re not charging you for your room.” Susan stepped forward. “Dorothy, you remember Adam. And this is his mother, Mary.”
“Nice to meet you, Mary. Glad to have you here with us.” Dorothy coaxed the computer into putting in the reservation for Adam and Mary.
“That’s very nice of you to give us the suite. Thank you.” Mary smiled at Susan. “Maybe I could help out with things around the inn while you and Adam work on thwarting that Mr. Burns fellow?”
Susan didn’t miss the flash of concern that crossed Adam’s face.
“Oh, you don’t have to help while you’re here. You can just have a little vacation.”
Mary patted a tote bag she was carrying. “Well, except for my knitting and my crosswords, I have a lot of free time.”
