Chapter 3 #2
She laughed, pleased by his compliment. “Oh, well, unfortunately I’m still unsure of a lot of financial and marketing elements, things like that.
I know these books will help me a lot.” She bit her lip, staring into space for a moment before inhaling.
“But we’re still full steam ahead on working to open the hotel—we should be able to have our grand opening next month. ”
Evan tilted his head to one side, watching her face curiously. “Why don’t you sound more excited?”
Audrey sighed. “I’m just nervous, I guess. As much as I want to do this, I find myself doubting my ability to handle it all. I mean, I’m not a businesswoman. I never have been. I used to work in a craft shop for goodness’ sake!”
He placed a gentle hand on hers. “Don’t sell yourself short, Audrey. Just because you’ve never done something like this before doesn’t mean that you can’t. You’re a courageous woman. I knew that the first time I met you.”
“When I courageously spilled coffee all over the legal documents of Coral Sands?”
“Yes.” He laughed. “No, I mean it, Audrey. You have a spark in you that shows that you don’t just handle things, you make the best of them. You picked yourself up after heartbreak and you’re starting a new venture. You can handle the details of running a business, I have no doubt about that.”
“Thank you.” She squeezed his hand, feeling grateful for his praise.
“But you’re the mayor—you deal with business issues all the time.
It’s something that you think is surmountable because it’s like a language you already speak.
Reading this book makes me feel like the whole business world is a language that I just don’t speak.
I’m not sure how long it’s going to take me to get used to learning this new language, if you know what I mean. ”
“I hear that, but you’re also bringing up a good point.
I am familiar with how businesses are run, and that means that I can offer you guidance as you’re learning all this.
” He tapped the book with his index finger.
“I was diligent to look out for you during your initial restoration process for the mansion, and I’ll continue to do just that. ”
“Thank you.” She felt a surge of gratitude for his kindness, and along with it a rush of romantic feelings.
She loved the way he wanted to protect her.
Even though he was sometimes a bit overly fussy about rules and regulations, he was a highly competent man.
She admired his quick mind and his unshakable work ethic, and she knew that his offer of assistance was a very valuable one.
“That’s so sweet of you, Evan. I think I’ll have to take you up on that offer. ”
I admire him so much, she thought, finding that she was crushing on him as if she was a teenager. I’m so glad he’s at my side in all of this.
She wondered at her growing feelings. A few months earlier, she’d been terrified of trying to start a relationship with anyone, feeling scared that her heart simply wasn’t up for that type of risk.
She’d decided to step out in faith, however, and her reward had been the sweet companionship of the man sitting across from her.
She was starting to realize that along with the pleasant times they spent together, she was reaping emotional benefits from their dating as well.
Her heart was opening up to him in ways she wouldn’t have thought possible even a few weeks ago.
Over Evan’s shoulder, she saw the time on an antique clock that was hanging on the wall.
“Oh, shoot,” she murmured. “Sorry, I should get back to this. I want to finish this chapter before I have to leave in fifteen minutes. I’m meeting up with Penelope and Harper at Seagull’s Nest Antiques.”
Penelope Hurst was a local hairstylist, and she and Audrey had been friends almost all their lives.
Their friendship had the kind of bond that didn’t weaken with distance or time, and when Audrey had returned to Coral Sands, the two had started hanging out again just as they’d done in the past. Penelope had introduced Audrey to her friend Harper Clements, who ran the local animal shelter and who was kind and wise.
Audrey loved and admired both women very much, and she had been touched when they’d offered to help her seek out a few pieces of furniture at The Seagull’s Nest Antiques that afternoon.
Although the Sutton women had found many great pieces of furniture for the mansion—and there had already been many fantastic furniture pieces in the house—there were still a few items needed.
The Birchwood House was very large, and many of its rooms had sat empty for decades.
Audrey and her mother and daughter had agreed that each room should have a small table, a dresser, a wardrobe if there wasn’t a built-in closet, a night table, and of course a bed.
That had meant buying and finding a great deal of furniture, a task that was taking longer than expected because they wanted to make sure everything they picked out fit with their vision for the interior design of the mansion.
They looked for antiques everywhere they could, and when they did buy new pieces of furniture, they sought out items that looked old and elegant.
“Don’t worry, I understand.” Evan laughed lightly. “You’re talking to the quintessential workaholic here.”
She smiled. “You’re not really a workaholic, you just love what you do.
” Evan had told her once that he worked so hard because he was trying to run from his loneliness, but that was too sensitive a topic for her to bring up casually.
She had noticed that ever since they’d started dating, he’d been making far more room for fun than she’d expected he would.
She was glad that she was able to be a steadying source in his life, influencing him to take more time to rest and enjoy himself instead of working nearly all the time.
“It can be enjoyable to accomplish things,” Evan said. “I hope you enjoy your information-gathering. Good luck with your reading.”
“Thanks.” She smiled at him, feeling a tug in her heart that told her she didn’t want to let him walk away, even though she knew she should get back to her work. “I’ll talk to you later?”
He nodded, returning her smile. “I’ll talk to you later.”
He stood up, taking his coffee cup with him.
Audrey watched him walk to the door, hoping he would turn around and smile at her one more time.
Sure enough, at the doorway he turned around and flashed a grin at her.
He seemed to be happy that she was still looking at him instead of looking at her book again.
Once he’d left the coffee shop, she let out a long, dreamy sigh before turning back to her reading. Although she knew she needed to get her work done, she wished she could have chatted with Evan longer.
Soon, she thought, feeling a swell of contentment in her stomach. We’ll talk again soon—maybe about business.
She closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. To her, Evan felt as fascinating as the books she was diving into.