Chapter 13
The damage was more than she had anticipated, and he saw the anxious look on her face before she hid it behind a smile.
The sun had made its appearance the next morning, but it was still a cold and chilly day, forcing them to layer up and put on boots.
She had taken one look at his expensive tan leather and shaken her head.
“That’s going to be ruined.’
“It can be replaced,”
he responded with the carelessness of the very wealthy.
“Suit yourself.
You can also stay inside; you don’t have to come out with me.”
He had simply given her a look that had her shrugging.
Now they were outdoors staring at the uprooted trees and branches everywhere.
Her prized roses were lying on the sodden ground like beaten down rainbows.
The gazebo had a large gap in the middle of the roof and part of the picket fence that was more ornamental than anything else was leaning drunkenly to one side.
“It’s not too bad.”
He turned to look at her askance.
“It’s a disaster.”
“You’re looking at the cup half empty.”
She moved away from him to pick up a statue of a mother and child she had bought on a visit to an antique store.
It was broken off at the base.
“It can be repaired.”
Hunkering down, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
“I can help.”
He was careful with his words, knowing instinctively that any mention of financial assistance would not be welcome.
He could make her the most beautiful inn in the world, but he had to be careful.
Their relationship was tenuous at best, and he wanted to stick.
He had every intention of sticking.
“I am sure you have better things to do than help with the repairs,”
she rose and he stood up, arm still around her shoulders.
“Not at the moment.
Do you have someone you can call for an estimate?”
She nodded and, to his delighted surprise, leaned into him.
He wrapped his arms around her more securely, kissing the top of her head.
“I have to close for the rest of the week.”
“Naturally.”
He hesitated and turned her to face him.
“How will that affect you financially?”
Her eyes narrowed at him.
“If the next words that comes out of your mouth is offering me money, I am going to deck you.”
“Would that be so bad?”
He asked her gently.
“What? Decking you? Not really.”
“Zahra.”
Lifting a hand, he cupped her cheek.
“I have loads of it.”
“And it’s yours.”
Her eyes flashed.
“I have insurance and if that’s not enough, I have savings.
I don’t need or want your money.”
His hands tightened when she started to move away.
“I did not mean to offend you.”
“I am not offended.”
His raised brows had her blowing out a breath.
“Not much anyway.
Look, I don’t know what to make of this, of us, and I am trying to look past the fact that as soon as people find out, there will be talk.”
“So?”
His chin angled arrogantly.
“Let them bloody talk.”
“The talk will be about me, not you.
They will wonder what the hell you’re doing with me, and I am here wondering the same.”
His expression darkened.
“You’re still wondering? Christ!”
He blew out a breath, his fingers biting into her skin.
“Haven’t I proven myself enough?”
“This is new, exciting, and right now we’re alone here in this private space.
The reality has not hit us yet.
As soon as it does, things are going to change.”
She moved her shoulders restlessly and realized she did not have time to deal with this.
She had an inn to salvage.
Bookings will start almost immediately, and she had to get the place up and running.
She had not taken this into consideration.
She had not counted on him being here and boxing her in like this.
She loved him, but she was realistic and practical and practically, she knew this was going to turn out badly – for her.
“I cannot deal with this right now.
I need to call Ned and see if he can start on the repairs immediately.
The electricity is still out, and the landlines are down.
I am going to have to go into town.”
His hand drifted to her neck.
“Look at me.”
He demanded.
When she did, she saw the impatience rioting.
“I am here, and I want to help.
I am in your life and you’re going to have to bloody well deal with it.
I am not leaving, and I want to damn well help. Don’t let pride get in the way of common sense. Use me.”
She struggled with doubts and fear.
She had always been independent, and she did not want him to feel obligated to lend her a hand.
But he was right, she needed help.
“Fine.”
She muttered and he had to fight back the smile at her ungracious response.
“I will go in town, and you can start looking at the damages and making a note of them.
I am not taking your money,”
“I heard you the first time.”
Tilting her chin up, he kissed her roughly.
With a sigh, she leaned into him and deepened the kiss.
“I am here,”
he said thickly, eyes blazing, “I am in your life and one day soon, you’re going to have to accept it.
Go.” He kissed her again before stepping back.
*****
The first thing she did was to go and check on Sandra and the newborn.
Brian was there and greeted her with a hug.
“I was planning to drive up to see if you were okay.
You beat me to it.”
She hugged him back and handed him the bag of goodies she had bought.
“I saw broken down electric lines.”
He nodded and taking her arm, led her through the tidy living area and into the kitchen where Sandra was seated around the table and nursing her son.
“Hey.”
“Hey.”
Moving forward, she bent to look at the baby.
“is it my imagination or has he grown since I last saw him?”
“He has!”
Sandra beamed at her, motherhood settling over her like a warm cloak.
“Has to since he eats nonstop.
I cannot keep up with him.” She looked up at her husband.
“Where are you going?”
“To see what I can help out with.
The roads need clearing and Trevor said he needs help with the tractor.”
He bent to kiss her on the lips and ran a gentle hand over the baby’s sparse head of hair.
“Be good for mama.”
“How does it feel?”
Sandra effortlessly transferred her son to the other breast.
“Wonderful.
I never thought I could love someone so completely.
No woman will ever be good enough for him.”
The fierce protectiveness on her face had Zahra laughing.
“And you? All alone up at that inn.
I was worried.”
Zahra shifted slightly and avoided her friend’s eyes.
“I was not alone.”
“Oh?”
Her friend tucked the blanket a little more securely around the baby’s neck.
“Jessica stayed?”
“No”
She bit her lip.
“Bryce was there.”
Sandra’s eyes flew to her face and stayed. “I see.”
She blew out her breath.
“I thought he had left.”
“But he stayed.”
Her friend’s gaze was calculating.
“He said the storm stopped him from leaving - I slept with him!”
She blurted out.
“Of course you did, honey.”
I would have been disappointed with you if you said otherwise.
How was it?”
She laughed breathlessly.
“Sleep was not the word I should have used.
We did not sleep at all.”
“Bitch.”
Sandra muttered mildly.
“You don’t need to rub it in my face.
Where is the sexual god now?”
“Back at the inn.
He insisted on helping out.
There are damages.
That’s not all.”
“Of course not.”
Sandra eased the baby away gently.
Flipping the blanket over her left shoulder, she put him there and rubbed his back.
Zahra blinked when he let out a burp and then another.
“Works every time.
Give me one minute to put him in his mobile.
It’s nap time.”
Rising, she walked over to the cot that had been placed near to the old-fashioned heater.
“Tea and you’re drinking it with me.”
Plopping the kettle on, she hunted for cups.
“I have not been outside in forever and feel like I am about to burst from staying in.” She waited until the kettle was boiling and turned off the knob.
Pouring the water over the pouches, she added honey and brought the cups over.
“What did you bring?”
“Raspberry torte.”
“Yummy.”
Foraging inside the bag, she took one out and bit in.
“Now, tell me the more.”
“He claims he’s in love with me.”
Sandra choked and swallowed, her eyes watering.
“You almost killed me.
Bryce Whitlock, the yummy, gorgeous Hollywood stud is in love with you.”
Zahra grimaced and took a tentative sip of her tea.
“When you put it like that, it sounds ridiculous.”
“It sounds amazing.”
Her friend corrected.
“And you’re in love with him of course!”
“I doubt I ever stopped loving him.”
She ran a finger over the rim of her cup.
“Uh, oh.”
She glanced up at her friend. “What?”
“You’re finding all the reasons why it will not work.”
“Can you blame me?”
She threw up her hands.
“He’s Hollywood and I am…” She dropped her hands in despair.
“I am me!”
Sandra reached out and took Zahra’s hand, her eyes warm with sympathy.
“You are extraordinary, Zahra.
Never forget that.
You have a strength that Hollywood can never define.
Maybe that’s what Bryce sees in you.”
Zahra shook her head, the turmoil within her evident.
“But what if it’s just a fleeting fancy? A momentary attraction because we were stranded together?”
“Sometimes, the most unexpected circumstances bring out the deepest emotions,”
Sandra murmured, squeezing her hand reassuringly.
“Give it time.
See where it leads.
Hollywood or not, love is love.”
Zahra let out a heavy sigh, a mixture of hope and uncertainty clouding her eyes.
“I just don’t want to get hurt again.”
“Honey, life and love are risks.
Brian and I have been together for several years and we’re still trying to navigate our relationship”
“Brian is an accountant.
He’s wonderful, smart, and handsome, but Bryce is…,”
she huffed out a breath.
“He’s Bryce.
Women fall over themselves to be with him.
I cannot be with someone like that.
My life would no longer be my own.
I don’t crave for the bright lights and the fame.
I have found my niche here and this is where I want to be.
I have seen what being in that world did to my parents, is doing to my mother.
And I want no part of it.”
“You’re forgetting one thing.”
“What?”
“You’re not your mother.
That woman is neurotic and greedy for fame.
And highly dissatisfied, no matter what she has.
You’re strong, sweet and beautiful.
The man has good taste.”
“Speaking of my mother, if she finds out I am with Bryce…,”
she covered her face with her hands, “she will start hounding me to get him to talk to her and use his influence to get her parts.
I cannot go through that again.”
“You don’t think your man can handle himself?”
“He’s not…!”
Shaking her head, she twisted her hands together.
“I don’t want to talk about this anymore, much less think about it.
He’s insisting on staying and helping and says we are in a relationship.”
“So what?”
Her friend demanded.
“You’re just humoring him?”
She shrugged helplessly.
“I don’t know what the hell I am doing.
Why couldn’t I have fallen for someone like William?”
She stared as her friend burst out laughing.
“You would be bored within a week.
That man is as dull as dirt.”
“And it would have been less complicated.”
With a sigh, she picked up her cooling tea and took a sip.
“I want a family.” Her eyes strayed to the cot where she could just see little Brady’s head, the hair curling at the crown.
“I want what you have, and I cannot see it happening with Bryce.”
“He doesn’t want children?”
Zahra blew out a breath and ignored the longing inside her.
“We have never discussed anything like that.
And I don’t think we will.”
“Honey…!”
“No.”
She shook her head.
“I am just taking it one day at a time and I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”
*****
Back at the inn, Bryce’s mind was on that very subject.
Looking ruefully at his ruined boots, he stepped inside the mud room and got rid of them before making his way upstairs.
Digging into his suitcase, he found, to his surprise, a pair of old worn black tennis shoes he had packed for hiking and slid them on.
Dragging his hands through his hair, he decided to start indoors first.
Picking up a notepad and pen, he started jotting down where he noticed leakage.
It was not so bad, he decided.
A few spots here and there that could be easily patched.
The rooms were tidy and neat, with clean linens draped over the beds.
Hesitating at the door he knew opened to her suite, he stood there undecided for a full two minutes, before pushing it open and stepping in.
A whimsical smile touched his lips as he looked around.
It was just as he imagined it.
The queen-sized bed had strong posts going up to the ceiling.
The furnishing was tasteful and a little antiquated.
Walking over to the dresser, he passed his hand over the glossy finish and discovered to his surprise that it was maple.
There was a window seat that overlooked the east side of the garden, with fluffy throw pillows.
He could see her standing at the window with a cup of coffee in her hands, watching the sun rising.
Stepping over to it, he also discovered that it was in direct view of the route he often took when jogging.
The room smelled like her.
That faint floral scent that was uniquely hers.
Moving over to the bed, he sat on the edge of it and closed his eyes.
He wanted children with her.
He wanted that with a keenness that was searing through his body.
They had both come from dysfunctional homes and he was going to promise her that they would be better parents.
Running a hand over the patchwork quilt, he smiled as he wondered if they would be sleeping in her room tonight.
With a sigh, he rose and taking one last look around the space, he left, closing the door behind him.
He was making his way downstairs when Jessica came through the sliding glass doors at the front.
“Mr. Bryce.”
“Jessica.”
“I came to see what I can do to help.
Is Zahra around?”
If the woman was surprised to see him, she did not mention it.
“Gone into town to see about getting some help.
I offered to document what needs fixing.”
“It’s bad.”
She nodded.
Turning in a tight circle, she took in the water on the floor.
“Need any help?”
“I finished upstairs but would appreciate help with down here.”
“Then let’s get to work.”
She said briskly.
*****
She stayed longer than she expected.
The cleanup crew were on the road seeing to the damages and fixing what they could.
The storm had ripped out posts and street signs, reminding Zahra of a child throwing a particular awful tantrum.
Leaves and branches dotted the streets.
Several buildings had pieces of roof torn off.
It made her grateful that the damage at the inn was not that bad after all.
She had contacted Ned, but he had his hands full and promised he would get to her as soon as he could.
Which could be in a couple of days.
The cafes were open and doing brisk businesses.
Swinging by one, she bought two go cups of coffee and some doughnuts to take back home with her.
She was coming out of the shop when she almost collided with William.
Feeling the guilt swamping her she forced a smile and stopped when he placed a hand on her arm and guided her out of the way.
“I have been meaning to call you.
Everything okay with the inn?”
He asked her
“Not really.
Some leakages and flooding.”
He glanced at the cups of coffee.
“I suppose Jessica is there helping you.”
She shifted from one foot to another.
“I suppose she would be.”
She cleared her throat.
“Bryce Whitlock is still around.”
His brows lifted.
“I thought he had left.”
“I thought so too.”
She did not feel comfortable discussing her personal business in the doorway of Sally’s and just wanted to be on her way.
“I have to go.”
“If you want, I can swing by…”
“No need.”
She said swiftly.
“I am sure you have your own thing dealing with.
Look, I really have to go.” She escaped before he could say anything else and cursed herself for being a coward.
He deserved the truth, and she was going to have to tell him.
But tell him what? She mused darkly, practically wrenching the door open and dumping the packages on the seat.
That she was involved with Bryce for now? What the hell was she doing? This was a small town and news travel fast.
Very soon it would be known that she was sleeping with Bryce.
And when he left….
Shaking her head, she slid in behind the wheel and sat there tapping her fingers on the steering, expression troubled.
*****
Her misgivings and doubts dissolved as soon as she got to the inn.
To her surprise, she noticed that the branches and leaves had been cleared off the driveway and placed in a tidy heap in a clearing near the sturdy oak tree.
Slamming out of the car, she made her way inside where more surprises awaited her.
The floors had been mopped dry.
“Bryce?”
“Upstairs.”
Shrugging out of her jacket, she hung it on the newel post and made her way up, noticing that the floors were dry up here as well.
He was stripped down to skin, wearing only a pair of baggy jogging pants.
Sweat was gleaming on his tanned skin, and he had tied a bandana around his forehead to keep the moisture from his eyes.
“What are you doing?”
“Is that coffee? Remind me to kiss you as soon as I am finished. Gimme.”
He reached for the cup and practically inhaled the brew.
“Careful.”
She warned with a laugh.
“It’s hot.”
“I stopped by Sandra and was looking at the damage everywhere.”
She took a sip of her own brew and stared at him puzzled.
“You cleaned up.”
“I cannot take all the credit.”
His devastating grin flashed.
“Jessica was here, and she did considerable work.
I mostly did the outside, while she tackled indoors.
Oh, and several guys came and patched the roof.”
Her eyes widened.
“How? I spoke to Ned, and he said he would not be getting to me right now.
Has his hands full.”
Putting away the cup, he continued working on the walls where the water had drained from the roof.
“Jessica made some calls, and they came.
A bunch of them.”
Putting away the washcloth, he came forward and hauled her against him.
“You have some very good people here.”
“I do.”
Putting down her cup, she wound her hands around his neck and went on her toes to kiss him.
“You’re wet.”
“Hmm.”
He nuzzled her neck and inhaled her scent.
“It’s what happens when you are working.”
“You didn’t have to.
I am amazed at how much you guys accomplished.”
She tilted her head to allow him to attack her throat and felt desire pouring through her like a flood.
“I wanted to, and it felt good that I could help.”
He hesitated slightly as he hovered at her lips.
“I gave them some money.” Anticipating her response, he crushed his lips to hers and managed to swallow her protests.
The kiss emptied her thoughts and had her clinging to him.
When he finally released her lips, she could only lean on him weakly, her limbs trembling.
“We’re going to talk about it.”
She told him huskily.
“As soon as I get my thoughts together.”
“Undoubtedly.”
He kissed her again.
“I am starving.”
“I brought some pastries.
They’re in the kitchen.”
“I’ll go down with you.
Any idea when the power will be back on?”
He walked beside her, one arm wrapped around her waist as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
“A day or two.”
She turned in his arms as soon as they reached the kitchen.
“Thank you.”
“My pleasure.”