Chapter 13
A fter the wedding reception, Kathleen left The Lakeside Inn’s dining room with Patrick. From the veranda, she could smell the sweet scent of roses from the garden and hear the gentle lap of water against the shore.
She glanced back through the windows at the remaining guests. Isabel and Frank were still on the dance floor, lost in each other’s arms as if they were the only two people in the world.
“It was an amazing ceremony,” Patrick said from beside her. “Isabel looked beautiful.”
“She did, didn’t she?” Kathleen smiled, remembering how Isabel’s face had glowed when she saw Frank waiting for her. “I’ve never seen her so happy. Well, except maybe when she first opened the bookstore.”
They walked slowly along the veranda, their footsteps echoing on the wooden planks. Other guests were scattered in small groups, some admiring the view of Flathead Lake, others lingering over coffee and wedding cake on the outdoor tables.
“Three different people told me how impressed they were with the catering,” Patrick said, pausing at the railing. “The food was perfect.”
Kathleen felt a flutter of pride for her friend. “Susan helped Isabel choose dishes that everyone would like. But it wouldn’t have been the same without Diana and the staff at the inn. They did an incredible job of preparing and cooking everything.”
She leaned against the railing beside Patrick, acutely aware of how close they were. “Susan could definitely start a catering company in Montana.”
Patrick chuckled. “Are you trying to convince another friend to move to Sapphire Bay?”
“Maybe,” Kathleen admitted with a grin. “Having my three dearest friends here has been wonderful.”
They stood silently, watching the afternoon sunlight dance across the lake’s surface. The same feeling Kathleen had whenever she spent time with Patrick filled her chest. Today, with a clean-shaven face and dressed in a suit, he looked incredibly handsome.
“Would you like to sit for a while?” Patrick asked, gesturing toward two wicker chairs. “I could grab us some coffee.”
“That sounds lovely.”
Patrick disappeared inside and returned a few minutes later carrying two steaming mugs and a small wrapped package tucked under his arm.
“The inn makes excellent coffee,” he said, handing her a mug. “Though not quite as good as yours.”
“You know how to flatter me,” Kathleen said, accepting the coffee gratefully. The porcelain was warm against her palms, and she used it to steady her suddenly nervous hands. Being alone with Patrick after such an important day felt different from their usual time together.
Patrick settled into the chair beside Kathleen’s.
“Isabel and Frank chose the right time to get married,” she said. “The afternoon ceremony was perfect. Soon it’ll be so hot that no one will want to stand outside in the sun at all.”
Patrick nodded. “That’s why Pastor John wants to have the official opening of the arts and crafts center next month. He doesn’t want anyone getting heatstroke.”
Kathleen took a sip of her coffee. “That makes sense. You must be proud of what you’ve accomplished at the center. The whole town is excited about it.”
Patrick agreed, but something in his expression shifted. He seemed more serious, almost troubled. “Kathleen, there’s something I need to tell you.”
Her eyes widened. Was this it? Was Patrick finally going to say something about the feelings she was sure had been growing between them?
“But before I say anything, I have a gift for you,” Patrick said, reaching for the small package he’d set beside his chair. “I had to drop something off in town this morning. I saw this in an antique shop, and I thought you might like it.”
Kathleen’s hands trembled as she accepted the gift. It was wrapped in brown paper and tied with a simple white ribbon. “You didn’t need to get me anything.”
“I wanted to,” Patrick said quietly. “Open it.”
Inside the wrapping was a small wooden box, clearly handmade and polished to a warm glow. The lid was decorated with an intricate carving of a Victorian house surrounded by flowers. When Kathleen opened it, she found a delicate silver locket nestled in faded blue silk.
“Oh, Patrick,” she breathed, lifting the locket carefully. It was beautiful—clearly antique, with tiny flowers engraved around the edges. When she opened it, she found a miniature black-and-white photograph of a young woman holding a baby.
“The store owner said it dates to the 1890s,” Patrick said with a gentle voice. “I thought of the hidden room when I saw it. Of all the women who found safety in your house. This could have belonged to someone just like them.”
Tears sprang to Kathleen’s eyes. It was perfect, absolutely perfect. Not just because it was beautiful, but because it showed how much attention Patrick paid to what mattered to her. He’d understood how the hidden room had affected her, how deeply she’d been moved by what they’d found.
“It’s the most thoughtful gift anyone has given me,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “Thank you.”
“Here, let me help you put it on.” Patrick’s fingers brushed the nape of her neck as he fastened the chain, sending shivers down Kathleen’s spine. The locket settled just above her heart, a perfect weight against her chest.
“There,” Patrick said softly, his hands lingering on her shoulders for just a moment longer than necessary.
This was her moment, Kathleen realized. This was when she should tell him how she felt. They were alone, and he’d just given her the most meaningful gift she’d ever received. The way he was looking at her suggested he might feel the same way she did.
“Patrick, I—” she began.
“Kathleen, I have to leave,” he said at the same time.
They both stopped, the words hanging in the air between them. Kathleen’s heart sank even as her mind tried to process what he’d said.
“Leave?” she repeated.
Patrick ran a hand through his hair. “Noah called me. There’s a serious problem with Wilson Enterprises. A company called Meridian Capital has been quietly buying up stock, and they’re making a move for a hostile takeover.”
Kathleen set down her coffee mug. “A hostile takeover?”
“They control nearly thirty percent of the outstanding shares already. If they get to forty percent, they can force changes to the board of directors. Noah thinks they want to break up the company and sell off the pieces.”
The words seemed to come from very far away. Kathleen understood what Patrick was telling her, but she couldn’t seem to make it feel real.
“What does that mean for you?”
“The board wants me to come back. They think having a founding member actively involved in the company’s response will convince shareholders that the current management team is stable and effective.
” Patrick leaned forward in his chair, his elbows on his knees.
“I’m flying to Manhattan tomorrow morning. ”
Tomorrow morning. The words hit Kathleen like a physical blow.
“How long will you be gone?”
“I don’t know,” Patrick said quietly. “It could be a couple of weeks, maybe longer. In a worst-case scenario, it could drag on for months.”
Kathleen touched the locket at her throat, its metal still warm from Patrick’s hands. Just moments ago, she’d been preparing to tell him that she was falling in love with him. Now he was telling her he might be gone for months on end.
“What about your work here?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
“I’ve called another builder from my construction crew. If you’re happy for him to help, he can take over the structural work on your house. I won’t be able to help with the hidden room until I get back, but I’m only a phone call away if you need some advice.”
Kathleen felt a familiar ache in her chest, the same hollow feeling she’d had when her marriage fell apart. She enjoyed spending time with him and laughing at the same corny jokes he did. And now he was leaving.
“Noah must be very worried,” she said finally.
Patrick nodded. “Wilson Enterprises has been his whole life since he graduated from college. He’s worked so hard to build something lasting, and now these corporate raiders want to tear it all apart.”
Kathleen understood family obligations. She’d made plenty of sacrifices over the years for the people she loved. But understanding didn’t make the disappointment hurt any less.
“Of course you have to go,” she said, proud of how level her voice sounded. “Noah needs you.”
“I’m sorry, Kathleen. I know the timing is terrible, but we can still get the foundation fixed.”
The foundation was the least of her concerns. “I’m sure the contractor you called will take good care of everything.”
Patrick reached across the small table and took her hand. His palm was warm and calloused from years of construction work. “This doesn’t change anything between us. When I come back?—”
“When you come back, we’ll see where things stand,” Kathleen said gently, pulling her hand free. She couldn’t bear to make promises or talk about the future when everything felt so uncertain.
They sat in silence for a long moment, the celebration inside the inn continuing without them. It should have been a perfect afternoon. Instead, it felt like an ending.
“I should probably get going,” Patrick said eventually. “I’ve got an early flight tomorrow.”
Kathleen nodded, though she didn’t trust herself to speak.
They walked back through the inn together. She stood beside Patrick as he said goodbye to Isabel and Frank and congratulated Susan on the wonderful meal. To anyone watching, they probably looked like two friends ending a pleasant afternoon.
Only Kathleen knew that her heart was breaking.
At his truck, Patrick paused with his hand on the door handle. “Take care of yourself, Kathleen.”
“You too,” she managed. “I hope you can fix whatever’s happening with Noah’s business.”
Patrick leaned down and kissed her cheek. “I’ll call when I can.”
Kathleen nodded, not trusting her voice. As Patrick got into his truck, her fingers unconsciously touched the locket at her throat.
Even though her instincts were telling her he wouldn’t be home in a hurry, she had to trust that he’d come back to Sapphire Bay as soon as he could.