Chapter 30
DANIEL
“We need to preserve the natural beauty of our land by keeping it in the hands of someone who plans to have generations come after them. Me. I want my kids and grandkids to play hide-and-seek in the woods and swim in the water off the shoreline, not have a mega resort built where my parents got married or where they’re now buried. ”
She’s sold me.
But I’m not the critic between Mrs. Dover and me.
I don’t think Mrs. Dover knows I’m out here.
Summer set me on the front porch in a rocking chair to wait it out, saying it would be more comfortable than in the car.
I don’t think so, but I do think she wanted me close, so I’m happy to be outside this screen door.
I figure it’s no great secret that I’m here since I drove her after she insisted that she still had to shoot her shot even though she missed the deadline.
My determined, strong girl.
With the door wide open for Bessie and me to overhear the conversation, I listened to Summer tackle this presentation and nail it after she’d been in an accident, and I surprised her out of nowhere.
I’m proud of her. Prepared with bullet points and heartfelt stories, she has me convinced.
I’ll buy the whole damn town for her if she asks.
There aren’t any indicators of where Mrs. Dover stands on the topic, though. She’s not spoken much, letting Summer say what she needs to … even when it takes her a little longer to get to her destination.
The mention of “generations coming after” her doesn’t twist me up like it would have in the past. Roman squashed any fears I had about having kids. But marriage? After watching my parents, I’ve never felt the need to walk down the aisle. If anything, I’ve felt the pull not to do it.
Summer, on the other hand . . . There are holes in my heart that only she can fill. And that has me reconsidering my stance on many things these days.
“Summer,” Mrs. Dover sighs heavily from her chest. “It’s too late to convince me. I’ve already made my decision.”
What?
The sudden scrape of chair legs across the hard floor is followed by rapid footsteps. “Please, Mrs. Dover, I know I was late. The roads were wet and—”
“The contract has already been drawn up.”
I don’t know Mrs. Dover, but I don’t like the short tone she’s using with Summer.
My jaw clenches as I continue listening—promising myself that I’ll do what I promised and stay on the porch.
Not that Summer needs me to handle this for her.
My girl is brilliant. But I can’t help that it gets under my skin to hear anyone be unkind to her.
Doesn’t she know what she’s gone through today? Damn. She could be more understanding.
“Our families should get to experience Mountain Laurel Cove like we’ve had the blessing to do,” Summer says. “I have the mon—”
“I’ve heard enough.” The click of Mrs. Dover’s shoes crossing the room is easily deciphered from the softer soles of Summer’s. They’re louder with every step. “Come with me, Summer.”
The screen door flies open. I stand, dragging my hands down the front of my pants, meeting Mrs. Dover’s eyes for the first time. She looks me over as she comes outside, leaving the door to swing for Summer to catch.
Lady, you’re skating on thin ice with me.
“You’re my tenant?” she asks. Her hard stare would be intimidating if I didn’t face guys on the ice who want to end me every game. She thumbs over her shoulder. “You’re Summer’s gentleman?”
No final answer has been given to Summer.
Mrs. Dover might have contracts drawn up, and she could have even taken a deposit.
But even if those things are true, they aren’t final if they aren’t executed.
As much as I want to rip into this woman—as much as my conscience will let me rip into an older woman, I need to think about what’s best for Summer.
A little charm never hurt anyone, and it’s definitely closed a few deals for me over the years. Maybe, just maybe, it can close one for my girl, too.
“Yes,” I say, reducing the gap between us. I shake her hand. “I’m Daniel Sutton. It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Dover.”
She searches me with wary eyes, as if she hasn’t made up her mind about me.
“I refunded your rental fees this morning after hearing how extensive the damage at that cottage is,” Mrs. Dover says. “I want to personally apologize for the hassle it caused.”
The sinking of Summer’s shoulders behind Mrs. Dover pulls my gaze to her. She lost the bonus. It was the only reason I didn’t bother requesting a refund. I knew it would roll down to Summer losing money when she needs it more than ever.
I glance at Mrs. Dover. “Things happen.” My gaze returns to Summer again, and a soft smile graces my lips. “It worked out in my favor.”
Emotion fills the deep breath Summer inhales, her dream slipping from her grip and hope draining from her eyes. She clings to my gaze as if it’s a life preserver and the only thing keeping her from breaking down.
I want to bring her to my arms, hold her, and whisper, “We’ll get through this. Together, we can get through anything.” Selfishly, that’s for me. She wouldn’t want that in front of her employer, though. I get it. I wouldn’t either.
Mrs. Dover lifts her chin. “I was just telling Summer the decision has been made and the contracts drawn.” It’s unclear why she’s telling me. I’m not involved in their business dealings. But the way she says it gives me an opening, and I’m taking it.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I say carefully. “Is there anything either of us can do to change your mind?”
“No. I’m stubborn in my ways.” She walks to the door again and pulls it open. “Would either of you like a glass of lemonade before we get started?”
Summer’s eyebrows shoot to the pale-blue painted ceiling as she latches onto the door and pulls it wide open. “When you say get started—”
“It means get your caboose in here and let’s finalize the deal.”
Glancing at me for reassurance, like she might be misinterpreting, Summer turns back to Mrs. Dover. “Are you serious?”
“I’d say as serious as a heart attack,” Mrs. Dover says. “But at my age, heart attacks aren’t something anyone should joke about.”
I bite my lip to hide a grin. My opinion of Mrs. Dover is already changing, but I’m squarely Team Summer until the ink is dry.
“But we haven’t even discussed money,” Summer stammers.
Mrs. Dover leaves us at the door, calling to us over her shoulder.
“We don’t need to. You’re like family, better than most of mine.
” She stops and looks back. “Look, Summer …” She glances at me and then back at Summer under a tight-lipped smile.
“I listened to the proposal. I saw the dollar signs that came along with it as well. It’s not easy to pass up that kind of money.
I joke that I’m an old woman, but I’m only seventy this year.
I could live for another forty years in Mountain Laurel Cove. ”
Forty years? She’s being generous, but I’m not correcting her. Especially when this sounds like my Sunshine is about to get everything she wants. I move behind Summer, holding the door for her.
Mrs. Dover sighs as if a long battle is finally over.
“They had a parking lot across from the docks, and they plan to tear down our historic downtown and replace it with what they call a ‘more efficient way to shop.’ I call it a generic strip center you can find anywhere but here currently.” She shrugs.
“They sucked the personality away from our little town. That’s when I realized, I don’t need the money.
Bessie and I are doing just fine. But I do want someone who cares as much as you to own it.
So you are the only person I’m willing to sell that property to, but I’ll do ya one better and give it to you.
Seems right with your property bumping up to it and the family history.
” For the first time, a smile touches her lips. “It’s yours, if you want it.”
Summer gasps, holding it in her lungs. She’s in shock. Her hands tremble at her sides while she watches Mrs. Dover with wide eyes.
I lean down with her head blocking my mouth from view, and whisper, “Breathe, Summer.” I rub small circles against her back. “Breathe.”
Her breath is harsh as she sucks air into her lungs. Flipping her gaze to me, she asks, “Am . . . Am I hearing things?”
“I think your hearing is just fine.” Giving her the slightest encouragement forward, I say, “Go get your cottage.”
A burst of happiness wiggles her shoulders as it sets into her expression. “I want it.”
Mrs. Dover laughs. “Well, get in here and let’s get this done before Wheel of Fortune comes on.”
Summer stays, troubling her lip at the threshold of her past and future. I’ve always known her heart’s rightful direction. At this moment, that’s forward. But when she takes that first step and then both feet land solidly on Mrs. Dover’s hardwood floors, I worry about being left behind.
I signed a multi-year contract with The Breakaways this morning for more money than any player in the league. I have a guaranteed payout built in, even if I get injured or fired. Regretting signing my own contract pumps through my veins as she walks away from me. “Summer?”
She stops and looks back with a smile worthy of her nickname shining on her face. Holding her hand out, she says, “Are you coming?”
It’s the happiness in her features, the steadiness in her eyes that washes any doubt, any fear, away from me. Yes, things might just have gotten more complicated. But complicated doesn’t mean impossible. And when it comes to us and our love, nothing will stand between us.
I take her hand, lacing our fingers together. “Yeah. I’m coming.”
Mrs. Dover is mid-conversation, like we’d been in her kitchen the whole time listening. “. . . we’d be having a different conversation if you had harmed Bessie with your vehicle.”
“If it helps, she seemed her usual self when I was petting her,” Summer says.
Picking up a file, she stills her hand as she stares at Summer. “You pet her?” The astonishment is unmistakable, though I can tell by the twist on Summer’s face she’s thinking the same thing—what’s the big deal? “You pet Bessie?”
“Yes. She’s a gentle girl.”
Mrs. Dover drops into a chair on the other side of the table.
“But no one pets her. She won’t even let me.
I coax her with carrots, but she’s a moody girl if I try to pet her.
” Handing us the file, she says, “If Bessie trusts ya, I do, too. The notary is on the way. She and your gentleman friend can be witnesses to validate the sale.”
When we sit down, Summer slips her hand into mine on top of my lap. I catch her excitement in a glance and smile with a squeeze of my hand.
And when the notary arrives, we get started.
As the t’s are crossed and the i’s are dotted, my mind has a moment to catch up. I think through everything, starting with the moment I met Summer.
My life hasn’t been the same since that ray of sunshine came into my life. I’ve known it for a while. But that gutted feeling that I had on the porch? That’s the tell. That’s the truth—truer than anything in the world.
I’ve wanted many things in my life. My sights have been set on contracts and Stanley Cups, stats and titles. Everything I’ve wanted for myself has had something to do with ice. Ironically, everything I want now has everything to do with Sunshine.
I want Summer.
Hell, I might even need her.
There’s not a signing, milestone, or performance bonus that comes anywhere close to being as attractive to me as her. Being in her orbit is like winning the Stanley Cup times a hundred, and holding her hand is far better than lifting the Cup over my head.
She’s it for me. But I won’t be responsible for dimming her dreams.
My life is on the road and in the city where my son lives. Hers is here in Mountain Laurel Cove.
I don’t know how we’re going to make this work, but we will.
We have to.