Chapter 50
As Ben watched the taxi drive away, he had a sick feeling deep in his stomach.
He had known it would be painful saying goodbye to Lily but nothing like on this level of hurt. It was pure love. Forever love, he had thought. But maybe only for him.
After all, it was because he loved her that he had to let her go. Together they had saved Maple Tree Lodge for future generations. It was safe after all the stress and worry.
So now it was only fair that it was time for Lily to follow her own dreams. Her own life. Without him. No matter the pain that it would cost him.
He continued to look at the forest but Del’s taxi had long since disappeared.
He felt his family leave him to go back inside but he carried on looking away.
His eyes ran through the forest. He knew every tree, he realised.
Which ones were the best to climb. Which ones he had decided to make into a treehouse for his children to play in.
He frowned to himself. Children that he wanted with Lily.
He wanted a wife, a family. He wanted multi-generational, messy living with her at the heart of it all.
The thought of carrying on without her seemed impossible for a moment.
How would he even get out of bed in the mornings?
How would he smile at all the guests who came to stay in the beautiful interiors that she had created?
How would he enjoy the festival of lights as they drifted across the lake without having her with him on the boat out on the water?
He would miss everything about her, from her skills and help around the hotel, to her arms wrapped around him and those sweet lips.
So what on earth was he doing letting her leave when the past few months had been the happiest he had ever known? Because he loved her. But the thought only made him feel worse, not better.
A moan escaped his mouth as the pain bubbled up inside him once more.
‘I thought you were supposed to be bright, lad.’
Ben spun around and found his grandad a few steps away, looking at him.
‘All that money, education and talent and you’ve turned out to be a real dummy,’ carried on Walter, shaking his head. ‘I can’t believe it.’
Ben rolled his eyes. ‘Thanks for the support, Grandad,’ he said with a heavy sigh. ‘You’ve cheered me right up.’
‘Lily’s got this place in her blood,’ said Walter in a fierce tone, stepping towards him.
‘I can tell. I’ve always known from the first time I met her.
She gets it, the magic of it. She gets our family in all of our messy madness.
’ He waved his arm back at the hotel. ‘This right here is her home. Only a fool would let her leave when she clearly belongs here.’
Ben looked at his grandad. ‘She wants her own design company. It’s what she’s always wanted for her career,’ he told Walter in a dull tone.
‘So, work around it!’ snapped Walter. ‘Can’t she here work part time? Make it work for the both of you! Are you honestly going to let the love of your life just leave without a fight?’ Walter shook his head. ‘Come on, son. I thought I taught you better than that.’
Ben stared at his grandad, realising that he was speaking the truth. Perhaps there was another way that didn’t mean Lily leaving forever. Why was he letting her go? He must have lost his mind!
Suddenly galvanised into action, Ben automatically patted the pockets of his jeans. ‘Where are my car keys?’ he said in a panic.
He was about to rush indoors to find them when Walter threw something at him. Ben automatically caught the object with his hand and realised it was his keys.
He looked up at his grandad.
‘Get going,’ said Walter softly. ‘Del’s not known for hanging around in that damn taxi of his.’
They exchanged a determined nod before Ben turned to run towards his car, anxious to track down the best thing that had ever happened to him. He just hoped it wasn’t too late.