Chapter 23
Cole
Two days after Nora left, I could still hear what I’d said to her.
Maybe I’d be better off without another Adams in my life.
I’d said the one thing I knew would send her out the door.
I drove past Ellen’s house that morning. No car. Curtains closed. She was gone. I’d told her I might be better off without her, and she’d listened.
Back home, Ellen’s letter was still on the coffee table. I finally opened it.
Cole,
I know you’re angry, but read this before you cuss me out.
I put the house and inn in a trust so Gregory couldn’t pressure Nora into selling either one. You’re in charge of the inn because I trust you. If you don’t want the job, you can step down.
Nora knew nothing about this. Don’t blame her for my decision.
I hoped the two of you would meet and make each other happy. That was only a hope. The trust gives you an inn to manage. It doesn’t give you Nora, and it doesn’t give her control over you.
Whatever happened between you was yours. Please don’t blame Nora for anything I did.
Love always,
Ellen
I read it twice.
Nora hadn’t set me up. Ellen’s letter confirmed it, but I hadn’t needed the damn envelope to know she was different from Gregory. She’d spent weeks showing me who she was. The second I felt cornered, I used him against her anyway.
Then I drove straight to Jameson and Watkins.
“Did Nora know about the trust?” I asked Andrew.
“No. Mrs. Adams signed the amendment months before Nora returned.”
“What do I sign to give Nora first choice to run the inn?”
He opened a folder. “I can prepare the papers. She’ll have to accept them.”
“Good. Do it. And make sure she gets back every approved dollar she spent on repairs.”
I went to the inn and worked until dark. I couldn’t make Nora forgive me, and I sure as hell couldn’t make her come back. I could finish the job she’d trusted me with. So I did.
That night, I sat at the kitchen table and wrote.
Nora,
Maybe I’d be better off without another Adams in my life.
That was cruel. You had nothing to do with what Gregory did, and I knew it.
I signed the papers giving you first choice to run the inn. You’re also getting back every approved dollar you spent on the repairs. The inn was your dream before any of us knew about the trust.
I’m sorry.
I love you. I’m not asking you to come back. Harper can tell me if you want me to leave you alone.
Cole
A week later, I found Harper at Jen’s.
I’d barely made it to the bar before Pete Carson twisted around on his stool.
“Hey, Sully. When’s that inn opening?”
“Soon.”
He nodded toward the empty stool beside him. “Ellen’s granddaughter still running it?”
I kept walking. “Ask her.”
“Can’t. Haven’t seen her around.”
A woman at the end of the bar glanced over. “Thought she went back to New York.”
Jen set a beer in front of me before I asked for one. Her eyes stayed on my face a second too long, but she had enough sense not to join in.
Pete didn’t.
“So she coming back or what?” Pete asked.
I took a drink. “Not your business.”
Pete raised his hands. “All right.”
I turned toward the TV.
Harper took one look at me. “You look like shit, Sullivan.”
“Thanks. I needed that.”
She didn’t smile. First time since I’d known Harper, she looked genuinely pissed—and I had a good idea why.
“You’re an asshole, did you know that?”
“What have I done to you, Harper?”
“It’s about what you did to my friend.”
“I know. I said something I shouldn’t have, and I’ve been trying to fix it ever since.”
“Good, because you drove away the only real friend I’ve had in this place. Shit happens to people all the time—that doesn’t give you a free pass to take it out on someone who never hurt you.”
There wasn’t much to argue with. I had reasons for blowing up. None of them made what I’d said to Nora less cruel.
“You’re right. I messed up.”
“Damn right you did.” Some of the edge dropped out of her voice. “Nora really liked you. If I didn’t believe you were a good man underneath it, I’d have said a lot worse.”
I held out the sealed letter. “I’m not asking where she is. Just make sure she gets this. No address. No updates. Just the letter.”
Harper took it. “This doesn’t buy you forgiveness.”
“Not trying to.”
“And if she doesn’t answer?”
“I leave her alone.”
She put the letter in her bag. “I’ll make sure she gets it.” She stood, gave me one last look. “Shower, shave. You look a mess.”
I watched her leave, then went back to work.
* * *
Gregory called me that night. I knew it was him the second he spoke.
“Five hundred thousand dollars,” he said. “Stay away from my daughter, and it’s yours.”
“Nora’s already gone.”
“Then make sure she stays gone.”
“You can’t buy her choices.”
“I’m trying to buy yours. Think before you turn me down, Sullivan.”
“Already did. My answer’s no. Don’t call me again.”