CHAPTER SIXTEEN
WHITNEY
In the early hours of the morning, Whitney stood in her robe at the front door watching Nick quietly back his truck out of the driveway. What a fabulous night it had been, with more talk and more loving. Now that she’d committed to dating him exclusively, she realized how much she’d missed spending time with a man she not only admired but could see herself falling in love with.
She looked over at a figure hurrying toward her and sighed.
“What are you doing up so early?” Dani asked, hugging her. “Where’s Nick going?”
Whitney hid a groan. There went the plans to keep her new relationship with Nick private. “He’s gone back to his house to get ready for work. Dani, please, we want to keep this quiet for as long as we can.”
Dani grinned and shook her head. “Then you’d better not show yourselves around town. The two of you together are hot, hot, hot! Besides, what’s the problem? You’re both free to do what you want.” Dani elbowed her. “So, how was it?”
Whitney couldn’t help laughing at Dani’s enthusiasm. “Nick is the wonderful boy he was times a hundred now that he’s a man. We’ve always had that certain connection, you know?”
“Oh, yeah. We all do.” Dani grinned at her. “I’m so happy for you, Whit. You and Nick are perfect together. But I won’t spread any gossip about it except to Taylor. She’ll be thrilled for you both.”
“Don’t say a word to GG. I want to be sure this relationship is one Nick and I both want to continue. We’ve each made mistakes in the past.”
“Okay, but you know how this town is. If she asks you about it, it won’t be because of me. But the glow on your face tells a story of its own.” Dani became serious. “Did he tell you about his meeting with JoEllen?”
“Yes, and it’s pretty sad, actually.” Whitney gave Dani the details and then shook her head. “I don’t want to pursue this issue with her, but JoEllen had better understand the Gilford girls stand together, so she’d better stop bugging you and Brad.”
“Amen,” said Dani. “I’ve got to go. Have a good day, sis.”
“You, too,” said Whitney. After sharing a goodbye kiss with Nick earlier, the day was already fabulous.
###
Later, Whitney received a phone call from the company in Boston where she’d ordered most of the furniture for the cottage. Another delay. Sighing with frustration, she decided to go to the house to make a list of the smaller items she still needed for the cottage. She’d set aside some of those choices, waiting until the furniture arrived. But now, she decided to go ahead and select a few more final touches for the décor. The house they were renting was going on the market at the end of September, and they needed to be out a few days earlier.
She drove to the Lilac Lake Inn and paused to see the progress on it. Aaron was overseeing construction there. Noticing him, she got out of the car. The exterior of the main lodge was pretty much the same, although skylights had been added along with a kitchen addition that any chef would love. The two former guestroom wings had been replaced by larger ones that were more modern in design but would retain some of the more rustic interior features of the main building to make them compatible. Things like paneled walls in the hallways and pine trim in the rooms. The result of the renovation so far was a major improvement from the simple, rustic inn GG had successfully overseen for years. And the lakefront setting amidst evergreens and lilac bushes couldn’t be more beautiful.
“Looks like things are moving along,” Whitney said to Aaron.
He smiled at her. “It’s going to be spectacular when it’s done. The exterior is almost finished. Then the tedious work on the interior will begin. That’s the part that guests will notice most, and the finishing touches have to be done carefully.”
“I can’t think of a better company to do it than Collister Construction.”
He grinned. “You sound like Dani’s sister, all right. She’s our biggest cheerleader.”
Whitney returned his smile. “She loves being part of the team. You’re lucky to have her.”
“I know it,” said Aaron agreeably. “Where are you off to?”
“The cottage. I need to figure out some finishing touches myself.”
“Want me to go with you to keep you safe from the ghost?”
She laughed. “No, thanks. I’m fine. We haven’t seen any sign of the ghost lately.”
“But you still haven’t done the attic yet. Mind if I make a suggestion?” At the shake of her head, he continued. “Why don’t you open up that space by ripping out the exterior wall facing the lake and add a balcony for some additional sunning space? Think of the views you could have from there. You don’t really need an extra room, and you haven’t decided on a screened porch. This could be an easy fix to a space whose use has always been questionable.”
Whitney felt her eyes widen. “What a super plan.”
“Something to think about. Brad and I wanted to buy the cottage at one time, and it’s an idea I once had.”
Elated by the thought, Whitney said, “Let me talk it over with Dani and Taylor. Opening up the space would be one way to get rid of the ghost hiding up there.”
“It’s not as easy as it sounds. We’d have to cantilever the balcony and decide how far back into the cottage structure the beams would have to go in order to meet all the building codes. Some sliding-glass doors to close the room off in colder weather would add a nice finishing touch. But it can be done.”
“I love the idea—a private nest overlooking the world around us.”
His dark eyes flashed approval. “That’s how I see it too.”
###
Whitney was still thinking about Aaron’s suggestion when she pulled up to the cottage. It still hadn’t been painted the warm gray she’d chosen, and now she was glad. Best to wait until the entire work was completed before doing that. And until the painting was done, the landscaping would have to wait.
At the cottage, she parked her car and decided to look at the attic space before calling her sisters. She wanted to be able to envision how it would look so she could sell them on the plan.
She entered the house and stood a moment by the front entrance. Studying the interior now, no one would guess how awful it had looked before. Gone were the ordinary, closed off rooms , replaced by openness and sunshine that combined to give anyone a warm greeting.
Dani had done a fantastic job of rearranging space. Whitney knew her contributions of color inside helped to show it off.
She headed upstairs. There, too, she took a moment to look around. Now, the master bedroom and two bedrooms were spacious and adaptable. For the bedrooms, Whitney had chosen a woodland theme with green walls and light-wood furniture. The wooden floors would be covered in part by a handwoven rag rugs in various blues and greens, reflecting the colors of the woods and the sky.
She moved to the door to the attic. As she’d learned to do from her sisters, she said quietly, “We wish you no harm,” as she opened it. She didn’t know whether it was necessary, but she chose to honor the words Aaron had first spoken when entering the house with Taylor.
She flipped on the light and climbed the stairs feeling a coldness wash through her. “Stop it,” she told herself and walked onto the landing. The three windows facing the lake allowed sunlight through them in lemony slices. Thinking of what Aaron had suggested, she imagined the outer wall and windows gone, an expanse of sliding glass doors with a cantilevered balcony beyond it and sighed with pleasure.
She walked over to the windows and peered outside to get a better view. A shadow reflected in the glass moved behind her. She whipped around. Seeing nothing, she once again told herself to calm down and realized a cloud had passed by the sun causing shadows.
Able now to visualize it, she couldn’t wait to tell her sisters about it. No doubt there’d be extra cost, but she was willing to donate the difference between what had been set aside and the actual expense. If all went well with her conversation with her sisters, maybe the work could start right away.
She sprinted down the stairs and closed the attic door behind her. At the sound of someone walking on the first floor below, she froze.
“Whitney? Are you here?” came a voice that set her heart racing.
She went to the stairway and looked down at Nick’s smiling face. “What are you doing here?”
“Aaron called me on personal business and when he told me he met up with you as you were heading to the cottage, I thought I’d surprise you.”
“Thanks,” Whitney said, hurrying down the stairs to greet him.
He opened his arms, and as she rushed into them, she saw sparkles of light around him. He kissed her and a warmth rushed through her.
“I’ve thought about you all morning,” he murmured, cupping her face in his hands and gazing at her with such love tears swam in Whitney’s eyes. She thought she heard a sigh and realized a breeze had entered the house through the open door.
“Are you cold?” Nick asked her.
“What? No, but thanks.” She nestled closer to him wanting to feel every inch of his body next to hers.
“How about lunch at the café?” Nick asked, rubbing her back.
“Dani says once everyone sees us together, they’ll know about us. Are you ready for that?” she asked him.
“The better question is, are you ready?” Nick asked, his gaze penetrating her.
She drew a deep breath. After being with him like this, feeling whole with him, she didn’t care who knew they’d chosen to be together. “I am.”
“Good. Then let’s go,” he said, kissing her once more.
They walked to the front door and outside.
As Whitney turned to lock the door, she noticed a streak of sunlight falling across the floor of the living room where she and Nick had stood. It seemed appropriate, as if their love were still shining there.
###
When they walked into the café, Crystal and several others turned to them. Whitney smiled at Nick, who winked at her, and they found seats outside on the patio in the shade. She loved being able to eat in the open air like this.
Excited about the idea Aaron had come up with, Whitney told Nick about the plans.
“The views of the White Mountains from there should be fabulous. It’s going to be a very special house when you’re done with it.”
“I think so too,” she said. With Dani moving in with Brad and Taylor moving to New York City, it would be up to her to make sure the house was lived in. That brought a smile to her face. Telling herself to slow down, she nevertheless wondered how Nick would feel spending time there with her.
After their order had been taken and food delivered, Crystal walked up to the table, pulled out a chair, and sat down, beaming at them. “I see this has finally happened.”
“What do you mean?” said Whitney, unable to stop a smile.
“The two of you together are perfect. It shows on your faces—that certain satisfaction that comes from choosing right.” She turned to Nick and said quietly, “I’m thrilled for you, Nick. You know I am. I hope I find my Mr. Right soon. I’ve got a sudden yearning to make something work.”
Nick covered Crystal’s hand with his. “I know you will, Crystal. It just wasn’t me.”
“You’re such a good man, but not right for me. I always knew it was Whitney.”
Whitney remained quiet listening to the interchange. It was rare for exes to talk like this, and she was grateful that both Crystal and Nick were such kind people. In this small town, Crystal’s acceptance of their new relationship was important.
Crystal turned to her. “I’m happy for you, Whitney. I guess this means you’ll be staying in town for a while.”
“Yes. My career is presently on hold. And I still have all that work to do for Zane’s foundation. In fact, I’m hoping for some input from you this winter when things calm down for you.”
“The ski crowd shows up then, but it isn’t busy like summers,” said Crystal. “And you know I’m always glad to help however I can. You’re the one friend who understands my need to be involved with the theater.”
Whitney grinned. “That’s why I’m hoping to talk to you about a couple of ideas.”
“I’ll be ready when you are. I’m hiring someone to help me with the café in the fall. We’ll see what happens from there.” She glanced around the restaurant. “Better get back to my customers.”
After she left the table, Nick said, “Crystal and I are friends who married for the wrong reasons. I admire Crystal for her achievement with the café.”
“She deserves it after all the work she’s done to change her life.”
Nick reached across the table, and squeezed her hand. “You’re a success too. I don’t want to be the one to ruin it for you.”
Whitney gazed into his eyes and smiled. “I appreciate that, and there is no way you could ruin it for me.”
They finished in companionable silence and then Nick said, “I’d better get back to work. It’s been quiet, but it won’t stay that way with a weekend coming up.”
Whitney gathered her purse. “I’ve got to be in touch with my sisters so we can make a decision about the balcony idea Aaron mentioned. You’re welcome to come for dinner. It won’t be fancy, but I’d love to have you.”
He chuckled. “In that case, I’d love to come and have you.”
They laughed together.