Chapter 19
BOONE
The work on the snow room had begun quickly after my parents approved the work. Kennedy recommended a contractor who dealt with high-end installations in luxury spas, and they subcontracted with a specialized refrigeration-technology provider.
My parents hired Sterling Brothers Construction to handle the local contracting, and I was tasked with providing the furniture and tree structures. I got to work right away because I knew how important this room was to Kennedy.
Whether I agreed with it or not, most of the family was excited for the final result. I spent my days in the workshop, working on the snow room and the brewery's outdoor furniture. The evenings I spent with Kennedy in my apartment.
We poured over plans for the cabin I was going to build. I couldn't help but think it was weird that we were talking about something that she probably wouldn't see.
I was planning a future without her in it, and it sucked. As much as I wanted to focus on myself and what I wanted, I couldn't help but think I was missing an important piece of the puzzle—Kennedy.
"You have to have a wraparound porch with a swing either on the front or the back and a hot tub. And you'll want to have enough bedrooms in case you want kids one day."
"I do want kids, but I'm not sure I should build a house with four or five bedrooms when that's not in my immediate future. I could always add on more later."
"Don't make your house small because your life hasn't lined up perfectly yet. You never know what's going to happen."
Working in my shop all day, I didn't meet many people. And I wasn't sure I wanted to. Not anymore. Not since Kennedy came into my life and upended everything.
I was content spending time with Kennedy, and I was at peace with whatever her decision was surrounding the inn.
But I couldn't ignore the niggling fear that letting her go was a mistake.
That if she got on that plane, she wasn't coming back.
Her life was only going to expand. She'd have new, bigger clients, and she would be traveling more often.
She wouldn't have time to visit the inn, see the snow room, or anything else.
She'd be too big for Hart Inn. It was only a matter of time before that happened.
"You should get everything you want. The fireplace in the living room and the master. What about an outdoor kitchen?" Kennedy asked.
"That would be nice. I love to grill."
"It's going to look amazing. I can't wait for them to start building it. Did you get a date for that?" Kennedy asked, excitement filling her voice.
I'd decided on a contractor, and now I had to decide on the plans. "This spring. As soon as it's warm enough to break ground."
"That's so exciting. I'm so happy for you." She threw her arms around my neck and pressed her tits against my chest.
"I just wish you could be here to see it." Shit. Why had I said that? "You know, since you've been so helpful with the design. It seems only fitting you get to see the final project."
She pulled back and said, "I can visit to see the snow room and your cabin."
"If you have time. I'm sure you'll be busy."
"I can always stop by between jobs. It's not a big deal."
She talked about coming and going as if it wouldn't affect her, and maybe it wouldn't. Maybe what we'd shared didn't mean anything to her. I'd stopped trying to fight it. It was no use, especially because I was fairly sure I was in love with her.
I loved spending all my free time with her. I stopped work as soon as she came by so that I got as much time with her as possible. I didn't mind that she was here giving my parents advice anymore. I loved having her in my space, and I never wanted her to leave.
But I didn't have a choice in the matter. She was an independent woman and had a life somewhere else. How fair would it be for me to ask her to stay?
I couldn't hold her back or make her choose between her dream home and here. I tried to imagine myself in Miami, and I couldn't. I had a feeling that handcrafted furniture was more in demand here than there. I wouldn't fit in, and it was no use trying to.
So I wouldn't consider Beck's recommendation about moving. It didn't make sense for me. But I appreciated that Beck was able to make things work with Clara. It just wasn't possible for me and Kennedy. I couldn't tell her how I felt because there was no way it would work out.
I couldn't hold her back or ask her to give up everything she'd worked for either. There was no solution to our situation. No way out.
Instead, I'd enjoy every moment I got with her now. "You want to see the log bench I designed?"
When she first came over, we almost always had sex before scrounging for food. Then we'd talk about work on the inn and plans for the cabin.
"I'd love to." She got out of bed and pulled on sweats and a hoodie.
I did the same, and we went downstairs, turning on the lights.
I led her to the area where I was constructing several log benches.
I wasn't sure what she wanted, so I'd built a few different log-type benches, and a few stumps.
I didn't show her the other thing I was working on.
It was a surprise for the day we opened the room.
As much as I wanted her feedback on it, I also wanted to keep it a surprise.
She said she wanted me to be creative with my work, so I'd gone all out, thinking of something that would make the room different from the others we'd seen.
"These are exactly what I wanted. Benches for couples or families to sit on and a few stumps situated throughout the room to give it that rustic feel."
"I'm glad you like it."
"I think this is exactly what we need."
"I need to construct the trees next." I'd never built anything like that before, but it had given me the idea for the surprise I was making.
"It's going to look great when we're done with everything." She wandered over to my second staging area. "What's this?"
"The chairs for the brewery. Rowan wanted rockers, Adirondack chairs, and picnic tables."
She ran a hand over the octagon picnic table. "This is beautiful."
"It's a simple design."
"Yeah, but you can't buy quality like this anymore. What you do is remarkable."
"I like to make things that last, that people will enjoy for a long time."
She hooked her arm through my elbow. "I think you're doing that."
"I'm planning to have rockers on hand to order and maybe even these picnic tables."
A line appeared between her eyebrows. "I can see you expanding in the future. You'll need a storage area for your items. Then someone to deliver or package and ship them."
"You're getting ahead of yourself." My heart rate picked up despite my reservations.
"Once you put yourself out there and showcase your work at the brewery and the inn, you're going to get calls for these things. You should be prepared."
I was excited and also a little scared. "What if I can't handle the production side? What if I take on too many orders?"
"You're going to be fine. You'll hire when you need to, and I'm sure your family will help in a pinch."
"It's all happening at once, and it feels scary sometimes. I'm doing something completely different from before." Things were easier when I wasn't creating a website or marketing online. I wasn't taking any risks, and I didn't have to worry about failing.
She hugged me. "You're going to be great."
When she was by my side, I felt supported, as if I could do anything. But soon she'd be gone, and I'd be on my own.
* * *
I was working on the trees that would go into the snow room and a surprise item or two that I hoped she was going to like. Once she said I should feel free to use my imagination, my creative juices really flowed.
It was fun to have full rein on what I was building. I wasn't sure she'd use them, and if not, they were a waste of time. It was a risk, but I couldn't help but think that I was inspired to create something for a reason.
Kennedy's enthusiasm had worn off on me, and I couldn't wait to see my creations in the snow room.
It wasn't the furniture I'd envisioned, but the snow room would hold a prominent place on the website, and I was assured that my work would be credited.
That's what I wanted all along. Some kind of validation for my business.
Not that I was relying on that anymore. I'd spent a lot of time on video calls with Gina to go over what I wanted featured on the website and how I wanted everything set up. I was so glad I decided to outsource that particular task. I didn't have the expertise, patience, or time to build a website.
Gina brought up things that I hadn't even thought about. She was obviously skilled in website design and marketing, and I could use all the help I could get.
I cleaned up the shop early because there were Valentine's events going on at the brewery and the inn. There was a special dinner at the restaurant, a dance at the inn in the atrium, and a themed tasting at the brewery with dessert.
I showered and dressed in a suit, not sure where I was going to end up for the night. I stopped at the inn first. The restaurant was fully booked, so none of us would see Malcolm. I stepped into the atrium where a band had started to play.
There was a chocolate fountain off to the side with fruit and other dipping options. Couples were dancing, and servers were walking around with glasses of champagne. I snagged one when a server went past, sipping it as I took in the space.
I was happy with how things were going. I was building my business and enjoying my time with Kennedy. I'd made peace with the idea that my work would be in the snow room and potentially the suites on the top floor. Life was good.
"Boone," Kennedy said as she stood next to me.
I turned slightly so that I could take her in. She wore a red cocktail dress with a plunging V-neck bodice. It nipped at the waist and flared over her hips.
"What do you think?" She twirled in a circle so that her ruffled skirt swung around her bare legs. Straps crossed over her shoulder blades but otherwise her back was bare. She wore strapped silver heels on her feet, and I wanted to pull her against my body so she could feel how she affected me.
"You're gorgeous."
Her cheeks flushed pink. "Thank you."
I set my glass on a nearby table. "You want to dance?"
She smiled. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"
"I'm being the perfect escort. I can't have you standing here alone in that dress." I took her hand and led her to the dance floor.
I turned to face her, placing a hand in hers and one on her hips.
She tipped her head to the side. "Why do you seem irritated?"
I pulled her closer. "I'm thinking about how I can't leave you alone dressed like that."
She laughed, and my chest tightened. "You don't want someone else dancing with me?"
"Is there something wrong with that?" I asked, wondering who scheduled a Valentine's dance unless it was to torture me.
She smiled, and it was breathtaking. "Not at all. But you sound jealous, possessive."
"Jealous of someone who's not even hitting on you yet?" I asked, realizing how ridiculous that sounded.
"Yes, actually."
"I want you to myself. Is that so bad?" I asked softly.
Her face sobered. "I want the same. You're looking handsome in that suit. I don't see you dressed up very often."
"The most dressed up I get is slacks and a button-down. I only bring this out for special occasions."
A smile spread slowly over her lips. "I can see why. You're devastating in black."
That made me pause. No one had ever noticed me like Kennedy.
"All the women are looking at you."
My gaze didn't stray from hers. "That's absurd. I've been to these things before, and no one hits on me. Not like my brothers."
She tipped her head to the side. "That's because you give off this stay-away-from-me vibe.
You're all in your head, probably thinking about whatever it is you're making in your shop at the moment.
You don't have the headspace for scanning the room, looking for the right woman. She has to be in your life already."
I wasn't sure I had anyone so accurately describe me before. "You might be right."
She grinned. "You know I am. You're too busy to look around you and see the women checking you out."
"I still don't believe you." And I wasn't going to check because I didn't want to look at anyone but her. "You're mine for the night."
She smoothed the lapel on my jacket. "Are you asking to be my date for the evening?"
"I wasn't asking."
She laughed. "Sure, Boone. I'd love to be your date."
The tightness in my chest loosened. "We might have to make an appearance at the brewery."
"I want to see everything the Harts have to offer tonight."
"That can be arranged." With Kennedy at my side, I wouldn't be pulled into serving anyone at the brewery or cleaning dishes at the restaurant.
We continued to dance around the room, enjoying the band's music. After a few songs, we paused and grabbed two glasses of champagne.
Then I led her outside onto the patio. There were various seating areas with heaters strategically placed throughout the space so that various groups could gather and have privacy.
I led the way to the edge of the patio far away from the atrium windows.
I wanted Kennedy to myself, even if it was only for a few minutes.
"This place is magical. I can see how you live here year-round."
"I'm sure it doesn't compare to your condo with a beach view."
"Oh, I don't know. You have the inn, the brewery, and the mountains. There's so much to see and explore. And I kind of love the quiet at night when all you can hear is the sound of the woods, the creek of a branch, the hoot of an owl."
"You like it here?" I asked, surprised by how hard my heart was beating.
"I'm surprising myself by saying this, but yes, I do."
Was it possible that she could see herself living here and not just as a visitor? It was too much to hope for.