13. Bailey
Bailey
Saturday arrived before I knew it. It was the morning of the festival, and I was already two coffees deep, moving through the grounds with a clipboard and a purpose—directing vendors, fielding questions, fixing problems before they became disasters.
This mattered. Today mattered. It was my first real impression on everyone in town, and first impressions were like scars around here; they never really went away. My plan was to stay so focused today that there wouldn’t be any remaining brain space left to think about him.
“Florals should go on all of the wooden tables in the lobby, and I’ll check with Eli on where we can find some extra vases,” I said to the florist. Even though it was shaping up to be a gorgeous day, I knocked on every piece of wood I passed.
Deep breaths, Bailey. You could handle anything that came your way.
I am worthy. I am lovable. There is only one of me.
Speaking of distractions heading my way, I saw Noah peek his head into the lobby. He’d been surprisingly hands-off this morning, a head nod here or there, trusting me completely to run the show.
“Need me to do anything?” he offered.
“I’m okay. Could you check with Grant and make sure the beers are getting pre-chilled?”
“Yes, ma’am, I can.”
Don’t ask me why the yes, ma’am made my thighs clench and my palms sweat.
I made my way to the front lawn, taking in the cozy sight of booths lining the lush green grass.
The vibe of the festival was family-friendly, with a splash of Southern tailgate energy.
Cold beers in coolers, cornhole boards spaced strategically throughout the lawn, and a grill manned by our in-house chef.
Business owners began to arrive, adding their own personal touches to their booths and telling me how thrilled they were to be here.
Eli passed by, hauling bags of ice over his shoulder. “Things are really starting to take shape. I’ll have to let your boss know you deserve a raise,” he said with a wink.
I flushed and ducked my head, heading over to Piper’s studio booth, where she was placing stickers of pointe shoes around the table.
“I can’t tell you how excited I am that you were able to make this work,” I said. “The kids are going to lose their minds when they find out they get to learn from a professional dancer.”
“Ah, former professional dancer…” Piper trailed off.
I reached over and squeezed her hand. “Well, a dancer, nonetheless. I’ll swing by when your lesson starts. God knows I could use the help.”
“I’ll save you a spot, front and center!” she laughed.
Everything seemed to be going according to plan, so I figured now was as good a time as any to dip out and change.
I decided on a dark pink silk sundress with a high neckline that flared just right around my thighs.
It made me feel flirty and fun and was exactly the type of energy I needed heading into today.
I exited my room, making sure I locked the door behind me, and bumped directly into Noah. I looked up at him, my eyes tracking from his chest all the way to his eyes, and close enough that I was able to catch the clean scent of soap and cedar on his shirt.
“Hi, boss.”
He backed up a few paces, clearly keeping his distance like I’d asked—so why did it hurt so much when he was just doing what I’d requested?
“I just wanted to let you know what a privilege it’s been to watch you work today,” he said. “You could run today with your eyes closed and still know where everything is supposed to be.” He palmed the back of his neck. “I can’t think of anyone who could do this job better than you.”
It was a professional compliment, one I should’ve been over the moon about. But I wished he’d said it while holding my hand or brushing my hair back. Holding boundaries was a bitch sometimes.
“Don’t thank me yet,” I said. “We’ve still got a lot of day left to tackle.”
He shoved his hands into his pockets, looking nervous, which was rare for him.
“I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable the other day,” he continued. “You told me your boundaries, shared how much this new start meant to you, and I still selfishly only thought about myself.”
I gaped at him, my brain short-circuiting. “It wasn’t just you. I was…a very willing participant, too.” I didn’t want him to think that we couldn’t be together because of anything that was wrong with him.
I had so much baggage sitting on the front stoop of my life, and I was using it as an excuse to keep pushing him away. I toyed with the edge of my dress, wondering how much to share.
“When I was in middle school, I spent the night at my friend’s house. I remember going up to her room after school, and her mom joining us shortly after.”
Noah’s attention was locked on me, unwavering.
“Her mom sat on the bed and hugged her close, asking about her day and any funny stories she wanted to share, just providing comfort after a long day. I remember watching them and feeling a deep pit in my stomach because I didn’t realize that a connection like that was normal.
Mothers should want to connect with you.
Uplift you. Love you. That scene had never played out in my own life before. ”
I dropped my gaze. “If I can make myself into something here, into someone, maybe I can change my relationship with my mom. Maybe things could be better? Different?”
I looked up and searched his eyes, pleading with him to understand that this was more than just a job for me. It was my perceived worth, my one shot to excel in a way that would make my mom notice for once.
Noah took a breath before he stepped closer. “Can you give me sixty seconds to not be your boss?”
I glanced back and forth down the hall. “Permission granted.”
“I’m so sorry that was your experience and that you didn’t feel worthy in the way you deserved.” His voice softened. “And honestly, I can’t say I understand why someone would act in such a selfish manner. My Ma would’ve roped the moon for us.”
I looked up at him, tenderness and concern coloring his features.
“You—” He stopped, dragging a hand through his hair.
“You could wreck this festival or piss off every guest here. You could burn this inn to the ground, and it wouldn’t put a dent in how much you mean to me.
I don’t tie your worth to your accomplishments, and I’d never write you out of my life because of them. ”
His voice dropped, rough at the edges. “I see you. Every sparkle. Every bump. Every ache. Every dream. I see you, pretty girl.”
I blinked rapidly, fighting traitorous tears. “You’ve got twenty seconds left.”
He didn’t hesitate, swooping in and wrapping his arms around my waist as mine looped around his neck on autopilot.
His heartbeat was steady beneath my ear, and he held me like there was nowhere else he needed to be.
Nothing heated, just him proving I could rely on him.
He saw me as Bailey, and that was enough.
I stepped out of the embrace first, dabbing underneath my eyes. “What are the chances I could convince Eli to take that dance lesson later with me?”
He laughed, inching backward. “I don’t think you’ll have any trouble, peaches.”
An hour later, the festival was in full swing, and I watched Noah do a line dance, balancing a beer in one hand and a baby in the other. I have to say that was not on my bingo card for the day. I hid my laugh behind my hand as I ventured toward the entrance area of the lawn.
From a distance, it looked like a couple arriving, but upon closer inspection, I realized it was a mother-son duo.
The woman was middle-aged and stunning. She was petite, with a short, bouncy brunette bob and a purple, flowing maxi dress that fell off her shoulders.
Gold bangles lined her wrist, clinking softly as she moved, and she almost appeared regal.
The kind of confidence that only existed because of lived experiences flowed off her in waves, and she turned the heads of everyone she passed.
There was a warmth to her smile, easy and knowing, that felt distinctly maternal, the kind of smile that put people at ease without trying. Even the staff seemed to light up at her presence, straightening and smiling a little wider as she passed.
Her son, whom she seemed to tease relentlessly, had a soft face with just a hint of scruff—clearly on the precipice of adulthood.
I went to greet them, but before I could even get a word in, the woman walked right up to me, cocked her hip, and said, “What can you tell me about the owner? I’ve heard he can be a real hard-ass. ”
“Ma,” the son exclaimed.
My eyes widened before I smoothed my expression. “I’ve only known him just under a month, since I’m new to the inn, but he’s been perfectly charming to me.”
Her brows lifted as she peered over my shoulder.
“Did you hear that, Ma? Bailey thinks I’m charming.”
I didn’t need to turn around to hear the smirk. Noah stood behind me, arms crossed. In front of me must have been his mother, the former owner, and his youngest brother.
I opened my arms for a hug, then quickly retracted them into a professional handshake.
Shit. How do I greet this woman?
“It’s great to meet you, Ms. Whitaker—and you, too, Theo. I’ve heard fantastic things about you both.”
“Well, that makes two of us, sweetheart. Let’s settle in and get to know each other,” she said.
Oh, dear god.
She steered us toward a picnic table, and Noah laughed while shooing me away. We sat down, and Grant slid a beer my way, mouthing “you’ll need it” as he slowly backed away from the picnic table.
“I’m Camille, but I’ll respond to basically anything if I like someone.”
“And if you don’t like them?” I asked.
“Well then, I hope they don’t need anything important from me,” she laughed. “What do you think of Bexley?” she asked.
“It’s…very different from where I’m from. In a good way, though. Everyone knows each other and turns out for stuff like this.” I gestured around the front lawn. “People are dependable here.”
“I think people turned out because they heard that there was something to be excited about. Don’t sell yourself short, dear,” she replied. “I’ve lived here my entire life, and nobody shows up to events just to be polite around here. We’re polite around here, but we’re not that polite.”
“Your sons are really great,” I said. “From day one, they have been nothing but helpful and accepting of me, I’m sure due to their upbringing.”
“Ha!” she exclaimed. “I won’t turn down a compliment, but I can’t take all the credit.
There were plenty of instances where I did not win the award for ‘Ma of the Year.’ Grant once replaced every saltshaker in the restaurant with sugar and damn near made the whole place sick,” she said, shooting him a look.
“I was eight, Ma! Give me a break!” he shouted back.
She sipped her iced tea and turned back to me, her gaze maternal and knowing in a way I wasn’t used to. It must have been a Southern mom trait to always look like she had the perfect piece of advice for any problem.
She tilted her head toward Noah, who was wrestling with a booth sign. “How’s he been treating you?”
My mind flashed to bare skin, kisses, and wildly inappropriate actions with a thumb. “He’s been great. Very hands-off. Uber professional.”
I was absolutely going to hell.
“I know he can be intense,” she said. “Part of it is how he was raised, and part of it is just who he is. His father left when he was eight. Suddenly, his brothers were looking to him for answers.” She sighed.
“I think he took every ounce of anger he had toward Robert and turned it into productivity. Into taking care of us, of me. It’s just what he does. ”
I nodded, piecing together new cracks in Noah’s armor. “He speaks very highly of you.”
“And he speaks highly of you, too,” she said with a wink.
I was suddenly extremely thirsty and took a large gulp of my beer. She couldn’t have known about Noah and me, right?
“I won’t take up all your time, but just know that we take care of our own around here,” she said. “And that includes you now. So if that fear was holding you back from anything, don’t let it.”
Talk about a punch to the gut. I just met this woman, and she had already pinpointed my biggest fears and concerns.
“I—” I stuttered. I didn’t know how to respond and was torn between saying thank you for the kind advice and shouting SO YOU THINK I SHOULD DATE YOUR SON?! Unfortunately, there was no in-between option with me.
I prepared to try again when something fell on my forehead; a raindrop? Shit. I glanced up at the sky, which had rapidly darkened during my conversation with Camille, and dread washed over me.
The sky opened without warning, and I blinked furiously as rain dripped into my eyes. I looked at Camille, who was already up and gathering her things.
She gently shooed me, “Go, you can handle this, Bailey.”
What had just been a fun summer tailgate quickly turned into Noah’s Ark. I frantically ushered vendors into the lobby and tried to remember whether there was anything critical outside that couldn’t get wet.
My brain itched to panic, to whisper, of course I’d mess this up, but there wasn’t time for that if we wanted to keep things running. The afternoon was winding down anyway, but that didn’t mean anyone wanted their products soaked.
I was drenched. My hair was plastered to my face, sundress clinging to me like glue. Thunder cracked in the distance, and I berated myself for not checking the weather a fifteenth time.
I ran back onto the lawn, flats splashing through puddles, when I spotted Noah escorting a pregnant woman to the porch. He headed back toward me, rain be damned, and I braced myself—for disappointment, for critique, for the quiet confirmation I’d ruined everything.
It never came.
His curls were soaked, rain dripping from the ends as he ran toward me—eyes locked, unwavering. Before I could brace myself, he reached me, hands firm at my waist, and lifted me clean off the ground.
A startled laugh tore out of me as the world tilted, my feet leaving the grass, water spraying around us as he spun. The rain came down harder, soaking through everything, but he didn’t slow—just held on tighter, like he couldn’t help himself.
This is what it feels like to be chosen.
I clung to his shoulders, breathless, my face pressed into the warm curve of his neck, despite the storm.
“Noah!” I gasped, blinking against the rain.
“You were brilliant today, peaches.”
“I’m sorry, did you miss the thunderstorm currently happening?” I shouted over the downpour.
He set me back on my feet, but his hands lingered—sliding up to cup my cheeks, thumbs brushing away rain that wouldn’t stop falling.
“You were an absolute star today,” he said, softer now, like the storm quieted just for us. “And I am so proud of you.”
Another crack formed in my emotional wall against Noah, and soon enough, one strong shove would be all it would take to knock it over.
He tenderly brushed wet hair from my face before noticing my teeth chattering.
“Let’s get you inside and celebrate properly,” he said softly.