Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
“I don’t know, Gran. Snowberry is going to be all torn apart in the next few weeks, and—”
“It doesn’t have to be immediate,” she said. “We could wait for the refurbishment to be complete. How would that be?”
“I’ll talk to Devlin,” I said, vowing that I would not walk through the motions of my dream Snowberry wedding wearing Gran’s veil as part of this charade.
My grandmother beamed. “That’s all I ask.” Then she paused. “Well, that plus some great-grandchildren, but one thing at a time.”
Devlin and I threw ourselves into the remodel headfirst.
We scheduled appointments with contractors and designers and restauranteurs. I contacted everyone with reservations and explained we were closing for the season for renovations, and while there were some complaints, most of the guests had been loyal to Snowberry for years and were excited to return once the work was complete. We decided to keep one lift running on weekends for daytime hikers, although that would have to stop when the snow fell.
Tabitha was giving me the silent treatment, which made me nervous, but Devlin remained relatively unconcerned, especially once the power of attorney forms had been signed.
Still, I worried my cousin was up to something. It wasn’t like her to be so quiet.
One morning, Gran informed me that Tabitha wanted time off to go visit her father in Florida.
“Would that be okay?” Her expression was apologetic. “I’m sorry to ask you to work longer hours, darling. I know you’re a newlywed and want to be spending time with your husband.”
“It’s fine, Gran.” Actually, I’d be less stressed without Tabitha hovering. “I don’t mind at all. Truthfully, we’re not that busy. The last few reservations are this weekend, and then we’re closed to guests.”
She sighed and looked around the lobby. “It makes me sad to think of this place empty for the holidays. It’s always so magical at Christmas.”
“It will be magical again, Gran.” I smiled. “Not just in the winter either.” On my lunch break, Devlin and I were going to grab a golf cart and drive up to Otter Lake, which was at the north end of the property. I’d pitched some ideas for expanding our summertime offerings, like renting paddle boards or kayaks or putting in a fishing dock, and he wanted to see the area for himself to gauge its potential. “Trust me.”
“I do.” She angled her head a different way and gave me a sly smile. “You’re looking particularly happy this morning.”
“I’m feeling happy, Gran.”
“Married life agrees with you.”
I laughed. “I guess it must.”
“You’re even wearing a dress.” Gran’s eyes traveled approvingly up and down my body. “You hardly ever wear dresses to work.”
“Devlin and I have a meeting with a contractor this afternoon,” I told her, neglecting to mention that Devlin let it slip at our wedding reception that he loved when I wore dresses because my legs drove him crazy. “And later we’re going out for dinner to celebrate our one-month wedding anniversary.”
“How sweet!” Gran was elated. “Things are going well with the two of you?”
“Yes,” I said, glad it wasn’t a lie. “Things are going very well.”
“What do you think?” I looked over at Devlin, who stood at the edge of Otter Lake, surveying it beneath the shade of one hand. His brow was slightly furrowed. “I know it’s not huge, but do you think it has potential?”
“Definitely,” he said. “I’m even wondering if we could put in a little beach on the western shore there. Bring in some sand and build it up.”
My heart thumped happily, and I clapped my hands. “I vote yes!”
After walking the perimeter of the lake, we saw an old path leading into the surrounding woods and followed it, disappearing into the cool shade of the trees. The crisp fall air carried the scent of dried leaves and damp earth. After a minute, Devlin stopped and inhaled. “I love that smell. Reminds me of my childhood.”
“Me too.” Suddenly I was overcome with excitement for the future, joy at the prospect of bringing this place back to life, and gratitude for the man standing beside me. I looped my arms around his neck and pressed close to his body. “I can’t thank you enough for everything you’re doing for me. Even if it’s not technically for me. It’s making me very happy.”
His arms came around me. “I’m glad. I like seeing you happy.”
“Want to see me even more happy? Let’s ride the chairlift to the top of the mountain and look at the fall foliage!”
He laughed. “Not. A fucking. Chance.”
I pouted, and he caught my lower lip in his teeth before sealing his mouth to mine. His hands roamed over my back and his tongue swept into my mouth. When he grabbed my ass, pulling me against the bulge of his erection, I moaned with regret.
“I have to go back to work,” I told him.